1960 Montana gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1960 United States gubernatorial elections.

1960 Montana gubernatorial election

November 8, 1960
Turnout	85.70%2.50[1]
Nominee Donald Grant Nutter Paul C. Cannon Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 154,230 125,651 Percentage 55.11% 44.89%
County results Nutter:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Cannon:      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election J. Hugo Aronson Republican Elected Governor Donald Grant Nutter Republican

The 1960 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1960. Incumbent governor of Montana J. Hugo Aronson, who was first elected governor in 1952 and was re-elected in 1956, declined to run for re-election. Donald Grant Nutter, a former state senator, narrowly won the Republican primary, and advanced to the general election, where he was opposed by Paul Cannon, the Lieutenant Governor of Montana and the Democratic nominee. Nutter defeated Cannon by a fairly wide margin, winning his only term as governor, as he would die just a year into his term.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Paul Cannon, Lieutenant Governor of Montana
• Jack Toole, former chairman of the Montana Democratic Party
• Mike Kuchera, furniture dealer
• Willard E. Fraser, businessman
• John M. Nickey
• Merrill K. Riddick

Results

Democratic Party primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Paul Cannon	44,690	34.89
	Democratic	Jack Toole	40,537	31.65
	Democratic	Mike Kuchera	33,216	25.93
	Democratic	Willard E. Fraser	6,505	5.08
	Democratic	John M. Nickey	1,806	1.41
	Democratic	Merrill K. Riddick	1,344	1.05
Total votes			128,098	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Donald Grant Nutter, Chairman of the Montana Republican Party, former State Senator
• Wesley A. D'Ewart, former United States Congressman from Montana's 2nd congressional district, 1954 Republican nominee for the United States Senate

Results

Republican Primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Donald Grant Nutter	33,099	50.43
	Republican	Wesley A. D'Ewart	32,538	49.57
Total votes			65,637	100.00

General election

Results

Montana gubernatorial election, 1960^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Donald Grant Nutter	154,230	55.11%	+3.74%
	Democratic	Paul Cannon	125,651	44.89%	−3.74%
Majority			28,579	10.21%	+7.48%
Turnout			279,881
	Republican hold		Swing

References

1. "Montana Voter Turnout". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
2. "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, June 7, 1960". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
3. "Official Montana General Election Returns, November 8, 1960". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 5, 2014.