1954 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

1954 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

November 2, 1954

Nominee Christian A. Herter Robert F. Murphy Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 985,339 910,087 Percentage 51.76% 47.80%

Herter:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Murphy:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Christian A. Herter Republican Elected Governor Christian A. Herter Republican

The 1954 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1954. Republican governor Christian Herter was re-elected, defeating Democrat Robert F. Murphy, Socialist Labor candidate Lawrence Gilfedder, and Prohibition candidate Guy S. Williams.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Francis E. Kelly, former Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General
• Robert F. Murphy, State Representative from Malden and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives

Results

Democratic gubernatorial primary, 1954

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert F. Murphy	254,996	70.27%
	Democratic	Francis E. Kelly	107,861	29.73%

General election

Results

Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 1954

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Christian A. Herter (incumbent)	985,339	51.76%
	Democratic	Robert F. Murphy	910,087	47.80%
	Socialist Labor	Lawrence Gilfedder	5,766	0.30%
	Prohibition	Guy S. Williams	2,579	0.14%

See also

• 1953–1954 Massachusetts legislature

References

Hayden, Irving N.; Grove, Lawrence R. (1955). A Manual for the Use of the General Court for 1955–1956. Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Company. pp. 298–99. Retrieved September 23, 2010.