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 County results Blanton: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Alexander: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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The1974 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1974, to elect the nextgovernor of Tennessee. IncumbentRepublican governorWinfield Dunn wasineligible to run for re-election, as theConstitution of Tennessee prohibited governors from serving consecutive terms at the time.Democratic nomineeRay Blanton defeatedRepublican opponentLamar Alexander with 55.4% of the vote.
With this win, Blanton flipped the state back into Democratic control, with thestate legislature also being controlled by Democrats.
Republican candidateLamar Alexander worked as a legislative assistant for SenatorHoward Baker. While a staffer, he was briefly roommates with future U.S. SenatorTrent Lott. In 1969, he worked forBryce Harlow, PresidentRichard Nixon's executive assistant.[1] In 1970, he moved back to Tennessee, serving as campaign manager for Memphis dentistWinfield Dunn's successful gubernatorial bid.[2]
Alexander faced theDemocratic nominee,Ray Blanton, a former congressman and unsuccessful1972 Senate candidate. Blanton attacked Alexander for his service underRichard Nixon, who had resigned in disgrace several months earlier as a result of theWatergate scandal.[3]
FollowingRay Blanton's inauguration, Blanton called for a state income tax, but the state legislature, fearing a revolt from voters, refused to consider it, and instead raised the state sales tax.[4] Blanton overhauled the state'sexcise andfranchise tax laws, and revised the state'sHall income tax to provide relief for the state's elderly residents.[4] He also elevated the state's Office of Tourism to a cabinet-level department, making Tennessee the first state in the nation to do so,[5] and upgraded the state's retirement system.[5]
Primary elections were held on August 1, 1974.[6]
21.9% of the voting age population participated in the Democratic primary.[7]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ray Blanton | 148,062 | 22.73 | |
| Democratic | Jake Butcher | 131,412 | 20.18 | |
| Democratic | Thomas A. Wiseman Jr. | 89,061 | 13.67 | |
| Democratic | Hudley Crockett | 86,852 | 13.34 | |
| Democratic | Franklin Haney | 84,155 | 12.92 | |
| Democratic | Stan Snodgrass | 40,211 | 6.17 | |
| Democratic | Ross Bass | 26,091 | 4.01 | |
| Democratic | Washington Butler | 15,562 | 2.39 | |
| Democratic | David Pack | 13,625 | 2.09 | |
| Democratic | James Powers | 13,464 | 2.07 | |
| Democratic | Jonnie D. Elkins | 1,694 | 0.26 | |
| Democratic | Charles Gordon Vick | 1,121 | 0.17 | |
| Total votes | 651,320 | 100.00 | ||
8.6% of the voting age population participated in the Republican primary.[7]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lamar Alexander | 120,773 | 48.48 | |
| Republican | Nat T. Winston Jr. | 90,980 | 36.52 | |
| Republican | Dortch Oldham | 35,683 | 14.32 | |
| Republican | Melvin Waldron | 1,674 | 0.67 | |
| Total votes | 249,112 | 100.00 | ||
Major party candidates
Other candidates
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ray Blanton | 576,833 | 55.43% | ||
| Republican | Lamar Alexander | 455,467 | 43.77% | ||
| Independent | Jack Comer | 2,431 | 0.23% | ||
| Independent | Alfred W. Taylor | 2,338 | 0.23% | ||
| Independent | James Reesor | 1,986 | 0.19% | ||
| Independent | Hubert David Patty | 845 | 0.08% | ||
| Independent | Arnold Joseph Zandi | 784 | 0.08% | ||
| Write-in | 30 | 0.00% | |||
| Majority | 121,366 | ||||
| Turnout | 1,040,714 | ||||
| Democraticgain fromRepublican | Swing | ||||
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