1952 Arkansas gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1952 United States gubernatorial elections.

1952 Arkansas gubernatorial election

November 4, 1952

Nominee Francis Cherry Jefferson W. Speck Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 342,292 49,292 Percentage 87.41% 12.59%

County results Cherry:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      <90%

Governor before election Sid McMath Democratic Elected Governor Francis Cherry Democratic

The 1952 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1952.

Incumbent Democratic Governor Sid McMath was defeated in the Democratic primary.

Democratic nominee Francis Cherry defeated Republican nominee Jefferson W. Speck with 87.41% of the vote.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on July 29, 1952, with the Democratic runoff held on August 12, 1952.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Francis Cherry, Chancery Judge[1]
• Jack Holt, former attorney general and unsuccessful candidate for Democratic nomination for governor in 1948
• Sid McMath, incumbent governor
• Ike Murry, incumbent Arkansas Attorney General
• Boyd Anderson Tackett, U.S. Representative for the 4th district

Results

Results map of the Democratic primary by county.
McMath:      20–30%      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      70–80%      <90%
Cherry:      20–30%      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Tackett:      20–30%      30–40%      40–50%      60–70%      70–80%
Holt:      30–40%      40–50%      50-60%
Murray:      20–30%      30–40%      60-70%

Results map of the Democratic primary by county.
Cherry:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      <90%
McMath:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      <90%

Democratic primary results[2][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Sid McMath (incumbent)	100,858	30.65
	Democratic	Francis Cherry	91,195	27.72
	Democratic	Boyd Anderson Tackett	63,827	19.40
	Democratic	Jack Holt	45,233	13.75
	Democratic	Ike Murry	27,937	8.49
Total votes			329,050	100.00

Democratic primary run-off results[4][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Francis Cherry	237,448	63.07
	Democratic	Sid McMath (incumbent)	139,052	36.93
Total votes			376,500	100.00

General election

Candidates

• Francis Cherry, Democratic
• Jefferson W. Speck, Republican, farmer, and candidate for governor in 1950

Results

1952 Arkansas gubernatorial election[5][6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Francis Cherry	342,292	87.41%	+3.28%
	Republican	Jefferson W. Speck	49,292	12.59%	−3.28%
	Scattering		8	0.00%
Majority			293,000	74.82%
Turnout			391,592	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. "Francis Adams Cherry". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. The Central Arkansas Library System. 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
2. "AR Governor, 1952 - D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
3. Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 100.
4. "AR Governor, 1952 - D Runoff". Our Campaigns. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
5. "AR Governor, 1952". Our Campaigns. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
6. Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 42.

Bibliography

• Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.