1911 Arizona gubernatorial election

The 1911 Arizona gubernatorial election took place on December 12, 1911, for the post of the first elected Governor of Arizona. The Democratic nominee George W. P. Hunt defeated the Republican nominee Edmund W. Wells. Hunt and Wells were both members of the Constitutional Convention, Hunt being chosen President and leading the way for much of the drafting. Wells refused to sign the Constitution, considering aspects like the initiative, referendum, and especially judicial recall to be too radical.

1911 Arizona gubernatorial election

December 12, 1911 1914 →
 
Nominee George W. P. Hunt Edmund W. Wells P. W. Gallentine
Party Democratic Republican Socialist
Popular vote 11,123 9,166 1,247
Percentage 51.46% 42.41% 5.77%

County results
Hunt:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Wells:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor of Arizona Territory before election

Richard Elihu Sloan
Republican

Governor of Arizona
after election

George W. P. Hunt
Democratic

These fears proved prophetic when it was originally rejected by fellow Republican, former judge, and incumbent President William Howard Taft. Wells' refusal to sign, and Taft's veto of, the state constitution hurt but did not cripple his electoral chances, as he only lost by less than 2,000 votes out of about 21,000 cast. [1]

George W. P. Hunt was sworn in as Arizona's first elected Governor on February 12, 1912.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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  • George W. P. Hunt, President of the Arizona Constitutional Convention, former President of the Legislative Council, and businessman.
  • Thomas F. Weedin, editor of the Blade-Tribune.
  • Henry A. Hughes, physician.

Results

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Democratic primary results [2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George W. P. Hunt 5,241 53.85%
Democratic Thomas Weedin 3,532 36.29%
Democratic Henry A. Hughes 960 9.86%
Total votes 9,733 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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  • Edmund W. Wells, former Associate Justice of Arizona Territorial Supreme Court and former Attorney General of Arizona Territory
  • George U. Young

Results

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Republican primary results [2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Edmund W. Wells 3,051 60.58%
Republican George U. Young 1,985 39.42%
Total votes 5,036 100.00%

General election

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Results

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Arizona gubernatorial election, 1911[3][4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George W. P. Hunt 11,123 51.46%
Republican Edmund W. Wells 9,166 42.41%
Socialist P. W. Gallentine 1,247 5.77%
Prohibition T. W. Otis 79 0.36%
Majority 1,957 9.05%
Total votes 21,615 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican

Results by county

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County George W. P. Hunt
Democratic
Edmund W. Wells
Republican
P. W. Gallentine
Socialist
T. W. Otis
Prohibition
Margin Total votes cast[3]
# % # % # % # % # %
Apache 265 41.93% 358 56.65% 8 1.27% 1 0.16% -93 -14.72% 632
Cochise 2,017 53.96% 1,458 39.00% 250 6.69% 13 0.35% 559 14.95% 3,738
Coconino 284 40.34% 403 57.24% 15 2.13% 2 0.28% -119 -16.90% 704
Gila 1,068 58.23% 545 29.72% 218 11.89% 3 0.16% 523 28.52% 1,834
Graham 645 55.65% 403 34.77% 111 9.58% 0 0.00% 242 20.88% 1,159
Greenlee 600 53.38% 464 41.28% 60 5.34% 0 0.00% 136 12.10% 1,124
Maricopa 2,272 51.38% 1,969 44.53% 142 3.21% 39 0.88% 303 6.85% 4,422
Mohave 359 56.71% 152 24.01% 120 18.96% 2 0.32% 207 32.70% 633
Navajo 333 45.99% 385 53.18% 5 0.69% 1 0.14% -52 -7.18% 724
Pima 879 48.19% 911 49.95% 29 1.59% 5 0.27% -32 -1.75% 1,824
Pinal 364 48.02% 353 46.57% 39 5.15% 2 0.26% 11 1.45% 758
Santa Cruz 307 54.14% 237 41.80% 23 4.06% 0 0.00% 70 12.35% 567
Yavapai 1,084 44.68% 1,175 48.43% 157 6.47% 10 0.41% -91 -3.75% 2,426
Yuma 646 60.37% 353 32.99% 70 6.54% 1 0.09% 293 27.38% 1,070
Totals 11,123 51.46% 9,166 42.41% 1,247 5.77% 79 0.37% 1,957 9.05% 21,615

References

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  1. ^ Goff 1973, p. 48.
  2. ^ a b "Official Returns of Primary Election, October 24, 1911". Arizona Secretary of State. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Official Returns for General Election, December 12, 1911". Arizona Secretary of State. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  4. ^ "Official Vote On State Officers". Chronicling America. The Coconino Sun. February 9, 1912. Retrieved July 11, 2024.

Bibliography

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  • Goff, John S. (1973). "Creation of the State of Arizona". George W. P. Hunt and his Arizona. Phoenix: Socio-Technical Publications. p. 48.