1938 Wyoming gubernatorial election

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%.

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

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.