1948 Wisconsin lieutenant gubernatorial election

1948 Wisconsin lieutenant gubernatorial election

←  1946 2 November 1948 1950  →

Nominee George M. Smith Anthony P. Gawronski Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 602,513 591,732 Percentage 49.35% 48.47%

County results Smith:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Gawronski:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Lieutenant Governor before election Oscar Rennebohm Republican Elected Lieutenant Governor George M. Smith Republican

The 1948 Wisconsin lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on 2 November 1948 in order to elect the lieutenant governor of Wisconsin. Republican nominee George M. Smith defeated Democratic nominee and former member of the Wisconsin State Senate Anthony P. Gawronski, Progressive nominee Alex Y. Wallace and Socialist nominee William O. Hart. ^[1]

Republican primary

The Republican primary election was held on 21 September 1948. Salesman George M. Smith received a plurality of the votes (29.75%), and was thus elected as the nominee for the general election. His victory came as a surprise as Smith had only spend $53 on his campaign, and was facing well-known Wisconsin Republicans such as former Wisconsin Senate member James L. Callan, William Trinke and incumbent President pro tempore of the Wisconsin Senate Frank E. Panzer for the nomination. Newspapers at the time theorized that his primary upset victory was the result of Smith sharing the same last name as the late State Treasurer of Wisconsin John M. Smith. ^[2]

Results

1948 Republican lieutenant gubernatorial primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	George M. Smith	124,000	29.75%
	Republican	James L. Callan	113,211	27.16%
	Republican	William Trinke	70,402	16.89%
	Republican	Frank E. Panzer	66,801	16.02%
	Republican	Francis L. McElligott	42,443	10.18%
Total votes			416,857	100.00%

Democratic primary

The Democratic primary election was held on 21 September 1948. Former member of the Wisconsin State Senate Anthony P. Gawronski ran unopposed and was thus elected as the nominee for the general election. ^[3]

Results

1948 Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Anthony P. Gawronski	98,764	100.00%
Total votes			98,764	100.00%

Progressive primary

The Progressive primary election was held on 21 September 1948. Candidate Alex Y. Wallace ran unopposed and was thus elected as the nominee for the general election. ^[3]

Results

1948 Progressive lieutenant gubernatorial primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Progressive	Alex Y. Wallace	6,503	100.00%
Total votes			6,503	100.00%

Socialist primary

The Socialist primary election was held on 21 September 1948. Candidate William O. Hart ran unopposed and was thus elected as the nominee for the general election. ^[3]

Results

1948 Socialist lieutenant gubernatorial primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Socialist	William O. Hart	3,661	100.00%
Total votes			3,661	100.00%

General election

On election day, 2 November 1948, Republican nominee George M. Smith won the election by a margin of 10,781 votes against his foremost opponent Democratic nominee Anthony P. Gawronski, thereby retaining Republican control over the office of lieutenant governor. Smith was sworn in as the 31st lieutenant governor of Wisconsin on 3 January 1949. ^[4]

Results

Wisconsin lieutenant gubernatorial election, 1948

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	George M. Smith	602,513	49.35
	Democratic	Anthony P. Gawronski	591,732	48.47
	Progressive	Alex Y. Wallace	14,213	1.16
	Socialist	William O. Hart	12,343	1.02
Total votes			1,220,801	100.00
	Republican hold

References

1. "The Wisconsin Blue Book 1950". search.library.wisc.edu. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
2. "Smith nominated LtGov". newspapers.com. 24 September 1948. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
3. "primary election". newspapers.com. 29 October 1948. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
4. "1948 Lt. Gubernatorial General Election Results - Wisconsin". uselectionatlas.org. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2025.