The 1932 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1932. Incumbent Republican Governor Philip La Follette was defeated in the Republican primary, and in the midst of the Great Depression and nationwide voter dissatisfaction with the Republican Party, Democratic nominee Albert G. Schmedeman defeated Republican nominee Walter J. Kohler Sr. and Socialist nominee Frank Metcalfe with 52.48% of the vote. Schmedeman became the first Democrat to win a gubernatorial election in Wisconsin since George Wilbur Peck in 1892. 2 years later, in 1934, La Follette would run for governor again and defeated Schmedeman, this time running with the Progressive Party.
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
County results Schmedeman: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Kohler: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
As of 2022, this marks the last occasion that Waupaca, Shawano, and Juneau counties have voted Democratic in a gubernatorial election.
Primary elections
editPrimary elections were held on September 20, 1932.
Democratic primary
editCandidates
edit- Leo P. Fox, Democratic nominee for Wisconsin's 6th congressional district in 1920 and for lieutenant governor in 1928
- William B. Rubin, attorney[1]
- Albert G. Schmedeman, mayor of Madison and Democratic nominee for governor in 1928
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Albert G. Schmedeman | 58,098 | 44.04 | |
Democratic | William B. Rubin | 44,556 | 33.77 | |
Democratic | Leo P. Fox | 29,276 | 22.19 | |
Total votes | 131,930 | 100.00 |
Republican primary
editCandidates
edit- Walter J. Kohler, Sr., former Governor
- Philip La Follette, incumbent Governor
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Walter J. Kohler, Sr. | 414,575 | 56.45 | |
Republican | Philip La Follette (incumbent) | 319,884 | 43.55 | |
Total votes | 734,459 | 100.00 |
Socialist primary
editCandidates
edit- Frank Metcalfe, nominee for governor in 1930
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Socialist | Frank Metcalfe | 31,836 | 100.00 | |
Total votes | 31,836 | 100.00 |
Prohibition primary
editCandidates
edit- Adolph R. Bucknam, Prohibition nominee for U.S. Senate in 1922 and for governor in 1924 and 1928
- William C. Dean, Prohibition nominee for governor in 1918
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Prohibition | William C. Dean | 717 | 53.79 | |
Prohibition | Adolph R. Bucknam | 616 | 46.21 | |
Total votes | 1,333 | 100.00 |
General election
editCandidates
editMajor party candidates
- Albert G. Schmedeman, Democratic
- Walter J. Kohler Sr., Republican
Other candidates
- Fred B. Blair, Communist, nominee for governor in 1930
- William C. Dean, Prohibition
- Frank Metcalfe, Socialist
- Joseph Ehrhardt, Socialist Labor, nominee for governor in 1928
Results
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Albert G. Schmedeman | 590,114 | 52.48% | ||
Republican | Walter J. Kohler Sr. | 470,805 | 41.87% | ||
Socialist | Frank Metcalfe | 56,965 | 5.07% | ||
Prohibition | William C. Dean | 3,148 | 0.28% | ||
Communist | Fred Basset Blair | 2,926 | 0.26% | ||
Socialist Labor | Joseph Ehrhardt | 398 | 0.04% | ||
Scattering | 146 | 0.01% | |||
Majority | 119,309 | 10.61% | |||
Turnout | 1,124,502 | 100.00% | |||
Democratic gain from Republican | Swing |
References
edit- ^ "Rubin To Pay Visit In City". The Rhinelander Daily News. Rhinelander, Wisconsin. August 24, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Wisconsin Blue Book 1933, p. 515.
- ^ "WI Governor, 1932 - D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ "WI Governor, 1932 - R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ "WI Governor, 1932 - PRB Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 87.
- ^ "WI Governor, 1932". Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
- ^ Wisconsin Blue Book 1933, p. 533.
Bibliography
edit- Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.
- Witte, Edwin E.; Kelly, Alice, eds. (1933). The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1933. Madison, Wisconsin: Democrat Printing Company, State Printer.