1954 South Carolina gubernatorial election

The 1954 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1954, to select the governor of the state of South Carolina. George Bell Timmerman won the Democratic primary and ran unopposed in the general election becoming the 105th governor of South Carolina.

1954 South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial primary

← 1950 Summer 1954 1958 →
 
Nominee George Timmerman Lester L. Bates
Party Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 185,541 116,942
Percentage 61.3% 38.7%

County results
Timmerman:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%
Bates:      50-60%      80-90%

Governor before election

James F. Byrnes
Democratic

Elected Governor

George Timmerman
Democratic

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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  • Lester L. Bates, Columbia insurance executive and candidate for Governor in 1950
  • George Timmerman, Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina

The South Carolina Democratic Party held their primary for governor in the summer of 1954. George Bell Timmerman was the current Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina and only faced nominal opposition in the Democratic primary.

Democratic Primary
Candidate Votes %
George Bell Timmerman 185,541 61.3
Lester L. Bates 116,942 38.7

General election

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The general election was held on November 2, 1954, and George Bell Timmerman was elected the next governor of South Carolina without opposition. Turnout was much higher than the previous gubernatorial election because there was an extremely competitive Senate race on the ballot, featuring former governor Strom Thurmond.

South Carolina Gubernatorial Election, 1954
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic George Bell Timmerman 214,204 100.0 0.0
No party Write-Ins 8 0.0 0.0
Majority 214,196 100.0 0.0
Turnout 214,212
Democratic hold
  65+% won by Timmerman

See also

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References

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  • Jordan, Frank E. The Primary State: A History of the Democratic Party in South Carolina, 1876–1962. pp. 47–48.
  • "Supplemental Report of the Secretary of State to the General Assembly of South Carolina." Reports and Resolutions of South Carolina to the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina. Volume I. Columbia, South Carolina: 1955, p. 9.
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Preceded by
1950
South Carolina gubernatorial elections Succeeded by
1958