1964 Kansas gubernatorial election

The 1964 Kansas gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1964. Republican nominee William H. Avery defeated Democratic nominee Harry G. Wiles with 50.9% of the vote.

1964 Kansas gubernatorial election

← 1962 November 3, 1964 1966 →

Nominee William H. Avery Harry G. Wiles Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 432,667 400,264 Percentage 50.9% 47.1%

County results Avery:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Wiles:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election John Anderson Jr. Republican Elected Governor William H. Avery Republican

This marks the last time in Kansas history that the elected Governor was of the same party as the outgoing Governor.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on August 4, 1964.^[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Harry G. Wiles, Kansas Corporation Commissioner
• Jules V. Doty
• George Hart, former Kansas State Treasurer
• Joseph W. Henkle Sr., former Lieutenant Governor
• J. Donald Coffin
• Ewell Stewart

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Harry G. Wiles	50,590	32.41
	Democratic	Jules V. Doty	37,305	23.90
	Democratic	George Hart	30,973	19.84
	Democratic	Joseph W. Henkle Sr.	21,304	13.65
	Democratic	J. Donald Coffin	9,140	5.86
	Democratic	Ewell Stewart	6,783	4.35
Total votes			156,095	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• William H. Avery, U.S. Representative
• McDill "Huck" Boyd, Newspaper publisher
• Paul R. Wunsch, President of the Kansas Senate
• William M. Ferguson, Kansas Attorney General
• Harold H. Chase, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
• Albert S. Myers
• Dell Crozier

Results

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William H. Avery	85,745	30.39
	Republican	McDill "Huck" Boyd	75,451	26.74
	Republican	Paul R. Wunsch	71,601	25.38
	Republican	William M. Ferguson	36,622	12.98
	Republican	Harold H. Chase	8,397	2.98
	Republican	Albert S. Myers	1,615	0.57
	Republican	Dell Crozier	1,604	0.57
Total votes			282,163	100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• William H. Avery, Republican
• Harry G. Wiles, Democratic

Other candidates

• Kenneth L. Myers, Independent
• Harry E. Livermore, Prohibition

Results

1964 Kansas gubernatorial election^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	William H. Avery	432,667	50.88%
	Democratic	Harry G. Wiles	400,264	47.07%
	Independent	Kenneth L. Myers	11,816	1.39%
	Prohibition	Harry E. Livermore	5,667	0.67%
Majority			32,403
Turnout			850,414
	Republican hold		Swing