Arch A. Moore Jr. Republican Arch A. Moore Jr. Republican The 1972 West Virginia gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1972, to elect the governor of West Virginia.

Incumbent governor Arch A. Moore, Jr. successfully ran for reelection to a second term.

Both the primaries and general election were held in the aftermath of the Buffalo Creek flood and a movement to abolish strip mining in the state.

Democratic nominee Jay Rockefeller campaigned on a proposal to abolish strip mining entirely if elected.

This West Virginia elections-related article is a stub.