United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 3, 1970, in 35 states and two territories. This election coincided with the Senate and the House elections.
In 1970, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wisconsin elected their governors to four-year terms for the first time, having previously elected them to two-year terms. Democrats gained 11 governorships. As of 2026, this remains the last time Democrats posted a double-digit gain of governorships, or that Republicans won the governorship of the US Virgin Islands.
Closest races
States where the margin of victory was under 1%:
- Maine, 0.28%
- Oklahoma, 0.31%
- Rhode Island, 0.54%
States where the margin of victory was under 5%:
- Michigan, 1.67%
- Arizona, 1.78%
- New Hampshire, 1.89%
- Nevada, 4.29%
- Iowa, 4.36%
- Idaho, 4.44%
- New Mexico, 4.89%
States where the margin of victory was under 10%:
- US Virgin Islands, 5.08%
- Tennessee, 5.97%
- South Carolina, 6.05%
- Alaska, 6.25%
- Texas, 6.88%
- Colorado, 7.22%
- Connecticut, 7.53%
- California, 7.70%
- Minnesota, 8.50%
- Wisconsin, 9.36%
- Kansas, 9.58%
- South Dakota, 9.70%
Alabama
In Alabama, Governor Albert Brewer (who succeeded to the governorship upon Lurleen Wallace's death in 1968) had to endure a very nasty Democratic primary against former Governor George Wallace. In addition, there were no Republicans in the race for governor. Wallace won the Democratic primary and the November general election.
Alaska
In Alaska, then-Lt. Gov. Keith Miller had gotten the job of governor in 1969 after Walter Hickel resigned to be part of President Nixon's Cabinet. He lost in 1970 to former Governor William Egan.
Arizona
In Arizona, governors were elected to serve two-year terms until 1970, when Jack Richard Williams was the first governor to be elected to a four-year term. Previously, Williams had been elected governor twice to two-year terms in 1966 and in 1968. Arizona made the switch official from a two-year term to a four-year term in 1968 with an amendment.
Arkansas
In Arkansas, Winthrop Rockefeller was the first Republican governor in Arkansas since the Reconstruction period. He was defeated in his bid for a third term, by the Democratic challenger Dale Bumpers.
California
Incumbent Republican Governor and future President Ronald Reagan was elected to a second term as governor with about 53% of the vote over Speaker of the State Assembly Jesse Unruh.
Connecticut
Incumbent John Dempsey, a Democrat, did not seek re-election. 6th District Congressman Thomas Joseph Meskill (Republican) defeated 1st District Congressman Emilio Q. Daddario (Democratic) 53.76% to 46.23%.
Colorado
In Colorado, John Arthur Love won re-election.
Florida
Florida's Claude R. Kirk Jr. was the first Republican governor since Reconstruction, and was defeated by Democrat Reubin Askew.
Georgia
In Georgia, governors were limited to one term until a constitutional amendment in 1976. Future president Democrat Jimmy Carter won the election.
Hawaii
In Hawaii, Burns won another term in 1970, but in 1973, Burns had health problems and his Lt. Governor, George Ariyoshi, took over as acting governor; in 1974, with Burns' retirement, he won a term in his own right. Burns died in 1975.
Iowa
Iowa also had its governors serving two-year terms until Robert D. Ray won a four-year term in 1974. Previously, Ray had won a two-year term in 1968, a two-year term this year (1970), and would win another two-year term in 1972. Iowa made the four-year term switch official with an amendment to the state's constitution in 1972.
Kansas
Like Arizona and Iowa, Kansas also had its governors serving two-year terms until 1974, when a constitutional amendment was added, creating a four-year term for governors. Docking was elected governor in 1966, 1968, 1970, and would get elected in 1972.
Maine
Democrat Kenneth Curtis was narrowly re-elected after a recount.
Maryland
In Maryland, Democrat Marvin Mandel first won the governorship in 1969 in a special election when Republican Spiro Agnew resigned in order to become Vice President of the United States. In 1970, Mandel ran for a full term and won.
Massachusetts
John A. Volpe resigned in 1969 to become President Nixon's Secretary of Transportation. Francis W. Sargent then became acting governor. In 1970, Sargent got a term in his own right.
Michigan
George W. Romney resigned in 1969 to become President Nixon's Housing and Urban Development Secretary. William Milliken became governor, and won a full term in 1970.
Nebraska
Norbert Tiemann was the first Nebraskan to get a four-year term in the 1966 governor's race. Democrat J. James Exon defeated Tiemann in 1970.
New Mexico
New Mexico had a two-year term for governors until 1970, when the state constitution was changed to a four-year term with governors being ineligible for consecutive terms. Bruce King was elected to the first of three non-consecutive terms.
New York
In New York, Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller won re-election to a fourth term. Rockefeller served until 1973, when he resigned.
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, although the constitution was changed to allow governors to have two consecutive terms, the rule didn't apply to the then-current Gov. Raymond P. Shafer. The election was won by Milton Shapp.
South Carolina
Democrat John C. West won the election.
South Dakota
South Dakota had governors on two-year terms until 1972, when a constitutional amendment allowed the governor to have a four-year term. Richard F. Kneip would be the first governor to be elected to a four-year term, though he resigned to accept an appointment. Kneip, elected governor for a two-year term this year (1970), would be re-elected for another two-year term in 1972.
Tennessee
Republican Winfield Dunn was elected in 1970.
Wisconsin
In 1968, Wisconsin changed its constitution from a two-year term for governor to a four-year term, and had the governor run on the same ticket as the Lieutenant Governor. Patrick Lucey would become the first governor to serve under this new system.
Wyoming
Governor Stanley K. Hathaway won re-election to a second four-year term.