The 1956 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1956. Incumbent Democrat Luther H. Hodges defeated Republican nominee Kyle Hayes with 66.95% of the vote. This election was unusual for North Carolina at the time, in that a sitting Governor ran for another term. The Constitution of North Carolina at the time had a one-term limit for governors, but Hodges, as lieutenant governor, had succeeded William B. Umstead after the latter died in office, and was running for a full four-year term on his own. In 1977, the state's voters approved an amendment to the state constitution permitting the governor to serve two consecutive four-year terms. Primary elections Primary elections were held on May 26, 1956. Democratic primary Candidates Luther H. Hodges, incumbent Governor Thomas B. Sawyer Harry P. Stokely C.E. Earle Jr. Results General election Candidates Luther H. Hodges, Democratic Kyle Hayes, Republican Results References 1956 North Carolina Gubernatorial