Biggest governor landslides in North Carolina
The biggest landslide in a North Carolina governor’s race was in 1866, a margin of 52.0 points. Jonathan Worth beat Alfred Dockery, 34,250 to 10,759. Next widest are 1940 (51.4 points) and 1948 (46.8 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race North Carolina has held, special elections included, see the North Carolina governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a North Carolina governor’s race?
The widest margin in a North Carolina gubernatorial general election came in 1866, 52.0 points. Jonathan Worth beat Alfred Dockery, 34,250 to 10,759. Next are 1940 (51.4 points) and 1948 (46.8 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 North Carolina governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1866 | Jonathan Worth N def. Alfred Dockery N | 34,250 – 10,759 | +52.0 points |
| 2 | 1940 | J. Melville Broughton D def. Robert H. McNeill R | 608,744 – 195,402 | +51.4 points |
| 3 | 1948 | W. Kerr Scott D def. George M. Pritchard R | 570,995 – 206,166 | +46.8 points |
| 4 | 1912 | Locke Craig D def. Iredell Meares P | 149,975 – 49,930 | +41.0 points |
| 5 | 1932 | John C. B. Ehringhaus D def. Clifford C. Frazier R | 497,657 – 212,561 | +40.2 points |
| 6 | 1944 | R. Gregg Cherry D def. Frank C. Patton R | 528,995 – 230,998 | +39.2 points |
| 7 | 1952 | William B. Umstead D def. Herbert F. Seawell Jr. R | 796,306 – 383,329 | +35.0 points |
| 8 | 1956 | Luther H. Hodges D def. Kyle Hayes R | 760,480 – 375,379 | +33.9 points |
| 9 | 1936 | Clyde R. Hoey D def. Gilliam Grissom R | 542,139 – 270,843 | +33.4 points |
| 10 | 1976 | Jim Hunt D def. David Flaherty R | 1,081,293 – 564,102 | +31.1 points |
| 11 | 1838 | Edward Bishop Dudley W def. John Branch D | 38,119 – 21,155 | +28.6 points |
| 12 | 1980 | Jim Hunt D def. I. Beverly Lake R | 1,143,145 – 691,449 | +24.5 points |
| 13 | 1904 | Robert Broadnax Glenn D def. Charles Joseph Harris R | 128,761 – 79,505 | +23.6 points |
| 14 | 1924 | Angus Wilton McLean D def. Isaac Melson Meekins R | 294,441 – 185,627 | +22.6 points |
| 15 | 1900 | Charles Brantley Aycock D def. Spencer B. Adams R | 186,650 – 126,296 | +19.3 points |
| 16 | 1858 | John Willis Ellis D def. Duncan K McRae D | 56,429 – 40,036 | +17.0 points |
| 17 | 1916 | Thomas Walter Bickett D def. Frank A. Linney R | 167,761 – 120,157 | +16.5 points |
| 18 | 2024 | Josh Stein D def. Mark Robinson R | 3,069,496 – 2,241,309 | +14.8 points |
| 19 | 1908 | William Walton Kitchin D def. J. Elwood Cox R | 145,102 – 107,760 | +14.7 points |
| 20 | 1892 | Elias Carr D def. David M Furches R | 135,327 – 94,681 | +14.5 points |
| 21 | 1920 | Cameron A. Morrison D def. John J. Parker R | 308,151 – 230,175 | +14.5 points |
| 22 | 1996 | Jim Hunt D def. Robin Hayes R | 1,436,638 – 1,097,053 | +13.2 points |
| 23 | 1964 | Dan K. Moore D def. Robert L. Gavin R | 790,343 – 606,165 | +13.2 points |
| 24 | 2004 | Mike Easley D def. Patrick Ballantine R | 1,939,154 – 1,495,021 | +12.7 points |
| 25 | 1856 | Thomas Bragg D def. John Adams Gilmer K | 57,698 – 44,970 | +12.4 points |