the 1952 montana gubernatorial election took place on november 4, 1952. incumbent governor of montana john w. bonner, who was first elected governor in 1948, ran for re-election. he was unopposed in the democratic primary and moved on to the general election, where he was opposed by j. hugo aronson, a state senator and the republican nominee. a close election ensued, with aronson narrowly defeating bonner to win the first of his two terms as governor.