1950 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

The 1950 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1950.

1950 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

November 7, 1950

Nominee Walter J. Kohler Jr. Carl W. Thompson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 605,649 525,319 Percentage 53.21% 46.16%

County Results Kohler:      50–60%      60–70%      70-80% Thompson:      50–60%

Governor before election Oscar Rennebohm Republican Elected Governor Walter J. Kohler Jr. Republican

Incumbent Republican Governor Oscar Rennebohm did not seek a third term.

Republican nominee Walter J. Kohler Jr. defeated Democratic nominee Carl W. Thompson with 53.21% of the vote.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 19, 1950.

Candidates

• Charles P. Greene, former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly[1]
• Carl W. Thompson, Democratic candidate for Governor in 1948

Results

Democratic primary results[2][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Carl W. Thompson	130,745	78.05
	Democratic	Charles P. Greene	36,777	21.95
Total votes			167,522	100.00

Candidates

• Walter J. Kohler Jr., businessman
• Leonard Schmitt, lawyer[4]

Results

Republican primary results[5][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Walter J. Kohler Jr.	272,139	64.42
	Republican	Leonard Schmitt	150,315	35.58
Total votes			422,454	100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• Carl W. Thompson, Democratic
• Walter J. Kohler Jr., Republican

Other candidates

• Michael Essin, People's Progressive, candidate for Attorney General in 1948
• William O. Hart, Socialist, candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 1948

Results

1950 Wisconsin gubernatorial election[6][7][8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Walter J. Kohler Jr.	605,649	53.21%
	Democratic	Carl W. Thompson	525,319	46.16%
	People's Progressive	Michael Essin	3,735	0.33%
	Socialist	William O. Hart	3,384	0.30%
	Scattering		61	0.01%
Majority			80,330	7.05%
Turnout			1,138,148	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing

References

1. Ohm, Howard F.; Kuehn, Hazel L., eds. (1946). The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1946. State of Wisconsin. p. 53.
2. "WI Governor, 1950 - D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
3. Wisconsin Blue Book 1952, p. 669.
4. "Leonard Schmitt, 88; Challenged McCarthy". New York Times. New York, NY. 14 April 1991. p. 30. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
5. "WI Governor, 1950 - R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
6. Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 87.
7. "WI Governor, 1950". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
8. Wisconsin Blue Book 1952, p. 739.

Bibliography

• Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.
• Toepel, M. G.; Kuehn, Hazel L., eds. (1952). The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1952. State of Wisconsin.