1972 North Carolina gubernatorial election
The 1972 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972. Republican nominee James Holshouser defeated Democratic nominee Skipper Bowles with 51% of the vote. Holshouser thus became the first Republican elected governor of the state since 1896.
This election was also the first time in a century that a Republican candidate won an outright majority of the vote.
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on May 6, 1972.Democratic primary
Candidates
- Skipper Bowles, State Senator
- Hoyt Patrick Taylor Jr., incumbent Lieutenant Governor
- Reginald A. Hawkins, civil rights activist and dentist
- Wilbur Hobby, labor union leader
- C. Eugene Leggett
- Zeb V.K. Dickson
Republican primary
Candidates
- James Holshouser, State Representative
- Jim Gardner, former U.S. Representative
- Leroy Gibson
- Thomas E. Chappell
General election
Candidates
Major party candidates- James Holshouser, Republican
- Skipper Bowles, Democratic
- Arlis F. Pettyjohn, American