John W. Bonner Democratic J. Hugo Aronson Republican The 1952 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1952.

Incumbent Governor of Montana John W. Bonner, who was first elected governor in 1948, ran for re-election.

He was unopposed in the Democratic primary and moved on to the general election, where he was opposed by J. Hugo Aronson, a State Senator and the Republican nominee.

A close election ensued, with Aronson narrowly defeating Bonner to win the first of his two terms as governor.