The 1946 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1946.
Incumbent Democratic Governor Coke R. Stevenson did not seek re-election.
Democratic Governor nominee Beauford H. Jester defeated Republican nominee Eugene Nolte, Jr. with 91.23% of the vote.
To date, this was the last election in which a candidate for Governor of Texas won more than 90% of the vote.
Nominations
Democratic primary The Democratic primary election was held on July 27, 1946, with the runoff held on August 24, 1946.
Candidates Floyd Brinkley William V. Brown, mayor of Texarkana A. J. Burks, mayor of Odessa Charles B. Hutchison Beauford H. Jester, Railroad Commissioner Caso March, former Baylor University law professor, World War II veteran Walter Scott McNutt, president of Jefferson College and independent candidate for Governor of Arkansas in 1938 and 1940 Homer P. Rainey, former President of the University of Texas Jerry Sadler, former Railroad Commissioner Grover Sellers, incumbent Texas Attorney General C. R. Shaw John Lee Smith, incumbent Lieutenant Governor Reese Turner, former State Representative
Withdrew
W. J. Minton, newspaper editor and unsuccessful candidate for Democratic nomination for Governor in 1944
Declined James V. Allred, former Governor W. Lee O'Daniel, incumbent U.S. Senator Coke R. Stevenson, incumbent Governor
Results
Republican nomination
The Republican state convention was held on August 13, 1946 at Mineral Wells.
Candidates
Alvin H. Lane, attorney Eugene "Mike" Nolte, Jr., alcohol distributor
Results
General election
Candidates Beauford H. Jester, Democratic Eugene Nolte, Jr., Republican
Results
References
Bibliography