C. Douglass Buck Republican Richard McMullen Democratic The 1936 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1936.

Incumbent Republican Governor C. Douglass Buck was barred from seeking re-election to a third term, creating an open race.

A challenging contest developed on the Republican side to succeed Buck, with Harry L. Cannon, former State Senator I. Dolphus Short and Assistant Motor Vehicle Commissioner George S. Williams all emerging as frontrunners.

[3] On the Democratic side, a close contest developed among former Wilmington City Councilman Richard McMullen and attorneys Edward W. Cooch and Henry Isaacs.

[4] McMullen ultimately won the nomination on the first ballot at the state convention, and was quickly endorsed by his opponents.