1962 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

none January 2025 September 2023 1962 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election Pennsylvania presidential 1962 11 6 no 1958 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election 1958 1966 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election 1966 William Scranton (PA).png Bill Scranton Ray Shafer Republican Party (United States) 2,424,918 55.39% Richardson Dilworth 1947 Edit.jpg Richardson Dilworth Stephen McCann Democratic Party (United States) 1,938,627 44.28% 1962 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 260px County results Scranton: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% Dilworth: #7996e2 50–60% Governor David Lawrence Democratic Party (United States) Bill Scranton Republican Party (United States) The 1962 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election was held on November 6. Republican Bill Scranton and Democrat Richardson Dilworth, each a member of a powerful political family, faced off in a bitter campaign. Democratic primary Candidates Richardson Dilworth, Mayor of Philadelphia Harvey Johnston, McKees Rocks real estate agent Charles Schmitt Both endorsed candidates easily defeated their primary opposition. Dilworth faced only token candidates, led by McKees Rocks real estate agent Harvey Johnston. Results thumb|center|Democratic primary results #7996E2 Dilworth #7996E2 50%–60% #6674DE 60%–70% #584CDE 70%–80% #3933E5 80%–90% Pennsylvania gubernatorial Democratic primary election, 19621964 The Pennsylvania Manual Harrisburg Pennsylvania Department of Property and Supplies 528 Democratic Party (United States) Richardson Dilworth 650,692 73.06 Democratic Party (United States) Harvey Johnston 143,160 16.07 Democratic Party (United States) Charles Schmitt 96,834 10.87 890,686 100.00 Republican primary Candidates Collins McSparran, president of the Pennsylvania Grange and son of John McSparran Bill Scranton, U.S. Representative from Dalton Scranton was challenged by Collins McSparran of Lancaster County. McSparran, who was the son of former gubernatorial candidate John McSparran, was the president of the state branch of The Grange, and had a small but vocal base in farming interests. Results thumb|center|Republican primary results #E27F7F Scranton #E27F7F 50%–60% #D75D5D 60%–70% #D72F30 70%–80% #C21B18 80%–90% #A80000 90%–100% #FFB380 McSparran #FFB380 50%–60% #FF9955 60%–70% Pennsylvania gubernatorial Republican primary election, 19621964 The Pennsylvania Manual Harrisburg Pennsylvania Department of Property and Supplies 529 Republican Party (United States) Bill Scranton 743,785 78.06 Republican Party (United States) Collins McSparran 209,041 21.94 952,826 100.00 General elections Candidates Richardson Dilworth, Mayor of Philadelphia (Democratic) Running mate: Stephen McCann, State Representative from Carmichaels Bill Scranton, U.S. Representative from Dalton (Republican) Running mate: Ray Shafer, State Senator from Meadville George Taylor (Socialist Labor) Running mate: Benson Perry Campaign After John F. Kennedy received a relatively large win in the state in 1960, combined with a poor showing in the previous year's municipal elections, Republicans attempted to cast themselves in a moderate light and thus chose the rising star Scranton, a so-called "Kennedy Republican" for his socially liberal viewpoints, as their nominee. Scranton, whose only prior elected position was a two-year term in Congress, was immediately attacked for his inexperience. However, Scranton's positions or credentials were rarely the focal point of the election; rather the race was seen as a referendum on Dilworth, a former nominee for this same office, who was serving as the controversial Mayor of Philadelphia.Kennedy John J. Pennsylvania Elections: Statewide Contests From 1950-2004 2006 University Press of America 9780761832799 https://books.google.com/books?id=1J_9q-lIWRkC&q=1962&pg=PA112 Throughout his political career, Dilworth had gained a reputation for taking hard-nosed action and for not being afraid to speak his mind. During the campaign, he continuously waged direct assaults on state Republican leaders, asserting that Scranton was a tool of the faltering Republican machine (Dilworth first gained statewide fame for breaking Republican machine politics in Philadelphia in the late 1940s). He also raised the issue of a restrictive covenant that was in place on a Scranton-owned property in Florida, charging that the stipulation that the residence could only be sold to a Caucasian demonstrated that Scranton had racist sentiments; Scranton defended himself by asserting that the condition was placed in the lease by a previous owner and could not be removed, and he countered by criticizing Dilworth for his affiliation with several all-white, elite social clubs. Dilworth was also plagued by corruption charges and, during the course of his campaign, reversed his position from strongly opposing an investigation into city government, to endorsing it as a way to demonstrate a commitment to transparency. On Election Day, Scranton took 62 of the state's 67 counties in an impressive win. Dilworth struggled not only in GOP strongholds, but also in the heavily Democratic Pittsburgh area, where he was plagued by both the corruption charges and anti-Philadelphian sentiment. His loss was especially heavy in Philadelphia's suburban counties, both because of his involvement in a controversial failed redistricting plan designed to divide upper class GOP support, as well as because of his antagonistic attitude toward suburbanites (he was quoted as saying "if a few of those Main Liners got mugged once in a while, it might teach them a way of life"). Dilworth also won by a smaller than expected margin in his home city, as his personality clash caused city Democratic leaders to give only tepid support. Results Pennsylvania gubernatorial election, 1962The Pennsylvania Manual, p. 626.The Pennsylvania Manual, p. 625.PartyCandidateRunning mateVotesPercentage Republican Bill Scranton Ray Shafer 2,424,918 55.39% Democratic Richardson Dilworth Stephen McCann 1,938,627 44.28% Socialist Labor George Taylor Benson Perry 14,340 0.33% Total votes 4,377,885 100.00% References 1962 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Category:November 1962 in the United States