1974 Nebraska gubernatorial election

The 1974 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1974, and featured incumbent Governor James Exon, a Democrat, defeating Republican nominee, state Senator Richard D. Marvel. Independent state Senator Ernie Chambers also captured 5% of the vote as a write-in candidate. This was the first gubernatorial election in Nebraska in which the nominees for Governor and Lieutenant Governor ran as a single ticket, though were chosen in separate primary elections.

1974 Nebraska gubernatorial election

November 5, 1974

Nominee James Exon Richard D. Marvel Ernie Chambers (Write-in) Party Democratic Republican Independent Running mate Gerald T. Whelan Anne S. Batchelder Popular vote 267,012 159,780 24,320 Percentage 59.2% 35.4% 5.4%

County results Exon:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Marvel:      40-50%      50–60%

Governor before election James Exon Democratic Elected Governor James Exon Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• James Exon, incumbent Governor
• Richard D. Schmitz

Results

Democratic primary results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James Exon	125,690	87.40
	Democratic	Richard D. Schmitz	17,889	12.44
	Democratic	Write-in	232	0.16

Republican primary

Candidates

• Richard D. Marvel, member of the Nebraska Legislature[2]

Results

Republican primary results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Richard D. Marvel	139,783	99.49
	Republican	Write-in	720	0.51

General election

Results

Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1974[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James Exon	267,012	59.16%
	Republican	Richard D. Marvel	159,780	35.40%
	Write-in	Ernie Chambers	24,320	5.39%
	Write-in	Others	194	0.04%
Total votes			451,306	100.0%

References

1. http://govdocs.nebraska.gov/epubs/S1200/S001-1974prim_gen.pdf
2. Sen. Richard Marvel Nebraska Legislature. Retrieved 2017-09-20.