1960 Michigan gubernatorial election

1960 Michigan gubernatorial election

November 8, 1960
Turnout41.62%
 
Nominee John B. Swainson Paul Douglas Bagwell
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,643,634 1,602,022
Percentage 50.48% 49.20%

County results
Swainson:      50–60%      60–70%
Bagwell:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election

G. Mennen Williams
Democratic

Elected Governor

John B. Swainson
Democratic

The 1960 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1960. Democratic nominee John B. Swainson narrowly defeated Republican nominee Paul Douglas Bagwell with 50.48% of the vote.

As of 2026, this remains the last time the elected Governor of Michigan was a member of the same party as the outgoing Governor. In this case, both Swainson and outgoing Governor G. Mennen “Soapy” Williams were Democrats.