Biggest governor landslides in Missouri
The biggest landslide in a Missouri governor’s race was in 1820, a margin of 44.0 points. Alexander McNair beat William Clark, 6,576 to 2,556. Next widest are 1864 (40.6 points) and 1988 (29.4 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race Missouri has held, special elections included, see the Missouri governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a Missouri governor’s race?
The widest margin in a Missouri gubernatorial general election came in 1820, 44.0 points. Alexander McNair beat William Clark, 6,576 to 2,556. Next are 1864 (40.6 points) and 1988 (29.4 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 Missouri governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1820 | Alexander McNair D def. William Clark D | 6,576 – 2,556 | +44.0 points |
| 2 | 1864 | Thomas Clement Fletcher R def. Thomas Lawson Price D | 73,600 – 31,064 | +40.6 points |
| 3 | 1988 | John Ashcroft R def. Betty Hearnes D | 1,339,531 – 724,919 | +29.4 points |
| 4 | 1870 | Benjamin Gratz Brown R def. Joseph W. McClurg R | 104,374 – 63,235 | +24.5 points |
| 5 | 1964 | Warren E. Hearnes D def. Ethan A.H. Shepley R | 1,110,651 – 678,949 | +24.2 points |
| 6 | 1968 | Warren E. Hearnes D def. Lawrence K. Roos R | 1,072,805 – 691,797 | +21.6 points |
| 7 | 1932 | Guy Brasfield Park D def. Edward Henry Winter R | 968,551 – 629,428 | +21.1 points |
| 8 | 2024 | Mike Kehoe R def. Crystal Quade D | 1,750,802 – 1,146,173 | +20.4 points |
| 9 | 2008 | Jay Nixon D def. Kenny Hulshof R | 1,680,661 – 1,136,364 | +18.9 points |
| 10 | 1848 | Austin Augustus King D def. James S. Rollins W | 48,921 – 33,968 | +18.0 points |
| 11 | 1852 | Sterling Price D def. James Winston W | 46,494 – 32,686 | +17.4 points |
| 12 | 1992 | Mel Carnahan D def. William L. Webster R | 1,375,425 – 968,574 | +17.4 points |
| 13 | 1912 | Elliott Woolfolk Major D def. John C. McKinley R | 337,019 – 217,819 | +17.1 points |
| 14 | 1996 | Mel Carnahan D def. Margaret B. Kelly R | 1,224,801 – 866,268 | +16.7 points |
| 15 | 2020 | Mike Parson R def. Nicole Galloway D | 1,720,202 – 1,225,771 | +16.4 points |
| 16 | 1960 | John M. Dalton D def. Edward G. Farmer R | 1,095,200 – 792,131 | +16.0 points |
| 17 | 1876 | John S. Phelps D def. Gustavus A. Finkelnburg R | 199,583 – 147,684 | +14.8 points |
| 18 | 1936 | Lloyd C. Stark D def. Jesse W. Barrett R | 1,037,133 – 772,934 | +14.5 points |
| 19 | 1874 | Charles Henry Hardin D def. William Gentry R | 149,566 – 112,104 | +14.3 points |
| 20 | 1840 | Thomas Reynolds D def. John Bullock Clark W | 29,625 – 22,212 | +14.3 points |
| 21 | 1824 | Frederick Bates D def. William Henry Ashley D | 6,165 – 4,631 | +14.2 points |
| 22 | 1948 | Forrest Smith D def. Murray Thompson R | 893,092 – 670,064 | +14.2 points |
| 23 | 1880 | Thomas Theodore Crittenden D def. David Patterson Dyer R | 207,670 – 153,636 | +13.6 points |
| 24 | 1984 | John Ashcroft R def. Ken Rothman D | 1,194,506 – 913,700 | +13.4 points |
| 25 | 1868 | Joseph W. McClurg R def. John S. Phelps D | 82,090 – 62,778 | +13.3 points |