The 1972 Utah gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972. Democratic incumbent Cal Rampton defeated Republican nominee Nicholas L. Strike with 69.69% of the vote. Rampton's victory was despite incumbent Republican president Richard Nixon winning the state with over 67% of the vote in the concurrent presidential election.[1]
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County results Rampton: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Strike: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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It is suggested that Rampton, as a moderate Democrat, was acceptable enough to Utah's Republican Party that in both the 1968 and 1972 elections, they put forward only token candidates.[2] By October 1972, Rampton was seen as very likely to win, with his election appearing "assured" according to The New York Times.[3]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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Democratic | Cal Rampton (incumbent) | 331,998 | 69.69% | ||
Republican | Nicholas L. Strike | 144,449 | 30.31% | ||
Majority | 187,549 | 39.38 | |||
Turnout | 476,447 | ||||
Democratic hold | Swing |