1970 Nevada gubernatorial election

1970 Nevada gubernatorial election

November 3, 1970 (1970-11-03)

Nominee Mike O'Callaghan Ed Fike Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 70,697 64,400 Percentage 48.10% 43.81%

County results O'Callaghan:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Fike:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election Paul Laxalt Republican Elected Governor Mike O'Callaghan Democratic

The 1970 Nevada gubernatorial election occurred on November 3, 1970. Incumbent Republican Paul Laxalt did not run for re-election to a second term as Governor of Nevada. Democratic nominee Mike O'Callaghan defeated Republican nominee Ed Fike to succeed him.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 1, 1970.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Mike O'Callaghan
• Hank Thornley
• Albert "Al" D. Viller
• Don J. Weber

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mike O'Callaghan	41,185	68.77%
	Democratic	Hank Thornley	16,107	26.89%
	Democratic	Don J. Weber	1,299	2.17%
	Democratic	Albert "Al" D. Viller	1,298	2.17%
Total votes			59,889	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Margie Dyer
• Ed Fike

Results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ed Fike	31,931	88.18%
	Republican	Margie Dyer	4,281	11.82%
Total votes			36,212	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Mike O'Callaghan, Democratic
• Ed Fike, Republican
• Charles E. Springer, Independent
• Daniel M. Hansen, Independent American

Nevada gubernatorial election, 1970

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Mike O'Callaghan	70,697	48.10%	+0.25%
	Republican	Ed Fike	64,400	43.81%	−8.34%
	Independent	Charles E. Springer	6,479	4.41%	+4.41%
	Independent American	Daniel M. Hansen	5,415	3.68%	+3.68%
Majority			6,297	4.28%
Total votes			146,991	100.00%
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing	+8.60%

County results

County	Mike O'Callaghan Democratic		Ed Fike Republican		Charles E. Springer Independent		Daniel M. Hansen Independent American		Margin		Total votes cast
	#	%	#	%	#	%	#	%	#	%
Carson City	2,401	42.40%	2,812	49.66%	274	4.84%	176	3.11%	-411	7.26%	5,663
Churchill	1,667	46.53%	1,661	46.36%	126	3.52%	129	3.60%	6	0.17%	3,583
Clark	35,855	50.39%	30,801	43.28%	2,071	2.91%	2,432	3.42%	5,054	7.10%	71,159
Douglas	936	34.39%	1,630	59.88%	96	3.53%	60	2.20%	-694	-25.50%	2,722
Elko	2,344	53.26%	1,855	42.15%	88	2.00%	114	2.59%	489	11.11%	4,401
Esmeralda	189	49.87%	172	45.38%	15	3.96%	3	0.79%	17	4.49%	379
Eureka	207	44.52%	232	49.89%	7	1.51%	19	4.09%	-25	-5.38%	465
Humboldt	1,106	50.25%	973	44.21%	55	2.50%	67	3.04%	133	6.04%	2,201
Lander	524	52.98%	388	39.23%	33	3.34%	44	4.45%	136	13.75%	989
Lincoln	701	55.07%	534	41.95%	19	1.49%	19	1.49%	167	13.12%	1,273
Lyon	1,452	48.45%	1,370	45.71%	95	3.17%	80	2.67%	82	2.74%	2,997
Mineral	1,702	60.98%	782	28.02%	151	5.41%	156	5.59%	920	32.96%	2,791
Nye	1,023	53.48%	763	39.88%	67	3.50%	60	3.14%	260	13.59%	1,913
Pershing	543	47.05%	541	46.88%	42	3.64%	28	2.43%	2	0.17%	1,154
Storey	331	61.30%	170	31.48%	22	4.07%	17	3.15%	161	29.81%	540
Washoe	17,760	43.19%	18,265	44.42%	3,237	7.87%	1,860	4.52%	-505	-1.23%	41,122
White Pine	1,956	53.75%	1,451	39.87%	81	2.23%	151	4.15%	505	13.88%	3,639
Totals	70,697	48.10%	64,400	43.81%	6,479	4.41%	5,415	3.68%	6,297	4.28%	146,991

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Churchill
• Humboldt
• Lincoln
• Lyon
• Pershing