1974 Nevada gubernatorial election

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1974 Nevada gubernatorial election

← 1970 November 5, 1974 (1974-11-05) 1978 →
 
Nominee Mike O'Callaghan Shirley Crumpler James Houston
Party Democratic Republican Independent American
Popular vote 114,114 28,959 26,285
Percentage 67.38% 17.10% 15.52%

County results
O'Callaghan:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election

Mike O'Callaghan
Democratic

Elected Governor

Mike O'Callaghan
Democratic

The 1974 Nevada gubernatorial election occurred on November 5, 1974. Incumbent Democrat Mike O'Callaghan successfully ran for re-election to a second term as Governor of Nevada, defeating Republican nominee Shirley Crumpler and Independent American nominee James Hay Houston.

Campaign[edit]

Democratic primary[edit]

There was no Democratic primary as the Nevada Democratic Party fully committed fully behind incumbent governor Mike O'Callaghan and expected an easy re-election due to O'Callaghan being young, just 45 at the time, and running a scandal-less first term, as well as being generally charismatic and likeable.[1]

Republican primary[edit]

Four Republicans sought their party's nod for nomination with two front runners; Bill Bickerstaff from Sparks and Shirley Crumpler a 39-year-old Las Vegas based real estate developer and tax consultant.[2] Crumpler would win and was the first woman ever nominated for Governor of Nevada and was also the first Republican woman ever nominated for Governor in the nation.[1][3][4]

Other[edit]

The Independent American Party of Nevada nominated James R. Houston, a wealthy 38‐year‐old silver speculator, for governor.[1]

General election[edit]

The central issue of the general election was the fact Crumpler was a women, with Crumpler stating in an interview with The New York Times that convincing voters that a women can handle the burden of holding political office just as much as a man to be "the hard part" of her campaign.[1] Crumpler centered her campaign on accusing O'Callaghan of neglecting his constituents during his election campaign, and that he only implements policy for popularity boosts for re-election.[5] O'Callaghan would defeat Crumpler by nearly 40% of the vote.[6]

Results[edit]

Nevada gubernatorial election, 1974[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mike O'Callaghan (inc.) 114,114 67.38% Increase19.28%
Republican Shirley Crumpler 28,959 17.10% Decrease26.71%
Independent American James Ray Houston 26,285 15.52% Increase11.84%
N/A Undervotes 142 0.08% Decrease0.45%
Total votes 169,473 100%
Democratic hold Swing Increase3.42%

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Malcolm, Andrew H. "Laxalt Hopes for Comeback in Nevada In Attempt to Succeed Bible in Senate". The New York Times. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  2. ^ "front page Sept 4, 1974". Reno Gazette-Journal. Newspapers.com. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  3. ^ "LIEUT. GOV. REID WINS IN NEVADA". The New York Times. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  4. ^ "Woman, 39, Wins the Republican Primary for Governor in Nevada". The New York Times. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  5. ^ "Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 42". Reno Gazette-Journal. Newspapers.com. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Turner, Wallace. "West: California and Colorado Pace the Democrats". The New York Times. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  7. ^ "1974 General Election Returns". Nevada Secretary of State. Archived from the original on July 3, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.