1984 United States gubernatorial elections

* * *

| <- 1983 | November 6, 1984 | 1985 ->

|
|

* * *

15 governorships
13 states; 2 territories
|  | Majority party  | Minority party

|
|

|  |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Seats before  | 35 | 15
Seats after  | 34 | 16
Seat change  | 1  | 1
Seats up  | 6  | 7
Seats won  | 5  | 8

* * *

Republican hold

Republican gain

Democratic hold

Democratic gain

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 6, 1984, in 13 states and two territories. The Republicans had a net gain of one seat in this election, which coincided with the Senate, House elections and presidential election.

This was the last year in which Arkansas held a gubernatorial election in the same year as the presidential election. The length of gubernatorial terms for Arkansas' governor would be extended from two years to four years with elections taking place in midterm election years following the passage of the Sixty-third Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution.[1]

## Election results

[edit]

State  | Incumbent  | Party  | First
elected  | Result  | Candidates

|
|
|
|
|

Arkansas | Bill Clinton | Democratic  | 1978
1980 (defeated)
1982 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* Y Bill Clinton (Democratic) 62.5%
* Woody Freeman (Republican) 37.4%

Delaware | Pete du Pont | Republican  | 1976 | Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.  |

* Y Mike Castle (Republican) 55.0%
* William J. Quillen (Democratic) 45.0%

Indiana | Robert D. Orr | Republican  | 1980 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* Y Robert D. Orr (Republican) 52.16%
* Wayne Townsend (Democratic) 47.18%
* Rockland Snyder (American) 0.34%
* James A. Ridenour (Libertarian) 0.32%

Missouri | Kit Bond | Republican  | 1980 | Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.  |

* Y John Ashcroft (Republican) 56.7%
* Ken Rothman (Democratic) 43.3%

Montana | Ted Schwinden | Democratic  | 1980 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* Y Ted Schwinden (Democratic) 70.3%
* Pat M. Goodover (Republican) 26.4%
* Larry Dodge (Libertarian) 3.3%

New Hampshire | John H. Sununu | Republican  | 1982 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* Y John H. Sununu (Republican) 66.8%
* Chris Spirou (Democratic) 33.1%

North Carolina | Jim Hunt | Democratic  | 1976 | Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican gain.  |

* Y James G. Martin (Republican) 54.3%
* Rufus L. Edmisten (Democratic) 45.4%

North Dakota | Allen I. Olson | Republican  | 1980 | Incumbent lost re-election.
New governor elected.
Democratic-NPL gain.  |

* Y George A. Sinner (Democratic-NPL) 55.3%
* Allen I. Olson (Republican) 44.7%

Rhode Island | J. Joseph Garrahy | Democratic  | 1976 | Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Republican gain.  |

* Y Edward D. DiPrete (Republican) 60.0%
* Anthony J. Solomon (Democratic) 40.0%

Utah | Scott M. Matheson | Democratic  | 1976 | Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Republican gain.  |

* Y Norman H. Bangerter (Republican) 55.9%
* Wayne Owens (Democratic) 43.8%

Vermont | Richard A. Snelling | Republican  | 1982 | Incumbent retired.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.  |

* Y Madeleine Kunin (Democratic) 50.0%
* John J. Easton Jr. (Republican) 48.5%
* William E. Wicker (Libertarian) 0.8%

Washington | John Spellman | Republican  | 1980 | Incumbent lost re-election.
New governor elected.
Democratic gain.  |

* Y Booth Gardner (Democratic) 53.3%
* John Spellman (Republican) 46.7%

West Virginia | Jay Rockefeller | Democratic  | 1976 | Incumbent term-limited to run for U.S. Senator.
New governor elected.
Republican gain.  |

* Y Arch A. Moore Jr. (Republican) 53.3%
* Clyde See (Democratic) 46.7%

## Close states

[edit]

States where the margin of victory was under 5%:

1. Vermont, 1.5%
2. Indiana, 4.98%

States where the margin of victory was under 10%:

1. Washington, 6.6%
2. West Virginia, 6.6%
3. North Carolina, 8.9%

## Arkansas

[edit]

1984 Arkansas gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 1982 | November 6, 1984 | 1986 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Bill Clinton | Woody Freeman  |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 554,561 | 331,987
Percentage  | 62.55% | 37.45%

* * *

County results
Clinton: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%
Freeman: 50–60%

* * *

| Governor before election

Bill Clinton
Democratic

| Elected Governor

Bill Clinton
Democratic

|

The 1984 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1984. Incumbent Governor Bill Clinton won reelection with a 25% margin of victory over Jonesboro businessman Woody Freeman. This was the last gubernatorial election in Arkansas before the implementation of Amendment 63, lengthening the term of the governor of Arkansas from two to four years.[2] Winning his third of five terms as Governor of Arkansas, Clinton continued to serve this office until shortly after he was elected to the presidency in 1992.

