1974 Oklahoma gubernatorial election

1974 Oklahoma gubernatorial election

November 5, 1974

Nominee David Boren Jim Inhofe Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 514,389 290,459 Percentage 63.9% 36.1%

County results Boren:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Inhofe:      50–60%

Governor before election David Hall Democratic Elected Governor David Boren Democratic

The 1974 Oklahoma gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1974, and was a race for Governor of Oklahoma. Democrat David Boren defeated Clem McSpadden in a run-off to claim his party's nomination after embattled incumbent David Hall was eliminated in the initial primary. Boren won the general election handily over Republican Jim Inhofe., who later won a 1994 U.S. Senate special election triggered by Boren's impending resignation to become the University of Oklahoma's president.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• David Hall, incumbent Governor
• David Boren, Oklahoma State Representative
• Clem Rogers McSpadden, U.S. Representative from Oklahoma's 2nd district

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Clem Rogers McSpadden	238,534	37.6
	Democratic	David Boren	225,321	35.5
	Democratic	David Hall (incumbent)	169,290	26.7
Total votes			554,440	633,145

Runoff

Democratic runoff results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	David Boren	286,171	53.5
	Democratic	Clem Rogers McSpadden	248,623	46.4
Total votes			467,138	100.00

Republican primary

A campaign button for Inhofe's campaign.

Candidates

• Jim Inhofe, Oklahoma state Senator
• Denzil D. Garrison

Results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Inhofe	88,594	58.7
	Republican	Denzil D. Garrison	62,188	41.2
Total votes			150,782	100.00

Results

1974 gubernatorial election, Oklahoma

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	David Boren	514,389	63.9
	Republican	Jim Inhofe	290,459	36.1
Majority			223,940	28.8
Turnout			804,848
	Democratic hold		Swing