1952 Florida gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1952 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1952 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1952. Democratic nominee Daniel T. McCarty defeated Republican nominee Harry S. Swan with 74.83% of the vote.

1952 Florida gubernatorial election

← 1948 November 4, 1952 1954 (special) →

Nominee Daniel T. McCarty Harry S. Swan Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 624,463 210,009 Percentage 74.83% 25.17%

County results McCarty:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

Governor before election Fuller Warren Democratic Elected Governor Daniel T. McCarty Democratic

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on May 6, 1952.^[1]

Democratic primary

37.4% of the voting age population participated in the Democratic primary.^[2]

Candidates

• Daniel T. McCarty, former State Representative
• J. Brailey Odham, former State Representative
• Alto L. Adams, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida
• Bill Hendrix
• Dale E. Spencer

Results

Democratic Primary Runoff by county

  McCarty

•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%

  Odham

•   50–60%
•   60–70%

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Daniel T. McCarty	361,427	48.94
	Democratic	J. Brailey Odham	232,565	31.49
	Democratic	Alto L. Adams	126,426	17.12
	Democratic	Bill Hendrix	11,208	1.52
	Democratic	Dale E. Spencer	6,871	0.93
Total votes			738,497	100.00

Democratic primary runoff results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Daniel T. McCarty	384,200	53.29
	Democratic	J. Brailey Odham	336,716	46.71
Total votes			720,916	100.00

Republican primary

1.3% of the voting age population participated in the Republican primary.^[2]

Candidates

• Harry S. Swan, attorney
• Bert L. Acker, former actor, public relations director, unsuccessful candidate for Governor in 1944 and 1948.^[3]
• Elmore F. Kitzmiller, dentist

Results

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Harry S. Swan	11,148	43.00
	Republican	Bert L. Acker	9,728	37.52
	Republican	Elmore F. Kitzmiller	5,050	19.48
Total votes			25,926	100.00

Republican primary runoff results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Harry S. Swan	10,217	63.02
	Republican	Bert L. Acker	5,995	36.98
Total votes			16,212	100.00

General election

Candidates

• Daniel T. McCarty, Democratic
• Harry S. Swan, Republican

Results

1952 Florida gubernatorial election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Daniel T. McCarty	624,463	74.83%
	Republican	Harry S. Swan	210,009	25.17%
Majority			414,454
Turnout			834,518
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. The Florida Handbook. 1987. ISBN 9780961600006. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
2. Steed, Moreland & Baker 1980, p. 26.
3. "Bert L. Acker, Former GOP Leader, Dies". Tampa Bay Times. March 9, 1960.
4. Cook, Rhodes (November 17, 2015). America Votes 31: 2013-2014, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. ISBN 9781483383026. Retrieved July 6, 2019.

Works cited

• Steed, Robert; Moreland, Laurence; Baker, Tod, eds. (1980). Party Politics in the South. Praeger Publishers. ISBN 0030565863.