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The1940 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1940.
IncumbentDemocraticGovernorW. Lee O'Daniel defeatedRepublican nominee George C. Hopkins with 94.42% of the vote.
The Democraticprimary election was held on July 27, 1940. By winning over 50% of the vote, O'Daniel avoided a run-off.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | W. Lee O'Daniel (incumbent) | 645,646 | 54.29 | |
| Democratic | Ernest O. Thompson | 256,923 | 21.60 | |
| Democratic | Harry Hines | 119,121 | 10.02 | |
| Democratic | Miriam A. Ferguson | 100,578 | 8.46 | |
| Democratic | Jerry Sadler | 61,396 | 5.16 | |
| Democratic | Arlon B. Davis | 3,623 | 0.31 | |
| Democratic | R. P. Condron | 2,003 | 0.17 | |
| Total votes | 1,189,290 | 100.00 | ||
The Republican state convention was held atBeaumont on August 13, 1940.[9][10]
George C. Hopkins, businessman, was nominated for Governor.[11]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | W. Lee O'Daniel (incumbent) | 1,019,338 | 94.42% | ||
| Republican | George C. Hopkins | 59,895 | 5.55% | ||
| Communist | Ben H. Lauderdale | 202 | 0.02% | ||
| Scattering | 113 | 0.01% | |||
| Majority | 959,453 | 88.87% | |||
| Turnout | 1,079,538 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratichold | Swing | ||||