The 1972 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972. Democratic nominee Sherman W. Tribbitt defeated incumbent Republican Governor Russell W. Peterson with 51.27% of the vote. This was the last time a Democrat won a gubernatorial election in Delaware until 1992, when Tom Carper (future U.S. senator) won the gubernatorial election over Republican B. Gary Scott.
Nominations From 1972 to 1992, Delaware used a system of "challenge" primaries, in which a candidate for statewide office who received at least 35 percent of the convention vote could challenge the endorsed candidate in a primary. Democratic nominee Tribbitt avoided such a primary in 1972.
Republican primary
Candidates
David P. Buckson, former governor Russell W. Peterson, incumbent governor
Results
General election
Candidates Harry H. Conner, Prohibition Virginia M. Lyndall, American Russell W. Peterson, Republican, incumbent governor Sherman W. Tribbitt, Democratic, Delaware House of Representatives minority leader and former lieutenant governor
Results
By county CountyRussell PetersonRepublicanSherman TribbittDemocraticAll others#%#%#%Kent10,25436.8%17,33162.2%3001.0%New Castle85,56051.0%81,04348.3%1,2560.8%Sussex13,76941.8%18,90057.3%3091.0% Totals109,58347.9%117,27451.3%1,8650.8%
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Sussex
References
Bibliography