1938 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

none January 2025 September 2023 1938 Wisconsin gubernatorial election Wisconsin 1913 Presidential no 1936 Wisconsin gubernatorial election 1936 1940 Wisconsin gubernatorial election 1940 November 8, 1938 x150px File:Julius P. Heil.jpg Julius P. Heil Republican Party (United States) 543,675 55.39% File:Philip La Follette (1935).jpg Philip La Follette Wisconsin Progressive Party 353,381 36.00% File:Harry W. Bolens (8254105794).jpg Harry W. Bolens Democratic Party (United States) 78,446 7.99% 1938 Wisconsin gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 250px County resultsHeil: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80%La Follette: #87de87 40–50% #5fd35f 50–60% Governor Philip La Follette Wisconsin Progressive Party Julius P. Heil Republican Party (United States) The 1938 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1938. Incumbent Progressive Governor Philip La Follette was defeated by Republican nominee Julius P. Heil. Primary elections were held on September 20, 1938. Background The 1937 special session Despite having a high initial popularity, La Follette's reputation had begun to deteriorate as his governorship ran its course. This all culminated in the disastrous 1937 special session, where La Follette attempted to force through a bill without public debate, and without the normal machinery of the legislative process. The bill, decried by critics as dictatorial, would have, among other things, fundamentally altered the system of checks and balances in Wisconsin by making it so that legislation would be written up by the executive and handed to the legislature to either approve or reject. Alongside this, the session passed through legislation reorganizing the state executive branch to remove redundant agencies to improve efficiency. This had been one of the final blows for the establishment, who had begun to talk of electoral fusion to defeat La Follette. Coalition talks At Oshkosh, a committee was established by members of the Democratic, Republican, Union, and Progressive parties in the hope of defeating La Follette. In their goals they aligned with Robert Kirkland Henry, the former Democratic state treasurer, in that goal. Despite the bipartisan nature of this committee, it was still done in opposition to the leadership of both parties. Due to the nature of the primary system in Wisconsin, one candidate could not officially run under multiple party lines, so instead, the candidate would be required to give up one party to run under another, to the coalition hopefuls, that meant the party of their candidate got the fewest votes in. November 22, 1937 Oshkosh men are active at session of coalitionists https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17834206/oshkosh-northwestern-22-november-1937-p/ 22 April 2021 The Oshkosh Northwestern Oshkosh, Wisconsin 5 Henry stood for both the Democratic and Republican nominations as part of a coalition movement designed to defeat Philip La Follette and the Progressive Party. If he had won both nominations, he intended to decline the nomination of the party in whose primary he received fewest votes. October 3, 1938 Primaries: Wisconsin Obstacle Race https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,760240,00.html 22 April 2021 Time Time Inc. New York City Progressive primary Candidates Nominee Philip La Follette, incumbent Governor Eliminated in primary Glenn P. Turner, Socialist nominee for Attorney General of Wisconsin in 1930 and 1934 Results Progressive