1950 New York gubernatorial election
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| Elections in New York State |
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The 1950 New York gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1950 to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of New York. Incumbent Republican governor Thomas E. Dewey was re-elected to a third term in office, defeating Democratic U.S. Representative Walter A. Lynch.
This was the final election in which the voters cast separate ballots for governor and lieutenant governor, ahead of a 1953 amendment to the New York Constitution.
Republican nomination
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Thomas E. Dewey, incumbent Governor since 1943
Results
[edit]Following his defeat in the 1948 presidential election, Governor Dewey initially elected not to run for a third term in office. However, he changed his decision two days ahead of the 1950 state convention and agreed to run for governor again.[1]
Dewey was unopposed at the Republican convention in Saratoga Springs on September 6, and he was nominated by the delegates by acclamation.[1] His nominating speech was given by Lieutenant Governor Joseph R. Hanley, and Dewey reciprocated by placing Hanley in nomination for U.S. Senate.[2] In his acceptance speech, Dewey assailed Lynch and the Democratic ticket as "unknown, inexperienced" men.[3]
Democratic nomination
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Walter A. Lynch, U.S. Representative from the Bronx
Declined
[edit]- Oscar R. Ewing, administrator of the Federal Security Agency
- James A. Farley, former United States Postmaster General and chair of the Democratic National Committee
- Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., U.S. Representative from the Upper West Side and son of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt (declined September 6)
Results
[edit]The Democratic state convention was held at the Columbus Civic Center in Rochester. The convention was held amidst a general air of pessimism given general Republican sentiment throughout the country, though some drew parallels to the 1948 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, at which defeat seemed certain before Harry S. Truman eventually defeated Governor Dewey to win re-election.[1] On the eve of the convention, Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. announced that he would not be a candidate, conceding that Lynch had the support of the majority of delegates and the party's political bosses. His concession led to an hour-long demonstration, leading Roosevelt to reconsider his decision. After consulting with Daniel P. O'Connell, Roosevelt maintained his non-candidacy.[1]
Despite party support for Lynch, led by U.S. Senator Herbert H. Lehman, some delegates attempted to draft another candidate who would be more likely to win the general election. Suggestions included Roosevelt, former Postmaster General and chair of the Democratic National Committee James A. Farley, and Federal Security Agency administrator Oscar R. Ewing.[1] In reaction to this opposition, Senator Lehman opted to personally attend the convention in a show of support for Lynch.[1]
In his acceptance speech, Lynch attacked Dewey and the Republicans for "represent[ing] onw, as always, that small privileged class which has sought, for its own advantage, to have influence in government."[4]
Liberal nomination
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Walter A. Lynch, U.S. Representative from the Bronx
Declined
[edit]- Adolf Berle, party chair and former U.S. Ambassador to Brazil and Assistant Secretary of State for Latin American Affairs
Results
[edit]The Liberal Party convention was held from September 6 to 7 at the Statler Hotel in New York City, intentionally overlapping with the Democratic convention in Rochester. After Lynch secured the Democratic nomination, dissatisfied delegates placed party chairman Adolf Berle into nomination.[5] Berle declined the nomination, stating that the decision to back Lynch had been made by party leaders after "a great soul searching." He seconded Lynch's nomination, citing the need to re-elect Senator Lehman, and it was approved by acclamation.[5]
General election
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Michael Bartell (Socialist Workers)
- Thomas E. Dewey, incumbent Governor since 1943 and nominee for President of the United States in 1948 (Republican)
- Eric Hass, perennial candidate (Industrial Government)
- Walter A. Lynch, U.S. Representative from the Bronx (Democratic and Liberal)
- John T. McManus, journalist (American Labor)
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Thomas E. Dewey (incumbent) | 2,819,523 | 53.11% | ||
| Democratic | Walter A. Lynch | 1,981,156 | 37.32% | ||
| Liberal | Walter A. Lynch | 265,699 | 5.00% | ||
| Total | Walter A. Lynch | 2,246,855 | 42.32% | ||
| American Labor | John T. McManus | 221,966 | 4.18% | ||
| Socialist Workers | Michael Bartell | 13,274 | 0.25% | ||
| Industrial Government | Eric Hass | 7,254 | 0.13% | ||
| Total votes | 5,308,872 | 100.00% | |||
| Blank, void and scattering | 164,176 | ||||
| Turnout | 5,473,048 | 100.00% | {{{change}}} | ||
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Egan, Leo; Hagerty, James A. (September 7, 1950). "Both Parties Choose Slates, Headed by Dewey and Lynch; Hanley Will Run for Senate". The New York Times. p. 1.
- ^ Egan, Leo (September 8, 1950). "Republicans Name Dewey and Hanley, Who Score Truman". The New York Times. p. 1.
- ^ "Leading Candidates on the State Republican Party's Ticket". The New York Times. September 8, 1950. p. 20.
- ^ Hagerty, James A. (September 8, 1950). "Lynch, Nominated, Accuses Dewey of 'Unholy Coalition'". The New York Times. p. 1.
- ^ a b Dales, Douglas (September 8, 1950). "3 Democrats Stir Liberals' Revolt". The New York Times. p. 19.
- ^ "Dewey's Plurality Officially 572,668; Canvassers' Tabulation Shows Lehman Defeated Hanley by Margin of 246,960". The New York Times. December 15, 1950.
- ^ New York Red Book 1951