1942 Wisconsin lieutenant gubernatorial election

1942 Wisconsin lieutenant gubernatorial election

← 1940 November 3, 1942 1944 →

Nominee Walter Samuel Goodland Henry J. Berquist John M. Brophy Party Republican Progressive Democratic Popular vote 349,230 256,851 119,926 Percentage 47.34% 34.82% 16.26%

County results Goodland:     30–40%     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Berquist:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70% Brophy:      40–50%

Lieutenant Governor before election Walter Samuel Goodland Republican Elected Lieutenant Governor Walter Samuel Goodland Republican

The 1942 Wisconsin lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1942. Incumbent Walter Goodland was re-elected to another term, defeating Progressive Henry Berquist and Democrat John Brophy.

This race was notable due to the death of governor elect Orland Steen Loomis, and the ensuing court battle over who would hold office in his stead. The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that Lieutenant Governor Walter Samuel Goodland would be acting governor for the duration of Loomis' term, overriding the view of incumbent Governor Julius Heil that he should continue his term in office.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Walter Samuel Goodland, incumbent Lieutenant Governor

Eliminated in primary

• Charles I. Wesley, industrialist ^[1]

Results

Republican primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Walter Samuel Goodland (incumbent)	154,695	66.34
	Republican	Charles I. Wesley	78,474	33.66
Total votes			233,169	100.00

Progressive Primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Philip E. Nelson, State Senator ^[3] (withdrew)

Eliminated in primary

• Henry J. Berquist, Wisconsin State Assembly member ^[3]

Results

Progressive primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Progressive	Philip E. Nelson	36,584	71.98
	Progressive	Henry J. Berquist	13,240	28.02
Total votes			50,824	100.00

Aftermath

In the September Primary, Nelson won with a commanding 71% of the vote. Nelson, however, had already been appointed to the federal War Production Board and, on the eve of the Progressive Party state convention, declined the nomination. ^[4] On October 5, the Progressives formally nominated Henry Berquist in place of Nelson. ^[5]

Democratic primary

Nominee

• John M. Brophy, unsuccessful candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly in 1940 ^[6]

Results

Democratic primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John M. Brophy	52,952	100.00
Total votes			52,952	100.00

Other party nominations

• Adolf Wiggert, Independent Socialist Labor, perennial candidate
• Arthur C. Ochsner, Socialist

General election

Results

1942 Wisconsin lieutenant gubernatorial election ^{[7] [8]}

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Walter Samuel Goodland (incumbent)	349,230	47.34%
	Progressive	Henry J. Berquist	256,851	34.82%
	Democratic	John M. Brophy	119,926	16.26%
	Socialist	Arthur C. Ochsner	10,372	1.41%
	Independent Socialist Labor	Adolf Wiggert	1,336	0.18%
Majority			92,379	12.52%
Turnout			737,715	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing

References

1. "These Men Seek State Nominations". Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wisconsin. September 13, 1942. p. 10. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
2. Wisconsin Blue Book 1944, p. 505.
3. "These Men Seek State Nominations". Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wisconsin. September 13, 1942. p. 10. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
4. "Nelson Declines Candidacy on Progressive Ticket". Rhinelander Daily News . September 28, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved December 6, 2020– via Newspapers.com.
5. "Progressives Pick Henry J. Berquist". Wisconsin State Journal . October 5, 1942. p. 2. Retrieved December 6, 2020– via Newspapers.com.
6. Ohm, Howard F.; Bryhan, Leone G. L., eds. (1942). The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1942. State of Wisconsin. p. 670.
7. Wisconsin Blue Book 1944, p. 573.
8. "WI Lt. Governor, 1942". Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 9, 2021.

Bibliography

• Ohm, Howard F.; Kuehn, Hazel L., eds. (1944). The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1944. State of Wisconsin.