A general election was held in the U.S. state of Wyoming on Tuesday, November 5, 1946. All of the state's executive officers—the governor, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, and superintendent of public instruction—were up for election. The election was largely a rout for the Republican Party. Though Democratic governor Lester C. Hunt was narrowly re-elected, Democrats lost their two other state offices: auditor and secretary of State (which they picked up following a vacancy). Moreover, they were unable to win back any other state offices.
| Elections in Wyoming |
|---|
 |
Governor
Incumbent Democratic governor Lester C. Hunt ran for re-election to a second term. Though his predecessor, former governor Nels H. Smith, planned a rematch against Hunt, he lost the Republican primary to State Treasurer Earl Wright. In the general election, Hunt defeated Wright by a narrow margin, but improved from his 1942 election. During Hunt's second term, he would be elected to the U.S. Senate in 1948, vacating his office. Secretary of State Arthur G. Crane ascended to the governorship, while still acting as secretary of state.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lester C. Hunt ( inc.) | 43,020 | 52.88% | +1.56% | |
| Republican | Earl Wright | 38,333 | 47.12% | -1.56% | |
| Majority | 4,687 | 5.76% | +3.13% | ||
| Turnout | 81,353 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
Secretary of State
In 1944, Republican secretary of state Mart Christensen died while in office. Governor Hunt appointed longtime State Auditor William M. Jack as Christensen's replacement. Jack declined to run for re-election or for any other office, [2] creating an open seat. Earl R. Burns, the Chairman of the Wyoming Public Service Commission, won the Democratic nomination unopposed and advanced to the general election against Arthur G. Crane, the former President of the University of Wyoming. The general election was not close, and Crane was elected secretary of state over Burns by a landslide. During Crane's term, Governor Hunt would be elected to the U.S. Senate, and Crane would serve as both acting governor and secretary of state.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Earl R. Burns, chairman of the Wyoming Public Service Commission [3]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Earl R. Burns | 15,272 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 15,272 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Arthur G. Crane, former President of the University of Wyoming
- Thomas A. Nicholas, former Campbell County and Crook County Prosecuting Attorney, 1938 Republican candidate for Governor [4]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Arthur G. Crane | 14,964 | 59.09% | |
| Republican | Thomas A. Nicholas | 10,365 | 40.92% | |
| Total votes | 25,329 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Arthur G. Crane | 45,502 | 58.48% | -0.38% | |
| Democratic | Earl R. Burns | 32,304 | 41.52% | +0.38% | |
| Majority | 13,198 | 16.96% | -0.76% | ||
| Turnout | 77,806 | ||||
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||
Auditor
Following the death of Secretary of State Mart T. Christensen, Democratic state auditor William M. Jack was appointed as his replacement by governor, who, in turn, appointed Carl Robinson as Jack's successor. In 1945, Robinson resigned from office and Governor Hunt appointed former Congressman John J. McIntyre as his replacement. [5] McIntyre opted to run for Congress rather than seek re-election, and no other Democratic candidates filed for the election. In early July, however, Major Alvin C. Wade of the United States Army announced a write-in campaign, [6] and won enough votes to receive the Democratic nomination. [1] In the general election, Copenhaver defeated Wade by a decisive margin.
