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 were held on May 6, 1972.
22.8% of the voting age population participated in the Democratic primary.
4.9% of the voting age population participated in the Republican primary.
Major party candidates
Other candidates