1974 Florida gubernatorial election
The 1974 Florida gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1974. Incumbent Democratic Governor Reubin Askew won re-election to a second term.
This was just the second time after 1956, and the first that the Governor of Florida was re-elected for the second four-year term. This was also the first time a candidate got over one million votes in a Florida governor election.
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on September 10, 1974.Democratic primary
Incumbent Reubin O'Donovan Askew faced little opposition in the Democratic Party primary. Despite a challenge from his own Lieutenant Governor Thomas Burton Adams, Jr., Askew, a popular member of the "New Southerner" political generation, was renominated easily.13.4% of the voting age population participated in the Democratic primary.
Candidates
- Thomas Burton Adams Jr., incumbent Lieutenant Governor
- Reubin Askew, incumbent Governor
- Ben Hill Griffin Jr., citrus magnate
- Norman Bie, lawyer
Results
J. H. Williams became Askew's running mate for second term.Republican primary
Candidate
- Jerry Thomas, former President of the Florida Senate, banker