Election of Texas Governors, 1900-1948

The office and election of the Texas Governor was established by Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution of 1876. The election of Texas Governors, since 1972 has enabled governors to serve the state for four-year terms. Updated 2 years ago
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Following are the results of elections of governors from 1900 until 1948. Party primaries as well as general elections are included whenever possible although Republican totals are not available for some early primaries.

The official canvass from the Legislature, the Archives Section of the Texas State Library, and the Texas Secretary of State annual reports are used when available. Otherwise, reports from various editions of the Texas Almanac are used.

Party designations abbreviated are: Dem., Democratic; Rep., Republican; Lib., Libertarian; Ind., Independent; W-I, write-in.

Under the state Constitution of 1876, governors served two-year terms, until that was amended in 1972 to four-year terms.

1948

Democratic Primary

Beauford H. Jester642,02553.27 %
Roger Q. Evans279,60223.20 %
Caso March187,65815.57 %
Charles B. Hutchison24,4412.03 %
Sumpter W. Stockton21,2431.76 %
Holmes A. May20,5381.70 %
Denver S. Whiteley16,0901.33 %
W.J. Minton13,6591.13 %
Write-in1 
Total vote1,205,257 

General Election

Beauford H. JesterDem.1,024,16084.72 %
Alvin H. LaneRep.177,39914.67 %
Herman WrightProgressive3,7470.31 %
Gerald OverholtProhibition3,5540.29 %
Total vote 1,208,860 

 1946

Democratic Primary

Beauford H. Jester443,80438.15 %
Homer P. Rainey291,28225.04 %
Grover Sellers162,43113.96 %
Jerry Sadler103,1208.87 %
John Lee Smith102,9418.85 %
Caso March20,5291.76 %
C.R. Shaw9,7640.84 %
Reese Turner4,9140.42 %
A.J. Burks4,8810.42 %
Chas. B. Hutchison4,6160.40 %
Walter Scott McNutt4,3530.37 %
Floyd Brinkley4,2490.37 %
William V. Brown3,9020.34 %
W.J. Minton2,3980.21 %
Total vote1,163,184 

Democratic Runoff

Beauford H. Jester701,01866.34 %
Homer P. Rainey355,65433.66 %
Total vote1,056,672 

General Election

Beauford H. JesterDem.345,51391.23 %
Eugene Nolte Jr.Rep.33,2318.77 %
Total vote 378,744 

1944

Democratic Primary

Coke R. Stevenson696,58684.59 %
Minnie F. Cunningham48,0395.83 %
Martin Jones21,3792.60 %
Gene S. Porter15,2431.85 %
Alex M. Ferguson12,6491.54 %
William F. Grimes9,4431.15 %
W.J. Minton8,5371.04 %
Herbert E. Mills6,6400.81 %
Edward L. Carey4,6330.56 %
Others311 
Total vote823,460 

 General Election

Coke R. StevensonDem.1,007,82690.95 %
B.J. PeasleyRep.100,2879.05 %
Total vote 1,108,113 

1942

Democratic Primary

Coke R. Stevenson651,21868.46 %
Hal H. Collins272,46928.64 %
Hope Wheeler9,3730.99 %
Alex M. Ferguson8,3700.88 %
Gene S. Porter4,9330.52 %
Charles L. Somerville4,8530.51 %
Total vote951,216 

General Election

Coke R. StevensonDem.280,73596.83 %
C.K. McDowellRep.9,2043.17 %
Total vote 289,939 

1940

Democratic Primary

W. Lee O'Daniel645,64654.29 %
Ernest O. Thompson256,92321.60 %
Harry Hines119,12110.01 %
Miriam A. Ferguson100,5788.46 %
Jerry Sadler61,396 5.16 %
Arlon B. "Cyclone" Davis Jr.3,623 0.30 %
R.P. Condron2,003 0.17 %
Total vote1,189,290 

General Election

W. Lee O'DanielDem.1,019,33894.43 %
George C. HopkinsRep.59,8855.55 %
Ben H. LauderdaleCommunist2660.02 %
Total vote 1,079,489 

