1938 Wyoming gubernatorial election

1938 Wyoming gubernatorial election

November 8, 1938

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

Candidates

• Leslie A. Miller, incumbent Governor
• Gus F. Engelking, rancher^[1]

Results

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

Candidates

• Nels H. Smith, former state highway commissioner, former State Representative, 1934 Republican candidate for Governor^[3]
• Thomas A. Nicholas, former Campbell County Prosecuting Attorney^[4]
• Josiah H. Holland, Mayor of Evanston^[5]
• John F. Raper, Sheridan attorney^[6]
• Samuel S. Hoover, Mayor of Green River, former State Representative^[7]

Results

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

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

1. "Candidate Retraces Trail Trip on Visit to Casper". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. July 26, 1938. p. 3.
2. 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.