1936 Montana gubernatorial election
← 1932 November 3, 1936 1940 →
Turnout79.80%Decrease1.80[1]
 
Nominee Roy E. Ayers Frank A. Hazelbaker
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 115,310 108,914
Percentage 50.94% 48.12%
County results
Ayers:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Hazelbaker:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Governor before election

Elmer Holt
Democratic

Elected Governor

Roy E. Ayers
Democratic

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The 1936 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1936. Incumbent Governor of Montana Elmer Holt, who became governor in 1935 upon the death of Frank Henry Cooney, ran for re-election. He was challenged in the Democratic primary by a number of challengers, and was narrowly defeated for renomination by United States Congressman Roy E. Ayers of Montana's 2nd congressional district. Ayers advanced to the general election, where he faced Frank A. Hazelbaker, the former Lieutenant Governor of Montana and the Republican nominee. Following a close election, Ayers narrowly defeated Hazelbaker to win what would be his first and only term as governor.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic Party primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Roy E. Ayers 43,822 37.85
Democratic Elmer Holt (incumbent) 39,397 34.02
Democratic Miles Romney, Sr. 21,679 18.72
Democratic H. L. Maury 9,086 7.85
Democratic Frank F. Hayes 1,808 1.56
Total votes 115,792 100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican Primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Frank A. Hazelbaker 28,970 72.44
Republican Robert Pauline 11,019 27.56
Total votes 39,989 100.00

General election

Results

Montana gubernatorial election, 1936[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Roy E. Ayers 115,310 50.94% +2.44%
Republican Frank A. Hazelbaker 108,914 48.12% +1.39%
Socialist J. P. Cavanaugh 917 0.41% -2.51%
Union David J. Ryan 838 0.37% +0.53%
Communist Arvo Fredrickson 374 0.17% -0.76%
Majority 6,396 2.83% +1.05%
Turnout 226,353
Democratic hold Swing

References

  1. ^ "Montana Voter Turnout". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, July 21, 1936" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
  3. ^ "Official Montana General Election Returns, November 3, 1936" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
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