In the 1973 Virginia gubernatorial election, incumbent Governor A. Linwood Holton, Jr., a Republican, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. Mills E. Godwin, Jr., former Democratic Governor of Virginia, was nominated by the Republican Party to run against Independent Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Henry Howell. The Democrats did not field a candidate, mostly choosing to support Howell's candidacy.

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1973 Virginia gubernatorial election

← 1969 November 6, 1973 1977 →

Nominee Mills Godwin Henry Howell Party Republican Independent Popular vote 525,075 510,103 Percentage 50.7% 49.3%

County and independent city results Godwin:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Howell:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Linwood Holton Republican Elected Governor Mills Godwin Republican

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This was the last time until 2013 in which a member of the incumbent President's party was elected Governor of Virginia. It was also the last time a non-Democrat won the city of Alexandria.