1974 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
The 1974 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1974. Michael Dukakis was elected to a four-year term, from January 4, 1975 until January 4, 1979. He defeated incumbent Governor of Massachusetts Francis W. Sargent in the general election. Republican primary. Lieutenant Governor. Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Donald R. Dwight was unopposed in the Republican Primary. General election. Dukakis defeated Sargent by 207,931 votes. It was the first gubernatorial victory for the Massachusetts Democratic Party since 1962.