 1938

Democratic Primary

W. Lee O'Daniel573,16651.41 %
Ernest O. Thompson231,63020.78 %
William McCraw152,27813.66 %
Tom F. Hunter117,63410.55 %
Karl A. Crowley19,1531.72 %
P.D. Renfro8,1270.73 %
Clarence E. Farmer3,8690.35 %
James A. Ferguson3,8000.34 %
Marvin P. McCoy1,4910.13 %
Thomas Self1,4050.13 %
S.T. Brogdon8920.08 %
Joseph King7730.07 %
Clarence R. Miller6670.06 %
Total vote1,114,885 

 General Election

W. Lee O'DanielDem.358,94396.84 %
Alexander BoyntonRep.11,3093.05 %
Earl E. MillerSocialist2820.08 %
Homer BrooksCommunist2070.06 %
Total vote 370,641 

1936

Democratic Primary

James V. Allred553,21952.53 %
Tom F. Hunter239,46022.74 %
F.W. Fischer145,87713.85 %
Roy Sanderford81,1707.71 %
P. Pierce Brooks33,3913.17 %
Total vote1,053,117 

 General Election

James V. AllredDem.782,08392.87 %
C.O. HarrisRep.58,8426.99 %
Carl BranninSocialist9620.11 %
Homer BrooksCommunist2830.03 %
Total vote 842,170 

1934

Democratic Primary

James V. Allred298,90329.88 %
Tom F. Hunter243,25424.32 %
C.C. McDonald207,20020.71 %
Clint C. Small125,32412.53 %
Edgar Witt62,4766.24 %
Maury Hughes58,8155.88 %
Edward K. Russell4,4540.45 %
Total vote1,000,426 

 Democratic Runoff

James V. Allred499,34352.10 %
Tom F. Hunter459,10647.90 %
Total vote958,449 

 Republican Primary

D.E. Waggoner (unopposed)13,043100.00 %
Total vote13,043 

General Election

James V. AllredDem.428,73496.44 %
D.E. WaggonerRep.13,7033.08 %
George C. EdwardsSocialist1,8620.42 %
Enoch HardawayCommunist2600.06 %
Total vote 444,559 

 1932

Democratic Primary

Miriam A. Ferguson402,23841.56 %
Ross S. Sterling296,38330.62 %
Tom F. Hunter220,39122.77 %
M.H. Wolfe32,2413.33 %
George W. Armstrong5,3120.55 %
Roger Q. Evans3,9740.41 %
Frank Putnam2,9620.31 %
C.A. Frakes2,3380.24 %
J. Ed Glenn2,0890.22 %
Total vote967,928 

Democratic Runoff

Miriam A. Ferguson477,64450.20 %
Ross S. Sterling473,84649.80 %
Total vote951,490 

 General Election

M.A. FergusonDem.522,39561.98 %
Orville BullingtonRep.317,59037.68 %
George C. EdwardsSocialist1,8730.22 %
George W. ArmstrongJackson Dem.7680.09 %
Philip L. HoweCommunist1380.02 %
Otho L. HeittLiberty1340.02 %
Total vote 842,868 

 1930

Democratic Primary

Miriam A. Ferguson242,95929.15 %
Ross S. Sterling170,75420.49 %
Clint C. Small138,93416.67 %
Thomas B. Love87,06810.45 %
James Young73,3858.81 %
Barry Miller54,6526.56 %
Earle B. Mayfield54,4596.53 %
C.C. Moody4,3820.53 %
Paul Loven2,7240.33 %
Frank Putnam2,3650.28 %
C.E. Walker1,7600.21 %
Total vote833,442 

 Democratic Runoff

Ross S. Sterling473,37155.19 %
Miriam A. Ferguson384,40244.81 %
Total vote857,773 

Republican Primary

*George C. Butte5,00151.15 %
H.E. Exum2,77328.36 %
John F. Grant1,80018.41 %
John P. Gaines2032.08 %
Total vote9,777 

General Election

Ross S. SterlingDem.252,73879.97 %
*Wm.E. TalbotRep.62,22419.69 %
L.L. RhodesSocialist8290.26 %
J. StedhamCommunist2310.07 %
Total vote 316,022 
*Talbot was named the Republican nominee after Butte resigned.

