1940 Utah gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1940 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1940 Utah gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1940. Democratic nominee Herbert B. Maw defeated Republican nominee Don B. Colton with 52.07% of the vote.

1940 Utah gubernatorial election

← 1936 November 5, 1940 1944 →

Nominee Herbert B. Maw Don B. Colton Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 128,519 117,713 Percentage 52.07% 47.69%

County results Maw:      40–50%      50–60% Colton:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Henry H. Blood Democratic Elected Governor Herbert B. Maw Democratic

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 3, 1940.^[1]

Republican primary

Candidates

• Don B. Colton, former U.S. Representative
• Reed Stevens
• J. Bracken Lee, Mayor of Price
• William J. Lowe
• Otto A. Wiesley

Results

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Don B. Colton	15,599	36.29
	Republican	Reed Stevens	13,264	30.86
	Republican	J. Bracken Lee	9,296	21.63
	Republican	William J. Lowe	2,620	6.10
	Republican	Otto A. Wiesley	2,204	5.13
Total votes			42,983	100.00

Republican primary runoff results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Don B. Colton	21,983	50.92
	Republican	Reed Stevens	21,187	49.08
Total votes			43,170	100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• Herbert B. Maw, Democratic
• Don B. Colton, Republican

Other candidates

• Ada Williams Quinn, Independent

Results

1940 Utah gubernatorial election^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Herbert B. Maw	128,519	52.07%
	Republican	Don B. Colton	117,713	47.69%
	Independent	Ada Williams Quinn	580	0.24%
Majority			10,806
Turnout
	Democratic hold		Swing