1971 Kentucky gubernatorial election

1971 Kentucky gubernatorial election

November 2, 1971

Nominee Wendell Ford Thomas Emberton Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 470,420 412,653 Percentage 50.56% 44.35%

Ford:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Emberton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Louie Nunn Republican Elected Governor Wendell Ford Democratic

The 1971 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1971. Incumbent Republican Louie Nunn, was ineligible for a second term due to term limits, a rule that was later repealed in 1992.

In the Democratic primary, Lieutenant Governor Wendell Ford ran against former Governor Bert Combs and 6 other opponents. Ford would win in an easy victory that wasn't expected. In the Republican primary, Thomas Emberton easily won his primary and was endorsed by Governor Nunn.

In the general election, Ford and Emberton were joined by former Governor A. B. "Happy" Chandler, running as an Independent, as well as American Party candidate William Smith. The Republicans had hoped that Chandler would help Emberton's chances, but Ford ultimately won the general election. As of 2022, this is the last time that the Republican candidate has won Jefferson County.

Democratic primary

Kentucky Democratic Party primary, May 25, 1971

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wendell H. Ford	237,815	53.01
	Democratic	Bert T. Combs	195,678	43.61
	Democratic	William Shires	3,934	0.88
	Democratic	John E. Knipper	3,128	0.70
	Democratic	Earl R. McIntosh	2,496	0.56
	Democratic	Robert McCreary Johnson	2,049	0.46
	Democratic	Jesse N. R. Cecil	1,838	0.41
	Democratic	Wilton Benge Cupp	1,729	0.39

Republican primary

Kentucky Republican Party Primary, May 25, 1971

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Thomas Emberton	84,863	84.07
	Republican	Reid Martin	6,379	6.32
	Republican	Thurman Jerome Hamlin	5,469	5.42
	Republican	Samuel Prather	4,234	4.19

Results

General Election November 2, 1971

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wendell H. Ford	470,420	50.56
	Republican	Thomas Emberton	412,653	44.35
	Independent	A.B. "Happy" Chandler	39,493	4.24
	American	William Smith	7,924	0.85
	Democratic gain from Republican