Democratic primary
No Democratic candidates filed to run for auditor. However, on July 8, Major Alvin C. Wade of the U.S. Army announced that he would run as a write-in candidate for the party's nomination. [6] He accepted the nomination upon receiving the requisite number of write-in votes.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Everett T. Copenhaver, assistant state examiner, former deputy secretary of state, former state representative from Converse County, 1942 Republican nominee for auditor [7]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Everett T. Copenhaver | 22,133 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 22,133 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Everett T. Copenhaver | 42,819 | 55.60% | +10.39% | |
| Democratic | Alvin C. Wade | 34,196 | 44.40% | -10.39% | |
| Majority | 8,623 | 11.20% | +1.61% | ||
| Turnout | 77,015 | ||||
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||
Treasurer
Incumbent Republican state treasurer Earl Wright, unable to seek re-election, instead opted to run for Governor. Doc Rogers, who had unsuccessfully run for Auditor in 1938 and Treasurer in 1942, ran against State Senator Thomas Stirling and former state representative Carl Dallam in a close Republican primary. Rogers was narrowly leading Stirling as votes were tallied on election night, [8] with the final tally putting him ahead of Stirling by 99 votes. However, alleged irregularities with how the primary was conducted in Natrona County were raised, namely that "candidate names had not been properly placed on ballots and that ballots had been opened before being placed in ballot boxes." However, the secretary of state's office concluded that it was without jurisdiction to evaluate the allegations and certified Rogers's nomination. [9]
In the general election, Rogers faced Democratic nominee David B. Gilfillan, the State Commissioner of Labor. Despite the closeness of the Republican primary and allegations of impropriety, the general election was not close, and Rogers defeated Gilfillan in a landslide.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- David B. Gilfillan [10]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | David B. Gilfillan | 14,163 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 14,163 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Doc Rogers, former Deputy Secretary of State, 1942 Republican candidate for treasurer, 1938 Republican nominee for Auditor
- Thomas Stirling, state senator from Weston County [11]
- Carl A. Dallam, former state representative [12]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Doc Rogers | 8,861 | 37.69% | |
| Republican | Thomas Stirling | 8,762 | 37.27% | |
| Republican | Carl A. Dallam | 5,885 | 25.03% | |
| Total votes | 23,508 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Doc Rogers | 43,903 | 57.49% | -1.73% | |
| Democratic | David B. Gilfillan | 32,459 | 42.51% | +1.73% | |
| Majority | 11,444 | 14.99% | -3.47% | ||
| Turnout | 76,362 | ||||
| Republican hold | |||||
Superintendent of public instruction
Incumbent Republican superintendent of public instruction Esther Anderson declined to run for a third term, instead endorsing Edna B. Stolt, the Supervisor of Elementary and Special Education the State Department of Education, as her successor. [13] Stolt faced high school teacher Nancy L. Jones and former governor Alonzo M. Clark in the Republican primary, whom she narrowly defeated to advance to the general election. Velma Linford, a high school teacher, won the Democratic primary unopposed and opposed Stolt in the general election. Despite the broad support for Republican candidates around the state, the race between Stolt and Linford was close, with Stolt only beating her opponent by 2,545 votes.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Velma Linford, Laramie High School teacher [14]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Velma Linford | 14,168 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 14,168 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Edna B. Stolt, Wyoming Department of Education supervisor of elementary and special education [13]
- Nancy L. Jones, Laramie High School teacher [15]
- Alonzo M. Clark, former governor of Wyoming [15]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Edna B. Stolt | 8,837 | 37.29% | |
| Republican | Nancy L. Jones | 8,134 | 34.33% | |
| Republican | Alonzo M. Clark | 6,725 | 28.38% | |
| Total votes | 23,696 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Edna B. Stolt | 39,638 | 51.66% | -9.17% | |
| Democratic | Velma Linford | 37,093 | 48.34% | +9.17% | |
| Majority | 2,545 | 3.32% | -18.34% | ||
| Turnout | 76,731 | ||||
| Republican hold | |||||
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Crane, A. G. (1947). 1947 Wyoming Official Directory and 1946 Election Returns. pp. 76–77, 296–97.
- ^ "'Scotty' Jack Declares Will Not Be Candidate: Announcement Sets at Rest Statewide Speculation on Political Plans of Secretary of State, Former Casperite". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. January 10, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "PSC Completes Rate Hearings". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. April 19, 1946. p. 2. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Nicholas Seeks Secretary Post: Casper Attorney Is Candidate for G.O.P. Selection". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. May 2, 1946. pp. 1–2. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "John J. McIntyre Is Named State Auditor: Appointed to Post Following Resignation of Carl Robinson". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. September 11, 1945. p. 1. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ a b "Major Wade Write-In Democratic Candidate For State Auditor Job". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. July 8, 1946. p. 2. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Copenhaver Candidate for State Auditor". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. April 23, 1946. p. 2. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Result in Republican Race For Treasurer Is in Doubt: Rogers Holds Slim Lead Over Stirling As Count Awaited in Outlying Precincts". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. July 18, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Official Canvass Shows 'Doc' Rogers Nominated: State Board Said Lacking Authority to Act on Natrona County Procedure". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. August 4, 1946. p. 2. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Cheyenne Man Elected Head of Hotel Group". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. April 28, 1946. pp. 1–2. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Senator Stirling Files For State Treasurer". Jackson's Hole Courier. Jackson, Wyo. May 2, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Carl Dallam Candidate for State Treasurer". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. June 17, 1946. p. 3. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ a b "Miss Anderson Not Candidate: Gives Support to Miss Stolt for Job". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. May 1, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Miss Linford Files For State School Job". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. June 12, 1946. p. 2. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ a b "31 Petitions Are Filed at Deadline". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. June 17, 1946. p. 2. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
A general election was held in the U.S. state of Wyoming on Tuesday, November 5, 1946. All of the state's executive officers—the governor, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, and superintendent of public instruction—were up for election. The election was largely a rout for the Republican Party. Though Democratic governor Lester C. Hunt was narrowly re-elected, Democrats lost their two other state offices: auditor and secretary of State (which they picked up following a vacancy). Moreover, they were unable to win back any other state offices.
