1953 Virginia gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1953 United States gubernatorial elections.

In the 1953 Virginia gubernatorial election, incumbent Governor John S. Battle, a Democrat, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. Virginia State Senator Theodore Roosevelt Dalton was nominated by the Republican Party to run against former Democratic U.S. Representative Thomas B. Stanley.

1953 Virginia gubernatorial election

November 3, 1953

Nominee Thomas B. Stanley Ted Dalton Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 226,998 183,328 Percentage 54.8% 44.3%

County and independent city results Stanley:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Dalton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election John S. Battle Democratic Elected Governor Thomas B. Stanley Democratic

As of 2021, this is the last time that the city of Norfolk voted Republican for Governor of Virginia.

Democratic nomination

Candidates

• Charles R. Fenwick, State Senator from Arlington
• Thomas B. Stanley, former U.S. Representative from Stanleytown

General election

Candidates

• Thomas B. Stanley, former U.S. Representative from Stanleytown (Democratic)
• Theodore Roosevelt Dalton, State Senator from Radford (Republican)

Results

Virginia gubernatorial election, 1953

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Thomas B. Stanley	226,998	54.83%	-15.60%
	Republican	Theodore Roosevelt Dalton	183,328	44.28%	+16.84%
	Independent	Howard Carwile	3,673	0.89%
Majority			43,670	10.55%	-32.44%
Turnout			413,999
	Democratic hold		Swing