1932 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
November 8, 1932
 
Nominee Albert G. Schmedeman Walter J. Kohler Sr. Frank Metcalfe
Party Democratic Republican Socialist
Popular vote 590,114 470,805 56,965
Percentage 52.48% 41.87% 5.07%
County results
Schmedeman:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Kohler:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election

Philip La Follette
Republican

 Elected Governor

Albert G. Schmedeman
Democratic

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.

As of 2022, this marks the last occasion that Waupaca, Shawano, and Juneau counties have voted Democratic in a gubernatorial election.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 20, 1932.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results[2][3]
Party 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

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[2][4]
Party 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

Candidates

Results

Socialist primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Socialist Frank Metcalfe 31,836 100.00
Total votes 31,836 100.00

Prohibition primary

Candidates

  • 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

Prohibition primary results[2][5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Prohibition William C. Dean 717 53.79
Prohibition Adolph R. Bucknam 616 46.21
Total votes 1,333 100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

Other candidates

Results

1932 Wisconsin gubernatorial election[6][7][8]
Party 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

  1. ↑ "Rubin To Pay Visit In City". The Rhinelander Daily News. Rhinelander, Wisconsin. August 24, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Wisconsin Blue Book 1933, p. 515.
  3. ↑ "WI Governor, 1932 - D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  4. ↑ "WI Governor, 1932 - R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  5. ↑ "WI Governor, 1932 - PRB Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  6. ↑ Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 87.
  7. ↑ "WI Governor, 1932". Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  8. ↑ Wisconsin Blue Book 1933, p. 533.

Bibliography

  • 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.
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