| Election Name: | 1971 Kentucky gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Kentucky |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1967 Kentucky gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1967 |
| Next Election: | 1975 Kentucky gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1975 |
| Election Date: | November 2, 1971 |
| Image1: | File:Sen Wendell Ford.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Wendell Ford |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 470,420 |
| Percentage1: | 50.56% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 412,653 |
| Percentage2: | 44.35% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| Governor | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1971 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1971. Incumbent Republican Louie Nunn, was ineligible for a second term due to term limits, a rule that was later repealed in 1992.[1]
In the Democratic primary, Lieutenant Governor Wendell Ford ran against former Governor Bert Combs and 6 other opponents. Ford would win in an easy victory that wasn't expected. In the Republican primary, Thomas Emberton easily won his primary and was endorsed by Governor Nunn.[2]
In the general election, Ford and Emberton were joined by former Governor A. B. "Happy" Chandler, running as an Independent, as well as American Party candidate William Smith. The Republicans had hoped that Chandler would help Emberton's chances, but Ford ultimately won the general election.[3], this is the last time that the Republican candidate has won Jefferson County.