 1928

Democratic Primary

Dan Moody442,08059.91 %
Louis J. Wardlaw245,50833.27 %
Wm.E. Hawkins32,0764.35 %
Edith E. Wilmans18,2372.47 %
Total vote737,901 

 General Election

Dan MoodyDem.582,96882.43 %
W.H. HolmesRep.123,33717.44 %
L.L. RhodesSocialist7870.11 %
J. StedhamCommunist1090.02 %
Total vote 707,201 

1926

Democratic Primary

Dan Moody409,73249.89 %
Miriam A Ferguson283,48234.52 %
Lynch Davidson122,44915.91 %
O.F. Zimmerman2,9620.36 %
Edith E. Wilmans1,5800.19 %
Kate M. Johnston1,0290.13 %
Total vote821,234 

 Democratic Runoff

Dan Moody495,72364.69 %
Miriam A. Ferguson270,59535.31 %
Total vote766,318 

Republican Primary

H.H. Haines11,21573.35 %
E.P. Scott4,07426.65 %
Total vote15,289 

General Election

Dan MoodyDem.233,00286.75 %
H.H. HainesRep.34,81912.96 %
M.A. SmithSocialist7860.29 %
Total vote 268,604 

1924

Democratic Primary

Felix D. Robertson193,50827.52 %
Miriam A. Ferguson146,42420.82 %
Lynch Davidson141,20820.08 %
T.W. Davidson125,01117.78 %
Thomas D. Barton29,2174.16 %
V.A. Collins24,8643.54 %
Joe Burkett21,7203.09 %
W.E. Pope17,1362.44 %
George W. Dixon4,0350.57 %
Total vote703,123 

 Democratic Runoff

Miriam A. Ferguson413,75156.70 %
Felix D. Robertson316,01943.30 %
Total vote729,770 

 General Election

Miriam A. FergusonDem.422,55858.89 %
George C. ButteRep.294,97041.11 %
Total vote 717,528 

 1922

Democratic Primary

Pat M. Neff318,00053.91 %
Fred S. Rogers195,94133.21 %
Harry T. Warner57,6719.78 %
W.W. King18,3683.11 %
Total vote589,926 

General Election

Pat M. NeffDem.334,19982.01 %
W.H. AtwellRep.73,32717.99 %
  407,526 

 1920

Democratic Primary

Joseph W. Bailey152,34033.87 %
Pat M. Neff149,81833.31 %
Robert E. Thomason99,00222.01 %
Ben F. Looney48,64010.81 %
Total vote449,800 

 Democratic Runoff

In 1918, the primary election law had been amended, requiring a majority for nomination. The first runoff in a governor's race was in 1920.
Pat M. Neff264,07558.84 %
Joseph W. Bailey184,70241.16 %
 448,777 

General Election

Pat M. NeffDem.289,18860.03 %
J.G. CulbersonRep.90,21718.73 %
T.H. McGregorAmerican69,38014.40 %
H. CapersBlack and Tan Rep.26,0915.42 %
L.L. RhodesSocialist6,7961.41 %
Scattering 59 
Total vote 481,731 

 1918

Democratic Primary

W.P. Hobby461,47968.02 %
James E. Ferguson217,01231.98 %
Total vote678,491 

General Election

W.P. HobbyDem.148,98284.00 %
Chas.A. BoyntonRep.26,71315.06 %
Wm.D. SimpsonSocialist1,6600.94 %
Total vote 177,355 

 1916

Democratic Primary

James E. Ferguson240,56157.02 %
Charles H. Morris174,61141.39 %
H.C. Marshall6,7311.60 %
Total vote421,903 

 General Election

James E. FergusonDem.296,66781.60 %
R.B. CreagerRep.49,11813.51 %
E.R. MeitzenSocialist14,5804.01 %
H.W. LewisProhibition3,2000.88 %
Total vote 363,565 

