# 1972 Arkansas gubernatorial election

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vte :
The 1972 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972.
Incumbent Democratic Governor Dale Bumpers defeated Republican nominee Len E. Blaylock with 75.44% of the vote, despite Democratic nominee George McGovern losing the state in a landslide in the concurrent presidential election.

## Primary elections

Primary elections were held on May 30, 1972.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Dale Bumpers, incumbent Governor
* George W. Davis, State Representative
* Les Gibbs, Former Labor Union official
* Mack Harbour, Hospital administrator
* Q. Byrum Hurst, State Senator

#### Results

Bumpers avoided a run-off (which would have been held 13 June) by winning with more than 50% of the vote.
Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dale Bumpers (incumbent) | 330,088 | 66.71 |
| | Democratic | Q. Byrum Hurst | 81,239 | 16.42 |
| | Democratic | Mack Harbour | 55,172 | 11.15 |
| | Democratic | George W. Davis | 22,284 | 4.50 |
| | Democratic | Les Gibbs | 6,068 | 1.23 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 494,851 | 100.00 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates

* Len E. Blaylock, former staffer and Welfare Commissioner under Winthrop Rockefeller

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Len E. Blaylock | | unopposed |

## General election
### Candidates

* Dale Bumpers, Democratic
* Len E. Blaylock, Republican

### Results

1972 Arkansas gubernatorial election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Dale Bumpers (incumbent) | 488,892 | 75.44% | +13.78% |
| | Republican | Len E. Blaylock | 159,177 | 24.56% | −7.85% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 329,715 | 50.88% | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 648,069 | 100.00% | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | | |