Clarence D. Martin Democratic Arthur B. Langlie Republican The 1940 Washington gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1940.

Langlie's 0.74% margin of victory is the third-closest in state history.

[a] This is the only gubernatorial election in Washington in which King County has voted for the losing candidate.

[1] At the time, Washington used a blanket primary for nominations, with all candidates appearing on the same ballot and the highest candidate for each party being nominated.

Incumbent governor Clarence D. Martin lost the Democratic nomination.