primary resultsThe Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library 1940 The Wisconsin Blue Book 1940 Primary Vote For Governor By Counties 536 https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A5YLAAJEI53TTB8Q/full/ACY7BHX4S7NG7S8C Democrat Printing Company Madison, Wisconsinhttps://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=871195 WI Governor, 1938 - PRG Primary Our Campaigns 22 April 2021 Philip La Follette (incumbent) Wisconsin Progressive Party 136,291 80.21% Glenn P. Turner Wisconsin Progressive Party 33,631 19.79% 169,922 100.00% Republican primary Candidates Nominee Julius P. Heil, industrialist October 3, 1938 Democrats Intend To Replace Henry In November Race https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17836451/post-crescent-appleton-3-oct-1938-p1/ 22 April 2021 The Post-Crescent Appleton, Wisconsin 1 Eliminated in primary Robert Kirkland Henry, former Democratic Wisconsin State Treasurer (1933–1937) Clun L. Miller, insurance counsellor September 3, 1938 Miller Has Engine https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/246229062/ 22 April 2021 The Oshkosh Northwestern Oshkosh, Wisconsin 7 James G. Peterson, farmer September 16, 1938 'Beat LaFollette' battle cry rings https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17721636/marshfield-news-herald-wi-16-sep-38-p5/ 22 April 2021 Marshfield News-Herald Marshfield, Wisconsin 5 Results Republican primary resultshttps://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=723372 WI Governor, 1938 - R Primary Our Campaigns 22 April 2021 Julius P. Heil Republican Party (United States) 126,820 55.83% Robert Kirkland Henry Republican Party (United States) 73,348 32.29% James G. Peterson Republican Party (United States) 20,262 8.92% Clun L. Miller Republican Party (United States) 6,729 2.96% 227,159 100.00% Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Robert Kirkland Henry, former Wisconsin State Treasurer (1933–1937) (withdrew) Eliminated in primary Jerome F. Fox, former state representative from Calumet (1931–1935) Edward Ihlenfeldt, unsuccessful candidate for Democratic nomination for Secretary of State of Wisconsin in 1934 Results Democratic primary resultshttps://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=871194 WI Governor, 1938 - D Primary Our Campaigns 22 April 2021 Robert Kirkland Henry Democratic Party (United States) 64,363 51.15% Jerome F. Fox Democratic Party (United States) 50,497 40.13% Edward Ihlenfeldt Democratic Party (United States) 10,984 6.73% 125,844 100.00% Aftermath Henry won the Democratic nomination but lost the Republican nomination to Julius P. Heil. On October 1, 1938, Henry withdrew from the election in favour of Heil. Henry Withdraws In Favor Of Heil https://newspaperarchive.com/la-crosse-tribune-and-leader-press-oct-02-1938-p-1/ La Crosse Tribune And Leader-Press La Crosse, Wisconsin October 2, 1938 1 22 April 2021 On October 7, 1938, the Democratic state central committee met and nominated State Senator Harry W. Bolens, another proponent of a coalition, to replace Henry on the Democratic ticket. Democrats Favor Harry Bolens for Governor Battle https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17834915/post-crescent-appleton-4-oct-38-p1/ The Post-Crescent Appleton, Wisconsin October 4, 1938 1 22 April 2021 Dem Party Is Reinforced; In Contest Again https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/518612707/ The Capital Times Madison, Wisconsin October 8, 1938 3 22 April 2021 Union primary Nominee Frank W. Smith Results