1996 Montana gubernatorial election
November 5, 1996
Turnout70.60%Decrease8.30[1]
 
Nominee Marc Racicot Judy Jacobson (replacing Chet Blaylock)
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Judy Martz Judy Jacobson
Popular vote 320,768 84,407
Percentage 79.2% 20.8%
County results
Racicot:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Governor before election

Marc Racicot
Republican

 Elected Governor

Marc Racicot
Republican

The 1996 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1996. Incumbent Governor of Montana Marc Racicot, who was first elected in 1992, ran for re-election. After winning the Republican primary against a conservative activist, he moved on to the general election, where he was set to face Chet Blaylock, a former State Senator and the Democratic nominee. However, on October 23, 1996, Blaylock died of a heart attack, and the Montana Democratic Party selected his running mate, State Senator Judy Jacobson, to replace him, and she therefore became both the gubernatorial nominee and the lieutenant gubernatorial nominee.[2] Ultimately, Racicot defeated Jacobson in a landslide to win re-election to his second and final term as governor. As of 2023, this is the last time that the winning gubernatorial nominee carried all counties in Montana. This election was the only time since 1956 that an incumbent Republican Governor of Montana was re-elected or won re-election. As of 2023, this is the last time that an incumbent Republican Governor of Montana was re-elected or won re-election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic Party primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chet Blaylock 55,120 74.61
Democratic Bob Kelleher 18,761 25.39
Total votes 73,881 100.00

Note: Following Blaylock's death, Judy Jacobson, his running mate, was selected to replace him on the ballot as the Democratic nominee.[2]

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Marc Racicot (incumbent) 92,644 76.37
Republican Rob Natelson 28,672 23.63
Total votes 121,316 100.00

General election

Results

Montana gubernatorial election, 1996[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Marc Racicot (incumbent) 320,768 79.17% +27.82%
Democratic Judy Jacobson 84,407 20.83% -27.82%
Majority 236,361 58.34% +55.64%
Turnout 405,175
Republican hold Swing

References

  1. ↑ "Montana Voter Turnout". Montana Secretary of State. February 22, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Dems Select Jacobson To Run For Governor". The Spokesman-Review. October 29, 1996. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "1996 Statewide Primary Canvass - June 4, 2000" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 28, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  4. ↑ "1996 Statewide General Canvass - November 5, 1996" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 28, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
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