1956 Colorado gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:1956 Colorado gubernatorial election
Country:Colorado
Flag Year:1911
Type:Presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1954 Colorado gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1954
Next Election:1958 Colorado gubernatorial election
Next Year:1958
Election Date:November 6, 1956
Image1:File:Stephen McNichols 1962.jpg
Nominee1:Stephen McNichols
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:331,283
Percentage1:51.34%
Nominee2:Donald Brotzman
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:313,950
Percentage2:48.66%
Map Size:250px
Governor
Before Election:Edwin C. Johnson
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Stephen McNichols
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 1956 Colorado gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1956. Democratic nominee Stephen McNichols defeated Republican nominee Donald G. Brotzman with 51.34% of the vote.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 11, 1956.[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Candidates

Results

Analysis

McNichols narrowly won the election by being able to capture majority of the vote in Colorado's then two largest cities and counties: Denver and Pueblo. He also won Adams, Denver and Pueblo counties along with several rural farming counties and the coal counties of southern Colorado.[2] Meanwhile, Brotzman performed best in large farming areas as well as in several cities like Fort Collins, Boulder, and Golden. Factors like Democrats being better organized along with McNichols being a popular lieutenant governor to also popular governor Edwin Johnson helped propel him to victory.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: State of Colorado Abstract of Votes Cast 1956 . . 1956 . January 7, 2020.
  2. Martin . Curtis . 1957 . The 1956 Election in Colorado . . 10 . 1 . 117–121 . 10.2307/444247. 444247 .