| Election Name: | 1936 Louisiana Democratic gubernatorial primary |
| Country: | Louisiana |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | No |
| Previous Election: | 1932 Louisiana gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1932 |
| Next Election: | 1940 Louisiana gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1940 |
| Election Date: | January 21, 1936 |
| Flag Year: | 1912 |
| Image1: | File:Gov Richard Leche.jpg |
| Candidate1: | Richard W. Leche |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Alliance1: | Longite |
| Popular Vote1: | 362,502 |
| Percentage1: | 67.08% |
| Candidate2: | Cleveland Dear |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Alliance2: | Anti-Long |
| Popular Vote2: | 176,150 |
| Percentage2: | 32.60% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | James A. Noe |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Richard W. Leche |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1936 Louisiana gubernatorial election was held on January 21, 1936. Like most Southern states between the Reconstruction Era and the Civil Rights Movement, Louisiana's Republican Party was virtually nonexistent in terms of electoral support. This meant that the Democratic Party primary held on this date was the real contest over who would be governor. The election resulted in the victory of Richard W. Leche of New Orleans as governor. Leche was supported by the Longite faction of the party and Cleveland Dear of Alexandria by the anti-Longs' "Home Rule" ticket. State Representative Mason Spencer of Tallulah dropped out of the race and endorsed Dear, but the ballots had already been printed, and he received nearly two thousand votes.
Democratic Party Primary, January 21
| Candidate | Votes received | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Richard W. Leche | 362,502 | 67.08% |
| Cleveland Dear | 176,150 | 32.60% |
| Leonard Mason Spencer | 1,718 | 0.32% |
State of Louisiana. Compilation of Primary Election Returns of the Democratic Party, State of Louisiana, 1936.