| Elections in Wyoming |
|---|
|
Governor
Incumbent Democratic governor Lester C. Hunt ran for re-election to a second term. Though his predecessor, former governor Nels H. Smith, planned a rematch against Hunt, he lost the Republican primary to State Treasurer Earl Wright. In the general election, Hunt defeated Wright by a narrow margin, but improved from his 1942 election. During Hunt's second term, he would be elected to the U.S. Senate in 1948, vacating his office. Secretary of State Arthur G. Crane ascended to the governorship, while still acting as secretary of state.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lester C. Hunt ( inc.) | 43,020 | 52.88% | +1.56% | |
| Republican | Earl Wright | 38,333 | 47.12% | -1.56% | |
| Majority | 4,687 | 5.76% | +3.13% | ||
| Turnout | 81,353 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
Secretary of State
In 1944, Republican secretary of state Mart Christensen died while in office. Governor Hunt appointed longtime State Auditor William M. Jack as Christensen's replacement. Jack declined to run for re-election or for any other office, [2] creating an open seat. Earl R. Burns, the Chairman of the Wyoming Public Service Commission, won the Democratic nomination unopposed and advanced to the general election against Arthur G. Crane, the former President of the University of Wyoming. The general election was not close, and Crane was elected secretary of state over Burns by a landslide. During Crane's term, Governor Hunt would be elected to the U.S. Senate, and Crane would serve as both acting governor and secretary of state.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Earl R. Burns, chairman of the Wyoming Public Service Commission [3]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Earl R. Burns | 15,272 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 15,272 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Arthur G. Crane, former President of the University of Wyoming
- Thomas A. Nicholas, former Campbell County and Crook County Prosecuting Attorney, 1938 Republican candidate for Governor [4]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Arthur G. Crane | 14,964 | 59.09% | |
| Republican | Thomas A. Nicholas | 10,365 | 40.92% | |
| Total votes | 25,329 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Arthur G. Crane | 45,502 | 58.48% | -0.38% | |
| Democratic | Earl R. Burns | 32,304 | 41.52% | +0.38% | |
| Majority | 13,198 | 16.96% | -0.76% | ||
| Turnout | 77,806 | ||||
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||
Auditor
Following the death of Secretary of State Mart T. Christensen, Democratic state auditor William M. Jack was appointed as his replacement by governor, who, in turn, appointed Carl Robinson as Jack's successor. In 1945, Robinson resigned from office and Governor Hunt appointed former Congressman John J. McIntyre as his replacement. [5] McIntyre opted to run for Congress rather than seek re-election, and no other Democratic candidates filed for the election. In early July, however, Major Alvin C. Wade of the United States Army announced a write-in campaign, [6] and won enough votes to receive the Democratic nomination. [1] In the general election, Copenhaver defeated Wade by a decisive margin.
