1962 Idaho gubernatorial election
{{Short description|none}}
{{for|related races|1962 United States gubernatorial elections}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1962 Idaho gubernatorial election
| country = Idaho
| type = Presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1958 Idaho gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1958
| next_election = 1966 Idaho gubernatorial election
| next_year = 1966
| election_date = November 6, 1962
| image1 = File:Robert E. Smylie.jpg
| image_size = 150x150px
| nominee1 = Robert E. Smylie
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote1 = 139,578
| percentage1 = 54.64%
| image2 = 3x4.svg
| nominee2 = Vernon K. Smith
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 115,876
| percentage2 = 45.36%
| map_image = 1962 Idaho gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 250px
| map_caption = County results
Smylie: {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}
Smith: {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}}
| 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 1962 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 6; incumbent Republican Robert E. Smylie defeated Democratic nominee Vernon K. Smith with over 54.6% of the vote to win a third term as governor.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=S7BeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jy8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=4108%2C1049133 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |agency=Associated Press |title=Smylie, Church, White win; Jordan leads |date=November 7, 1962 |page=1}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TLBeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jy8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2157%2C1214283 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |agency=Associated Press |title=Idaho election outcome termed repudiation of gambling issue |date=November 8, 1962 |page=1}}
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on June 5, 1962.{{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=2019-02-24}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-b1eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IDEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5847%2C258587 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |last=Jester |first=Earle L. |agency=Associated Press |title=Idaho campaign, marked by controversy over gambling, power and taxes, approaches finish |date=June 3, 1962 |page=5}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_L1eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IDEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4200%2C657550 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |agency=Associated Press |title=Smith far ahead in Democratic governor race |date=June 6, 1962 |page=1}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bDRYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S_cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5892%2C940322 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Pro-gambling Idahoan wins: Smith apparent Smylie opponent |date=June 6, 1962 |page=1}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_b1eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IDEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2827%2C880720 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |agency=Associated Press |title=Smith's victory poses problem for Democrats |date=June 7, 1962 |page=1}}
=Democratic primary=
==Candidates==
- Vernon K. Smith, Boise attorney
- Charles Herndon, Salmon attorney
- John G. Walters, Boise, former state land commissioner
- Howard D. Hechtner, Lapwai state senator
- Conley E. Ward, Marsing schoolteacher
- Clarence H. Higer, Emmett state legislator
==Results==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic primary results
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Vernon K. Smith
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 35,574
| percentage = 43.13
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Charles Herndon
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 18,072
| percentage = 21.91
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = John G. Walters
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 13,186
| percentage = 15.99
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Howard D. Hechtner
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 7,952
| percentage = 9.64
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Conley E. Ward
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 5,427
| percentage = 6.58
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Clarence H. Higer
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 2,264
| percentage = 2.75
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 82,475
| percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}
=Republican primary=
==Candidates==
- Robert E. Smylie, two-term incumbent governor
- Elvin A. Lindquist, Blackfoot mayor
- George L. Crookham, Caldwell state legislator
==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 = 37,761
| percentage = 57.22
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Elvin A. Lindquist
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 16,565
| percentage = 25.10
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = George L. Crookham
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 11,669
| percentage = 17.68
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 65,995
| percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}
General election
=Candidates=
- Robert E. Smylie, Republican
- Vernon K. Smith, Democratic
=Results=
{{Election box begin | title=1962 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=2019-02-24|last1=Cook |first1=Rhodes |publisher=CQ Press }}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Robert E. Smylie (incumbent)
| votes = 139,578
| percentage = 54.64%
| change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Vernon K. Smith
| votes = 115,876
| percentage = 45.36%
| change =
}}
{{Election box majority|
| votes = 23,702
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box turnout|
| votes = 255,454
| percentage =
| change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
| loser =
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}