Biggest governor landslides in Pennsylvania
The biggest landslide in a Pennsylvania governor’s race was in 1811, a margin of 84.5 points. Simon Snyder beat William Tilghman, 52,319 to 3,609. Next widest are 1790 (81.4 points) and 1926 (49.1 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race Pennsylvania has held, special elections included, see the Pennsylvania governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a Pennsylvania governor’s race?
The widest margin in a Pennsylvania gubernatorial general election came in 1811, 84.5 points. Simon Snyder beat William Tilghman, 52,319 to 3,609. Next are 1790 (81.4 points) and 1926 (49.1 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 Pennsylvania governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1811 | Simon Snyder D def. William Tilghman F | 52,319 – 3,609 | +84.5 points |
| 2 | 1790 | Thomas Mifflin D def. Arthur St. Clair F | 27,974 – 2,864 | +81.4 points |
| 3 | 1926 | John Fisher R def. Eugene C. Bonniwell D | 1,102,823 – 365,280 | +49.1 points |
| 4 | 1802 | Thomas McKean D def. James Ross F | 47,879 – 17,037 | +47.5 points |
| 5 | 1990 | Bob Casey D def. Barbara Hafer R | 2,065,244 – 987,516 | +35.3 points |
| 6 | 1793 | Thomas Mifflin D def. Frederick Muhlenberg F | 20,479 – 10,803 | +30.9 points |
| 7 | 1918 | William Sproul R def. Eugene C. Bonniwell D | 552,537 – 305,315 | +27.3 points |
| 8 | 1814 | Simon Snyder D def. Isaac Wayne F | 51,099 – 29,566 | +26.4 points |
| 9 | 1998 | Tom Ridge R def. Ivan Itkin D | 1,736,844 – 938,745 | +26.4 points |
| 10 | 1808 | Simon Snyder D def. James Ross F | 67,975 – 39,575 | +25.4 points |
| 11 | 1894 | Daniel H. Hastings R def. William M. Singerly D | 574,801 – 333,404 | +25.3 points |
| 12 | 2006 | Ed Rendell D def. Lynn Swann R | 2,470,517 – 1,622,135 | +20.7 points |
| 13 | 1829 | George Wolf D def. Joseph Ritner A | 78,219 – 51,776 | +20.4 points |
| 14 | 1946 | Jim Duff R def. John Rice D | 1,828,462 – 1,270,947 | +17.9 points |
| 15 | 1922 | Gifford Pinchot R def. John A. McSparran D | 831,696 – 581,625 | +17.1 points |
| 16 | 2018 | Tom Wolf D def. Scott Wagner R | 2,895,662 – 2,039,899 | +17.1 points |
| 17 | 1823 | John Andrew Shulze D def. Andrew Gregg F | 89,928 – 64,211 | +16.6 points |
| 18 | 2022 | Josh Shapiro D def. Doug Mastriano R | 3,031,137 – 2,238,477 | +14.8 points |
| 19 | 1835 | Joseph Ritner A def. George Wolf D | 94,023 – 65,804 | +14.1 points |
| 20 | 1970 | Milton Shapp D def. Ray Broderick R | 2,043,029 – 1,542,854 | +13.5 points |
| 21 | 1902 | Samuel W. Pennypacker R def. Robert E. Pattison D | 593,328 – 450,978 | +13.0 points |
| 22 | 1898 | William A. Stone R def. George A. Jenks D | 476,206 – 358,300 | +12.1 points |
| 23 | 1914 | Martin Brumbaugh R def. Vance McCormick D | 588,705 – 453,880 | +12.1 points |
| 24 | 1857 | William F. Packer D def. David Wilmot R | 188,846 – 146,139 | +11.8 points |
| 25 | 1962 | Bill Scranton R def. Richardson Dilworth D | 2,424,918 – 1,938,627 | +11.1 points |