1954 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

The 1954 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1954. Republican governor Christian Herter was re-elected, defeating Democrat Robert F. Murphy, Socialist Labor candidate Lawrence Gilfedder, and Prohibition candidate Guy S. Williams.

1954 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

November 2, 1954

Nominee Christian A. Herter Robert F. Murphy Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 985,339 910,087 Percentage 51.76% 47.80%

Herter:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Murphy:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Christian A. Herter Republican Elected Governor Christian A. Herter Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Francis E. Kelly, former Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General
• Robert F. Murphy, State Representative from Malden and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives

Results

Democratic gubernatorial primary, 1954

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert F. Murphy	254,996	70.27%
	Democratic	Francis E. Kelly	107,861	29.73%

General election

Results

Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 1954

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Christian A. Herter (incumbent)	985,339	51.76%
	Democratic	Robert F. Murphy	910,087	47.80%
	Socialist Labor	Lawrence Gilfedder	5,766	0.30%
	Prohibition	Guy S. Williams	2,579	0.14%

See also

• 1953–1954 Massachusetts legislature

References

Hayden, Irving N.; Grove, Lawrence R. (1955). A Manual for the Use of the General Court for 1955–1956. Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Company. pp. 298–99. Retrieved September 23, 2010.