United States gubernatorial elections, 1973

United States Gubernatorial elections, 1973

← 1972 November 6, 1973 1974 →
2 governorships
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic Republican Last election 31 governorships 19 governorships Seats before 31 19 Seats after 32 18 Seat change 1 1
Democratic pickups   Republican holds

United States gubernatorial elections were held 6 November 1973, in two states. In both cases, a conservative managed to win in the end, while a moderate (or liberal) lost.

In Virginia, Mills E. Godwin, Jr. had won a term for governor as a Democrat in the 1965 gubernatorial election. This time, he won as a Republican. Howell too was also an ex-Democrat as well. Howell tried to run from a populist stance, but he wasn't successful. Godwin pushed the conservative line and won.

In New Jersey, Cahill had the image of a moderate Republican, but scandals that he himself didn't do and a dislike of his stance on taxes led to his defeat to Sandman, a more conservative Republican. Sandman wasn't liked by moderate Republicans and didn't get their support, a factor that would favor Byrne in the end. It didn't help matters for Sandman that Cahill didn't give much support either beyond an endorsement.