The 1944 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1944. Democratic U.S. Representative Jim Nance McCord defeated Republican Greeneville attorney John Wesley Kilgo with 62.5% of the vote.Phillip Langsdon, Tennessee: A Political History (Franklin, Tenn.: Hillsboro Press, 2000), pp. 336-343.
In the primary election, McCord sought his party's nomination for governor in the race to succeed the incumbent, Prentice Cooper, who was term-limited.Phillip Langsdon, Tennessee: A Political History (Franklin, Tenn.: Hillsboro Press, 2000), pp. 336-343. With the support of powerful Memphis political boss, E. H. Crump, McCord won the primary by a lopsided margin over Knoxville law professor John R. Neal and Nashville attorney Rex Manning.Phillip Langsdon, Tennessee: A Political History (Franklin, Tenn.: Hillsboro Press, 2000), pp. 336-343.
After losing the Democratic primary, Neal ran in the general election as an independent.
Primary elections Primary elections were held on August 3, 1944.
Democratic primary
Candidates Jim Nance McCord, U.S. Representative John Randolph Neal Jr., attorney W. Rex Manning, attorney
Results
Republican primary
Candidates John W. Kilgo W. O. Lowe H. C. Lowery L. L. Guinn Roy Acuff, country music singer Sam J. McAllister
Results
General election
Candidates Major party candidates Jim Nance McCord, Democratic John W. Kilgo, Republican
Other candidates John Randolph Neal Jr., Independent
Results
See also 1944 United States presidential election in Tennessee
References