1908 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

1908 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

←  1906 November 3, 1908 1910  →

Nominee James O. Davidson John A. Aylward Harvey Dee Brown Party Republican Democratic Socialist Popular vote 242,963 165,977 28,583 Percentage 54.03% 36.91% 6.36%

County results Davidson:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Aylward:     30–40%     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election James O. Davidson Republican Elected Governor James O. Davidson Republican

The 1908 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1908.

Incumbent Republican Governor James O. Davidson won re-election, defeating Democratic nominee John A. Aylward and Socialist nominee Harvey Dee Brown, with 54.03% of the vote.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 1, 1908.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John A. Aylward, Democratic nominee for Governor in 1906
• Adolph J. Schmitz, lawyer, Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 1894 ^[1]

Results

Democratic primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John A. Aylward	25,273	61.47
	Democratic	Adolph J. Schmitz	15,813	38.46
		Scattering	28	0.07
Total votes			41,114	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• James O. Davidson, incumbent Governor

Results

Republican primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	James O. Davidson (incumbent)	158,867	99.12
		Scattering	1,406	0.88
Total votes			160,273	100.00

Socialist primary

Candidates

• Harvey Dee Brown, preacher ^{[3] [4]}

Results

Socialist primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Socialist	Harvey Dee Brown	4,071	100.00
Total votes			4,071	100.00

Prohibition primary

Candidates

• Winfred Douglas Cox, Prohibition nominee for Wisconsin's 5th congressional district in 1900 and 1902

Results

Prohibition primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Prohibition	Winfred Douglas Cox	1,941	100.00
Total votes			1,941	100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• James O. Davidson, Republican
• John A. Aylward, Democratic

Other candidates

• Winfred Douglas Cox, Prohibition
• Harvey Dee Brown, Socialist (Social-Democratic Party of Wisconsin)
• Herman Bottema, Socialist Labor

Results

1908 Wisconsin gubernatorial election ^{[5] [6] [7] [8]}

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	James O. Davidson (incumbent)	242,963	54.03%
	Democratic	John A. Aylward	165,977	36.91%
	Socialist	Harvey Dee Brown	28,583	6.36%
	Prohibition	Winfred D. Cox	11,754	2.61%
	Socialist Labor	Herman Bottema	394	0.09%
	Scattering		6	0.00%
Majority			76,986	17.12%
Turnout			449,677	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing

References

1. Bruce, William George; Currey, Josiah Seymour (1922). History of Milwaukee City and County. Vol. II. Milwaukee: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 404–407.
2. "For State Officers". Weekly Watertown leader. Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis. September 25, 1908. p. 2. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
3. "The Journal Times from Racine, Wisconsin on January 21, 1908 · 5". The Journal Times. Racine, Wisconsin. January 21, 1908. p. 5. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
4. "Death Claims Health Chief". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. August 23, 1937. p. 16. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
5. Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 87.
6. "WI Governor, 1908". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
7. Wisconsin Blue Book 1909, p. 408.
8. Glashan 1979, pp. 340–341.

Bibliography

• Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Meckler Books. ISBN   0-930466-17-9.
• Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN   1-56802-396-0.
• Beck, J. D., ed. (1909). The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin. Madison, Wisconsin: Democrat Printing Co., State Printer.