The Democratic
primary election was held on 26 July 1930. As no candidate won a majority of votes, there was a
run-off on 23 August 1930 between the two highest ranking candidates former
Governor of TexasMiriam A. Ferguson and
Ross S. Sterling. Sterling would eventually win the primary with 55.19% against Ferguson.
The
Socialist Party nominated Lee Lightfoot Rhodes for a second consecutive time (and fourth time overall) as did the
Communist Party with their nominee J. Stedham, after their shared election loss in the
1928 Texas gubernatorial election. On election day, 4 November 1930,
Democratic nominee
Ross S. Sterling won the election by a margin of 190,514 votes against his foremost opponent
Republican nominee William E. Talbot, thereby retaining Democratic control over the office of Governor. Sterling was sworn in as the 31st Governor of
Texas on 20 January 1931.[3]