Democratic primary
No Democratic candidates filed to run for auditor. However, on July 8, Major Alvin C. Wade of the U.S. Army announced that he would run as a write-in candidate for the party's nomination. [6] He accepted the nomination upon receiving the requisite number of write-in votes.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Everett T. Copenhaver, assistant state examiner, former deputy secretary of state, former state representative from Converse County, 1942 Republican nominee for auditor [7]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Everett T. Copenhaver | 22,133 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 22,133 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Everett T. Copenhaver | 42,819 | 55.60% | +10.39% | |
| Democratic | Alvin C. Wade | 34,196 | 44.40% | -10.39% | |
| Majority | 8,623 | 11.20% | +1.61% | ||
| Turnout | 77,015 | ||||
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||
Treasurer
Incumbent Republican state treasurer Earl Wright, unable to seek re-election, instead opted to run for Governor. Doc Rogers, who had unsuccessfully run for Auditor in 1938 and Treasurer in 1942, ran against State Senator Thomas Stirling and former state representative Carl Dallam in a close Republican primary. Rogers was narrowly leading Stirling as votes were tallied on election night, [8] with the final tally putting him ahead of Stirling by 99 votes. However, alleged irregularities with how the primary was conducted in Natrona County were raised, namely that "candidate names had not been properly placed on ballots and that ballots had been opened before being placed in ballot boxes." However, the secretary of state's office concluded that it was without jurisdiction to evaluate the allegations and certified Rogers's nomination. [9]
In the general election, Rogers faced Democratic nominee David B. Gilfillan, the State Commissioner of Labor. Despite the closeness of the Republican primary and allegations of impropriety, the general election was not close, and Rogers defeated Gilfillan in a landslide.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- David B. Gilfillan [10]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | David B. Gilfillan | 14,163 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 14,163 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Doc Rogers, former Deputy Secretary of State, 1942 Republican candidate for treasurer, 1938 Republican nominee for Auditor
- Thomas Stirling, state senator from Weston County [11]
- Carl A. Dallam, former state representative [12]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Doc Rogers | 8,861 | 37.69% | |
| Republican | Thomas Stirling | 8,762 | 37.27% | |
| Republican | Carl A. Dallam | 5,885 | 25.03% | |
| Total votes | 23,508 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Doc Rogers | 43,903 | 57.49% | -1.73% | |
| Democratic | David B. Gilfillan | 32,459 | 42.51% | +1.73% | |
| Majority | 11,444 | 14.99% | -3.47% | ||
| Turnout | 76,362 | ||||
| Republican hold | |||||
Superintendent of public instruction
Incumbent Republican superintendent of public instruction Esther Anderson declined to run for a third term, instead endorsing Edna B. Stolt, the Supervisor of Elementary and Special Education the State Department of Education, as her successor. [13] Stolt faced high school teacher Nancy L. Jones and former governor Alonzo M. Clark in the Republican primary, whom she narrowly defeated to advance to the general election. Velma Linford, a high school teacher, won the Democratic primary unopposed and opposed Stolt in the general election. Despite the broad support for Republican candidates around the state, the race between Stolt and Linford was close, with Stolt only beating her opponent by 2,545 votes.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Velma Linford, Laramie High School teacher [14]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Velma Linford | 14,168 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 14,168 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Edna B. Stolt, Wyoming Department of Education supervisor of elementary and special education [13]
- Nancy L. Jones, Laramie High School teacher [15]
- Alonzo M. Clark, former governor of Wyoming [15]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Edna B. Stolt | 8,837 | 37.29% | |
| Republican | Nancy L. Jones | 8,134 | 34.33% | |
| Republican | Alonzo M. Clark | 6,725 | 28.38% | |
| Total votes | 23,696 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Edna B. Stolt | 39,638 | 51.66% | -9.17% | |
| Democratic | Velma Linford | 37,093 | 48.34% | +9.17% | |
| Majority | 2,545 | 3.32% | -18.34% | ||
| Turnout | 76,731 | ||||
| Republican hold | |||||
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Crane, A. G. (1947). 1947 Wyoming Official Directory and 1946 Election Returns. pp. 76–77, 296–97.
- ^ "'Scotty' Jack Declares Will Not Be Candidate: Announcement Sets at Rest Statewide Speculation on Political Plans of Secretary of State, Former Casperite". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. January 10, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "PSC Completes Rate Hearings". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. April 19, 1946. p. 2. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Nicholas Seeks Secretary Post: Casper Attorney Is Candidate for G.O.P. Selection". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. May 2, 1946. pp. 1–2. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "John J. McIntyre Is Named State Auditor: Appointed to Post Following Resignation of Carl Robinson". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. September 11, 1945. p. 1. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ a b "Major Wade Write-In Democratic Candidate For State Auditor Job". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. July 8, 1946. p. 2. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Copenhaver Candidate for State Auditor". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. April 23, 1946. p. 2. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Result in Republican Race For Treasurer Is in Doubt: Rogers Holds Slim Lead Over Stirling As Count Awaited in Outlying Precincts". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. July 18, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Official Canvass Shows 'Doc' Rogers Nominated: State Board Said Lacking Authority to Act on Natrona County Procedure". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. August 4, 1946. p. 2. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Cheyenne Man Elected Head of Hotel Group". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. April 28, 1946. pp. 1–2. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Senator Stirling Files For State Treasurer". Jackson's Hole Courier. Jackson, Wyo. May 2, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Carl Dallam Candidate for State Treasurer". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. June 17, 1946. p. 3. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ a b "Miss Anderson Not Candidate: Gives Support to Miss Stolt for Job". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. May 1, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ "Miss Linford Files For State School Job". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. June 12, 1946. p. 2. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
- ^ a b "31 Petitions Are Filed at Deadline". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. June 17, 1946. p. 2. Retrieved June 4, 2021.