1974 Nebraska gubernatorial election
The 1974 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1974, and featured incumbent Governor James Exon, a Democrat, defeating Republican nominee, state Senator Richard D. Marvel. Independent state Senator Ernie Chambers also captured 5% of the vote as a write-in candidate. This was the first gubernatorial election in Nebraska in which the nominees for Governor and Lieutenant Governor ran as a single ticket in the general election, though they were chosen in separate primary elections.
Democratic primary
Governor
Candidates
- James Exon, incumbent Governor
- Richard D. Schmitz
Lieutenant governor
Candidates
- Julius W. Burbach, member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 19 since 1957 and unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for Nebraska governor in 1966 and 1970
- Terry Carpenter, member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 48 since 1963 and previously from 1953 to 1955 and 1957 to 1961, former United States Representative from 1933 to 1935, and unsuccessful candidate for governor, lieutenant governor, and United States senate several times.
- James LaHood
- Frank Lewis
- Gerald T. Whelan, lawyer and unsuccessful Democratic nominee for Nebraska's 1st congressional district in 1960
Republican primary
Governor
Candidates
- Richard D. Marvel, member of the Nebraska Legislature
Lieutenant governor
Candidates
- Anne S. Batchelder, businesswoman, wife of Clifton B. Batchelder, and daughter of R. Douglas Stuart
- William M. Wylie, farmer, businessman, and former member of the Nebraska Legislature in District 20 and District 40 from 1965 to 1971