United States gubernatorial elections were held in 1903, in eight states.
Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland and Mississippi held their gubernatorial elections in odd numbered years, every 4 years, preceding the United States presidential election year. Massachusetts and Rhode Island both elected their respective governors to a single-year term. They would abandon in 1920 and 1912, respectively. Ohio at this time held gubernatorial elections in every odd numbered year.
In Iowa, following a 1904 amendment to the constitution which moved the election schedule, the governor's term was lengthened to three years. Elections would be held in even-numbered years from the 1906 elections.
Results
State Incumbent Party Status Opposing candidates Iowa Albert B. Cummins Republican Re-elected, 57.14% J. B. Sullivan (Democratic) 38.22%John F. Hanson (Prohibition) 2.96%John M. Work (Socialist) 1.54%Luman H. Weller (People's) 0.14% Kentucky J. C. W. Beckham Democratic Re-elected, 52.12% Morris B. Belknap (Republican) 46.17%T. P. Demaree (Prohibition) 1.10%Alfred Schmitz (Socialist Labor) 0.47%Adam Nagel (Socialist) 0.14% Louisiana(held, 19 April 1904) William Wright Heard Democratic Term-limited, Democratic victory Newton C. Blanchard (Democratic) 89.04%W. J. Behan (Republican) 10.96% Maryland John Walter Smith Democratic Retired, Democratic victory Edwin Warfield (Democratic) 52.02%Stevenson A. Williams (Republican) 45.97%William Gisriel (Prohibition) 1.40%S. M. Crabill (Socialist) 0.62% Massachusetts John L. Bates Republican Re-elected, 50.36% William A. Gaston (Democratic) 41.29%John C. Chase (Socialist) 6.37%Thomas F. Brennan (Socialist Labor) 1.15%Oliver W. Cobb (Prohibition) 0.83% Mississippi Andrew H. Longino Democratic Term-limited, Democratic victory James K. Vardaman (Democratic) 100.00%(Democratic primary run-off results)James K. Vardaman 53.42%F. A. Critz 46.58% Ohio George K. Nash Republican Retired, Republican victory Myron T. Herrick (Republican) 54.89%Tom L. Johnson (Democratic) 41.76%Nelson D. Creamer (Prohibition) 1.56%Isaac Cowan (Socialist) 1.55%John D. Goerke (Socialist Labor) 0.24% Rhode Island Lucius F. C. Garvin Democratic Re-elected, 49.29% Samuel Pomeroy Colt (Republican) 47.19%William O. Angilly (Socialist Labor) 1.52%Frederick T. Jencks (Prohibition) 1.51%James E. Furlong (Socialist) 0.49%
References