## Delaware

[edit]

1984 Delaware gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 1980 | November 6, 1984 | 1988 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Mike Castle | William T. Quillen |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 135,250 | 108,315
Percentage  | 55.53% | 44.47%

* * *

County results

House district results

Castle: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
Quillen: 50–60% 60–70% 80–90%

* * *

| Governor before election

Pierre S. duPont IV
Republican

| Elected Governor

Mike Castle
Republican

|

The 1984 Delaware gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1984. Incumbent Republican governor Pierre S. duPont IV was barred from seeking a third term in office. Lieutenant Governor Mike Castle was elected to succeed him, defeating State Supreme Court Justice William T. Quillen.

## Indiana

[edit]

1984 Indiana gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 1980 | November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06) | 1988 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Robert D. Orr | Wayne Townsend |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Running mate  | John Mutz | Ann DeLaney
Popular vote  | 1,146,497 | 1,036,922
Percentage  | 52.2% | 47.2%

* * *

County results
Orr:  50–60% 60–70%
Townsend:  40–50% 50–60% 60–70%

* * *

| Governor before election

Robert D. Orr
Republican

| Elected Governor

Robert D. Orr
Republican

|

The 1984 Indiana gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1984, in all 92 counties of Indiana. Robert D. Orr, the state's incumbent Republican governor, who defeated former State Treasurer John Snyder for the nomination, was comfortably reelected to a second term, defeating State Senator Wayne Townsend and two minor party challengers in the general election.[3]

## Missouri

[edit]

1984 Missouri gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 1980 | November 6, 1984 | 1988 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | John Ashcroft | Ken Rothman |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 1,194,506 | 913,700
Percentage  | 56.7% | 43.3%

* * *

County results

Ashcroft: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80%

Rothman: 50–60% 60–70%

* * *

| Governor before election

Kit Bond
Republican

| Elected Governor

John Ashcroft
Republican

|

The 1984 Missouri gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1984 and resulted in a victory for the Republican nominee, Missouri Attorney General John Ashcroft, over the Democratic candidate, Lt. Governor Ken Rothman, and Independent Bob Allen. Incumbent Republican Governor Kit Bond, who was elected to the Governorship in 1972, but lost re-election in 1976 before regaining the office in 1980, chose not to seek a third non-consecutive term.

## Montana

[edit]

1984 Montana gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 1980 | November 6, 1984 | 1988 ->

|
|

Turnout| 75.00%0.10[4]
|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Ted Schwinden | Pat M. Goodover  |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Running mate  | George Turman | Don Allen
Popular vote  | 266,578 | 100,070
Percentage  | 70.34% | 26.41%

* * *

County results
Schwinden:  50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%

* * *

| Governor before election

Ted Schwinden
Democratic

| Elected Governor

Ted Schwinden
Democratic

|

The 1984 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1984. Incumbent Governor of Montana Ted Schwinden, who was first elected in 1980, ran for re-election. Schwinden won the Democratic primary against a perennial candidate, and moved on to the general election, where he faced Pat M. Goodover, a State Senator and the Republican nominee. Although then-President Ronald Reagan won the state in a landslide that year in the presidential election, Schwinden defeated Goodover with over 70% of the vote to win his second and final term as governor.

## New Hampshire

[edit]

1984 New Hampshire gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 1982 | November 6, 1984 | 1986 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | John H. Sununu | Chris Spirou |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 256,574 | 127,156
Percentage  | 66.86% | 33.14%

* * *

County results

Municipality results

Sununu: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90%
Spirou: 50–60% 80–90% >90%

* * *

| Governor before election

John H. Sununu
Republican

| Elected Governor

John H. Sununu
Republican

|

The 1984 New Hampshire gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1984. Incumbent Governor John Sununu was re-elected to a second term in office.

## North Carolina

[edit]

1984 North Carolina gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 1980 | November 6, 1984 | 1988 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | James G. Martin | Rufus L. Edmisten |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 1,208,167 | 1,011,209
Percentage  | 54.26% | 45.41%

* * *

County results

Martin: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80%

Edmisten: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80%

* * *

| Governor before election

Jim Hunt
Democratic

| Elected Governor

James G. Martin
Republican

|

The 1984 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1984. Democratic incumbent Jim Hunt was unable to run for another consecutive term under the North Carolina Constitution. Hunt ran instead for the U.S. Senate against Jesse Helms and lost, although he later announced his campaign for a third gubernatorial term in the 1992 election. Popular 9th District Congressman James G. Martin ran as the Republican nominee against Democratic Attorney General Rufus L. Edmisten, who defeated Hunt's Lt. Governor, James Green, among other candidates, in a hotly contested primary.

Martin won by a comfortable margin on Election Day thanks to the surprise endorsement of Green, and to President Ronald Reagan's coattails (see also 1984 United States presidential election). Martin became just the second Republican elected to the state's highest office in the 20th century.

