1932 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

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

• Leo P. Fox, Democratic nominee for Wisconsin's 6th congressional district in 1920 and for lieutenant governor in 1928
• William B. Rubin, attorney
• Albert G. Schmedeman, mayor of Madison and Democratic nominee for governor in 1928

Results

Democratic primary results

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

• Walter J. Kohler, Sr., former Governor
• Philip La Follette, incumbent Governor

Results

Republican primary results

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

• Frank Metcalfe, nominee for governor in 1930

Results

Socialist primary results

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

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

• 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

1932 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

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

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.