1938 Wyoming gubernatorial election

1938 Wyoming gubernatorial election

← 1934 November 8, 1938 1942 →
 
Nominee Nels H. Smith Leslie A. Miller
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 57,288 38,501
Percentage 59.81% 40.19%

County results
Smith:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Miller:      50–60%

Governor before election

Leslie A. Miller
Democratic

Elected Governor

Nels H. Smith
Republican

The 1938 Wyoming gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1938. Incumbent Democratic Governor Leslie A. Miller ran for re-election to his third term, and his second full term. Nels H. Smith, a former State Representative and former state highway commissioner, won a crowded Republican primary and advanced to the general election against Miller. Though Miller won his re-election campaign four years earlier in a landslide, Smith was able to take advantage of the nationwide Republican wave to defeat him in a landslide, winning 60% of the vote to Governor Miller's 40%.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Democratic primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Leslie A. Miller (inc.) 23,464 69.43%
Democratic Gus F. Engelking 10,333 30.57%
Total votes 33,797 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Nels H. Smith 13,355 41.66%
Republican Thomas A. Nicholas 7,361 22.96%
Republican Josiah H. Holland 6,494 20.26%
Republican John F. Raper 3,111 9.71%
Republican Samuel S. Hoover 1,734 5.41%
Total votes 32,055 100.00%

Results

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1938 Wyoming gubernatorial election[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Nels H. Smith 57,288 59.81% +18.44%
Democratic Leslie A. Miller (inc.) 38,501 40.19% −17.71%
Majority 18,787 19.61% +3.07%
Turnout 95,789
Republican gain from Democratic

References

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  1. ^ "Candidate Retraces Trail Trip on Visit to Casper". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. July 26, 1938. p. 3.
  2. ^ a b c Hunt, Lester C. (1939). 1939 Official Directory of Wyoming and Election Returns for 1934. pp. 60–65.
  3. ^ "Smith in Race for Governor: Weston County Rancher Is First Republican to Announce for Post". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. May 19, 1938. p. 1.
  4. ^ "Republicans of Wyoming: Thomas A. Nicholas Praised as Self-Made Man". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. April 5, 1938. p. 5.
  5. ^ "Evanston Mayor Endorsed for Gubernatorial Office". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. February 14, 1938. p. 7.
  6. ^ "Sheridan Attorney in Race for Gubernatorial Office". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. July 1, 1938. p. 1.
  7. ^ "Green River Mayor Gets Cheyenne Job". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. July 17, 1938. p. 9.