1956 Florida gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1956 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1956 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1956. Incumbent Democrat LeRoy Collins defeated Republican nominee William A. Washburne Jr. in a landslide with 73.69% of the vote.

1956 Florida gubernatorial election

← 1954 (special) November 6, 1956 1960 →

Nominee LeRoy Collins William A. Washburne Jr. Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 747,753 266,980 Percentage 73.69% 26.31%

County results Collins:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

Governor before election LeRoy Collins Democratic Elected Governor LeRoy Collins Democratic

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on May 8, 1956.^[1]

Democratic primary

34.1% of the voting age population participated in the Democratic primary.^[2]

Candidates

• LeRoy Collins, incumbent Governor
• Sumter de Leon Lowry Jr., businessman, retired National Guard general, opponent of racial integration, and anti-communist activist
• C. Farris Bryant, former State Representative
• Fuller Warren, former Governor
• Peaslee Streets
• W.B. "Bill" Price

Results

Democratic Primary by county

  Collins

•   30–40%
•   40–50%
•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%

  Lowry

•   30–40%
•   40–50%
•   50–60%

  Bryant

•   50–60%

  Warren

•   30–40%
•   50–60%
•   70–80%

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	LeRoy Collins (incumbent)	434,274	51.69
	Democratic	Sumter de Leon Lowry Jr.	179,019	21.31
	Democratic	C. Farris Bryant	110,469	13.15
	Democratic	Fuller Warren	107,990	12.86
	Democratic	Peaslee Streets	5,086	0.61
	Democratic	W.B. "Bill" Price	3,245	0.39
Total votes			840,083	100.00

General election

Candidates

• LeRoy Collins, Democratic
• William A. Washburne Jr., Republican

Results

1956 Florida gubernatorial election^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	LeRoy Collins (incumbent)	747,753	73.69%
	Republican	William A. Washburne Jr.	266,980	26.31%
Majority			480,773
Turnout			1,014,733
	Democratic hold		Swing