1974 Alabama gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1974 United States gubernatorial elections.

1974 Alabama gubernatorial election

November 5, 1974

Nominee George Wallace Elvin McCary Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 497,574 88,381 Percentage 83.16% 14.77%

County results Wallace:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

Governor before election George Wallace Democratic Elected Governor George Wallace Democratic

The 1974 Alabama gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1974. Incumbent Democratic governor George Wallace was reelected in a landslide over his Republican opponent, businessman Elvin McCary. Wallace was the first Alabama governor to win election to a second consecutive term, as the state's Constitution was amended in 1968 to allow governors to serve a maximum two elected consecutive terms. This was also Wallace's first campaign after having been paralyzed following being shot by Arthur Bremer in an assassination attempt during Wallace's run for the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination.

As of 2022, this is the last time any gubernatorial candidate in Alabama won every county in the state.

Democratic primary

Primary elections were held on May 7, 1974.[1]

Candidates

• Jim Folsom, former governor
• Gene McLain, former state representative
• Shorty Price, perennial candidate
• Thomas Robinson
• George Wallace, incumbent governor

Results

Results by county:

  Wallace

•   40–50%
•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%
•   80-90%

  McLain

•   50–60%

Democratic primary results[2][3][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	George Wallace (incumbent)	536,235	64.79
	Democratic	Gene McLain	249,035	30.09
	Democratic	Jim Folsom	24,821	3.00
	Democratic	Shorty Price	9,834	1.19
	Democratic	Thomas Robinson	7,726	0.93
Total votes			827,651

Republican primary

• Elvin McCary, businessman

Results

1974 Alabama gubernatorial election[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	George Wallace (incumbent)	497,574	83.16
	Republican	Elvin McCary	88,381	14.77
	Prohibition	Jim Partain	12,350	2.06
Total votes			598,305	100
	Democratic hold

References

1. B. Drummond Ayres Jr. (May 8, 1974). "Alabama primary won by Wallace". New York Times. New York City. p. 41. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
2. Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 96.
3. America Votes 11, p. 28.
4. "AL Governor, 1974 – D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
5. "1974 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Alabama". U.S.Election Atlas. Retrieved June 27, 2015.

Bibliography

• Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.
• Scammon, Richard M., ed. (1975). America Votes 11: a handbook of contemporary American election statistics, 1974. Washington, D.C.: Elections Research Center.