1972 Indiana gubernatorial election

1972 Indiana gubernatorial election

← 1968 November 7, 1972 1976 →
 
Nominee Otis Bowen Matthew E. Welsh
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,203,903 900,489
Percentage 56.77% 42.46%

County results
Bowen:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Welsh:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election

Edgar Whitcomb
Republican

Elected Governor

Otis Bowen
Republican

The 1972 Indiana gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972.

Although during the same election cycle Indiana voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing the governor to serve in office for eight out of 12 years, incumbent Republican Governor Edgar Whitcomb was term-limited due to having been elected under the prior version of the constitution.[1][2][3]

Republican nominee, Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives Otis Bowen defeated Democratic nominee Former Governor (1961-1965) Matthew E. Welsh with 56.77% of the vote.

  1. ^ "Indiana Governor Term Limits, Amendment 2 (1972)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  2. ^ "World War II Hero, Former Indiana Governor Edgar Whitcomb Dead At 98". www.wfyi.org. WFYI: Indianapolis' Public Radio, TV & News Station. February 4, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  3. ^ Cole, Ryan (February 6, 2016). "A Politician Who Was His Own Man: Edgar Whitcomb, R.I.P." www.nationalreview.com. National Review. Retrieved May 9, 2020.