The 1970 Arizona gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 1970. Incumbent Governor Jack Williams ran for reelection to a third term as governor. United States Ambassador to Bolivia Raúl Héctor Castro won the Democratic nomination, and narrowly lost the general election to Williams by 1.78%. Williams was sworn into his third and final term as Governor on January 5, 1971.

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...
1970 Arizona gubernatorial election

 1968 November 3, 1970 1974 
 
Nominee Jack Williams Raúl Héctor Castro
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 209,355 202,053
Percentage 50.9% 49.1%

County results

Williams:      50–60%      60–70%

Castro:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election

Jack Williams
Republican

Elected Governor

Jack Williams
Republican

Close

Due to a constitutional amendment approved by the voters in 1968, the length of the term of Governor of Arizona was changed from two years to four years, effective with the 1970 gubernatorial election. Thus, Williams became the first Governor of Arizona to serve a 4-year term.[1]

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jack Williams 77,259 100.00%
Total votes 77,259 100.00%
Close

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Raúl Héctor Castro, United States Ambassador to Bolivia, former United States Ambassador to El Salvador
  • Jack Ross, car dealer
  • George Nader, former Mayor

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
Democratic primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Raúl Héctor Castro 63,294 51.99%
Democratic Jack Ross 30,921 25.40%
Democratic George Nader 27,534 22.62%
Total votes 121,749 100.00%
Close

General election

Results

More information Party, Candidate ...
Arizona gubernatorial election, 1970[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jack Williams (incumbent) 209,356 50.89% −6.95%
Democratic Raúl Héctor Castro 202,053 49.11% +6.95%
Majority 7,303 1.78%
Total votes 411,409 100.00%
Republican hold Swing -13.90%
Close

Results by county

More information County, Jack Williams Republican ...
County Jack Williams
Republican
Raúl Héctor Castro
Democratic
Margin Total votes
cast[3]
#  % #  % #  %
Apache 1,745 50.89% 1,684 49.11% 61 1.78% 3,429
Cochise 5,712 41.24% 8,138 58.76% -2,426 -17.52% 13,850
Coconino 4,305 49.05% 4,471 50.95% -166 -1.89% 8,776
Gila 2,951 37.55% 4,907 62.45% -1,956 -24.89% 7,858
Graham 2,078 47.00% 2,343 53.00% -265 -5.99% 4,421
Greenlee 822 26.85% 2,239 73.15% -1,417 -46.29% 3,061
Maricopa 133,336 58.01% 96,525 41.99% 36,811 16.01% 229,861
Mohave 2,846 50.43% 2,797 49.57% 49 0.87% 5,643
Navajo 4,335 56.56% 3,330 43.44% 1,005 13.11% 7,665
Pima 32,750 37.22% 55,245 62.78% -22,495 -25.56% 87,995
Pinal 5,786 42.40% 7,861 57.60% -2,075 -15.20% 13,647
Santa Cruz 824 27.96% 2,123 72.04% -1,299 -44.08% 2,947
Yavapai 7,052 63.28% 4,093 36.72% 2,959 26.55% 11,145
Yuma 4,814 43.33% 6,297 56.67% -1,483 -13.35% 11,111
Totals209,35650.89%202,05349.11%7,3031.78%411,409
Close

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

References

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