Biggest governor landslides in Utah
The biggest landslide in a Utah governor’s race was in 2008, a margin of 57.9 points. Jon Huntsman Jr. beat Bob Springmeyer, 734,049 to 186,503. Next widest are 1996 (51.7 points) and 2012 (40.8 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race Utah has held, special elections included, see the Utah governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a Utah governor’s race?
The widest margin in a Utah gubernatorial general election came in 2008, 57.9 points. Jon Huntsman Jr. beat Bob Springmeyer, 734,049 to 186,503. Next are 1996 (51.7 points) and 2012 (40.8 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 Utah governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008 | Jon Huntsman Jr. R def. Bob Springmeyer D | 734,049 – 186,503 | +57.9 points |
| 2 | 1996 | Mike Leavitt R def. Jim Bradley D | 503,693 – 156,616 | +51.7 points |
| 3 | 2012 | Gary Herbert R def. Peter Cooke D | 624,678 – 253,514 | +40.8 points |
| 4 | 1972 | Cal Rampton D def. Nicholas L. Strike R | 331,998 – 144,449 | +39.4 points |
| 5 | 2016 | Gary Herbert R def. Mike Weinholtz D | 750,850 – 323,349 | +38.0 points |
| 6 | 1968 | Cal Rampton D def. Carl W. Buehner R | 289,283 – 131,729 | +37.4 points |
| 7 | 2020 | Spencer Cox R def. Christopher Peterson D | 918,754 – 442,754 | +32.6 points |
| 8 | 2024 | Spencer Cox R def. Brian King D | 781,431 – 420,514 | +24.4 points |
| 9 | 1920 | Charles R. Mabey R def. Thomas N. Taylor D | 81,518 – 54,913 | +19.9 points |
| 10 | 1928 | George Dern D def. William H. Wattis R | 102,953 – 72,306 | +17.4 points |
| 11 | 2004 | Jon Huntsman Jr. R def. Scott Matheson Jr. D | 531,190 – 380,359 | +16.4 points |
| 12 | 1932 | Henry H. Blood D def. William W. Seegmiller R | 116,031 – 85,913 | +14.6 points |
| 13 | 1964 | Cal Rampton D def. Mitchell Melich R | 226,956 – 171,300 | +14.0 points |
| 14 | 1936 | Henry H. Blood D def. Ray E. Dillman R | 109,656 – 80,118 | +13.7 points |
| 15 | 2000 | Mike Leavitt R def. Bill Orton D | 424,837 – 321,979 | +13.5 points |
| 16 | 1916 | Simon Bamberger D def. Nephi L. Morris R | 78,502 – 59,522 | +13.3 points |
| 17 | 1904 | John Christopher Cutler R def. James H. Moyle D | 50,837 – 38,047 | +12.6 points |
| 18 | 1984 | Norman H. Bangerter R def. Wayne Owens D | 351,792 – 275,669 | +12.1 points |
| 19 | 1980 | Scott Matheson Jr. D def. Bob Wright R | 330,974 – 266,578 | +10.7 points |
| 20 | 1952 | J. Bracken Lee R def. Earl J. Glade D | 180,516 – 147,188 | +10.2 points |
| 21 | 1948 | J. Bracken Lee R def. Herbert B. Maw D | 151,253 – 123,814 | +10.0 points |
| 22 | 1992 | Mike Leavitt R def. Merrill Cook I | 321,713 – 255,753 | +8.6 points |
| 23 | 1908 | William Spry R def. Jesse William Knight D | 52,913 – 43,375 | +8.5 points |
| 24 | 1976 | Scott Matheson Jr. D def. Vernon B. Romney R | 280,706 – 248,027 | +6.1 points |
| 25 | 1924 | George Dern D def. Charles R. Mabey R | 81,308 – 72,127 | +6.0 points |