1970 California gubernatorial election
The 1970 California gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1970. The incumbent governor, [California California Republican Party|Republican Party|Republican] Ronald Reagan, won re-election over Democrat and Speaker of the Assembly Jesse Unruh. This would be the closest victory of Ronald Reagan's entire political career.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Ronald Reagan, incumbent governor since 1967
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Walter R. Buchanan
- Jack W. Clapper
- Florence E. Douglas, mayor of Vallejo since 1955
- Raymond L. Haight Jr., high school history teacher, anti-war advocate, and son of Raymond Haight
- Harry F. May
- Eddie M. Ramirez, Boyle Heights pharmacist
- Joseph S. Ramos
- Jesse M. Unruh, former Speaker of the California Assembly and Assemblyman from Marina del Rey
- George H. Wagner
- Samuel William Yorty, mayor of Los Angeles since 1961