Biggest governor landslides in Idaho
The biggest landslide in a Idaho governor’s race was in 1896, a margin of 54.4 points. Frank Steunenberg beat David H. Budlong, 22,096 to 6,441. Next widest are 1974 (44.5 points) and 2022 (40.2 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race Idaho has held, special elections included, see the Idaho governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a Idaho governor’s race?
The widest margin in a Idaho gubernatorial general election came in 1896, 54.4 points. Frank Steunenberg beat David H. Budlong, 22,096 to 6,441. Next are 1974 (44.5 points) and 2022 (40.2 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 Idaho governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1896 | Frank Steunenberg D def. David H. Budlong R | 22,096 – 6,441 | +54.4 points |
| 2 | 1974 | Cecil Andrus D def. Jack Murphy R | 184,142 – 68,731 | +44.5 points |
| 3 | 2022 | Brad Little R def. Stephen Heidt D | 358,598 – 120,160 | +40.2 points |
| 4 | 1998 | Dirk Kempthorne R def. Robert Huntley D | 258,095 – 110,815 | +38.6 points |
| 5 | 1990 | Cecil Andrus D def. Roger Fairchild R | 218,673 – 101,937 | +36.4 points |
| 6 | 2010 | Butch Otter R def. Keith G. Allred D | 267,483 – 148,680 | +26.3 points |
| 7 | 1920 | D. W. Davis R def. Ted A. Walters D | 75,748 – 38,509 | +26.0 points |
| 8 | 1932 | C. Ben Ross D def. Byron Defenbach R | 116,663 – 68,863 | +25.3 points |
| 9 | 1904 | Frank R. Gooding R def. Henry Heitfeld D | 41,877 – 24,252 | +24.7 points |
| 10 | 1926 | H. C. Baldridge R def. W. Scott Hall P | 61,575 – 34,208 | +22.7 points |
| 11 | 2018 | Brad Little R def. Paulette Jordan D | 361,661 – 231,081 | +21.6 points |
| 12 | 1918 | D. W. Davis R def. H. F. Samuels D | 57,626 – 38,499 | +19.9 points |
| 13 | 1978 | John V. Evans D def. Allan Larsen R | 169,540 – 114,149 | +19.2 points |
| 14 | 1928 | H. C. Baldridge R def. C. Ben Ross D | 87,681 – 63,046 | +16.2 points |
| 15 | 1936 | Barzilla Clark D def. Frank L. Stephan R | 115,098 – 83,430 | +15.7 points |
| 16 | 1938 | C. A. Bottolfsen R def. C. Ben Ross D | 106,268 – 77,697 | +15.4 points |
| 17 | 2014 | Butch Otter R def. A.J. Balukoff D | 235,405 – 169,556 | +15.0 points |
| 18 | 2002 | Dirk Kempthorne R def. Jerry Brady D | 231,566 – 171,711 | +14.6 points |
| 19 | 1898 | Frank Steunenberg D def. Albert B. Moss R | 19,407 – 13,794 | +14.1 points |
| 20 | 1946 | C. A. Robins R def. Arnold Williams D | 102,233 – 79,131 | +12.7 points |
| 21 | 1890 | George L. Shoup R def. Benjamin Wilson D | 10,262 – 7,948 | +12.7 points |
| 22 | 1894 | William J. McConnell R def. James W. Ballantine P | 10,208 – 7,121 | +12.5 points |
| 23 | 1906 | Frank R. Gooding R def. Charles Stockslager D | 38,386 – 29,496 | +12.1 points |
| 24 | 1930 | C. Ben Ross D def. John McMurray R | 73,896 – 58,002 | +12.1 points |
| 25 | 1934 | C. Ben Ross D def. Frank L. Stephan R | 93,313 – 75,659 | +10.3 points |