1971 Kentucky gubernatorial election
The 1971 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1971. Incumbent Republican Louie B. Nunn, was ineligible for a second term due to term limits, a rule that was later repealed in 1992.
In the Democratic primary, Lieutenant Governor Wendell H. Ford ran against former Governor Bert T. Combs and 6 other opponents. Ford would win in an easy victory that wasn't expected. In the Republican primary, Thomas Emberton easily won his primary and was endorsed by Governor Nunn.
In the general election, Ford and Emberton were joined by former Governor A. B. "Happy" Chandler, running as an Independent, as well as American Party candidate William Smith. The Republicans had hoped that Chandler would help Emberton's chances, but Ford eventually won the general election.Republican primary
Results
