1958 Tennessee gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1958 United States gubernatorial elections.

1958 Tennessee gubernatorial election

November 4, 1958

Nominee Buford Ellington Jim Nance McCord Tom Wall Party Democratic Independent Republican Popular vote 248,874 136,406 35,938 Percentage 57.54% 31.54% 8.31%

County results Ellington:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% McCord:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election Frank G. Clement Democratic Elected Governor Buford Ellington Democratic

The 1958 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1958, to elect the next governor of Tennessee. Incumbent Democratic governor Frank G. Clement was ineligible to run for re-election, as the Constitution of Tennessee prohibited governors from serving consecutive terms at the time. Democratic nominee Buford Ellington defeated former governor, Independent Jim Nance McCord, and Republican opponent Tom Wall with 57.5% of the vote.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on August 7, 1958.[1]

Democratic primary

33.2% of the voting age population participated in the Democratic primary.[2]

Candidates

• Buford Ellington, State Representative
• Andrew T. "Tip" Taylor
• Edmund Orgill, Mayor of Memphis
• Clifford Allen, State Senator
• Jake Armstrong
• John Hickey
• G. Edward Friar
• Edward Brown

Results

Democratic primary results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Buford Ellington	213,415	31.14%
	Democratic	Andrew T. "Tip" Taylor	204,629	29.86%
	Democratic	Edmund Orgill	204,382	29.82%
	Democratic	Clifford Allen	56,854	8.30%
	Democratic	Jake Armstrong	2,936	0.43%
	Democratic	John Hickey	1,495	0.22%
	Democratic	G. Edward Friar	1,487	0.22%
	Democratic	Edward Brown	93	0.01%
Total votes			685,291	100.00%

Republican primary

1.5% of the voting age population participated in the Republican primary.[2]

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• Buford Ellington, Democratic
• Tom Wall, Republican

Other candidates

• Jim Nance McCord, Independent
• Allen Bell, Independent
• Thomas E. Cook, Independent
• Herbert P. Moore, Independent
• Paul David Warwick, Independent
• Lee R. Foster, Independent
• John Randolph Neal Jr., Independent

Results

1958 Tennessee gubernatorial election[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Buford Ellington	248,874	57.54%
	Independent	Jim Nance McCord	136,406	31.54%
	Republican	Tom Wall	35,938	8.31%
	Independent	Allen Bell	3,024	0.70%
	Independent	Thomas E. Cook	2,673	0.62%
	Independent	Herbert P. Moore	1,923	0.45%
	Independent	Paul David Warwick	1,639	0.38%
	Independent	Lee R. Foster	1,605	0.37%
	Independent	John Randolph Neal Jr.	453	0.11%
			17	0.00%
Majority			212,936
Turnout			432,545
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN 9781568029818. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
2. Steed, Moreland & Baker 1980, p. 22.
3. Cook, Rhodes (October 26, 2017). America Votes 32: 2015-2016, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. CQ Press. ISBN 9781506368993. Retrieved May 22, 2019.

Works cited

• Steed, Robert; Moreland, Laurence; Baker, Tod, eds. (1980). Party Politics in the South. Praeger Publishers. ISBN 0030565863.