1949 New Jersey gubernatorial election

The 1949 New Jersey gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1949. Incumbent Republican Alfred E. Driscoll defeated Democratic former U.S. Representative Elmer H. Wene with 51.54% of the vote.

For related races, see 1949 United States gubernatorial elections.
1949 New Jersey gubernatorial election
November 8, 1949
 
Nominee Alfred E. Driscoll Elmer H. Wene
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 885,882 810,022
Percentage 51.5% 47.1%
County results
Driscoll:      50-60%      60–70%
Wene:      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election

Alfred E. Driscoll
Republican

 Elected Governor

Alfred E. Driscoll
Republican

Elections in New Jersey
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U.S. House of Representatives
State government
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Senate elections
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Jersey City
Mayoral elections
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Mayoral elections
Atlantic City
Mayoral elections

Under the 1947 New Jersey Constitution, Driscoll was the first Governor eligible to succeed himself in a second consecutive term. For the first time, the governor was elected to a four-year term, as opposed to three years.

Primary elections were held on April 19, 1949.[1]

Republican primary

Candidates

Campaign

Neither candidate led an aggressive campaign for the nomination. Driscoll reported no expenditures but accepted a few speaking engagements at key county party organization meetings in Monmouth, Essex, Union, and his native Camden County. Driscoll campaigned largely on his administration's liberal record and his support for universal health insurance, public housing, and civil rights.[2]

Adams largely failed to raise his profile outside of Somerset and relied primarily on opposition to Driscoll within the party, as well as farmers disaffected by the Governor's suspension of retail milk price controls in January 1942. He accused Governor Driscoll of attempting to "out-deal the New Deal." His campaign spent $1,433 and his personal appearances were confined to rural north-central parts of the state.[2]

Results
Republican primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alfred E. Driscoll (incumbent) 207,144 69.51
Republican Robert L. Adams 90,885 30.50
Total votes 298,029 100.00

Adams's strength was primarily in rural areas, with an unexpectedly strong showing in Union County.[2]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results
Democratic Party primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Elmer H. Wene 152,054 100.00
Total votes 152,054 100.00

General election

Candidates
  • John C. Butterworth (Socialist Labor)
  • Alfred E. Driscoll (Republican)
  • James Imbrie (Progressive)
  • Edson R. Leach (Prohibition)
  • Elmer H. Wene (Democratic)

Results
New Jersey gubernatorial election, 1949[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Alfred E. Driscoll (incumbent) 885,882 51.54% 5.54
Democratic Elmer H. Wene 810,022 47.13% 5.71
Progressive James Imbrie 10,840 0.63% N/A
Socialist Labor John C. Butterworth 6,515 0.38% 0.28
Prohibition Edson R. Leach 5,529 0.32% 0.22
Majority
Turnout
Republican hold Swing

References
  1. "Candidates for the Office of Governor - State of New Jersey" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. 1949. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  2. "DRISCOLL IS VICTOR IN JERSEY PRIMARY". The New York Times. 20 Apr 1949. p. 16. Retrieved 3 Dec 2021.
  3. "Votes Cast for the Office of Governor of the State of New Jersey" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. 1949. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
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