1912 Florida gubernatorial election

The 1912 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1912. Incumbent Governor Albert W. Gilchrist was term-limited. Democratic nominee Park Trammell was elected with 80.42% of the vote.

1912 Florida gubernatorial election

November 5, 1912

Nominee Park Trammell Thomas W. Cox William R. O'Neal Party Democratic Socialist Republican Popular vote 38,977 3,467 2,646 Percentage 80.42% 7.15% 5.46%

Governor before election Albert W. Gilchrist Democratic Elected Governor Park Trammell Democratic

Democratic primary

Primary elections were held on April 30, 1912. The Democratic State Committee canvassed the results on May 9.

Candidates

• Cromwell Gibbons, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
• William Hall Milton, former U.S. Senator
• Edward Manly Semple, attorney
• Park Trammell, incumbent Attorney General of Florida
• John W. Watson, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives

Results

Democratic primary results[1][2][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Park Trammell	27,111	44.11
	Democratic	William Hall Milton	12,409	20.19
	Democratic	John W. Watson	10,760	17.51
	Democratic	Cromwell Gibbons	10,306	16.77
	Democratic	Edward Manly Semple	878	1.43
Total votes			61,464	100.00

Run-off

A run-off between the top two candidates was scheduled for May 28. However, on May 10, Milton withdrew, leaving Trammell the nominee.[4][5]

General election

Candidates

• J. W. Bingham, Prohibition
• Thomas W. Cox, Socialist, unsuccessful candidate for Florida's 2nd congressional district in 1910
• William C. Hodges, Progressive
• William R. O'Neal, Republican, unsuccessful candidate for Florida's 2nd congressional district in 1908
• Park Trammell, Democratic

Results

1912 Florida gubernatorial election[6][7][8][9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Democratic	Park Trammell	38,977	80.42%
	Socialist	Thomas W. Cox	3,467	7.15%
	Republican	William R. O'Neal	2,646	5.46%
	Progressive	William C. Hodges	2,314	4.78%
	Prohibition	J. W. Bingham	1,061	2.19%
Turnout			48,465	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. Kerber 1979, p. 112.
2. "Vote canvassed by State Committee". Pensacola Journal. Pensacola, FL. 10 May 1912. p. 1. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
3. "Abernathy led ticket in first primary". Orlando Evening Star. Orlando, FL. 10 May 1912. p. 1. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
4. Kerber 1979, p. 114.
5. "Milton withdraws; Gibbons a candidate". Pensacola Journal. Pensacola, FL. 11 May 1912. p. 1. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
6. "FL Governor, 1912". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
7. Florida Handbook 1965-66, p. 370.
8. Glashan 1979, pp. 58–59.
9. Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 47.

Bibliography

• Morris, Allen (1965). The Florida Handbook, 1965-66. Tallahassee, FL: The Peninsular Publishing Company.
• Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Meckler Books. ISBN 0-930466-17-9.
• Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.
• Kerber, Stephen (1979). "Chapter 4: The Gubernatorial Contest of 1912: convicts, good roads and sugar". Park Trammell of Florida: A Political Biography (PDF) (Doctor of Philosophy). University of Florida. Retrieved 3 June 2020.