1948 Arizona gubernatorial election

The 1948 Arizona gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1948. Following the death of Governor Sidney Preston Osborn while in office, Dan Edward Garvey, who was serving as Secretary of State of Arizona was ascended to the position of governor, and thus ran for a full term. Facing a crowded primary field, Garvey emerged successful as the Democratic party's nominee.

1948 Arizona gubernatorial election

November 2, 1948

Nominee Dan Edward Garvey Bruce Brockett Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 104,008 70,419 Percentage 59.17% 40.06%

Governor before election Dan Edward Garvey Democratic Elected Governor Dan Edward Garvey Democratic

Dan Edward Garvey was challenged by Republican Bruce Brockett in the general election, who had run in 1946 against Osborn, and had previously signaled a shift in voters becoming more Republican, outperforming their past electoral failures significantly.[1] Despite this, Garvey was elected to a full term, and was sworn in on January 4, 1949.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Dan Edward Garvey, incumbent Governor (ascended to Governor following the death of Sidney P. Osborn)
• Richard F. Harless, U.S. Congressman
• Jim Smith
• J. Melvin Goodson, state representative
• Thad M. Moore, Arizona State Tax Commission
• Marvin E. Smith, state senator
• Howard Sprouse, state senator

Results

Democratic primary results[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Dan Edward Garvey	34,756	28.04%
	Democratic	Richard F. Harless	25,084	20.23%
	Democratic	Jim Smith	19,723	15.91%
	Democratic	J. Melvin Goodson	19,478	15.71%
	Democratic	Thad M. Moore	13,091	10.56%
	Democratic	Marvin E. Smith	11,219	9.05%
	Democratic	Howard Sprouse	616	0.50%
Total votes			123,967	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Bruce Brockett, cattleman and Republican nominee for governor in 1946
• William R. Bourden, state legislator

Results

Republican primary results[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bruce Brockett	10,562	58.17%
	Republican	William R. Bourden	7,595	41.83%
Total votes			18,157	100.00

General election

Arizona gubernatorial election, 1948[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Democratic	Dan Edward Garvey	104,008	59.17%
	Republican	Bruce Brockett	70,419	40.06%
	Prohibition	Ernest Fohle	1,340	0.76%
Majority			33,589	19.11%
Turnout			175,767
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing

References

1. Lavin, Patrick. "Arizona: An Illustrated History". Retrieved October 25, 2016.
2. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=773823
3. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=747714
4. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=173720