Biggest governor landslides in Montana
The biggest landslide in a Montana governor’s race was in 1996, a margin of 58.4 points. Marc Racicot beat Judy Jacobson, 320,768 to 84,407. Next widest are 1984 (43.9 points) and 1896 (42.0 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race Montana has held, special elections included, see the Montana governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a Montana governor’s race?
The widest margin in a Montana gubernatorial general election came in 1996, 58.4 points. Marc Racicot beat Judy Jacobson, 320,768 to 84,407. Next are 1984 (43.9 points) and 1896 (42.0 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 Montana governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996 | Marc Racicot R def. Judy Jacobson D | 320,768 – 84,407 | +58.4 points |
| 2 | 1984 | Ted Schwinden D def. Pat M. Goodover R | 266,578 – 100,070 | +43.9 points |
| 3 | 1896 | Robert Burns Smith D def. Alexander C. Botkin R | 36,688 – 14,993 | +42.0 points |
| 4 | 2008 | Brian Schweitzer D def. Roy Brown R | 318,670 – 158,268 | +32.9 points |
| 5 | 1976 | Thomas Lee Judge D def. Bob Woodahl R | 195,420 – 115,848 | +25.1 points |
| 6 | 2024 | Greg Gianforte R def. Ryan Busse D | 354,569 – 232,644 | +20.2 points |
| 7 | 1920 | Joseph M. Dixon R def. Burton K. Wheeler D | 111,113 – 74,875 | +19.5 points |
| 8 | 1928 | John E. Erickson D def. Wellington D. Rankin R | 113,635 – 79,777 | +17.4 points |
| 9 | 1900 | Joseph Toole D def. David S. Folsom R | 31,419 – 22,691 | +13.7 points |
| 10 | 1944 | Sam C. Ford R def. Leif Erickson D | 116,461 – 89,224 | +13.2 points |
| 11 | 2020 | Greg Gianforte R def. Mike Cooney D | 328,548 – 250,860 | +12.9 points |
| 12 | 1904 | Joseph Toole D def. William Lindsay R | 35,377 – 26,957 | +12.8 points |
| 13 | 1968 | Forrest H. Anderson D def. Tim Babcock R | 150,481 – 116,432 | +12.2 points |
| 14 | 1948 | John W. Bonner D def. Sam C. Ford R | 124,267 – 97,792 | +11.9 points |
| 15 | 1980 | Ted Schwinden D def. Jack Ramirez R | 199,574 – 160,892 | +10.7 points |
| 16 | 1960 | Donald Grant Nutter R def. Paul C. Cannon D | 154,230 – 125,651 | +10.2 points |
| 17 | 1924 | John E. Erickson D def. Joseph M. Dixon R | 88,801 – 74,126 | +8.4 points |
| 18 | 1972 | Thomas Lee Judge D def. Ed Smith R | 172,523 – 146,231 | +8.2 points |
| 19 | 1988 | Stan Stephens R def. Thomas Lee Judge D | 190,604 – 169,313 | +5.8 points |
| 20 | 1916 | Sam V. Stewart D def. Frank J. Edwards R | 85,683 – 76,547 | +5.3 points |
| 21 | 2004 | Brian Schweitzer D def. Bob Brown R | 225,016 – 205,313 | +4.4 points |
| 22 | 2000 | Judy Martz R def. Mark O'Keefe D | 209,135 – 193,131 | +3.9 points |
| 23 | 2016 | Steve Bullock D def. Greg Gianforte R | 255,933 – 236,115 | +3.9 points |
| 24 | 1912 | Sam V. Stewart D def. Harry L. Wilson R | 25,381 – 22,950 | +3.0 points |
| 25 | 1936 | Roy E. Ayers D def. Frank A. Hazelbaker R | 115,310 – 108,914 | +2.8 points |