| Election Name: | 1972 Iowa gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Iowa |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Iowa (xrmap collection).svg |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1970 Iowa gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1970 |
| Next Election: | 1974 Iowa gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1974 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Image1: | File:Robert Ray official.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Robert D. Ray |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 707,177 |
| Percentage1: | 58.4% |
| Nominee2: | Paul Franzenburg |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 487,282 |
| Percentage2: | 40.3% |
| Map Size: | 240px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Robert D. Ray |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Robert D. Ray |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
The 1972 Iowa gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972. Incumbent Republican Robert D. Ray defeated Democratic nominee Paul Franzenburg with 58.43% of the vote.
This was the last gubernatorial election in Iowa in which either party won every county. It was also the last election for a two-year term, with Iowa (alongside Arkansas, Kansas, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas and, as of date, Vermont and New Hampshire) being one of the last states to maintain two-year, as opposed to four-year gubernatorial terms.
Major party candidates
Other candidates