1958 Nevada gubernatorial election

The 1958 Nevada gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1958. Incumbent Republican Charles H. Russell ran unsuccessfully for re-election to a third term as Governor of Nevada. He was defeated by Democratic nominee Grant Sawyer with 59.92% of the vote.

1958 Nevada gubernatorial election

← 1954 November 4, 1958 1962 →

Nominee Grant Sawyer Charles H. Russell Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 50,864 34,025 Percentage 59.92% 40.08%

County results Sawyer:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Russell:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Charles H. Russell Republican Elected Governor Grant Sawyer Democratic

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 2, 1958.^[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Grant Sawyer, Elko County District Attorney
• Harvey Dickerson, Nevada Attorney General
• George E. Franklin Jr.
• William Richard Pate

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Grant Sawyer	20,711	46.30
	Democratic	Harvey Dickerson	13,372	29.89
	Democratic	George E. Franklin Jr.	10,175	22.75
	Democratic	William Richard Pate	473	1.06
Total votes			44,731	100.00

General election

Candidates

• Grant Sawyer, Democratic
• Charles H. Russell, Republican

Results

1958 Nevada gubernatorial election^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Grant Sawyer	50,864	59.92%	+13.02%
	Republican	Charles H. Russell (inc.)	34,025	40.08%	−13.02%
Majority			16,839	19.84%
Total votes			84,889	100.00%
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing	26.04%

Results by county

County	Grant Sawyer Democratic		Charles H. Russell Republican		Margin		Total votes cast[2]
	#	%	#	%	#	%
Churchill	1,532	54.12%	1,299	45.88%	233	8.23%	2,831
Clark	20,688	69.48%	9,087	30.52%	11,601	38.96%	29,775
Douglas	547	39.49%	838	60.51%	-291	-21.01%	1,385
Elko	2,533	58.85%	1,771	41.15%	762	17.70%	4,304
Esmeralda	184	55.76%	146	44.24%	38	11.52%	330
Eureka	308	63.90%	174	36.10%	134	27.80%	482
Humboldt	1,293	66.51%	651	33.49%	642	33.02%	1,944
Lander	493	59.40%	337	40.60%	156	18.80%	830
Lincoln	998	76.95%	299	23.05%	699	53.89%	1,297
Lyon	1,258	54.84%	1,036	45.16%	222	9.68%	2,294
Mineral	1,577	60.86%	1,014	39.14%	563	21.73%	2,591
Nye	1,035	60.92%	664	39.08%	371	21.84%	1,699
Ormsby	1,292	45.62%	1,540	54.38%	-248	-8.76%	2,832
Pershing	824	59.49%	561	40.51%	263	18.99%	1,385
Storey	222	58.58%	157	41.42%	65	17.15%	379
Washoe	13,232	49.80%	13,339	50.20%	-107	-0.40%	26,571
White Pine	2,848	71.92%	1,112	28.08%	1,736	43.84%	3,960
Totals	50,864	59.92%	34,025	40.08%	16,839	19.84%	84,889

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Churchill
• Elko
• Esmeralda
• Eureka
• Humboldt
• Lander
• Lyon
• Nye
• Pershing
• Storey