1972 West Virginia gubernatorial election

1972 West Virginia gubernatorial election

← 1968 November 7, 1972 1976 →
 
Nominee Arch A. Moore Jr. Jay Rockefeller
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 423,817 350,462
Percentage 54.74% 45.26%

County results
Moore:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Rockefeller:      50–60%

Governor before election

Arch A. Moore Jr.
Republican

Elected Governor

Arch A. Moore Jr.
Republican

The 1972 West Virginia gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1972, to elect the governor of West Virginia. Incumbent governor Arch A. Moore, Jr. successfully ran for reelection to a second term. This was the first time a governor was reelected in state history.

Both the primaries and general election were held in the aftermath of the Buffalo Creek flood and a movement to abolish strip mining in the state. Democratic nominee Jay Rockefeller campaigned on a proposal to abolish strip mining entirely if elected.[1]

  1. ^ Franklin, Ben A. (May 11, 1972). "THE 1972 CAMPAIGN". Retrieved October 17, 2019.