1958 Idaho gubernatorial election
{{Short description|none}}
{{for|related races|1958 United States gubernatorial elections}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1958 Idaho gubernatorial election
| country = Idaho
| type = Presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1954 Idaho gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1954
| next_election = 1962 Idaho gubernatorial election
| next_year = 1962
| election_date = November 4, 1958
| image1 = File:Robert E. Smylie.jpg
| image_size = 150x150px
| nominee1 = Robert E. Smylie
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 121,810
| percentage1 = 50.96%
| image2 = 3x4.svg
| nominee2 = Alfred M. Derr
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 117,236
| percentage2 = 49.04%
| map_image = 1958 Idaho gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 230px
| map_caption = County results
Smylie: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}
Derr: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}
| title = Governor
| before_election = Robert E. Smylie
| before_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_election = Robert E. Smylie
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{ElectionsID}}
The 1958 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 4. Incumbent Republican Robert E. Smylie defeated Democratic nominee Alfred M. Derr with 50.96% of the vote.
Since changing to four-year term for governor beginning with the 1946 election, this was the first time the incumbent was permitted to run for re-election, due to a change in the state's constitution, approved by voters in November 1956.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hcpeAAAAIBAJ&pg=3703%2C728300|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|agency=Associated Press|title=Idaho voters adopt three amendments|date=November 7, 1956|page=1}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_cFeAAAAIBAJ&pg=2840,4647264|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|last=Corlett|first=John|title=It's mystery why law barring self-succession not repealed|date=March 31, 1963|page=5 }} The last incumbent to be re-elected was C. Ben Ross, who won a third two-year term in 1934.
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on August 12, 1958.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nqAaAQAAMAAJ |title=Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc |year=2005 |publisher=CQ Press |isbn=9781568029818 |access-date=2019-04-20}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DI9fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pTAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6662%2C4740750 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |agency=Associated Press |title=Answers to tax problem, state's future claimed by gubernatorial hopefuls |date=August 10, 1958 |page=1}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DI9fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pTAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1073%2C4744742 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |agency=Associated Press |title=Tuesday's voting may settle question of legalized casinos |date=August 10, 1958 |page=2}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=D49fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pTAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1440%2C5180515 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |agency=Associated Press |title=Derr takes 347-vote lead in governor race |date=August 13, 1958 |page=1}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EI9fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pTAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1324%2C5279476 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |agency=Associated Press |title=Derr still ahead but won't claim victory |date=August 14, 1958 |page=1}}
=Democratic primary=
==Candidates==
- Alfred M. Derr, Clark Fork state senator
- H. Max Hanson, Fairfield state senator
- John Glasby, Mountain Home, former state party chairman
- Omar Maine, Parma farmer
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary results
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Alfred M. Derr
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 25,599
| percentage =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = H. Max Hanson
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 25,477
| percentage =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = John Glasby
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 21,207
| percentage =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Omar Maine
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 1,929
| percentage =
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 48613
| percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}
=Republican primary=
==Candidate==
- Robert E. Smylie, incumbent governor (unopposed)
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Republican primary results
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Robert E. Smylie (incumbent)
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 41,568
| percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 41,568
| percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}
General election
=Candidates=
- Robert E. Smylie, Republican
- Alfred M. Derr, Democratic
=Results=
{{Election box begin | title=1958 Idaho gubernatorial election{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DSZzAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA146 |title=America Votes 30: 2011-2012, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook |date= 5 November 2013|isbn=9781452290171 |access-date=2019-04-20|last1=Cook |first1=Rhodes }}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Robert E. Smylie (incumbent)
| votes = 121,810
| percentage = 50.96%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Alfred M. Derr
| votes = 117,236
| percentage = 49.04%
| change =
}}
{{Election box majority|
| votes = 4,574
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
| votes = 239,046
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| loser =
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}