1972 North Carolina gubernatorial election

The 1972 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972. Republican nominee James Holshouser defeated Democratic nominee Skipper Bowles with 51% of the vote. Holshouser thus became the first Republican elected governor of the state since 1896.

This election was also the first time in a century (since the 1872 election) that a Republican candidate won an outright majority of the vote.

Primary elections
Primary elections were held on May 6, 1972.

Candidates

 * Skipper Bowles, State Senator
 * Hoyt Patrick Taylor Jr., incumbent Lieutenant Governor
 * Reginald A. Hawkins, civil rights activist and dentist
 * Wilbur Hobby, labor union leader
 * C. Eugene Leggett
 * Zeb V.K. Dickson

Candidates

 * James Holshouser, State Representative
 * Jim Gardner, former U.S. Representative
 * Leroy Gibson
 * Thomas E. Chappell

Candidates
Major party candidates
 * James Holshouser, Republican
 * Skipper Bowles, Democratic

Other candidates
 * Arlis F. Pettyjohn, American