Oregon gubernatorial special election, 1956

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Oregon gubernatorial special election, 1956
Oregon
1954 ←
 November 6, 1956
 → 1958
  Robert D. Holmes.jpg
Nominee Robert D. Holmes Elmo Smith
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 361,840 331,900
Percentage 49.48 55.32

Oregon election results-DATA MISSING.svg
County results
Governor before election

Elmo Smith
Republican

 Elected Governor

Robert D. Holmes
Democratic

The 1956 Oregon gubernatorial special election took place on November 6, 1954. Democratic state senator Robert D. Holmes narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Elmo Smith to win the election.

Background [edit]

On January 31, 1956, Governor Paul L. Patterson, who was elected in the 1954 gubernatorial election, died in office of a coronary occlusion.[1] Patterson's death elevated Oregon State Senate President Elmo Smith to governor and a special election for November was called to fill the position for the final two years of Patterson's term.[2] The succession law was changed in 1972 so that the Oregon Secretary of State is first in line to succeed the governor.[3]

Election results [edit]

Oregon gubernatorial election, 1954[4]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Democratic Robert D. Holmes 369,439 50.52%
Republican Elmo Smith 361,840 49.48%
Totals 731,279 100%
Democratic gain from Republican

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Governors of Oregon: Paul Linton Patterson". Oregon State Library. Retrieved May 23, 2011. 
  2. ^ "Governors of Oregon: Elmo Smith". Oregon State Library. Retrieved May 23, 2011. 
  3. ^ "Temporary governor eliminated: Measure modifies line of succession". The Bend Bulletin. 
  4. ^ "OR Governor Race - Nov 06, 1954". Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 23, 2011. 
Statewide
Ballot measures
Governor
Legislative Assembly
U.S. President
U.S. Senate
Class 2
Class 3
U.S. House of Representatives
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