1946 Idaho gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1946 United States gubernatorial elections.

1946 Idaho gubernatorial election

November 5, 1946

Nominee C. A. Robins Arnold Williams Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 102,233 79,131 Percentage 56.37% 43.63%

County results Robins:      50–60%      60–70% Williams:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Arnold Williams Democratic Elected Governor C. A. Robins Republican

The 1946 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 5. Republican nominee C. A. Robins defeated Democratic incumbent Arnold Williams with 56.37% of the vote.[1][2]

Idaho changed the term for governor from two to four years starting with this election, and the winner was not allowed to run for a second term (self-succession) until 1958. Williams had become governor in November 1945, following the resignation of Charles Gossett, whom Williams immediately appointed to the U.S. Senate.[3][4]

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on June 11, 1946.[5][6][7][8][9]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Arnold Williams, St. Anthony, incumbent governor
• Franklin Girard, Coeur d'Alene, former secretary of state
• Asher Wilson, Twin Falls, state board of education member

Republican primary

Candidates

• C. A. Robins, St. Maries physician, state senator
• C. A. Bottolfsen, Arco newspaper publisher and farmer, former governor
• Adam Blackstone, Marsing rancher, county commissioner

General election

Candidates

• C. A. Robins, Republican
• Arnold Williams, Democratic

Results

1946 Idaho gubernatorial election[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	C. A. Robins	102,233	56.37%
	Democratic	Arnold Williams (incumbent)	79,131	43.63%
Majority			23,102
Turnout			181,364
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing

References

1. "GOP nears House control in landslide: Idaho follows suit; White only Democrat with chance". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. November 6, 1945. p. 1.
2. "Idaho GOP landslide like Democrat in '32". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. November 7, 1945. p. 1.
3. "Gov. Gossett resigns to take Senate post". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. November 17, 1945. p. 1.
4. "Gossett resigns to accept U.S. Senate seat; Arnold Williams is Idaho governor". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. November 18, 1945. p. 1.
5. Reynolds, Irvine W. (June 9, 1946). "Idaho voters have wide choice among candidates in primaries". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. p. 3, section 2.
6. Reynolds, Irvine W. (June 10, 1946). "Political field narrows after Tuesday primary". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. p. 2.
7. Pitman, Frank W. (June 12, 1946). "Donart defeats Gossett for Senate nomination". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. p. 1.
8. "For Governor". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. June 12, 1946. p. 3.
9. "Idaho vote heavy in primary race". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. June 13, 1946. p. 1.
10. Cook, Rhodes (November 5, 2013). America Votes 30: 2011-2012, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. ISBN 9781452290171. Retrieved April 29, 2020.