# 1972 North Dakota gubernatorial election

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The 1972 North Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972. The election pitted Democratic Congressman Arthur A. Link Against Republican Lieutenant governor Richard F. Larsen. Link Narrowly Defeated Larsen By a margin of 51% to 49%

## Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 5, 1972.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Arthur A. Link, U.S. Representative
* Edward P. Burns

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic–NPL | Arthur A. Link | 29,979 | 93.07 |
| | Democratic–NPL | Edward P. Burns | 2,231 | 6.93 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,210 | 100.00 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates

* Richard F. Larsen, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
* Robert P. McCarney

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard F. Larsen | 66,045 | 67.79 |
| | Republican | Robert P. McCarney | 31,377 | 32.21 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 97,422 | 100.00 |

## General election
### Candidates

* Arthur A. Link, Democratic
* Richard F. Larsen, Republican

### Results

1972 North Dakota gubernatorial election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic–NPL | Arthur A. Link | 143,899 | 51.04% |
| | Republican | Richard F. Larsen | 138,032 | 48.96% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,867 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 281,931 | |
| | Democratic–NPL hold | Democratic–NPL hold | Swing | |