The 1974 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1974. Democrat Patrick Lucey won the election with 53% of the vote, winning his second term as governor of Wisconsin and defeating Republican William Dyke.
As of 2025, this is the last time a Democratic gubernatorial candidate won Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties. These three counties, collectively known as the WOW counties, have been among the most Republican areas in the state since the 1940s. It is also the last time a Democratic gubernatorial candidate carried Calumet and Marinette counties.
Primary election
The primary election was held on September 10, 1974. Nominees for governor and lieutenant governor were selected in separate primaries before running on a joint ticket in the general election.
Democratic party
Governor
- Edmond Hou-Seye, American party nominee for United States Senate in 1970
- Patrick J. Lucey, incumbent governor
Lieutenant governor
- Martin J. Schreiber, incumbent lieutenant governor
- Andrew Tripoli
Republican party
Governor
- William Dyke, former mayor of Madison
Lieutenant governor
- John M. Alberts, member of Wisconsin State Assembly
American party
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
General election
Candidates
- Fred B. Blair & Mary K. Blair, Independent
- Georgia Cozzini & David Hornung, Independent
- William Dyke & John M. Alberts, Republican
- William O. Hart & Fred Dahir, Independent
- Crazy Jim & Gary C. Wetzel, Independent
- Patrick J. Lucey & Martin J. Schreiber, Democrat
- William H. Upham & Donald D. Hoeft, American
Results by county
Lucey was the first Democrat since Albert G. Schmedeman in 1934 to win Outagamie County, Ozaukee County, Sawyer County, and Waukesha County. Adams County, Jackson County, and Oneida County would not vote for the losing candidate again until 2018.
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
- Crawford
- Outagamie
- Ozaukee
- Sawyer
- Waukesha
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
- Adams
- Jackson
- Kewaunee
- Oconto
- Oneida