## North Dakota

[edit]

1984 North Dakota gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 1980 | November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06) | 1988 ->

|
|

Turnout| 314,382
|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | George A. Sinner | Allen I. Olson |
Party  | Democratic–NPL | Republican
Running mate  | Ruth Meiers | Ernest Sands
Popular vote  | 173,922 | 140,460
Percentage  | 55.3% | 44.7%

* * *

County results[5]
Sinner:  50–60% 60–70%
Olsen:  50–60% 60–70%

* * *

| Governor before election

Allen I. Olson
Republican

| Elected Governor

George A. Sinner
Democratic–NPL

|

The 1984 North Dakota gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1984 to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota. Voters selected Democratic candidate George A. Sinner and his running mate Ruth Meiers in a landslide over Republican incumbent Governor Allen I. Olson and Lieutenant Governor Ernest Sands.

## Rhode Island

[edit]

1984 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 1982 | November 6, 1984 | 1986 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Edward D. DiPrete | Anthony J. Solomon  |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 245,059 | 163,311
Percentage  | 60.01% | 39.99%

* * *

County results

Municipality results

DiPrete: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
Solomon:  50–60% 60–70%

* * *

| Governor before election

J. Joseph Garrahy
Democratic

| Elected Governor

Edward D. DiPrete
Republican

|

The 1984 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1984. Republican nominee and Cranston mayor Edward D. DiPrete defeated Democratic nominee Anthony J. Solomon with 60% of the vote.

## Utah

[edit]

1984 Utah gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 1980 | November 6, 1984 | 1988 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Norman H. Bangerter | Wayne Owens |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 351,792 | 275,669
Percentage  | 55.87% | 43.78%

* * *

County results
Bangerter: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
Owens: 50–60% 60–70%

* * *

| Governor before election

Scott M. Matheson
Democratic

| Elected Governor

Norman H. Bangerter
Republican

|

The 1984 Utah gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1984. Republican nominee Norman H. Bangerter defeated Democratic nominee Wayne Owens with 55.87% of the vote, becoming Utah's first Republican governor in 20 years.

## Vermont

[edit]

1984 Vermont gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 1982 | November 6, 1984 (1984-11-06) | 1986 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Madeleine Kunin | John Easton Jr. |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 116,938 | 113,264
Percentage  | 50.0% | 48.5%

* * *

County results

Municipality results

Kunin: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70%
Easton: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90%

* * *

| Governor before election

Richard Snelling
Republican

| Elected Governor

Madeleine Kunin
Democratic

|

The 1984 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1984. Incumbent Republican Richard A. Snelling did not run for another term as Governor of Vermont. Democratic candidate Madeleine Kunin defeated Republican candidate John J. Easton Jr. to succeed him. Kunin's win coincided with the presidential election, which saw Republican Ronald Reagan win Vermont with nearly 58% of the vote.

## Washington

[edit]

1984 Washington gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 1980 | November 6, 1984 | 1988 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Booth Gardner | John Spellman |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 1,006,993 | 881,994
Percentage  | 53.31% | 46.69%

* * *

County results
Gardner:  50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
Spellman:  50–60%

* * *

| Governor before election

John Spellman
Republican

| Elected Governor

Booth Gardner
Democratic

|

The 1984 Washington gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1984. Incumbent Republican John Spellman ran for re-election to a second term but was defeated by Democrat Booth Gardner despite Republican President Ronald Reagan carrying the state by 13 points in the concurrent 1984 Election.

## West Virginia

[edit]

1984 West Virginia gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 1980 | November 6, 1984 | 1988 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Arch A. Moore Jr. | Clyde M. See Jr. |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 394,937 | 346,565
Percentage  | 53.26% | 46.74%

* * *

County results
Moore: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
See: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%

* * *

| Governor before election

Jay Rockefeller
Democratic

| Elected Governor

Arch A. Moore, Jr.
Republican

|

The 1984 West Virginia gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1984, to elect the governor of West Virginia. Until 2020, this was the last time West Virginia voted for the Republican candidate for Governor and for President, as both elections are held concurrently in the state.

## See also

[edit]

* 1984 United States elections
* 1984 United States presidential election
* 1984 United States Senate elections
* 1984 United States House of Representatives elections

## References

[edit]

1. ^ AR Const. amendment 63
2. ^ "Constitution Of The State Of Arkansas Of 1874 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ARKANSAS OF 1874" (PDF). sos.arkansas.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 9, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
3. ^ Herbers, John (November 7, 1984). "The 1984 Elections: More Than the Presidency at Stake; G.o.p. Gains Marginal in Governors' Contests" - via NYTimes.com.
4. ^ "Montana Voter Turnout". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
5. ^ "Official Abstract of Votes Cast at the General Election Held November 6, 1984" (PDF). North Dakota Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 12, 2016. Retrieved February 10, 2016.

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