1956 Colorado gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1956 United States gubernatorial elections.

1956 Colorado gubernatorial election

November 6, 1956

Nominee Stephen McNichols Donald Brotzman Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 331,283 313,950 Percentage 51.34% 48.66%

County results McNichols:      50–60%      60–70% Brotz:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Edwin C. Johnson Democratic Elected Governor Stephen McNichols Democratic

The 1956 Colorado gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1956. Democratic nominee Stephen McNichols defeated Republican nominee Donald G. Brotzman with 51.34% of the vote.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 11, 1956.^[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Stephen McNichols, incumbent Lieutenant Governor

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Stephen McNichols	104,196	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Donald G. Brotzman, State Senator

Results

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Donald G. Brotzman	79,638	100.00

General election

Candidates

• Stephen McNichols, Democratic
• Donald G. Brotzman, Republican

Results

1956 Colorado gubernatorial election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Stephen McNichols	331,283	51.34%	−2.22%
	Republican	Donald G. Brotzman	313,950	48.66%	+2.22%
Majority			17,333	2.68%
Turnout			645,233
	Democratic hold		Swing

Analysis

McNichols narrowly won the election by being able to capture majority of the vote in Colorado's then two largest cities and counties: Denver and Pueblo. He also won Adams, Denver and Pueblo counties along with several rural farming counties and the coal counties of southern Colorado.^[2] Meanwhile, Brotzman performed best in large farming areas as well as in several cities like Fort Collins, Boulder, and Golden. Factors like Democrats being better organized along with McNichols being a popular lieutenant governor to also popular governor Edwin Johnson helped propel him to victory.^[2]

See also

• 1956 United States Senate election in Colorado

References

1. "State of Colorado Abstract of Votes Cast 1956" (PDF). Secretary of State of Colorado. 1956. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
2. Martin, Curtis (1957). "The 1956 Election in Colorado". The Western Political Quarterly. 10 (1): 117–121. doi:10.2307/444247. JSTOR 444247.