1962 Wyoming gubernatorial election

The 1962 Wyoming gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1962. Incumbent Democratic Governor Jack R. Gage, who ascended to the governorship after his predecessor, John J. Hickey, appointed himself to the U.S. Senate in 1961, ran for re-election. After beating back a strong challenge from former Secretary of State William M. Jack in the Democratic primary, he then faced Republican nominee Clifford Hansen, the President of the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees and a former Teton County Commissioner.

1962 Wyoming gubernatorial election

← 1958 November 7, 1962 (1962-11-07) 1966 →

Nominee Clifford Hansen Jack R. Gage Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 64,970 54,298 Percentage 54.47% 45.53%

County results Hansen:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Cage:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Jack R. Gage Democratic Elected Governor Clifford Hansen Republican

The year proved poor for Wyoming Democrats, as Hansen handily defeated Gage and as Senator Hickey was defeated for re-election by former Governor Milward Simpson. This is the last time that an incumbent governor of Wyoming lost reelection.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Jack R. Gage, incumbent Governor
• William M. Jack, former Secretary of State of Wyoming, 1954 Democratic nominee for Governor

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jack R. Gage (inc.)	21,051	55.51%
	Democratic	William Jack	16,875	44.49%
Total votes			37,926	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Clifford Hansen, President of the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees and former Teton County Commissioner
• Charles M. Crowell, former State Representative^[2]
• R. E. Cheever, former Mayor of Cheyenne^[3]

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Clifford Hansen	28,494	57.02%
	Republican	Charles M. Crowell	16,906	33.83%
	Republican	R.E. Cheever	4,575	9.16%
Total votes			49,975	100.00%

Results

1962 Wyoming gubernatorial election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Clifford Hansen	64,970	54.47%	+7.83%
	Democratic	Jack R. Gage (inc.)	54,298	45.53%	−3.41%
Majority			10,672	8.95%	+6.65%
Turnout			119,268
	Republican gain from Democratic

References

1. Thomson, Thyra (1963). 1963 Wyoming Official Directory and 1962 Election Returns. pp. 56–58.
2. "Crowell Puts Hat in Ring for Governor". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. March 1, 1962. p. 1.
3. "Cheever Says He's Urged To Seek GOP Nomination". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. January 21, 1962. p. 22.