Biggest governor landslides in Alabama
The biggest landslide in a Alabama governor’s race was in 1839, a margin of 84.6 points. Arthur P. Bagby beat Arthur F. Hopkins, 20,451 to 1,708. Next widest are 1950 (82.2 points) and 1942 (78.4 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race Alabama has held, special elections included, see the Alabama governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a Alabama governor’s race?
The widest margin in a Alabama gubernatorial general election came in 1839, 84.6 points. Arthur P. Bagby beat Arthur F. Hopkins, 20,451 to 1,708. Next are 1950 (82.2 points) and 1942 (78.4 points).
Why do some huge wins not appear?
A blowout only counts here when somebody real finished second, which means at least 5% of the vote. Without that rule the list fills with uncontested races and with contests where the record is simply missing the major opponent, both of which show the winner near 100%.
Does this include recalls and special elections?
No, only regular general elections for governor. The Alabama governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1839 | Arthur P. Bagby D def. Arthur F. Hopkins W | 20,451 – 1,708 | +84.6 points |
| 2 | 1950 | Gordon Persons D def. John S. Crowder R | 154,414 – 15,127 | +82.2 points |
| 3 | 1942 | Chauncey Sparks D def. Hugh McEniry R | 69,048 – 8,167 | +78.4 points |
| 4 | 1946 | Jim Folsom D def. Lyman Ward R | 174,962 – 22,362 | +77.3 points |
| 5 | 1958 | John M. Patterson D def. William Longshore R | 234,583 – 30,415 | +76.8 points |
| 6 | 1938 | Frank M. Dixon D def. W. A. Clardy R | 115,761 – 16,513 | +75.0 points |
| 7 | 1934 | Bibb Graves D def. Edmund H. Dryer R | 155,197 – 22,621 | +74.3 points |
| 8 | 1851 | Henry W. Collier D def. James Shields W | 37,480 – 5,749 | +72.6 points |
| 9 | 1906 | B. B. Comer D def. Asa E. Stratton R | 61,223 – 9,981 | +71.5 points |
| 10 | 1974 | George Wallace D def. Elvin McCary R | 497,574 – 88,381 | +68.4 points |
| 11 | 1914 | Charles Henderson D def. John B. Shields R | 61,307 – 11,773 | +63.6 points |
| 12 | 1926 | Bibb Graves D def. J. A. Bingham R | 93,432 – 21,605 | +62.4 points |
| 13 | 1918 | Thomas Kilby D def. Dallas B. Smith I | 54,716 – 13,497 | +60.4 points |
| 14 | 1910 | Emmet O'Neal D def. Joseph Oswalt Thompson R | 77,694 – 19,210 | +60.4 points |
| 15 | 1970 | George Wallace D def. John L. Cashin Jr. D | 637,046 – 125,491 | +59.8 points |
| 16 | 1886 | Thomas Seay D def. Arthur Bingham R | 145,095 – 36,793 | +59.3 points |
| 17 | 1922 | William W. Brandon D def. Oliver D. Street R | 113,605 – 31,175 | +56.3 points |
| 18 | 1888 | Thomas Seay D def. W. T. Ewing R | 155,973 – 44,707 | +55.4 points |
| 19 | 1900 | William J. Samford D def. John Anthony Steele R | 115,167 – 28,291 | +53.5 points |
| 20 | 1890 | Thomas G. Jones D def. Benjamin M. Long R | 139,912 – 42,391 | +53.1 points |
| 21 | 1880 | Rufus W. Cobb D def. James Madison Pickens G | 134,905 – 42,363 | +52.2 points |
| 22 | 1902 | William D. Jelks D def. John A. W. Smith R | 67,649 – 24,190 | +47.3 points |
| 23 | 1863 | Thomas Hill Watts W def. John Gill Shorter D | 28,221 – 9,664 | +47.1 points |
| 24 | 1954 | Jim Folsom D def. Tom Abernathy R | 244,401 – 88,688 | +46.7 points |
| 25 | 1978 | Fob James D def. H. Guy Hunt R | 551,786 – 196,963 | +46.7 points |