# 1940 Iowa gubernatorial election

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The 1940 Iowa gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1940. Incumbent Republican George A. Wilson defeated Democratic nominee John K. Valentine with 52.72% of the vote.

## Primary elections

Primary elections were held on June 3, 1940.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* John K. Valentine, former Lieutenant Governor
* Edward Breen, State Senator

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John K. Valentine | 70,233 | 57.88 |
| | Democratic | Edward Breen | 51,112 | 42.12 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 121,345 | 100.00 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates

* George A. Wilson, incumbent Governor
* H. R. Gross, Newspaper reporter
* Irving H. Knudson, former State Senator

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | George A. Wilson (incumbent) | 165,176 | 49.66 |
| | Republican | H. R. Gross | 146,395 | 44.01 |
| | Republican | Irving H. Knudson | 21,039 | 6.33 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 332,610 | 100.00 |

## General election
### Candidates

Major party candidates
* George A. Wilson, Republican
* John K. Valentine, Democratic
Other candidates
* M. M. Heptonstall, Prohibition
* Charles Speck, Communist

### Results

1940 Iowa gubernatorial election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | George A. Wilson (incumbent) | 620,480 | 52.72% |
| | Democratic | John K. Valentine | 553,941 | 47.07% |
| | Prohibition | M. M. Heptonstall | 1,289 | 0.11% |
| | Communist | Charles Speck | 1,230 | 0.11% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 66,539 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | |