Biggest governor landslides in Tennessee
The biggest landslide in a Tennessee governor’s race was in 1954, a margin of 74.9 points. Frank G. Clement beat John Randolph Neal Jr., 281,291 to 39,574. Next widest are 1966 (71.3 points) and 1936 (61.7 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race Tennessee has held, special elections included, see the Tennessee governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a Tennessee governor’s race?
The widest margin in a Tennessee gubernatorial general election came in 1954, 74.9 points. Frank G. Clement beat John Randolph Neal Jr., 281,291 to 39,574. Next are 1966 (71.3 points) and 1936 (61.7 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 Tennessee governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1954 | Frank G. Clement D def. John Randolph Neal Jr. I | 281,291 – 39,574 | +74.9 points |
| 2 | 1966 | Buford Ellington D def. H.L. Crowder I | 532,998 – 64,602 | +71.3 points |
| 3 | 1936 | Gordon Browning D def. Pat H. Thach R | 332,523 – 77,392 | +61.7 points |
| 4 | 1819 | Joseph McMinn D def. Enoch Parsons | 36,470 – 9,148 | +59.9 points |
| 5 | 1821 | William Carroll D def. Edward Ward | 43,313 – 11,079 | +59.3 points |
| 6 | 1952 | Frank G. Clement D def. R. Beecher Witt R | 640,290 – 166,377 | +58.8 points |
| 7 | 1950 | Gordon Browning D def. John Randolph Neal Jr. I | 184,437 – 51,757 | +56.2 points |
| 8 | 1867 | Parson Brownlow R def. Emerson Etheridge C | 74,484 – 22,440 | +53.7 points |
| 9 | 2014 | Bill Haslam R def. Charles Brown D | 951,796 – 309,237 | +47.5 points |
| 10 | 1940 | Prentice Cooper D def. C. Arthur Bruce R | 323,466 – 125,245 | +44.2 points |
| 11 | 1938 | Prentice Cooper D def. Howard Baker Sr. R | 210,567 – 83,031 | +43.4 points |
| 12 | 1942 | Prentice Cooper D def. C. N. Frazier R | 120,148 – 51,120 | +40.3 points |
| 13 | 1998 | Don Sundquist R def. John Jay Hooker D | 669,973 – 287,750 | +39.1 points |
| 14 | 2006 | Phil Bredesen D def. Jim Bryson R | 1,247,491 – 540,853 | +38.9 points |
| 15 | 1948 | Gordon Browning D def. Roy Acuff R | 363,903 – 179,957 | +33.8 points |
| 16 | 1946 | Jim Nance McCord D def. William O. Lowe R | 149,937 – 73,222 | +33.4 points |
| 17 | 2022 | Bill Lee R def. Jason Martin D | 1,129,390 – 572,818 | +32.0 points |
| 18 | 2010 | Bill Haslam R def. Mike McWherter D | 1,041,545 – 529,851 | +32.0 points |
| 19 | 1926 | Austin Peay D def. Walter White R | 84,979 – 46,238 | +29.5 points |
| 20 | 1817 | Joseph McMinn D def. Robert Coleman Foster | 27,901 – 15,461 | +28.7 points |
| 21 | 1930 | Henry Hollis Horton D def. C. Arthur Bruce R | 153,341 – 85,558 | +28.2 points |
| 22 | 1805 | John Sevier D def. Archibald Roane D | 10,293 – 5,855 | +27.5 points |
| 23 | 1807 | John Sevier D def. William Cocke D | 18,310 – 3,030 | +27.5 points |
| 24 | 1944 | Jim Nance McCord D def. John W. Kilgo R | 275,746 – 158,742 | +26.5 points |
| 25 | 1958 | Buford Ellington D def. Jim Nance McCord I | 248,874 – 136,406 | +26.0 points |