1943 Kentucky gubernatorial election
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1943 Kentucky gubernatorial election
| country = Kentucky
| flag_image = Flag of Kentucky (1918-1963).svg
| type = Presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1939 Kentucky gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1939
| next_election = 1947 Kentucky gubernatorial election
| next_year = 1947
| election_date = November 2, 1943
| image1 = File:Simeon Willis (KY).png
| image_size = 150x150px
| nominee1 = Simeon Willis
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 279,144
| percentage1 = 50.49%
| image2 = 3x4.svg
| nominee2 = J. Lyter Donaldson
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 270,525
| percentage2 = 48.93%
| map_image = {{switcher |300px |County results |300px |Congressional district results |default=1}}
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = Willis: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80–90%}}
Donaldson: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}} {{legend0|#3933e5|80–90%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = Keen Johnson
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Simeon Willis
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{ElectionsKY}}
The 1943 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1943. Republican nominee Simeon Willis defeated Democratic nominee J. Lyter Donaldson with 50.49% of the vote.
Primary elections
=Democratic primary=
==Candidates==
- J. Lyter Donaldson, former Kentucky Highway Commissioner
- Ben Kilgore, former Executive Secretary of the Kentucky Farm Bureau
- Rodes K. Myers, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
- John J. Thobe
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary results
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = J. Lyter Donaldson
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 135,576
| percentage = 53.56
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Ben Kilgore
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 81,027
| percentage = 32.01
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Rodes K. Myers
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 34,077
| percentage = 13.46
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = John J. Thobe
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 2,456
| percentage = 0.97
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 253,136
| percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}
General election
=Candidates=
Major party candidates
- Simeon Willis, Republican
- J. Lyter Donaldson, Democratic
Other candidates
- Andrew N. Johnson, Prohibition
=Results=
{{Election box begin | title=1943 Kentucky gubernatorial election}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Simeon Willis
| votes = 279,144
| percentage = 50.49%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = J. Lyter Donaldson
| votes = 270,525
| percentage = 48.93%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
| party = Prohibition Party
| candidate = Andrew N. Johnson
| votes = 3,239
| percentage = 0.59%
| change =
}}
{{Election box majority|
| votes =
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
| votes = 552,908
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box gain with party link|
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| loser = Democratic Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}
References
{{Reflist}}{{1943 United States elections|state=collapsed}}