# 1946 Colorado gubernatorial election

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vte :
The 1946 Colorado gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1946. Democratic nominee William Lee Knous defeated Republican nominee Leon Lavington with 52.11% of the vote, becoming the first Democrat to win the governorship since 1936.

## Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 10, 1946.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* William Lee Knous, Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | William Lee Knous | 45,104 | 100.00 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates

* Leon Lavington, Auditor of Colorado

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Leon Lavington | 39,646 | 100.00 |

## General election
### Candidates

* William Lee Knous, Democratic
* Leon Lavington, Republican

### Results

1946 Colorado gubernatorial election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | William Lee Knous | 174,604 | 52.11% | +4.51% |
| | Republican | Leon Lavington | 160,483 | 47.89% | −4.51% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,121 | 4.22% | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 335,087 | | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Swing | | |