1924 Montana gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1924 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1924 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1924. Incumbent governor of Montana Joseph M. Dixon, who was first elected governor in 1920, ran for re-election. Dixon won a competitive Republican primary, and moved on to the general election, where he faced John E. Erickson, a former district court judge and the Democratic nominee; and Frank J. Edwards, the 1916 Republican nominee for governor and the Farmer–Labor Party nominee. Ultimately, Erickson managed to defeat Dixon in his bid for re-election, winning what would be the first of three terms as governor.

1924 Montana gubernatorial election

← 1920 November 4, 1924 1928 →
Turnout	72.40%3.90[1]
Nominee John E. Erickson Joseph M. Dixon Frank J. Edwards Party Democratic Republican Farmer–Labor Popular vote 88,801 74,126 10,666 Percentage 51.02% 42.59% 6.13%
County results Erickson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      80–90% Dixon:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Edwards:      50–60%
Governor before election Joseph M. Dixon Republican Elected Governor John E. Erickson Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John E. Erickson, former Eleventh Judicial District Judge
• Roy E. Ayers, former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Montana
• Miles Romney Sr., former State Senator, former Mayor of Hamilton
• I. G. Denny, former Missoula County Attorney
• Sam J. Hampton

Results

Democratic Party primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John E. Erickson	13,914	35.13
	Democratic	Roy E. Ayers	9,268	23.40
	Democratic	Miles Romney, Sr.	6,554	16.55
	Democratic	I. G. Denny	6,340	16.01
	Democratic	Sam J. Hampton	3,533	8.92
Total votes			39,609	100.00

Farmer–Labor Party primary

Candidates

• Frank J. Edwards, 1916 Republican nominee for Governor of Montana

Results

Farmer–Labor Party Primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Farmer–Labor	Frank J. Edwards	2,636	100.00
Total votes			2,636	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Joseph M. Dixon, incumbent governor of Montana
• Lee Dennis, former Chairman of the Montana Railroad and Public Service Commission

Results

Republican Primary results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Joseph M. Dixon (incumbent)	40,388	55.70
	Republican	Lee Dennis	32,118	44.30
Total votes			72,506	100.00

General election

Results

Montana gubernatorial election, 1924^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John E. Erickson	88,801	51.02%	+10.75%
	Republican	Joseph M. Dixon (incumbent)	74,126	42.59%	−17.16%
	Farmer–Labor	Frank J. Edwards	10,666	6.13%
	Socialist	J. H. Matheson	466	0.27%
Majority			14,675	8.43%	−11.05%
Turnout			174,059
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing

References

1. "Montana Voter Turnout". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
2. "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election, Held in the State of Montana, Aug. 26 A.D. 1924". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 6, 2014.
3. "Official Abstract of Votes Cast at the General Election Held in Montana, Nov. 4, 1924". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 6, 2014.