1974 United States gubernatorial elections

1974 United States gubernatorial elections

← 1973 November 5, 1974 1975 →
37 governorships 35 states; 2 territories
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic Republican Seats before 32 18 Seats after 36 13 Seat change 4 5 Seats up 23 12 Seats won 27 7   Third party   Party Independent Seats before 0 Seats after 1 Seat change 1 Seats up 0 Seats won 1
Republican hold   Republican gain   Democratic hold   Democratic gain   Independent gain

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 5, 1974, in 35 states and two territories. The Democrats achieved a net gain of four seats, Republicans took a net loss of five seats, and one Independent was elected to the governorship of a state. This election coincided with the Senate and the House elections.

In Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas, governors were elected to four-year terms for the first time, instead of two-year terms. As of 2024, this is the last time that a Democrat was elected South Dakota governor. This is the first time a woman has been elected governor whose husband was not governor of any state. (In this case, Connecticut.)