Union primary results Frank W. Smith Union Party (United States) 2,553 100.00% 2,553 100.00% General election Candidates Major party candidates Harry W. Bolens, Democratic Julius P. Heil, Republican Philip La Follette, Progressive Other candidates John Schleier Jr., (Independent) Socialist Labor Frank W. Smith, Union Results 1938 Wisconsin gubernatorial electionWisconsin Historical Society, Statement of Board of State Canvassers - Election of State Officers - November 8, 1938The Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library 1940 The Wisconsin Blue Book 1940 Summary Vote For Governor By Counties 606 https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A5YLAAJEI53TTB8Q/full/A7ALEPXASACVMG8W Democrat Printing Company Madison, Wisconsin Republican Party (United States) Julius P. Heil 543,675 55.39% +25.97% Wisconsin Progressive Party Philip La Follette (incumbent) 353,381 36.00% -10.37% Democratic Party (United States) Harry W. Bolens 78,446 7.99% -13.71% Union Party (United States) Frank W. Smith 4,564 0.47% -1.79% #DD051D Socialist Labor"Independent Socialist Labor" John Schleier, Jr. 1,459 0.15% +0.01% ScatteringThese are not listed in the Blue Book but are listed in the Board of Canvassers report. 35 0.00% 190,294 19.39% 981,560 100.00% Republican Party (United States) Wisconsin Progressive Party +36.34% Results by county Iron County voted for the losing candidate for the first time in this election. Adams County, Burnett County, Jackson County, and Washburn County all voted for the losing candidate for the first time since 1892. County Julius P. HeilRepublican Philip La FolletteProgressive Harry W. BolensDemocratic All OthersVarious MarginAll margins are Heil over La Follette Total votes cast # % # % # % # % # %Adams1,18044.13%1,37951.57%1043.89%110.41%-199-7.44%2,674Ashland3,10043.50%3,44748.37%5387.55%420.59%-347-4.87%7,127Barron5,32956.28%3,73339.43%3563.76%500.53%1,59616.86%9,468Bayfield2,19737.83%3,36357.90%2273.91%210.36%-1,166-20.08%5,808Brown11,29051.39%6,73530.66%3,81917.38%1240.56%4,55520.73%21,968Buffalo2,23148.65%2,22548.52%1172.55%130.28%60.13%4,586Burnett1,41739.46%1,96454.69%1764.90%340.95%-547-15.23%3,591Calumet4,15464.17%1,67925.94%6249.64%160.25%2,47538.24%6,473Chippewa7,73363.59%3,94332.42%4573.76%280.23%3,79031.17%12,161Clark3,46964.34%2,90728.91%6005.97%790.79%3,56235.43%10,055Columbia6,35857.00%4,17637.44%6015.39%200.18%2,18219.56%11,155Crawford3,55856.31%1,61025.48%1,02616.24%1251.98%1,94830.83%6,319Dane18,27947.48%18,50848.08%1,6114.18%980.25%-229-0.59%38,496Dodge11,43264.75%4,44425.17%1,7299.79%510.29%6,98839.58%17,656Door3,31868.02%1,26625.95%2515.15%430.88%2,05242.07%4,878Douglas8,42242.93%9,50848.47%1,5157.72%1730.88%-1,086-5.54%19,618Dunn4,93460.97%2,94736.41%1962.42%160.20%1,98724.55%8,093Eau Claire7,11753.57%5,59942.14%5324.00%380.29%1,51811.43%13,286Florence76040.69%97752.30%1115.94%201.07%-217-11.62%1,868Fond du Lac12,25561.76%4,89624.67%2,54412.82%1480.75%7,35937.09%19,843Forest1,68742.09%1,79844.86%49512.35%280.70%-111-2.77%4,008Grant7,35759.55%3,98332.24%9607.77%540.44%3,37427.31%12,354Green4,27055.07%2,98438.48%2513.24%2493.21%1,28616.58%7,754Green Lake3,65767.13%1,14721.05%62411.45%200.37%2,51046.07%5,448Iowa3,47958.46%2,04834.41%4076.84%170.29%1,43124.05%5,951Iron1,77438.67%2,62857.28%1753.81%110.24%-854-18.61%4,588Jackson2,26747.26%2,27447.40%2405.00%160.33%-7-0.15%4,797Jefferson8,32464.07%3,38526.05%1,2449.58%390.30%4,93938.02%12,992Juneau3,80055.50%2,58837.80%4466.51%130.19%1,21217.70%6,847Kenosha10,85347.24%10,18244.32%1,8307.97%1080.47%6712.92%22,973Kewaunee3,97266.01%1,27621.21%73612.23%330.55%2,69644.81%6,017La