1970 California lieutenant gubernatorial election

1970 California lieutenant gubernatorial election

November 3, 1970

Nominee Edwin Reinecke Al Alquist Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 3,521,065 2,718,904 Percentage 54.79% 42.31%

County results Reinecke:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Alquist:      40–50%      50–60%

Lieutenant Governor before election Edwin Reinecke Republican Elected Lieutenant Governor Edwin Reinecke Republican

The 1970 California lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1970. Incumbent Republican Edwin Reinecke defeated Democratic nominee Al Alquist with 54.79% of the vote.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on June 2, 1970.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Al Alquist, State Senator
• Robert A. Wenke
• Robert L. Coate
• Cecilia A. Pedroza

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Al Alquist	1,053,748	47.80
	Democratic	Robert A. Wenke	615,851	27.94
	Democratic	Robert L. Coate	293,124	13.30
	Democratic	Cecilia A. Pedroza	241,585	10.96
Total votes			2,204,308	100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• Edwin Reinecke, Republican
• Al Alquist, Democratic

Other candidates

• John Haag, Peace and Freedom
• Merwun H. Hemp, American Independent

Results

1970 California lieutenant gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Edwin Reinecke (incumbent)	3,521,065	54.79%	−5.00%
	Democratic	Al Alquist	2,718,904	42.31%	+2.10%
	Peace and Freedom	John Haag	103,590	1.61%	+1.61%
	American Independent	Merwun H. Hemp	83,113	1.29%	+1.29%
Majority			802,161
Turnout
	Republican hold		Swing