townsend's mother placed his name in nomination for governor at the 1936 democratic state convention. his nomination though, was a tough battle. the democratic party was split between three strong faction, with mcnutt supporting townsend, powerful senator sherman minton supporting pleas greenlee, and the chairman of the state party supporting kirk mckinney. the fight at the convention was bitter, and a fist fight broke out before the final vote took place. in the end mcnutt's control over the party machine determine the nomination in favor of townsend. the popular mcnutt campaigned heavily on townsend's behalf in the general election. republicans again made gains in the general assembly, but democrat kept the majority and townsend won the election, defeating republican raymond springer by over 180,000 votes.