1923 Kentucky gubernatorial election

The 1923 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1923. Democratic nominee William J. Fields defeated Republican nominee Charles I. Dawson, the attorney general, with 53.25% of the vote. The Democratic State Central Executive Committee chose Fields to replace nominee J. Campbell Cantrill, a U.S. representative who died suddenly on September 2 two months before the election.[1]

1923 Kentucky gubernatorial election

← 1919 November 6, 1923 1927 →
 
Nominee William J. Fields Charles I. Dawson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 356,045 306,277
Percentage 53.25% 45.81%

Fields:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Dawson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election

Edwin P. Morrow
Republican

Elected Governor

William J. Fields
Democratic

Primary elections

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Primary elections were held on August 4, 1923.[2]

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Results by county:
  Cantrill
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  •   90–100%
  Barkley
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  •   90–100%
Democratic primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Campbell Cantrill 124,994 51.88
Democratic Alben W. Barkley 115,933 48.12
Total votes 240,927 100.00

General election

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Candidates

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Major party candidates

  • William J. Fields, Democratic
  • Charles I. Dawson, Republican

Other candidates

  • William S. Demuth, Farmer–Labor
  • M. A. Brinkmar, Socialist

Results

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1923 Kentucky gubernatorial election[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic William J. Fields 356,045 53.25% +7.96%
Republican Charles I. Dawson 306,277 45.81% −8.01%
Farmer–Labor William S. Demuth 3,606 0.54% N/A
Socialist M. A. Brinkmar 2,647 0.40% −0.49%
Majority 49,768 7.44%
Turnout
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

References

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  1. ^ "Congressman J. C. Cantrill Loses Battle for Life—Leader Meets First Defeat Against Odds", Lexington (KY) Herald, September 3, 1923, p. 1.
  2. ^ a b c Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN 9781568029818. Retrieved April 19, 2020.