# 1936 Montana gubernatorial election

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The 1936 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1936. Incumbent Governor of Montana Elmer Holt, who became governor in 1935 upon the death of Frank Henry Cooney, ran for re-election. He was challenged in the Democratic primary by a number of challengers, and was narrowly defeated for renomination by United States Congressman Roy E. Ayers of Montana's 2nd congressional district. Ayers advanced to the general election, where he faced Frank A. Hazelbaker, the former Lieutenant Governor of Montana and the Republican nominee. Following a close election, Ayers narrowly defeated Hazelbaker to win what would be his first and only term as governor.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates

* Roy E. Ayers, United States Congressman from Montana's 2nd congressional district
* Elmer Holt, incumbent Governor of Montana
* Miles Romney Sr., former State Senator, former Mayor of Hamilton
* H. L. Maury
* Frank F. Hayes

### Results

Democratic Party primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Roy E. Ayers | 43,822 | 37.85 |
| | Democratic | Elmer Holt (incumbent) | 39,397 | 34.02 |
| | Democratic | Miles Romney, Sr. | 21,679 | 18.72 |
| | Democratic | H. L. Maury | 9,086 | 7.85 |
| | Democratic | Frank F. Hayes | 1,808 | 1.56 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 115,792 | 100.00 |

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* Frank A. Hazelbaker, former Lieutenant Governor of Montana, 1932 Republican nominee for Governor of Montana
* Robert Pauline, State Senator, former Mayor of Kalispell

### Results

Republican Primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Frank A. Hazelbaker | 28,970 | 72.44 |
| | Republican | Robert Pauline | 11,019 | 27.56 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 39,989 | 100.00 |

## General election
### Results

Montana gubernatorial election, 1936 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Roy E. Ayers | 115,310 | 50.94% | +2.44% |
| | Republican | Frank A. Hazelbaker | 108,914 | 48.12% | +1.39% |
| | Socialist | J. P. Cavanaugh | 917 | 0.41% | −2.51% |
| | Union | David J. Ryan | 838 | 0.37% | +0.53% |
| | Communist | Arvo Fredrickson | 374 | 0.17% | −0.76% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,396 | 2.83% | +1.05% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 226,353 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | | |