1973 Virginia gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1973 United States gubernatorial elections.

In the 1973 Virginia gubernatorial election, incumbent Governor A. Linwood Holton, Jr., a Republican, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. Mills E. Godwin, Jr., former Democratic Governor of Virginia, was nominated by the Republican Party to run against Independent Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Henry Howell. The Democrats did not field a candidate, mostly choosing to support Howell's candidacy.

1973 Virginia gubernatorial election

November 6, 1973

Nominee Mills Godwin Henry Howell Party Republican Independent Popular vote 525,075 510,103 Percentage 50.7% 49.3%

County and independent city results Godwin:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Howell:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Linwood Holton Republican Elected Governor Mills Godwin Republican

This was the last time until 2013 in which a member of the incumbent President's party was elected Governor of Virginia. It was also the last time a non-Democrat won the city of Alexandria.

General election

Candidates

• Mills E. Godwin, Jr., former Governor of Virginia (Republican)
• Henry Howell, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia and candidate for Governor in 1969 (Independent)

Results

1973 Virginia gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mills Godwin	525,075	50.71%	1.80
	Independent	Henry Howell	510,103	49.26%	N/A
	Write-ins		317	0.03%
Majority			14,972	1.45%	−5.67%
Turnout			1,035,495
	Republican hold		Swing