The 1954 Iowa gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1954. Republican nominee Leo Hoegh, who had beaten William H. Nicholas for the Republican nomination, defeated Democratic nominee Clyde E. Herring with 51.37% of the vote. On November 21, in the aftermath of Governor-elect Hoegh's election, outgoing Governor William Beardsley died in a car crash, thrusting Lt Governor Leo Elthon to serve as Governor until Hoegh's term began.