1940 Delaware gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1940 United States gubernatorial elections.

1940 Delaware gubernatorial election

November 5, 1940

GOP Dem Nominee Walter W. Bacon Josiah Marvel Jr. Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 70,629 61,237 Percentage 52.39% 45.42%

County results Bacon:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election Richard McMullen Republican Elected Governor Walter W. Bacon Democratic

The 1940 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1940. Incumbent Democratic Governor Richard McMullen originally ran for re-election to a second term, and was renominated by the Democratic Party. However, less than a month before the election, McMullen suffered a heart attack and he dropped out of the race. The state party named Secretary of State Josiah Marvel Jr., as McMullen's replacement on the ballot. On the Republican side, Wilmington Mayor Walter W. Bacon was nominated by the Republican Party for Governor.

Ultimately, even as President Franklin D. Roosevelt was handily winning Delaware en route to re-election nationwide, and as Democratic Senator James M. Tunnell was narrowly winning re-election, Bacon defeated Marvel by a decisive margin to regain the governorship for the Republican Party. Bacon received 52% of the vote to Marvel's 45%.

General election

1940 Delaware gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Walter W. Bacon	70,629	52.39%	+9.82%
	Democratic	Josiah Marvel Jr.	61,237	45.42%	-4.94%
	Liberal Democratic	Ivan Culbertson	2,958	2.19%	—
Majority			9,392	6.97%	-0.82%
Turnout			134,824	100.00%
	Republican gain from Democratic