1946 Wyoming gubernatorial election

1946 Wyoming gubernatorial election

←  1942 November 5, 1946 1950  →

Nominee Lester C. Hunt Earl Wright Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 43,020 38,333 Percentage 52.88% 47.12%

County results Hunt:      50–60%     60–70% Wright:      50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election Lester C. Hunt Democratic Elected Governor Lester C. Hunt Democratic

The 1946 Wyoming gubernatorial election took place on November 5, 1946. Incumbent Democratic Governor Lester C. Hunt ran for re-election to a second term. Former Republican Governor Nels H. Smith, whom Hunt defeated in 1942, announced that he would challenge Hunt for re-election, ^[1] but he was defeated in the Republican primary by State Treasurer Earl Wright. ^[2] In the general election, even though the Republican Party had a strong performance nationwide, Wyoming Democrats did well; Hunt defeated Wright by a wider margin than his 1942 victory as Democratic U.S. Senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney similarly won another term.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Lester C. Hunt, incumbent Governor

Results

Democratic primary ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Lester C. Hunt (inc.)	17,456	100.00%
Total votes			17,456	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Earl Wright, Wyoming State Treasurer
• Nels H. Smith, former Governor of Wyoming

Results

Republican primary ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Earl Wright	15,272	58.42%
	Republican	Nels H. Smith	10,870	41.58%
Total votes			26,142	100.00%

Results

1946 Wyoming gubernatorial election ^[3]

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
	Democratic hold

References

1. "Smith Says He Will Seek Office: To Be Candidate For Governor Job". Casper Star-Tribune . Casper, Wyo. April 16, 1946. p. 4.
2. "Nels Smith Concedes Defeat: Wright Builds Lead to 4,000 In Late Tally". Casper Star-Tribune . Casper, Wyo. July 17, 1946. p. 1.
3. Crane, A. G. (1947). 1947 Wyoming Official Directory and 1946 Election Returns. pp. 76–77, 296–97.