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. Democratic primary 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 Results Republican primary Candidates James Holshouser, State Representative Jim Gardner, former U.S. Representative Leroy Gibson Thomas E. Chappell Results General election Candidates Major party candidates James Holshouser, Republican Skipper Bowles, Democratic Other candidates Arlis F. Pettyjohn, American Results References 1972 North Carolina Gubernatorial