1936 Montana gubernatorial election

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.

1936 Montana gubernatorial election

November 3, 1936

Nominee Roy E. Ayers Frank A. Hazelbaker Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 115,310 108,914 Percentage 50.94% 48.12%

Governor before election Elmer Holt Democratic Elected Governor Roy E. Ayers Democratic

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[1]

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			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[1]

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

General election

Results

Montana gubernatorial election, 1936[2]

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			6,396	2.83%	+1.05%
Turnout			226,353
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, July 21, 1936" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-07-15. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
2. "Official Montana General Election Returns, November 3, 1936" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2014.