1955 Kentucky gubernatorial election

1955 Kentucky gubernatorial election

November 8, 1955

Nominee Happy Chandler Edwin R. Denney Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 451,647 322,671 Percentage 58.02% 41.45%

County results Congressional district results Chandler:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Denney:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Lawrence Wetherby Democratic Elected Governor Happy Chandler Democratic

The 1955 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1955. Democratic nominee Happy Chandler defeated Republican nominee Edwin R. Denney with 58.02% of the vote.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on August 6, 1955.^[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Happy Chandler, former United States Senator
• Bert Combs, Judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals
• Jesse N. R. Cecil

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Happy Chandler	259,875	51.40
	Democratic	Bert Combs	241,754	47.82
	Democratic	Jesse N. R. Cecil	3,965	0.78
Total votes			505,594	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Edwin R. Denney, former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky
• James L. Clay

Results

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Edwin R. Denney	77,097	79.23
	Republican	James L. Clay	20,207	20.77
Total votes			97,304	100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• Happy Chandler, Democratic
• Edwin R. Denney, Republican

Other candidates

• Robert H. Garrison, Prohibition
• Jesse K. Lewis, Independent

Results

1955 Kentucky gubernatorial election^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Happy Chandler	451,647	58.02%
	Republican	Edwin R. Denney	322,671	41.45%
	Prohibition	Robert H. Garrison	2,687	0.35%
	Independent	Jesse K. Lewis	1,483	0.19%
Majority			128,976
Turnout			778,488
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN 9781568029818. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
2. Cook, Rhodes (November 17, 2015). America Votes 31: 2013-2014, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. ISBN 9781483383026. Retrieved May 11, 2019.