1972 Delaware gubernatorial election
The 1972 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972. Democratic nominee Sherman W. Tribbitt defeated incumbent Republican Governor Russell W. Peterson with 51.27% of the vote. This was the last time a Democrat won a gubernatorial election in Delaware until 1992, when Tom Carper won the gubernatorial election over Republican B. Gary Scott.
Nominations
From 1972 to 1992 Delaware used a system of “challenge” primaries, in which a candidate for statewide office who received at least 35 percent of the convention vote could challenge the endorsed candidate in a primary. Democratic nominee Tribbitt avoided such a primary in 1972.Republican primary
Candidates
- David P. Buckson, former Governor
- Russell W. Peterson, incumbent Governor
General election
Candidates
- Sherman W. Tribbitt, Democratic, Delaware House of Representatives Minority leader and former Lieutenant Governor
- Russell W. Peterson, Republican, incumbent Governor
- Virginia M. Lyndall, American
- Harry H. Conner, Prohibition