1974 Florida gubernatorial election

In the Florida gubernatorial election of 1974, the sitting Governor of Florida was re-elected. This was just the second time after 1956, and the first that the Governor of Florida was re-elected for the second four-year term.

1974 Florida gubernatorial election

November 5, 1974

Nominee Reubin Askew Jerry Thomas Party Democratic Republican Running mate J. H. Williams Mike Thompson Popular vote 1,118,954 709,438 Percentage 61.2% 38.8%

County Results Askew:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Thomas:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Reubin Askew Democratic Elected Governor Reubin Askew Democratic

Democratic nomination

Incumbent Reubin O'Donovan Askew faced little opposition in the Democratic Party primary. Despite a challenge from his own Lieutenant Governor Thomas Burton Adams, Jr., Askew, a popular member of the New Southerner political generation, was renominated easily in primary on September 5:[1]

• Gov. Reubin O'Donovan Askew – 579,137 (68.83%)
• Citrus magnate Ben Hill Griffin, Jr. – 137,008 (16.28%)
• Lt. Gov. Thomas Burton Adams, Jr. – 85,557 (10.17%)
• Norman Bie – 39,758 (4.73%)

J. H. Williams became Askew's running mate for second term.

Republican nomination

Jerry Thomas won the Republican Party nomination without any opposition.

General election results

Election day was November 5[2]

• (I) Reubin O'Donovan Askew (D) – 1,118,954 (61.20%)
• Jerry Thomas (R) – 709,438 (38.80%)

Williams, as he ran on the joint ticket, replaced Adams as Lieutenant Governor.

References

1. Our Campaigns - FL Governor - D Primary Race - Sep 05, 1974
2. Our Campaigns - FL Governor Race - Nov 05, 1974