1948 North Carolina gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1948 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1948 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1948. Democratic nominee W. Kerr Scott defeated Republican nominee George M. Pritchard with 73.16% of the vote. This was the first gubernatorial election in North Carolina where a female appeared on the ballot.

1948 North Carolina gubernatorial election

November 2, 1948

Nominee W. Kerr Scott George M. Pritchard Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 570,995 206,166 Percentage 73.16% 26.41%

County results Scott:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Pritchard:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election R. Gregg Cherry Democratic Elected Governor W. Kerr Scott Democratic

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on May 29, 1948.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• W. Kerr Scott, former North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture
• Charles M. Johnson, North Carolina State Treasurer
• R. Mayne Albright
• Oscar G. Barker
• W.F. Stanley
• Olla Ray Boyd

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Charles M. Johnson	170,141	40.21
	Democratic	W. Kerr Scott	161,293	38.12
	Democratic	R. Mayne Albright	76,281	18.03
	Democratic	Oscar G. Barker	10,871	2.57
	Democratic	W.F. Stanley	2,428	0.57
	Democratic	Olla Ray Boyd	2,111	0.50
Total votes			423,125	100.00

Democratic primary runoff results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	W. Kerr Scott	217,620	54.36
	Democratic	Charles M. Johnson	182,684	45.64
Total votes			400,304	100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• W. Kerr Scott, Democratic
• George M. Pritchard, Republican

Other candidates

• Mary Price, Progressive

Results

1948 North Carolina gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	W. Kerr Scott	570,995	73.16%
	Republican	George M. Pritchard	206,166	26.41%
	Progressive	Mary Price	3,363	0.43%
Majority			364,829
Turnout			780,525
	Democratic hold		Swing