# 1956 Colorado gubernatorial election

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vte :
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.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Stephen McNichols, incumbent Lieutenant Governor

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Stephen McNichols | 104,196 | 100.00 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates

* Donald G. Brotzman, State Senator

#### Results

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