United States gubernatorial elections, 1970

The 1970 United States gubernatorial elections were held in 1970 in 35 states on 3 November 1970.

During this election, the Democrats won a number of the governorships up for re-election via many ways-retirement of incumbent, term limits or just plain defeat of incumbent.

Alabama

In Alabama, Albert Brewer had to endure a very nasty Democratic primary against Former Governor George Wallace.^[1] In addition, there were no Republicans in the race for governor.

Alaska

In Alaska, then-Lt. Gov. Keith Miller had gotten the job of Governor in 1969 after Walter Hickel resigned to be part of President Nixon's Cabinet.^[2]^[3] He lost in 1970 to ex-Gov. William Egan.

Arizona

In Arizona, they operated on governors serving two-year terms until 1970, when Jack Richard Williams was the first governor to be elected to a four-year term.^[4]^[5] Previously, William had been elected governor for 2 2-year terms in 1966^[6] and in 1968.^[7] Arizona made the switch official from a two-year term to a four-year term in 1968 with an amendment.^[8]

Arkansas

In Arkansas, Winthrop Rockefeller was the first Republican governor in Arkansas since the Reconstruction period.^[9] He was defeated by the Democrat Dale Bumpers.

California

Incumbent Republican Governor and future President Ronald Reagan was elected to a second term as governor with about 53% of the vote over Speaker of the State Assembly Jesse Unruh.

Connecticut

Incumbent John Dempsey, a Democrat, did not seek re-election. Sixth District Congressman Thomas Joseph Meskill (Republican) defeated First District Congressman Emilio Q. Daddario (Democratic) 53.76% to 46.23%.

Colorado

In Colorado, John Arthur Love served until 1973, when he resigned to become the first head of Energy Policy under President Nixon.^[10]

Florida

Florida's Claude R. Kirk, Jr. was another 'first Republican governor since Reconstruction' as well (he switched from Democrat to Republican early on),^[11] and was defeated by the Democrat Reubin Askew.

Georgia

In Georgia, governors would be limited to one term until George Busbee was allowed^{[by whom?]} to serve two,^[when?] and was the first governor to serve two consecutive terms.^[12]

Hawaii

In Hawaii, Burns won another term in 1970, but in 1973, Burns had health problems and his Lt. Gov., George Ariyoshi, took over-as acting governor, and in 1974, with Burns' retirement, won a term in his own right.^[13] Burns died in 1975.^[14]

Iowa

Iowa also operated on governors serving two-year terms until Robert D. Ray won a four-year term in 1974.^[15] Previously, Ray had won two-year terms in 1968,^[16] in 1970,^[17] and in 1972.^[18] Iowa made the 4-year term switch official with an amendment to the state's constitution in 1972.^[19]

Kansas

Like Arizona and Iowa, Kansas also operated on governors serving 2-year terms until 1974, when a constitutional amendment was added, creating a four-year term system for governors.^[20] Docking was elected governor in 1966,^[21] 1968,^[22] 1970,^[23] and 1972.^[24] The first governor to get a four-year term was Robert Frederick Bennett in 1974.^[25]

Maine

Beginning with the 1962 governor's race, Maine switched from a 2-year term system to a 4-year term system for the governors.^[26] John H. Reed was the first Maine governor to be elected to a four-year term.^[27]

Maryland

In Maryland, Mandel first won the governorship in 1969 in a special election after Agnew left office for the vice-presidency.^[28] In 1970, Mandel ran for a full term and won.^[29]

Massachusetts

In 1966, Massachusetts switched from a 2-year to 4-year terms for governors, and John A. Volpe was the first Massachusetts governor to get a 4-year term. He had previously been elected to 2-year terms in 1960 and in 1964. Volpe resigned in 1969 to become President Nixon's Secretary of Transportation. Francis W. Sargent then became acting governor. In 1970, Sargent got a term in his own right.^[30]^[31]

Michigan

In 1963, Michigan changed governors' terms from 2 years to 4 years.^[32] George W. Romney had won 2-year terms in 1962,^[33] 1964,^[34] and a four-year term in 1966.^[35] He resigned in 1969 to be Nixon's Housing & Urban Development Secretary.^[36] William Milliken was acting governor,^[37] and got a full term in 1970.^[38]

Nebraska

In 1962, voters in Nebraska approved of an amendment, effective with the 1966 governor's race, that switched from 2-year to 4-year terms for governors. In 1966, the "two consecutive terms" rule was established.^[39] Norbert Tiemann was the first Nebraska to get a 4-year term with the 1966 governor's race.^[40]

New Mexico

New Mexico also had a 2-year term for governors until 1970, when the state constitution was changed to a 4-year term for governors-without being allowed to have two consecutive terms.^[41] As for the "no two consecutive terms" rule, that was still on the books until 1991, when thanks to a change in the state's constitution, Bruce King was eligible for two consecutive terms.^[42]

New York

In New York, Rockefeller stayed until 1973, when he resigned.^[43]

Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, although the constitution was changed to allow governors to have two consecutive terms, the rule didn't apply to then current Gov. Raymond P. Shafer.^[44]

South Carolina

Governors in South Carolina weren't allowed two consecutive terms until 1980, when an amendment to the constitution was added. Richard Riley was the first South Carolina governor to have two consecutive terms with his 1982 re-election.^[45]

South Dakota

South Dakota also had governors on two-year terms until 1972, when a constitutional amendment allowed the governor to have a four-year term.^[46]^[47] Richard F. Kneip was the first governor to be elected to a four-year term, though he resigned to accept an appointment.^[48] Kneip was previously elected governor for two-year terms in 1970 and 1972.^[49]^[50]

Tennessee

In 1978, Tennessee changed its constitution to allow the governors to serve two consecutive terms.^[51]^[52]

Wisconsin

In 1968, Wisconsin changed its constitution from a two-year term for governor to a four-year ^[53] Patrick Lucey was the first governor to get a four-year term (see Wisconsin gubernatorial elections).