| Election Name: | 1972 Indiana gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Indiana |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 Indiana gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1976 Indiana gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1976 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Image1: | File:Otis R. Bowen (1).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Otis Bowen |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,203,903 |
| Percentage1: | 56.77% |
| Nominee2: | Matthew E. Welsh |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 900,489 |
| Percentage2: | 42.46% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Edgar Whitcomb |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Otis Bowen |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
The 1972 Indiana gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972.
Although during the same election cycle Indiana voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing the governor to serve in office for eight out of 12 years, incumbent Republican Governor Edgar Whitcomb was term-limited due to having been elected under the prior version of the constitution.[1] [2] [3]
Republican nominee, Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives Otis Bowen defeated Democratic nominee Former Governor (1961-1965) Matthew E. Welsh with 56.77% of the vote.
Until 1976, all nominations for statewide office in Indiana were made by state conventions.
Matthew E. Welsh, former Governor def.Larry A. Conrad, Secretary of State[4] [5]