1964 Indiana gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1964 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1964 Indiana gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1964.

1964 Indiana gubernatorial election

← 1960 November 3, 1964 1968 →

Nominee Roger D. Branigin Richard O. Ristine Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,164,620 901,342 Percentage 56.18% 43.48%

County results Branigin:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Ristine:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election Matthew E. Welsh Democratic Elected Governor Roger D. Branigin Democratic

Incumbent Democratic Governor Matthew E. Welsh was term-limited.

Democratic nominee Roger D. Branigin defeated Republican nominee Richard O. Ristine with 56.18% of the vote. This would be the last time until 1988 in which the Democrats won the governorship.

As of 2023^[update], this marks the most recent time that Democrats won the races for Governor and for President concurrently.^{[1][failed verification]}

Nominations

Until 1976, all nominations for statewide office in Indiana were made by state conventions.^[2][3]

Democratic nomination

Candidates

• Roger D. Branigin, former president of the Indiana State Bar Association^[4]
• Clinton Green, executive secretary of the Indiana Port Commission^[5]
• Marshall F. Kizer, Indiana Senate minority leader^[4]

Results

The Democratic convention was held on June 12, 1964.^[4]

Democratic convention results^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Roger D. Branigin	1,449	65.60
	Democratic	Marshall F. Kizer	594	26.89
	Democratic	Clinton Green	133	6.02
	Democratic	Scattering	33	1.49
Total votes			2,209	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• William G. Bray, incumbent U.S. Representative for Indiana's 7th congressional district
• G. Richard Ellis, former State Senator^[7]
• Robert E. Gates, Indiana's 4th congressional district Republican chairman^[7]
• Robert E. Hughes, incumbent Indiana State Treasurer^[8]
• Earl F. Landgrebe, State Senator^[9]
• Charles O. Hendricks, incumbent Secretary of State of Indiana^[7]
• Richard O. Ristine, incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Indiana

Results

The Republican convention was held on June 9, 1964.^[4][10]

Republican convention results^[8][11][12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Richard O. Ristine	1,212	55.29
	Republican	Robert E. Hughes	599	27.33
	Republican	William G. Bray	266	12.14
	Republican	G. Richard Ellis	70	3.19
	Republican	Robert E. Gates	29	1.33
	Republican	Charles O. Hendricks	15	0.68
	Republican	Earl F. Landgrebe	1	0.05
Total votes			2,192	100.00

General election

Candidates

• Chester G. Bohannon, Prohibition
• Gordon A. Long, Socialist Labor, candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1956
• Roger D. Branigin, Democratic
• Richard O. Ristine, Republican

Results

1964 Indiana gubernatorial election^[13][14][15]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Roger D. Branigin	1,164,620	56.18%
	Republican	Richard O. Ristine	901,342	43.48%
	Prohibition	Chester G. Bohannon	5,771	0.28%
	Socialist Labor	Gordon A. Long	1,182	0.06%
Majority			263,278	12.70%
Turnout			2,072,915	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. "1964 Electoral College Results". National Archives. November 5, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
2. America Votes 6, p. 129.
3. Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 112.
4. "Indiana parties meet this week". New York Times. New York, NY. June 7, 1964. p. 69. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
5. "Democrats meet to select State Ticket for 1964". Daily Banner. Greencastle, Indiana. June 12, 1964. p. 1. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
6. McNeill, Robert J. (1966). Democratic Campaign Financing in Indiana, 1964. Institute of Public Administration, Indiana University. p. 31.
7. "Hughes, Bray rip procedure". Journal and Courier. Lafayette, Indiana. June 10, 1964. p. 1. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
8. "Indiana Nominees chosen by G.O.P." New York Times. New York, NY. June 10, 1964. p. 34. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
9. Bernhart, Rollie (March 6, 1964). "Sen. Langrebe declares candidacy for governor". Vidette-Messenger. Valparaiso, Indiana. p. 1. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
10. "Indiana G.O.P picks candidate". Daily Banner. Greencastle, Indiana. June 10, 1964. p. 1. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
11. "Ristine and Bontrager win". Indianapolis Star. Indianapolis, Indiana. June 10, 1964. p. 1. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
12. "GOP picks Ristine and Bontrager for governor, U.S. Senate post". Indianapolis Recorder. Indianapolis, Indiana. June 13, 1964. p. 1. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
13. Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 50.
14. America Votes 6, p. 120.
15. "IN Governor, 1964". Our Campaigns. Retrieved June 6, 2020.

Bibliography

• Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.
• Scammon, Richard M., ed. (1966). America Votes 6: a handbook of contemporary American election statistics, 1964. Washington, D.C.: Governmental Affairs Institute.