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| Elections in Delaware |
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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.[1] On the Republican side, Wilmington Mayor Walter W. Bacon was nominated by the Republican Party for Governor.[2]
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%.
- ^ Wilson, W. Emerson (October 19, 1940). "Governor Quits Race; Marvel to Run: M'Mullen's Illness Forces Withdrawal from Party Ticket". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. pp. 1, 4. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ "G. O. P. Keynote Hits Democrats in Delaware As 'Do Nothing' Party". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. August 21, 1940. pp. 1, 3. Retrieved June 19, 2021.