Biggest governor landslides in Kentucky
The biggest landslide in a Kentucky governor’s race was in 1863, a margin of 58.9 points. Thomas E. Bramlette beat Charles A Wickliffe, 67,577 to 17,458. Next widest are 1812 (41.6 points) and 1867 (41.0 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race Kentucky has held, special elections included, see the Kentucky governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a Kentucky governor’s race?
The widest margin in a Kentucky gubernatorial general election came in 1863, 58.9 points. Thomas E. Bramlette beat Charles A Wickliffe, 67,577 to 17,458. Next are 1812 (41.6 points) and 1867 (41.0 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 Kentucky governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1863 | Thomas E. Bramlette D def. Charles A Wickliffe C | 67,577 – 17,458 | +58.9 points |
| 2 | 1812 | Isaac Shelby D def. Gabriel Slaughter D | 30,490 – 12,566 | +41.6 points |
| 3 | 1867 | John L Helm D def. Sidney M. Barnes R | 90,216 – 33,939 | +41.0 points |
| 4 | 1999 | Paul Patton D def. Peppy Martin R | 352,099 – 128,788 | +38.5 points |
| 5 | 1808 | Charles Scott D def. John Allen D | 22,050 – 8,430 | +37.8 points |
| 6 | 1987 | Wallace Wilkinson D def. John Harper R | 504,674 – 273,141 | +29.6 points |
| 7 | 1991 | Brereton Jones D def. Larry J. Hopkins R | 540,468 – 294,452 | +29.5 points |
| 8 | 1975 | Julian Carroll D def. Bob Gable R | 470,159 – 277,998 | +25.7 points |
| 9 | 1824 | Joseph Desha D def. Christopher Tompkins D | 38,378 – 22,499 | +24.5 points |
| 10 | 1959 | Bert Combs D def. John M. Robsion Jr. R | 516,549 – 336,456 | +21.1 points |
| 11 | 2011 | Steve Beshear D def. David L. Williams R | 464,245 – 294,034 | +20.4 points |
| 12 | 1883 | J. Proctor Knott D def. Thomas Z. Morrow R | 133,615 – 89,181 | +19.9 points |
| 13 | 1879 | Luke P. Blackburn D def. Walter Evans R | 125,399 – 81,881 | +19.2 points |
| 14 | 1979 | John Y. Brown Jr. D def. Louie Nunn R | 558,008 – 381,278 | +18.8 points |
| 15 | 2007 | Steve Beshear D def. Ernie Fletcher R | 619,552 – 435,773 | +17.4 points |
| 16 | 1871 | Preston Leslie D def. John Marshall Harlan R | 126,445 – 89,298 | +17.2 points |
| 17 | 1875 | James B. McCreary D def. John Marshall Harlan R | 126,976 – 90,795 | +16.6 points |
| 18 | 1955 | Happy Chandler D def. Edwin R. Denney R | 451,647 – 322,671 | +16.6 points |
| 19 | 1840 | Robert P Letcher W def. Richard French D | 55,370 – 39,659 | +16.5 points |
| 20 | 1947 | Earle Clements D def. Eldon S. Dummit R | 387,795 – 287,756 | +14.8 points |
| 21 | 1939 | Keen Johnson D def. King Swope R | 460,834 – 354,704 | +13.0 points |
| 22 | 1836 | James Clark W def. Matthews Flournoy D | 38,587 – 30,491 | +11.7 points |
| 23 | 1983 | Martha Layne Collins D def. Jim Bunning R | 561,674 – 454,650 | +10.4 points |
| 24 | 2003 | Ernie Fletcher R def. Ben Chandler D | 596,284 – 487,159 | +10.1 points |
| 25 | 1891 | John Y Brown D def. Andrew T. Wood R | 144,168 – 116,087 | +9.7 points |