1916 Arkansas gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1916 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1916 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1916.

1916 Arkansas gubernatorial election

← 1914 November 7, 1916 1918 →

Nominee Charles Hillman Brough Wallace Townsend William Davis Party Democratic Republican Socialist Popular vote 122,041 43,963 9,730 Percentage 69.44% 25.02% 5.54%

County results Brough:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Townsend:      50–60%

Governor before election George Washington Hays Democratic Elected Governor Charles Hillman Brough Democratic

Incumbent Democratic Governor George Washington Hays did not seek a third term.

Democratic nominee Charles Hillman Brough defeated Republican nominee Wallace Townsend and Socialist nominee William Davis with 69.44% of the vote.

Democratic primary

The Democratic primary election was held on March 29, 1916.^[1]

Candidates

Declared

• Charles Hillman Brough, former professor at the University of Arkansas^[2]
• Earle W. Hodges, incumbent Secretary of State of Arkansas
• Lewis Cass "Shotgun" Smith, judge^[3]

Withdrew

• Thomas Chipman McRae, former U.S. Representative^[4][5]

Results

Democratic primary results ^[1][4][6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Charles Hillman Brough	48,892	42.11
	Democratic	L. C. Smith	34,918	30.08
	Democratic	Earle W. Hodges	32,292	27.81
Total votes			116,102	100.00

Contemporary sources indicate the vote was higher than stated here, with one stating the official vote was Brough 59,676, Smith 44,024, Hodges 41,456.^{[7][8][9][10]}

General election

Candidates

• Charles Hillman Brough, Democratic
• Wallace Townsend, Republican, attorney
• William Davis, Socialist

Results

1916 Arkansas gubernatorial election^[11][12][13]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Charles Hillman Brough	122,041	69.44%	−0.03%
	Republican	Wallace Townsend	43,963	25.02%	+2.19%
	Socialist	William Davis	9,730	5.54%	−2.16%
Majority			78,078	44.42%
Turnout			175,734	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing