1972 Delaware gubernatorial election

The 1972 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972. Democratic nominee Sherman W. Tribbitt defeated incumbent Republican Governor Russell W. Peterson with 51.27% of the vote. This was the last time a Democrat won statewide office in Delaware until 1992, when Tom Carper (future U.S. Senator) won the gubernatorial election over Republican B. Gary Scott.

1972 Delaware gubernatorial election

← 1968 November 7, 1972 1976 →
 
Nominee Sherman W. Tribbitt Russell W. Peterson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 117,274 109,583
Percentage 51.27% 47.91%

Tribbitt:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Peterson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election

Russell W. Peterson
Republican

Elected Governor

Sherman W. Tribbitt
Democratic

Nominations

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From 1972 to 1992 Delaware used a system of “challenge” primaries, in which a candidate for statewide office who received at least 35 percent of the convention vote could challenge the endorsed candidate in a primary. Democratic nominee Tribbitt avoided such a primary in 1972.[1][2]

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican primary results[3][2][1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Russell W. Peterson (incumbent) 23,929 54.30
Republican David P. Buckson 20,138 45.70
Total votes 44,077 100.00

General election

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Candidates

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Results

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1972 Delaware gubernatorial election[4][5][6][7][8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Sherman W. Tribbitt 117,274 51.27%
Republican Russell W. Peterson (incumbent) 109,583 47.91%
American Virginia M. Lyndall 1,468 0.64%
Prohibition Harry H. Conner 397 0.17%
Majority 7,691 3.36%
Turnout 228,722 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

References

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  1. ^ a b America Votes 10, p. 73.
  2. ^ a b Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 104.
  3. ^ "IL Governor, 1974 - R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  4. ^ "DE Governor, 1972". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  5. ^ Delaware Official Results 1972, p. 2.
  6. ^ America Votes 10, p. 71.
  7. ^ Glashan 1979, pp. 52–53.
  8. ^ Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 46.

Bibliography

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