1940 North Carolina gubernatorial election

The 1940 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1940. Democratic nominee J. Melville Broughton defeated Republican nominee Robert H. McNeill with 75.70% of the vote. == Primary elections == Primary elections were held on May 25, 1940. === Democratic primary === ==== Candidates ==== J. Melville Broughton, former State Senator Wilkins P. Horton, incumbent Lieutenant Governor Allen J. Maxwell Lee Gravely Thomas E. Cooper Paul D. Grady, former State Senator Arthur Simmons ==== Results ==== === Republican primary === ==== Candidates ==== Robert Hayes McNeill, attorney George M. Pritchard, former U.S. Representative John R. Hoffman ==== Results ==== == General election == === Candidates === J. Melville Broughton, Democratic Robert H. McNeill, Republican === Results === == References ==