Election for the governorship of the U.S. state of Indiana
For related races, see 1972 United States gubernatorial elections.
1972 Indiana gubernatorial election
← 1968
November 7, 1972
1976 →
Nominee
Otis Bowen
Matthew E. Welsh
Party
Republican
Democratic
Popular vote
1,203,903
900,489
Percentage
56.77%
42.46%
County results Bowen: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Welsh: 40–50% 50–60%
Governor before election
Edgar Whitcomb
Republican
Elected Governor
Otis Bowen
Republican
Elections in Indiana
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v
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v
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The 1972 Indiana gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1972.
Although during the same election cycle Indiana voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing the governor to serve in office for eight out of 12 years, incumbent Republican Governor Edgar Whitcomb was term-limited due to having been elected under the prior version of the constitution.[1][2][3]
Republican nominee, Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives Otis Bowen defeated Democratic nominee Former Governor (1961-1965) Matthew E. Welsh with 56.77% of the vote.
^"Indiana Governor Term Limits, Amendment 2 (1972)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
^"World War II Hero, Former Indiana Governor Edgar Whitcomb Dead At 98". www.wfyi.org. WFYI: Indianapolis' Public Radio, TV & News Station. February 4, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
^Cole, Ryan (February 6, 2016). "A Politician Who Was His Own Man: Edgar Whitcomb, R.I.P." www.nationalreview.com. National Review. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
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