1974 Arizona gubernatorial election

The 1974 Arizona gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1974. Incumbent Governor Jack Williams decided not to run for a fourth term as governor. Former United States Ambassador to Bolivia Raúl Héctor Castro, who was the Democratic nominee in 1970, won the Democratic nomination again in 1974, and narrowly won the general election, defeating Republican nominee Russell Williams by 0.85%. Castro was sworn into his first and only term as governor on January 6, 1975.

1974 Arizona gubernatorial election
November 5, 1974
 
Nominee Raúl Héctor Castro Russell Williams
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 278,375 273,674
Percentage 50.4% 49.6%
County Results
Castro:      50–60%      60–70%
Williams:      50–60%
Governor before election

Jack Williams
Republican

 Elected Governor

Raúl Héctor Castro
Democratic

Elections in Arizona

Prior to the election, there was a recall effort led by Cesar Chavez against incumbent Governor Jack Williams, with 180,000 signatures submitted. Many of the signatures were invalidated by the Attorney General Gary Nelson, but this eventually overturned. By the time this occurred, however, it was meaningless due to the close proximity of the 1974 gubernatorial election, and thus a recall election did not occur.[1]

Approximately two years into his term as governor, Castro would resign to become United States Ambassador to Argentina.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results
Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russell Williams 53,132 35.57%
Republican Evan Mecham 30,266 20.26%
Republican William C. Jacquin 27,138 18.17%
Republican John D. Driggs 23,519 15.75%
Republican Milton H. Graham 15,315 10.25%
Total votes 149,370 100.00

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Raúl Héctor Castro, former United States Ambassador to Bolivia, Democratic nominee for governor in 1970
  • Jack Ross, car dealer
  • Dave Moss, real estate broker
  • Walter "Denver" Caudill, Tubac Country Club golf professional

Results
Democratic primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Raúl Héctor Castro 115,268 67.21%
Democratic Jack Ross 31,250 18.22%
Democratic Dave Moss 19,143 11.16%
Democratic Walter "Denver" Caudill 5,843 3.41%
Total votes 171,504 100.00

General election

Results
Arizona gubernatorial election, 1974[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Raúl Héctor Castro 278,375 50.41%
Republican Russell Williams 273,674 49.56%
Independent Russell Shaw (write-in) 149 0.03%
Independent Harold Bates (write-in) 4 0.00%
Majority 4,701 0.85%
Turnout 552,202
Democratic gain from Republican Swing
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References
  1. http://archive.azcentral.com/news/opinions/columns/articles/0515deUriarte15.html
  2. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=242077
  3. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=349770
  4. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=110186
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