Biggest governor landslides in Kansas
The biggest landslide in a Kansas governor’s race was in 1998, a margin of 50.7 points. Bill Graves beat Tom Sawyer, 544,882 to 168,243. Next widest are 1866 (40.8 points) and 1868 (36.4 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race Kansas has held, special elections included, see the Kansas governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a Kansas governor’s race?
The widest margin in a Kansas gubernatorial general election came in 1998, 50.7 points. Bill Graves beat Tom Sawyer, 544,882 to 168,243. Next are 1866 (40.8 points) and 1868 (36.4 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 Kansas governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998 | Bill Graves R def. Tom Sawyer D | 544,882 – 168,243 | +50.7 points |
| 2 | 1866 | Samuel J. Crawford R def. James L. McDowell N | 19,370 – 8,152 | +40.8 points |
| 3 | 1868 | James M. Harvey R def. George Washington Glick D | 29,795 – 13,881 | +36.4 points |
| 4 | 1918 | Henry Justin Allen R def. W. C. Lansdon D | 287,957 – 133,054 | +35.7 points |
| 5 | 1870 | James M. Harvey R def. Isaac Sharp D | 40,667 – 20,496 | +32.9 points |
| 6 | 1944 | Andrew Frank Schoeppel R def. Robert S. Lemon D | 463,110 – 231,410 | +32.9 points |
| 7 | 1928 | Clyde M. Reed Jr. R def. Chauncey B. Little D | 433,395 – 219,327 | +32.4 points |
| 8 | 1872 | Thomas A. Osborn R def. Thaddeus H. Walker R | 66,715 – 34,698 | +31.6 points |
| 9 | 2010 | Sam Brownback R def. Tom Holland D | 530,760 – 270,166 | +31.1 points |
| 10 | 1862 | Thomas Carney R def. William Ross Wagstaff U | 10,090 – 5,463 | +29.7 points |
| 11 | 1926 | Benjamin S. Paulen R def. Jonathan M. Davis D | 321,540 – 179,308 | +28.0 points |
| 12 | 1916 | Arthur Capper R def. W. C. Lansdon D | 353,169 – 192,037 | +27.7 points |
| 13 | 1878 | John St. John R def. John R. Goodin D | 74,020 – 37,208 | +26.6 points |
| 14 | 1880 | John St. John R def. Edmund G. Ross D | 115,144 – 63,557 | +25.9 points |
| 15 | 1972 | Robert Docking D def. Morris Kay R | 571,256 – 341,440 | +24.9 points |
| 16 | 1864 | Samuel J. Crawford R def. Solon O. Thacher U | 13,387 – 8,448 | +22.6 points |
| 17 | 1994 | Bill Graves R def. Jim Slattery D | 526,113 – 333,589 | +22.2 points |
| 18 | 1888 | Lyman U. Humphrey R def. John W. Martin D | 180,841 – 107,582 | +22.1 points |
| 19 | 1904 | Edward W. Hoch R def. David M. Dale D | 186,731 – 116,991 | +21.6 points |
| 20 | 1924 | Benjamin S. Paulen R def. Jonathan M. Davis D | 323,403 – 182,861 | +21.3 points |
| 21 | 1920 | Henry Justin Allen R def. Jonathan M. Davis D | 319,914 – 214,940 | +19.2 points |
| 22 | 1876 | George T Anthony R def. John W. Martin D | 69,176 – 46,201 | +18.9 points |
| 23 | 1859 | Charles L. Robinson R def. Samuel Medary D | 7,848 – 5,401 | +18.5 points |
| 24 | 2006 | Kathleen Sebelius D def. Jim Barnett R | 491,993 – 343,586 | +17.5 points |
| 25 | 1948 | Frank Carlson R def. Randolph Carpenter D | 433,396 – 307,485 | +16.6 points |