1972 United States gubernatorial elections

1972 United States gubernatorial elections
← 1971 November 7, 1972 1973 →
20 governorships
18 states; 2 territories
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Seats before 30 20
Seats after 31 19
Seat change Increase1 Decrease1
Seats up 10 8
Seats won 11 7
1972 Arkansas gubernatorial election1972 Iowa gubernatorial election1972 Kansas gubernatorial election1972 South Dakota gubernatorial election1972 Texas gubernatorial election1972 Illinois gubernatorial election1972 Rhode Island gubernatorial election1972 Delaware gubernatorial election1972 Indiana gubernatorial election1972 Missouri gubernatorial election1972 Montana gubernatorial election1972 New Hampshire gubernatorial election1972 North Carolina gubernatorial election1972 North Dakota gubernatorial election1972 Utah gubernatorial election1972 Vermont gubernatorial election1972 Washington gubernatorial election1972 West Virginia gubernatorial election
  Republican hold
  Republican gain
  Democratic hold
  Democratic gain

United States gubernatorial elections were held on 7 November 1972 in 18 states and two territories, concurrent with the House, Senate elections and presidential election.

Gubernatorial elections were also held in Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, and Texas. In these states, they were the last elections on a two-year cycle, before switching to a four-year term for governors (see 1970 United States gubernatorial elections for more information).