1996 Montana gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:1996 Montana gubernatorial election
Country:Montana
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1992 Montana gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1992
Next Election:2000 Montana gubernatorial election
Next Year:2000
Election Date:November 5, 1996
Image1:File:Marc Racicot 2008 (cropped).JPG
Nominee1:Marc Racicot
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Running Mate1:Judy Martz
Popular Vote1:320,768
Percentage1:79.2%
Nominee2:Judy Jacobson (replacing Chet Blaylock)
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Running Mate2:Judy Jacobson
Popular Vote2:84,407
Percentage2:20.8%
Map Size:300px
Governor
Before Election:Marc Racicot
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Marc Racicot
After Party:Republican Party (United States)
Turnout:70.60%8.30[1]

The 1996 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1996. Incumbent Governor of Montana Marc Racicot, who was first elected in 1992, ran for re-election. After winning the Republican primary against a conservative activist, he moved on to the general election, where he was set to face Chet Blaylock, a former State Senator and the Democratic nominee. However, on October 23, 1996, Blaylock died of a heart attack, and the Montana Democratic Party selected his running mate, State Senator Judy Jacobson, to replace him, and she therefore became both the gubernatorial nominee and the lieutenant gubernatorial nominee.[2] Ultimately, Racicot defeated Jacobson in a landslide to win re-election to his second and final term as governor. As of, this is the last time that the winning gubernatorial nominee carried all counties in Montana. This election was the only time since 1956 that an incumbent Republican Governor of Montana was re-elected or won re-election. As of 2024, this is the last time that an incumbent Republican Governor of Montana was re-elected or won re-election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Results

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Montana Voter Turnout. Montana Secretary of State. February 22, 2018 . May 26, 2022.
  2. Web site: Dems Select Jacobson To Run For Governor. October 29, 1996. July 5, 2014. The Spokesman-Review.