1944 Florida gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1944 United States gubernatorial elections.

1944 Florida gubernatorial election

November 7, 1944

Nominee Millard Caldwell Bert L. Acker Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 361,007 96,321 Percentage 78.94% 21.06%

County results Caldwell:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

Governor before election Spessard Holland Democratic Elected Governor Millard Caldwell Democratic

The 1944 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1944. Democratic nominee Millard Caldwell defeated Republican nominee Bert L. Acker with 78.94% of the vote.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on May 2, 1944, with the Democratic runoff held on May 23, 1944.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• J. Edwin Baker, former State Senator
• Millard Caldwell, former U.S. Representative for the 3rd district
• Ernest R. Graham, State Senator
• Robert A. (Lex) Green, U.S. Representative for the at-large district
• Raymond Sheldon, State Senator
• Frank D. Upchurch, Mayor of St. Augustine

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Millard F. Caldwell	116,111	28.39
	Democratic	Robert A. Green	113,300	27.90
	Democratic	Ernest R. Graham	91,174	22.45
	Democratic	Frank D. Upchurch	30,524	7.52
	Democratic	Raymond Sheldon	27,940	6.88
	Democratic	J. Edwin Baker	27,028	6.66
Total votes			406,077	100.00

Democratic primary runoff results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Millard F. Caldwell	215,485	55.31
	Democratic	Robert A. Green	174,100	44.69
Total votes			389,585	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Bert L. Acker, public relations consultant, unsuccessful candidate for Florida's 4th US Congressional district in 1940 and 1942.
• Edward T. Keenan

Results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bert L. Acker	5,954	61.26
	Republican	Edward T. Keenan	3,766	38.75
Total votes			9,720	100.00

General election

Bert Acker who ran as a Republican, would be against the New Deal in his campaign. He also wanted to eliminate laws he thought were useless and conflicting. Acker was in favor of leasing lands owned by the state government to be used by farmers and cattle ranchers. Acker wanted to allow mining and oil production to be done on state owned lands as well. Acker wanted to see the sugar industry in the state expanded as well. Acker was against taxes that were created as a result of World War II in the state and wanted to exempt homes that were valued at $15,000 from state taxes. In terms of infrastructure, he supported expanding the state highway system and widening roads physically themselves along with improving safety on bridges.

Candidates

• Millard Caldwell, Democratic
• Bert Acker, Republican

Results

1944 Florida gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Millard F. Caldwell	361,007	78.94%
	Republican	Bert L. Acker	96,321	21.06%
Majority			264,686	57.88%
Turnout			457,328	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing

Bibliography

• Morris, Allen (1965). The Florida Handbook, 1965-66. Tallahassee, FL: The Peninsular Publishing Company.
• Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Meckler Books. ISBN 0-930466-17-9.
• Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.