Crosse10,94659.19%6,62435.82%8924.82%320.17%4,32223.37%18,494Lafayette3,94852.17%2,54833.67%1,05913.99%120.16%1,40018.50%7,567Langlade3,83346.55%3,09137.53%1,26515.36%460.56%7429.01%8,235Lincoln4,35654.15%3,30941.13%3374.19%430.53%1,04713.01%8,045Manitowoc10,39152.76%6,99735.53%1,9559.93%3501.78%3,39417.23%19,693Marathon12,31057.85%7,19833.83%1,6437.72%1270.60%5,11224.02%21,278Marinette6,37056.78%3,65732.60%1,14910.24%420.37%2,71324.18%11,218Marquette2,35570.15%73321.83%2627.80%70.21%1,62248.32%3,357Milwaukee118,61751.94%87,91638.50%20,2728.88%1,5750.69%30,70113.44%228,380Monroe5,52959.07%3,47837.16%3333.56%200.21%2,05121.91%9,360Oconto4,80052.67%3,16934.77%1,08711.93%580.64%1,63117.90%9,114Oneida3,30347.13%3,26146.53%4005.71%450.64%420.60%7,009Outagamie12,36563.40%4,65823.88%2,03110.41%4502.31%7,70739.51%19,504Ozaukee4,14363.52%1,46422.45%88413.55%310.48%2,67941.08%6,522Pepin1,49459.52%86934.62%1455.78%20.08%62524.90%2,510Pierce3,24951.38%2,77043.80%2293.62%761.20%4797.57%6,324Polk3,32344.59%3,87652.01%2172.91%370.50%-553-7.42%7,453Portage5,24346.06%4,06835.73%2,02417.78%490.43%1,17510.32%11,384Price3,42752.30%2,66440.65%4236.46%390.60%76311.64%6,553Racine16,76452.01%12,85039.86%2,5167.81%1050.33%3,91412.14%32,235Richland4,25073.01%1,27621.92%2834.86%120.21%2,97451.09%5,821Rock15,61259.68%9,05134.60%1,4545.56%410.16%6,56125.08%26,158Rusk3,01156.31%1,99737.35%3145.87%250.47%1,01418.96%5,347Sauk6,65458.71%4,22737.29%4343.83%190.17%2,42721.41%11,334Sawyer2,13152.72%1,46536.24%43910.86%70.17%66616.48%4,042Shawano5,51858.29%3,42236.15%4895.17%370.39%2,09622.14%9,466Sheboygan14,61666.31%3,70516.81%3,41815.51%3041.38%10,91149.50%22,043St. Croix3,83647.06%3,54343.47%6998.58%730.90%2933.59%8,151Taylor2,76245.56%2,79246.06%4547.49%540.89%-30-0.49%6,062Trempealeau3,50248.87%3,16844.21%4796.68%170.24%3344.66%7,166Vernon5,32760.34%3,23436.63%2492.82%190.22%2,09323.71%8,829Vilas2,04752.33%1,54839.57%3067.82%110.28%49912.76%3,912Walworth8,21174.66%2,20320.03%5635.12%210.19%6,00845.63%10,998Washburn1,88045.45%2,08150.31%1603.87%150.36%-201-4.86%4,136Washington7,59470.38%2,35621.84%7937.35%470.44%5,23848.54%10,790Waukesha15,36371.55%5,19824.21%8614.01%490.23%10,16547.34%21,471Waupaca7,50264.41%3,72031.94%3853.31%400.34%3,78232.47%11,647Waushara3,59269.06%1,44927.86%1502.88%100.19%2,14341.20%5,201Winnebago14,02060.40%6,84529.49%2,0838.97%2641.14%7,17530.91%23,212Wood6,50851.30%5,30241.79%7686.05%1090.86%1,2069.51%12,687Total543,67555.39%353,38136.00%78,4467.99%6,0580.62%190,29419.39%981,560 Counties that flipped from Progressive to Republican Barron Brown Buffalo Calumet Clark Columbia Crawford Door Dunn Eau Claire Grant Green Iowa Jefferson Juneau Kenosha Kewaunee La Crosse Lafayette Langlade Lincoln Manitowoc Marathon Marinette Milwaukee Monroe Oconto Oneida Outagamie Ozaukee Pepin Pierce Portage Price Racine Rusk Sauk Sawyer Shawano St. Croix Trempealeau Vernon Vilas Washington Waukesha Waupaca Wood Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Dodge Sheboygan Notes References Bibliography Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997 Washington, D.C. Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998 1-56802-396-0 Congressional Quarterly 1998 Ohm Howard F. Bryhan Leone G. 1940 The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1940 http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1940 State of Wisconsin Wisconsin Blue Book 1940 1938 Wisconsin Gubernatorial Category:November 1938 in the United States