1950 Wyoming gubernatorial election

The 1950 Wyoming gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1950. Incumbent Republican Governor Arthur G. Crane, who ascended to the governorship when Lester C. Hunt was elected to the Senate in 1948, declined to seek re-election. Congressman Frank A. Barrett won the Republican primary to succeed Crane and faced former State Auditor John J. McIntyre, the Democratic nominee, in the general election. Helped by the strong performance nationwide of the Republican Party, Barrett defeated McIntyre by a wide margin. This election was the first open-seat gubernatorial election in Wyoming since 1924.

1950 Wyoming gubernatorial election

← 1946 November 7, 1950 1954 →

Nominee Frank A. Barrett John J. McIntyre Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 54,441 42,518 Percentage 56.15% 43.85%

County results Barrett:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% McIntyre:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Arthur G. Crane Republican Elected Governor Frank A. Barrett Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John J. McIntyre, former Wyoming State Auditor, former U.S. Congressman from Wyoming's at-large congressional district
• Rudy Anselmi, State Senator from Sweetwater County^[1]
• Carl A. Johnson, accountant^[2]

Campaign

As the Democratic primary started, former Congressman and State Auditor John J. McIntyre entered as the frontrunner over State Senator Rudy Anselmi and accountant Carl A. Johnson.^[3] McIntyre announced that he would place the "welfare of our state ahead of partisan politics," specifically arguing that state regulatory agencies should be run by experts, "not under the control of partisan politics" and calling for "better highways" and "better secondary roads for our farmers and ranchers."^[4] Anselmi, a longtime state legislator, announced that he would run with a technocratic five-point platform, which included reappraising all state highways; expanding educational opportunities at the University of Wyoming; a top-to-bottom study of economies in the state government; the promotion of industrial development; and developing a centralized accounting system for state budgeting. He argued that "business principles can be applied to the operation of state government."^[5]

Though the primary was speculated to include many more names, including former Secretary of State William M. Jack and former Governor Leslie A. Miller,^[1] Miller declined to run,^[1] as did Jack.^[6]

As the campaign heated up, the primary issue in the race became reformation of the state's Game and Fish Commission. McIntyre had proposed reforms to the Commission as he launched his campaign,^[4] and as the campaign continued, he announced that he would appoint commissioners who would make significant changes in how the body operated. Anselmi echoed McIntyre's views, pledging to appoint "the best men I could prevail upon to serve and I would not want 'yes men.'" He emphasized that he would work with them toward "the single purpose of bettering hunting and fishing in Wyoming."^[7] Both candidates launched a statewide tour of the state, but the race drew comparatively little attention.^[8]

Ultimately, McIntyre won the primary by a wide margin over Alsemi, racking up large margins in the northern part of the state. Anselmi won Sweetwater County, which he represented in the legislature, in a landslide, and also had narrow wins in neighboring Lincoln County and Sublette County, while holding McIntyre to narrower wins in much of vote-rich southeastern Wyoming.

Results

 

Results by county:

  McIntyre—60–70%

  McIntyre—50–60%

  McIntyre—40–50%

  Anselmi—70–80%

  Anselmi—40–50%

Democratic primary^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John J. McIntyre	14,578	51.75%
	Democratic	Rudy Anselmi	10,366	36.80%
	Democratic	Carl A. Johnson	3,224	11.45%
Total votes			28,168	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Frank A. Barrett, U.S. Congressman from Wyoming's at-large congressional district
• C. D. Williamson, Chairman of the Wyoming Commerce and Industry Commission^[10]
• Leeland U. Grieve, State Senator from Carbon County^[11]
• Samuel L. Asher, wholesale grocer^[8]

Campaign

The Republican primary for Governor got off to an earlier start than the Democratic primary; two years prior to the 1950 election, on November 5, 1948, State Senator Leeland U. Grieve announced that he would run.^[11] The race remained dormant for more than a year, but in late 1949, Congressman Frank A. Barrett announced his candidacy.^[12] On February 1, 1950, C. D. Williamson, the Chairman of the Wyoming Commerce and Industry Commission and a former state legislator, announced that he would join Barrett in the primary. He cast himself as an outsider, noting in his announcement that he "make[s] no claim to professional political experience, but feel that my 40 years in the banking, insurance, timber and livestock business along with my active participation in public affairs in Wyoming justify the belief that I may merit support in this undertaking."^[10]

Even as the race got underway, the contest among Barrett, Williamson, and Grieve was largely quiet, with Barrett seen as the clear frontrunner. Barrett argued for belt-tightening in state government and announced that he would commission a "little Hoover commission" to investigate state finances.^[13] Grieve, meanwhile, condemned Republican leaders for ceding power to federal regulators^[14] and argued that the party needed "strong men in government."^[15]

In the end, Barrett defeated his opponents by a wide margin, winning 68% of the vote. Williamson placed second with 21% over Grieve, who managed to win only 8%. Williamson managed a sizable win in Carbon County, which he had previously represented in the legislature, and a narrow win in Park County. Barrett dominated the rest of the state, though he only won in southeast Wyoming by a thin margin.

Results

 

Results by county:

  Barrett—80–90%

  Barrett—70–80%

  Barrett—60–70%

  Barrett—50–60%

  Barrett—40–50%

  Williamson—50–60%

  Williamson—40–50%

Republican primary^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Frank A. Barrett	25,581	67.78%
	Republican	C. D. Williamson	7,944	21.05%
	Republican	Leeland U. Grieve	3,136	8.31%
	Republican	Samuel L. Asher	1,080	2.86%
Total votes			37,741	100.00%

General election

Results

1950 Wyoming gubernatorial election^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Frank A. Barrett	54,441	56.15%	+9.03%
	Democratic	John J. McIntyre	42,518	43.85%	-9.03%
Majority			11,923	12.30%	+6.54%
Turnout			96,959
	Republican hold

References

1. "Anselmi May Be Candidate In Gubernatorial Primary". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. January 31, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
2. "Johnson Says He's Still in Campaign". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. May 11, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
3. "Primary Causes Final Flurries". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. August 18, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
4. "McIntyre to Seek Dem Bid For Governor". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. May 23, 1950. p. 2. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
5. "Anselmi Announces 5-Point Platform in Governor Race". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. June 28, 1950. p. 7. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
6. "'Scotty' Jack Will Not Run For Governor". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. February 22, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
7. "Anselmi Also Would Revise Game Bureau". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. August 15, 1950. p. 12. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
8. "Candidates Ready for Full Month of Campaigning: Monday Is Last Day for Filing". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. July 23, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
9. Rogers, C. J. "Doc" Rogers (1947). 1951 Wyoming Official Directory and 1950 Election Returns. pp. 76–77, 296–97.
10. "Williamson Is GOP Candidate". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. February 1, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
11. "Grieve is Candidate for Governor in '50". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. November 5, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
12. "Frank A. Barrett to Run for Governor". Jackson's Hole Courier. Jackson, Wyo. December 22, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
13. "Barrett Urges Commission on State Finances". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. August 21, 1950. p. 12. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
14. "Grieve to Suggest G.O.P. 'Get Tough'". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. June 29, 1950. p. 6. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
15. "Greive Says G.O.P. Needs Strong Men". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. August 17, 1950. p. 12. Retrieved June 17, 2021.