The Democratic primary election was held on July 23, 1932. As no candidate won a majority of votes, there was a run-off on August 27, 1932, between the two highest ranking candidates former Governor of TexasMiriam A. Ferguson and incumbent Governor of TexasRoss S. Sterling. Ferguson would eventually win the primary with 50.20% against Sterling, which marked the closest primary defeat for an incumbent governor in United States history.[3]
The Republican convention was held on August 9, 1932. In the months leading up to the convention, John F. Grant was seen as the likely nominee but in the days before the event a movement to nominate Orville Bullington began to grow. Bullington had not sought the parties nomination but party leaders thought that he was their strongest candidate and backed him regardless.[12]
Candidates
Orville Bullington, Attorney
John F. Grant, Lumberman
George C. Hopkins, of Dallas
Results
During the convention Grant withdrew his candidacy and Bullington was nominated unanimously. In his convention speech Bullington came out strongly in favor of prohibition and pledged to uphold the Eighteenth Amendment. The Nomination of Bullington temporarily divided the party and R. B. Creager threatened to back Grant if he opposed Bullington. Grant, however, chose not to challenge Bullington, thus avoiding a split.[13][14][15]
General election
Similar to her 1924 campaign, Ferguson's candidacy saw a large number of defections.[16] After his lawsuit to keep Ferguson off of the ballot failed,[17] Democratic incumbent Ross Sterling crossed party lines to endorse Orville Bullington.[18] On election day, November 8, 1932, Democratic nominee Miriam A. Ferguson won re-election by a margin of 204,805 votes against her foremost opponent Republican nominee Orville Bullington, thereby retaining Democratic control over the office of Governor. By contrast, Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated Herbert Hoover by a margin of 662,389 votes in the concurrent presidential election.[19] Ferguson was sworn in as the 32nd Governor of Texas on January 17, 1933.[20]
^Hunter, Ann Cox (April 2, 1981). "1612 Buchanan". Witchita Falls Cultural Resources Survey. Witchita Falls, Texas. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
^"Texas Demos". Brownsville Herald. Brownsville, Texas. July 19, 1932. p. 8. Retrieved July 3, 2024 – via Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers at the Library of Congress.
^"Armstrong Quits". Brownsville Herald. Brownsville, Texas. July 4, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved July 3, 2024 – via Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers at the Library of Congress.
^"Ferguson Campaigning". Brownsville Herald. Brownsville, Texas. May 16, 1932. p. 6. Retrieved July 3, 2024 – via Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers at the Library of Congress.
^"State Races Grow Heated; 2 Weeks Left". Brownsville Herald. Brownsville, Texas. July 11, 1932. p. 6. Retrieved July 3, 2024 – via Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers at the Library of Congress.
^"Texas G.O.P."Henderson Daily News. Henderson, Texas. August 10, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
^"Bullington Is Nominated". The Daily Tribune. Bay City, Texas. August 10, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2024 – via Portal to Texas History.
^"G. O. P. Sentiment Turns From Grant". Brownsville Herald. Brownsville, Texas. August 8, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2024 – via Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers at the Library of Congress.
^"Grant Complains". Brownsville Herald. Brownsville, Texas. August 22, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2024 – via Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers at the Library of Congress.
^Duckworth, Allen (1947). "Democratic Dilemma in Texas". Southwest Review. 32 (1). Southern Methodist University: 34–40. JSTOR43466794.
^Associated Press (October 9, 1932). "Mrs. Ferguson's Name To Go on Dem Ballot". Brownsville Herald. Vol. 41, no. 83. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers at the Library of Congress.
