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1974 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

The 1974 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1974. Democrat Patrick Lucey won the election with 53% of the vote, winning his second term as Governor of Wisconsin and defeating Republican William Dyke.

As of 2025, this is the last time a Democratic gubernatorial candidate won Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties. These three counties, collectively known as the WOW counties, have been among the most Republican areas in the state since the 1940s. It is also the last time a Democratic gubernatorial candidate carried Calumet and Marinette counties.

Primary election

The primary election was held on September 10, 1974. Nominees for governor and lieutenant governor were selected in separate primaries before running on a joint ticket in the general election.

Democratic party

Governor

Candidates
  • Edmond Hou-Seye, American party nominee for United States Senate in 1970
  • Patrick J. Lucey, incumbent governor
Results

Lieutenant governor

Candidates
Results

Republican party

Governor

Candidates
Results

Lieutenant Governor

Candidates
Results

American party

Governor

Candidates
  • William H. Upham
Results

Lieutenant Governor

Candidates
  • Donald D. Hoeft
Results

General election

Candidates

  • Patrick J. Lucey & Martin J. Schreiber, Democrat
  • William Dyke & John M. Alberts, Republican
  • William H. Upham & Donald D. Hoeft, American
  • Crazy Jim & Gary C. Wetzel, Independent
  • William O. Hart & Fred Dahir, Independent
  • Fred B. Blair & Mary K. Blair, Independent
  • Georgia Cozzini & David Hornung, Independent

Results

Results by county

Lucey was the first Democrat since Albert G. Schmedeman in 1934 to win Outagamie County, Ozaukee County, Sawyer County, and Waukesha County. Adams County, Jackson County, and Oneida County would not vote for the losing candidate again until 2018.

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

Notes

References