1958 South Carolina gubernatorial election

The 1958 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1958 to select the governor of the state of South Carolina. Ernest Hollings won the Democratic primary against rival Donald S. Russell and ran unopposed in the general election becoming the 106th governor.

1958 South Carolina Democratic gubernatorial primary runoff

← 1954 1958 1962 →
 
Nominee Fritz Hollings Donald S. Russell
Party Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 190,691 145,162
Percentage 56.8% 43.2%

County results
Hollings:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%
Russell:      50-60%

Governor before election

George Timmerman
Democratic

Elected Governor

Fritz Hollings
Democratic

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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The South Carolina Democratic Party held their primary for governor in the summer of 1958 and it became a heated contest between Lieutenant Governor Ernest Hollings and the former president of the University of South Carolina, Donald S. Russell. Hollings emerged victorious from the runoff and effectively became the next governor of South Carolina because there was no opposition in the general election.

Democratic Primary
Candidate Votes %
Ernest Hollings 158,159 41.9
Donald S. Russell 132,099 35.0
William C. Johnston 86,981 23.1

Results

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Democratic Primary Runoff
Candidate Votes % ±%
Ernest Hollings 190,691 56.8 +14.9
Donald S. Russell 145,162 43.2 +8.2

General election

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The general election was held on November 4, 1958 and Ernest Hollings was elected the next governor of South Carolina without opposition. Being a non-presidential election and few contested races, turnout was much lower than the Democratic primary election.

South Carolina Gubernatorial Election, 1958
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ernest Hollings 77,714 100.0 0.0
No party Write-Ins 26 0.0 0.0
Majority 77,688 100.0 0.0
Turnout 77,740 14.5
Democratic hold


See also

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References

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  • Jordan, Frank E. The Primary State: A History of the Democratic Party in South Carolina, 1876–1962. pp. 48–49.
  • "Supplemental Report of the Secretary of State to the General Assembly of South Carolina." Reports and Resolutions of South Carolina to the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina. Volume I. Columbia, South Carolina: 1959, p. 8.
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Preceded by
1954
South Carolina gubernatorial elections Succeeded by
1962