The 1970 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1970, to elect the next governor of Tennessee. Incumbent Democratic governor Buford Ellington was term-limited and was prohibited by the Constitution of Tennessee from seeking another term. Republican nominee Winfield Dunn, defeated Democratic opponent John Jay Hooker with 52.0% of the vote.
With this win, Dunn became the first Republican to win a Tennessee gubernatorial election in fifty years.
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on August 6, 1970.
Democratic primary
24.5% of the voting age population participated in the Democratic primary.
Candidates
- John Jay Hooker, perennial candidate
- Stan Snodgrass
- Robert L. Taylor
- Mary Anderson
- Ralph W. Emerson
- James A. Newton
Results
Republican primary
10.1% of the voting age population participated in the Republican primary.
Candidates
- Winfield Dunn, former chairman of the Shelby County Republican Party
- Maxey Jarman
- Bill Jenkins, former Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives
- Claude Robertson
- Hubert David Patty, perennial candidate
Results
General election
Candidates
Major party candidates
- Winfield Dunn, Republican
- John Jay Hooker, Democratic
Other candidates
- Douglas L. Heinsohn, American
Results
See also
- 1970 United States gubernatorial elections
- 1970 United States Senate election in Tennessee
References
Works cited
- Steed, Robert; Moreland, Laurence; Baker, Tod, eds. (1980). Party Politics in the South. Praeger Publishers. ISBN 0030565863.
