1914 Texas gubernatorial election

Election for Governor of Texas

1914 Texas gubernatorial election
← 1912 November 3, 1914 1916 →
 
Nominee James E. Ferguson E.R. Meitzen John W. Philip
Party Democratic Socialist Republican
Popular vote 176,599 24,977 11,411
Percentage 82.0% 11.6% 5.3%
Governor before election

Oscar Branch Colquitt
Democratic

Elected Governor

James E. Ferguson
Democratic

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The 1914 Texas gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1914, in order to elect the Governor of Texas. James E. Ferguson, nominated by the Democratic Party, easily defeated his two general election opponents, E.R. Meitzen of the Socialist Party and John W. Philip of the Republican Party.[1]

Democratic primary

In the early 20th century, Texas was a prohibitively Democratic-controlled state, making a successful in any statewide primary akin to victory.[2] Anti-prohibitionist and devout white supremacist[3] James E. Ferguson defeated Thomas Henry Ball, a supporter of prohibition who had received the endorsements of President Woodrow Wilson and William Jennings Bryan.[4][5]

Primary results

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James E. Ferguson 237,062 55.31
Democratic Thomas H. Ball 191,558 44.69
Total votes 428,620 100.00

General election

Ferguson faced token opposition from two candidates, Socialist E.R. Meitzen and Republican John W. Philip, along with a scattering of nominees from minor parties. As was typical of a Deep South state in this era, Ferguson won overwhelmingly, keeping the governor's mansion in Democratic hands.[6]

Results

Texas Gubernatorial Election, 1914
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James E. Ferguson 176,599 81.95
Socialist E.R. Meitzen 24,977 11.59
Republican John W. Philp 11,411 5.30
Progressive F.M. Etheridge 1,794 0.83
Socialist Labor K.E. Choate 680 0.32
Other 29 0.01
Total votes 215,490 100.00
Democratic hold

References

  1. ^ "Election of Texas Governors, 1900-1948 | TX Almanac". www.texasalmanac.com. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  2. ^ "Our Campaigns - TX Governor - D Primary Race - Jul 22, 1916". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  3. ^ Minutaglio, Bill (May 4, 2021). A Single Star and Bloody Knuckles: A History of Politics and Race in Texas. University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-1-4773-1036-6.
  4. ^ "TSHA | Ball, Thomas Henry". www.tshaonline.org. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  5. ^ "Our Campaigns - TX Governor - D Primary Race - Jul 25, 1914". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  6. ^ "Our Campaigns - TX Governor Race - Nov 03, 1914". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
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