1944 Tennessee gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1944 United States gubernatorial elections.

1944 Tennessee gubernatorial election

November 7, 1944

Nominee Jim Nance McCord John W. Kilgo Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 275,746 158,742 Percentage 62.50% 35.98%

County results McCord:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Kilgo:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election Prentice Cooper Democratic Elected Governor Jim Nance McCord Democratic

The 1944 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1944. Democratic nominee Jim Nance McCord defeated Republican nominee John W. Kilgo with 62.5% of the vote.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on August 3, 1944.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Jim Nance McCord, U.S. Representative
• John Randolph Neal Jr., attorney
• W. Rex Manning

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jim Nance McCord	132,466	87.36
	Democratic	John Randolph Neal Jr.	11,659	7.69
	Democratic	W. Rex Manning	7,510	4.95
Total votes			151,635	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• John W. Kilgo
• W. O. Lowe
• H. C. Lowery
• L. L. Guinn
• Roy Acuff
• Sam J. McAllister

Results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John W. Kilgo	33,979	63.85
	Republican	W. O. Lowe	13,425	25.23
	Republican	H. C. Lowery	3,681	6.92
	Republican	L. L. Guinn	1,080	2.03
	Republican	Roy Acuff	738	1.39
	Republican	Sam J. McAllister	313	0.59
Total votes			53,216	100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• Jim Nance McCord, Democratic
• John W. Kilgo, Republican

Other candidates

• John Randolph Neal Jr., Independent

Results

1944 Tennessee gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Jim Nance McCord	275,746	62.50%
	Republican	John W. Kilgo	158,742	35.98%
	Independent	John Randolph Neal Jr.	6,703	1.52%
Majority			117,004
Turnout
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• 1944 United States presidential election in Tennessee