1944 Idaho gubernatorial election
The 1944 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on November 7. Democratic nominee Charles Gossett defeated Republican nominee W. H. Detweiler for the open seat with 52.64% of the vote.
Incumbent governor C. A. Bottolfsen was the Republican nominee for the United States Senate, but was defeated by Democrat Glen Taylor in the general election.
This was the last time a Democrat was elected Governor of Idaho until 1970, when Cecil Andrus defeated Republican incumbent Don Samuelson.
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on June 13, 1944.Democratic primary
Candidates
- Charles Gossett, Nampa, former lieutenant governor
- Calvin Wright, Burley, state auditor
- George Curtis, secretary of state
- Fred Porter, Idaho Falls
Republican primary
Candidates
- W. H. Detweiler, Hazelton, former state legislator
- M. L. Horsley, Soda Springs businessman, former house speaker
- Edwin Nelson, Fenn, lieutenant governor
- Harvey Schwendiman, Newdale, former state agriculture commissioner
- Don Whitehead, Boise, former lieutenant governor and house speaker
General election
Candidates
- Charles C. Gossett, Democratic
- W. H. Detweiler, Republican