1962 Wyoming gubernatorial election

The 1962 Wyoming gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1962. Incumbent Democratic Governor Jack R. Gage, who ascended to the governorship after his predecessor, John J. Hickey, appointed himself to the U.S. Senate in 1961, ran for re-election. After beating back a strong challenge from former Secretary of State William M. Jack in the Democratic primary, he then faced Republican nominee Clifford Hansen, the President of the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees and a former Teton County Commissioner.

1962 Wyoming gubernatorial election

← 1958 November 7, 1962 (1962-11-07) 1966 →
 
Nominee Clifford Hansen Jack R. Gage
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 64,970 54,298
Percentage 54.47% 45.53%

County results
Hansen:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Cage:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election

Jack R. Gage
Democratic

Elected Governor

Clifford Hansen
Republican

The year proved poor for Wyoming Democrats, as Hansen handily defeated Gage and as Senator Hickey was defeated for re-election by former Governor Milward Simpson. This is the last time that an incumbent governor of Wyoming lost reelection.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Democratic primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jack R. Gage (inc.) 21,051 55.51%
Democratic William Jack 16,875 44.49%
Total votes 37,926 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Republican primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Clifford Hansen 28,494 57.02%
Republican Charles M. Crowell 16,906 33.83%
Republican R.E. Cheever 4,575 9.16%
Total votes 49,975 100.00%

Results

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1962 Wyoming gubernatorial election[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Clifford Hansen 64,970 54.47% 7.83%
Democratic Jack R. Gage (inc.) 54,298 45.53% −3.41%
Majority 10,672 8.95% 6.65%
Turnout 119,268
Republican gain from Democratic

References

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  1. ^ a b c Thomson, Thyra (1963). 1963 Wyoming Official Directory and 1962 Election Returns. pp. 56–58.
  2. ^ "Crowell Puts Hat in Ring for Governor". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. March 1, 1962. p. 1.
  3. ^ "Cheever Says He's Urged To Seek GOP Nomination". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. January 21, 1962. p. 22.