the 1948 montana gubernatorial election took place on november 2, 1948. incumbent governor of montana sam c. ford, who was first elected governor in 1940 and was re-elected in 1944, ran for re-election. he won the republican primary and advanced to the general election, where he faced john w. bonner, the former attorney general of montana and the democratic nominee. ultimately, bonner defeated ford handily in his bid for re-election, winning his first and only term as governor.