1940 Colorado gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1940 United States gubernatorial elections.

1940 Colorado gubernatorial election

November 5, 1940

Nominee Ralph Lawrence Carr George E. Saunders Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 296,671 245,292 Percentage 54.37% 44.96%

County results Carr:      50-60%      60-70% Saunders:      50–60%

Governor before election Ralph Lawrence Carr Republican Elected Governor Ralph Lawrence Carr Republican

The 1940 Colorado gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1940. Incumbent Republican Ralph Lawrence Carr defeated Democratic nominee George E. Saunders with 54.37% of the vote.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 10, 1940.^[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• George E. Saunders, Secretary of State of Colorado
• John A. Carroll, District Attorney of Denver
• George J. Knapp

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	George E. Saunders	75,130	57.0%
	Democratic	John A. Carroll	50,787	38.5%
	Democratic	George J. Knapp	5,967	4.5%
Total votes			131,884

Republican primary

Candidates

• Ralph Lawrence Carr, incumbent Governor

Results

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ralph Lawrence Carr (incumbent)	95,521	100.00
Total votes			95,521	100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• Ralph Lawrence Carr, Republican
• George E. Saunders, Democratic

Other candidates

• Carle Whitehead, Socialist
• Laurence W. Coffman, Prohibition

Results

1940 Colorado gubernatorial election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Ralph Lawrence Carr (incumbent)	296,671	54.37%	−1.45%
	Democratic	George E. Saunders	245,292	44.96%	+1.30%
	Socialist	Carle Whitehead	2,211	0.41%
	Prohibition	Laurence W. Coffman	1,462	0.27%
Majority			51,379	9.41%	−2.75%
Turnout			545,636
	Republican hold		Swing

References

1. "State of Colorado Abstract of Votes Cast 1940" (PDF). Secretary of State of Colorado. 1940. Retrieved March 6, 2020.