In the 1953 Virginia gubernatorial election, incumbent Governor John S. Battle, a Democrat, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. Virginia State Senator Theodore Roosevelt Dalton was nominated by the Republican Party to run against former Democratic U.S. Representative Thomas B. Stanley. As of 2021, this is the last time that the city of Norfolk voted Republican for Governor of Virginia.

1953 Virginia gubernatorial election

← 1949 November 3, 1953 1957 →

Nominee Thomas B. Stanley Ted Dalton Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 226,998 183,328 Percentage 54.8% 44.3%

County and independent city results Stanley:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Dalton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election John S. Battle Democratic Elected Governor Thomas B. Stanley Democratic