1939 Kentucky gubernatorial election

1939 Kentucky gubernatorial election

November 7, 1939

Nominee Keen Johnson King Swope Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 460,834 354,704 Percentage 56.51% 43.49%

Johnson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Swope:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election Keen Johnson Democratic Elected Governor Keen Johnson Democratic

The 1939 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1939. Incumbent Democrat Keen Johnson defeated Republican nominee King Swope with 56.51% of the vote.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on August 5, 1939.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Keen Johnson, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
• John Y. Brown Sr., former U.S. Representative
• Charles D. Arnett
• Ulysses G. Foster

Results

Results by county:

  Johnson

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

  Brown

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

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Keen Johnson	270,731	52.47
	Democratic	John Y. Brown Sr.	236,734	45.88
	Democratic	Charles D. Arnett	6,802	1.32
	Democratic	Ulysses G. Foster	1,754	0.34
Total votes			516,021	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• King Swope, former U.S. Representative
• John Sherman Cooper, former State Representative
• L. O. Smith
• G. Tom Hawkins

Results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	King Swope	121,297	59.46
	Republican	John Sherman Cooper	73,305	35.94
	Republican	L. O. Smith	7,187	3.52
	Republican	G. Tom Hawkins	2,195	1.08
Total votes			203,984	100.00

General election

Candidates

• Keen Johnson, Democratic
• King Swope, Republican

Results

1939 Kentucky gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Keen Johnson (incumbent)	460,834	56.51%
	Republican	King Swope	354,704	43.49%
Majority			106,130
Turnout
	Democratic hold		Swing