1970 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
The 1970 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1970. Democrat Patrick J. Lucey won the election with 54.23% of the vote, winning his first term as Governor of Wisconsin and defeating incumbent lieutenant governor, Republican Jack B. Olson. Roman R. Blenski unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination. As of 2024, this is the last time the Democratic gubernatorial candidate carried Oconto County.
This was the first gubernatorial election in Wisconsin where the governor was elected to a four year term on the same ticket as the Lieutenant Governor.
Primary election
The primary election was held on September 8, 1970. Nominees for Governor and Lieutenant Governor were selected in separate primaries before running on a joint ticket in the general election.Republican party
Governor
Candidates
- Roman Richard Blenski, former member of Wisconsin Senate and Wisconsin State Assembly
- Jack B. Olson, Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin
Results
Lieutenant Governor
Candidates
- David O. Martin, member of Wisconsin State Assembly
Results
Democratic party
Governor
Candidates
- Edward Ihlenfeldt
- Patrick J. Lucey, former Lieutenant Governor and nominee for governor in 1966
- Donald O. Peterson, manager of Eugene McCarthy’s 1968 presidential campaign in Wisconsin
Results
Lieutenant Governor
Candidates
- Harry Halloway
- Frank Nikolay, member of Wisconsin State Assembly
- John F. O'Malley
- Martin J. Schreiber, member of Wisconsin State Senate
- Jay G. Sykes
Results
American party
Governor
Candidates
- Leo James McDonald
Results
Lieutenant Governor
Candidates
- Theodore G. Kothe
Results
General election
Candidates
- Patrick J. Lucey & Martin J. Schreiber, Democrat
- Jack B. Olson & David O. Martin, Republican
- Leo James McDonald & Theodore Kothe, American
- Georgia Cozzini & Denis Kitchen, Independent
- Samuel K. Hunt & Peter J. Kohlenberg, Independent
- Myrtle Kastner & Russell Chabot, Independent