1970 Nevada gubernatorial election

The 1970 Nevada gubernatorial election occurred on November 3, 1970. Incumbent Republican Paul Laxalt did not run for re-election to a second term as Governor of Nevada. Democratic nominee Mike O'Callaghan defeated Republican nominee Ed Fike to succeed him.

1970 Nevada gubernatorial election

← 1966 November 3, 1970 (1970-11-03) 1974 →
 
Nominee Mike O'Callaghan Ed Fike
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 70,697 64,400
Percentage 48.10% 43.81%

County results
O'Callaghan:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Fike:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election

Paul Laxalt
Republican

Elected Governor

Mike O'Callaghan
Democratic

Primary elections

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Primary elections were held on September 1, 1970.[1]

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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  • Mike O'Callaghan
  • Hank Thornley
  • Albert "Al" D. Viller
  • Don J. Weber

Results

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Democratic primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike O'Callaghan 41,185 68.77%
Democratic Hank Thornley 16,107 26.89%
Democratic Don J. Weber 1,299 2.17%
Democratic Albert "Al" D. Viller 1,298 2.17%
Total votes 59,889 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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  • Margie Dyer
  • Ed Fike

Results

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Republican primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ed Fike 31,931 88.18%
Republican Margie Dyer 4,281 11.82%
Total votes 36,212 100.00%

General election

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Candidates

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  • Mike O'Callaghan, Democratic
  • Ed Fike, Republican
  • Charles E. Springer, Independent
  • Daniel M. Hansen, Independent American
Nevada gubernatorial election, 1970[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mike O'Callaghan 70,697 48.10% +0.25%
Republican Ed Fike 64,400 43.81% −8.34%
Independent Charles E. Springer 6,479 4.41% +4.41%
Independent American Daniel M. Hansen 5,415 3.68% +3.68%
Majority 6,297 4.28%
Total votes 146,991 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican Swing +8.60%

County results

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County Mike O'Callaghan
Democratic
Ed Fike
Republican
Charles E. Springer
Independent
Daniel M. Hansen
Independent American
Margin Total votes cast[1]
# % # % # % # % # %
Carson City 2,401 42.40% 2,812 49.66% 274 4.84% 176 3.11% -411 7.26% 5,663
Churchill 1,667 46.53% 1,661 46.36% 126 3.52% 129 3.60% 6 0.17% 3,583
Clark 35,855 50.39% 30,801 43.28% 2,071 2.91% 2,432 3.42% 5,054 7.10% 71,159
Douglas 936 34.39% 1,630 59.88% 96 3.53% 60 2.20% -694 -25.50% 2,722
Elko 2,344 53.26% 1,855 42.15% 88 2.00% 114 2.59% 489 11.11% 4,401
Esmeralda 189 49.87% 172 45.38% 15 3.96% 3 0.79% 17 4.49% 379
Eureka 207 44.52% 232 49.89% 7 1.51% 19 4.09% -25 -5.38% 465
Humboldt 1,106 50.25% 973 44.21% 55 2.50% 67 3.04% 133 6.04% 2,201
Lander 524 52.98% 388 39.23% 33 3.34% 44 4.45% 136 13.75% 989
Lincoln 701 55.07% 534 41.95% 19 1.49% 19 1.49% 167 13.12% 1,273
Lyon 1,452 48.45% 1,370 45.71% 95 3.17% 80 2.67% 82 2.74% 2,997
Mineral 1,702 60.98% 782 28.02% 151 5.41% 156 5.59% 920 32.96% 2,791
Nye 1,023 53.48% 763 39.88% 67 3.50% 60 3.14% 260 13.59% 1,913
Pershing 543 47.05% 541 46.88% 42 3.64% 28 2.43% 2 0.17% 1,154
Storey 331 61.30% 170 31.48% 22 4.07% 17 3.15% 161 29.81% 540
Washoe 17,760 43.19% 18,265 44.42% 3,237 7.87% 1,860 4.52% -505 -1.23% 41,122
White Pine 1,956 53.75% 1,451 39.87% 81 2.23% 151 4.15% 505 13.88% 3,639
Totals 70,697 48.10% 64,400 43.81% 6,479 4.41% 5,415 3.68% 6,297 4.28% 146,991

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "1970 Primary and General Election Returns". Nevada Secretary of State. Retrieved July 10, 2024.