Biggest governor landslides in Iowa
The biggest landslide in a Iowa governor’s race was in 1924, a margin of 45.4 points. John Hammill beat James C. Murtagh, 604,624 to 226,850. Next widest are 1926 (43.0 points) and 1922 (41.1 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race Iowa has held, special elections included, see the Iowa governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a Iowa governor’s race?
The widest margin in a Iowa gubernatorial general election came in 1924, 45.4 points. John Hammill beat James C. Murtagh, 604,624 to 226,850. Next are 1926 (43.0 points) and 1922 (41.1 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 Iowa governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1924 | John Hammill R def. James C. Murtagh D | 604,624 – 226,850 | +45.4 points |
| 2 | 1926 | John Hammill R def. Alex R. Miller D | 377,443 – 150,415 | +43.0 points |
| 3 | 1922 | Nathan E. Kendall R def. J.R. Files D | 419,648 – 175,252 | +41.1 points |
| 4 | 1964 | Harold Hughes D def. Evan Hultman R | 794,610 – 365,131 | +36.8 points |
| 5 | 1930 | Dan W. Turner R def. Fred P. Hagemann D | 364,036 – 186,039 | +32.1 points |
| 6 | 1869 | Samuel Merrill R def. George Gillespie D | 97,243 – 57,287 | +25.9 points |
| 7 | 1942 | Bourke B. Hickenlooper R def. Nelson G. Kraschel D | 438,547 – 258,310 | +25.8 points |
| 8 | 1928 | John Hammill R def. L. W. Housel D | 591,720 – 350,722 | +25.6 points |
| 9 | 1881 | Buren R. Sherman R def. La Vega G. Kinne D | 133,328 – 73,344 | +25.5 points |
| 10 | 1879 | John H. Gear R def. Henry Hoffman Trimble D | 157,408 – 85,364 | +24.7 points |
| 11 | 1916 | William L. Harding R def. Edwin T. Meredith D | 313,586 – 186,832 | +24.7 points |
| 12 | 1871 | Cyrus C. Carpenter R def. J. C. Knapp D | 109,328 – 68,199 | +23.1 points |
| 13 | 2014 | Terry Branstad R def. Jack Hatch D | 666,032 – 420,787 | +21.7 points |
| 14 | 1990 | Terry Branstad R def. Donald Avenson D | 591,852 – 379,372 | +21.7 points |
| 15 | 1901 | Albert B. Cummins R def. T. J. Phillips D | 226,902 – 143,783 | +21.3 points |
| 16 | 1863 | William M. Stone N def. James M Tuttle D | 86,118 – 56,169 | +21.0 points |
| 17 | 1920 | Nathan E. Kendall R def. Clyde L. Herring D | 513,118 – 338,108 | +20.0 points |
| 18 | 1903 | Albert B. Cummins R def. J. B. Sullivan D | 238,804 – 159,725 | +18.9 points |
| 19 | 1950 | William S. Beardsley R def. Lester S. Gillette D | 506,642 – 347,176 | +18.6 points |
| 20 | 2022 | Kim Reynolds R def. Deidre DeJear D | 709,198 – 482,950 | +18.5 points |
| 21 | 1972 | Robert D. Ray R def. Paul Franzenburg D | 707,177 – 487,282 | +18.1 points |
| 22 | 1867 | Samuel Merrill R def. Charles Mason D | 90,204 – 62,966 | +17.8 points |
| 23 | 1978 | Robert D. Ray R def. Jerome D. Fitzgerald D | 491,713 – 345,519 | +17.3 points |
| 24 | 1877 | John H. Gear R def. John P. Irish D | 121,316 – 79,304 | +17.1 points |
| 25 | 1974 | Robert D. Ray R def. James Schaben D | 534,518 – 377,553 | +17.1 points |