1943 Kentucky gubernatorial election

The 1943 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1943. Republican nominee Simeon Willis defeated Democratic nominee J. Lyter Donaldson with 50.49% of the vote.

1943 Kentucky gubernatorial election

November 2, 1943

Nominee Simeon Willis J. Lyter Donaldson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 279,144 270,525 Percentage 50.49% 48.93%

Governor before election Keen Johnson Democratic Elected Governor Simeon Willis Republican

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on August 7, 1943.[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• J. Lyter Donaldson, former Kentucky Highway Commissioner
• Ben Kilgore, former Executive Secretary of the Kentucky Farm Bureau
• Rodes K. Myers, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
• John J. Thobe

Results

Democratic primary results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	J. Lyter Donaldson	135,576	53.56
	Democratic	Ben Kilgore	81,027	32.01
	Democratic	Rodes K. Myers	34,077	13.46
	Democratic	John J. Thobe	2,456	0.97
Total votes			253,136	100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• Simeon Willis, Republican
• J. Lyter Donaldson, Democratic

Other candidates

• Andrew N. Johnson, Prohibition

Results

1943 Kentucky gubernatorial election[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Republican	Simeon Willis	279,144	50.49%
	Democratic	J. Lyter Donaldson	270,525	48.93%
	Prohibition	Andrew N. Johnson	3,239	0.59%
Majority
Turnout			552,908
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing

References

1. "Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc". Books.google.com. Retrieved 2019-07-08.