 1914

Democratic Primary

James E. Ferguson237,06255.31 %
Thomas H. Ball191,55844.69 %
Total vote428,620 

General Election

James E. FergusonDem.176,59981.95 %
E.R. MeitzenSocialist24,97711.59 %
John W. PhilpRep.11,4115.30 %
F.M. EtheridgeProgressive1,7940.83 %
K.E. ChoateSocialist Labor6800.32 %
Scattering 29 
Total vote 215,490 

 1912

Democratic Primary

O.B. Colquitt219,80855.00 %
William F. Ramsey179,85745.00 %
Total vote399,665 

General Election

O.B. ColquittDem.234,35277.82 %
Reddin AndrewsSocialist25,2588.39 %
C.W. JohnsonRep.23,0897.67 %
Ed LasaterProgressive15,7945.24 %
A.J. HoustonProhibition2,3550.78 %
K.E. ChoateSocialist Labor3080.10 %
Total vote 301,157 

1910

Democratic Primary

O.B. Colquitt146,87140.97 %
William Poindexter80,06022.33 %
Cone Johnson76,26821.28 %
R.V. Davidson53,36714.89 %
J. Marion Jones1,9100.53 %
Total vote358,476 

General Election

O.B. ColquittDem.174,59679.79 %
J.O. TerrellRep.26,19111.97 %
Reddin AndrewsSocialist11,5385.27 %
A.J. HoustonProhibition6,0522.77 %
Carl SchmidtSocialist Labor4360.20 %
Total vote 218,813 

 1908

Democratic Primary

Thomas M. Campbell206,03863.32 %
R.R. Williams119,37836.68 %
Total vote325,416 

 General Election

Thomas M. CampbellDem.218,95675.79 %
J.N. SimpsonRep.73,30524.37 %
J.C. RhodesSocialist8,1002.69 %
W.B. CookSocialist Labor2340.08 %
E.C. HeathProhibition1480.05 %
*Charles L. MartinIndependence League580.02 %
Total vote 300,801 
*Although the party was on the ballot, due to a late switch in gubernatorial candidates, Martin's name did not appear.

 1906

Democratic Primary

Thomas M. Campbell90,34530.72 %
M.M. Brooks70,06423.82 %
O.B. Colquitt68,52923.30 %
Charles K. Bell65,16822.16 %
Total vote294,106 
The first primary held in the state.

General Election

Thomas M. CampbellDem.149,10581.17 %
C.A. GrayRep.23,77112.94 %
A.W. AchesonReorganized Rep.5,3952.94 %
G.C. EdwardsSocialist2,9581.61 %
J.W. PearsonProhibition2,2151.21 %
A.S. DowlerSocialist Labor2600.14 %
Total vote 183,704 

 1904

General Election

S.W.T. LanhamDem.206,16773.57 %
J.G. LowdenRep.56,86520.29 %
Pat B. ClarkPopulist9,3013.32 %
W.D. JacksonProhibition4,5091.61 %
Word H. MillsSocialist2,8471.02 %
Frank LeitnerSocialist Labor5520.20 %
Total vote 280,241 

1902

General Election

S.W.T. LanhamDem.269,07674.92 %
George W. BurkettRep.65,70618.29 %
J.M. MallettPopulist12,3873.45 %
G.W. CarrollProhibition8,7082.42 %
W.W. FreemanSocialist 
G.H. RoyalSocialist Labor 
Scattering *3,273 
Total vote 359,150 
*Although Freeman and Royal were on the ballot, the Legislature's official canvass reported the results as a total 'Scattering' vote.

1900

General Election

J.D. SayersDem.303,55667.56 %
R.E. HanneyRep.112,86425.12 %
T.J. McMinnPopulist26,5795.52 %
G.H. RoyalSocialist Labor1550.03 %
H.G. DamonProhibition 
L.L. RhodesSocialist 
Scattering *6,155 
Total vote 449,309 
*Although Damon and Rhodes were on the ballot, the Legislature's official canvass reported the results as a total 'Scattering' vote.

 

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