The 1952 Washington gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1952, between incumbent governor Arthur B. Langlie of the Republican Party and U.S. Representative Hugh Mitchell of the Democratic Party. Langlie won the general election, becoming the first Washington state governor to be elected to a third term.
Democratic U.S. Congressman Hugh Mitchell announced his candidacy for governor on March 22, seeking to fix an administration that was "falling apart at the seams".[1] By May, Mitchell was joined by state senator Albert D. Rosellini of Seattle, State Treasurer , Speaker of the House Charles W. Hodde, and Charles C. Ralls in what The Seattle Times described as a "hard-to-predict contest" for the Democratic nomination.[2][3] During various debates, Rosellini denounced Mitchell as a "left-winger", leaving doubts amidst the anti-communist wave of the era.[4] Mitchell ultimately won the primary by a margin of 30,000 votes
Incumbent Governor Arthur B. Langlie, who had been elected to two non-consecutive terms in 1940 and 1948, filed his intention to run for a third term on July 17 after returning from the 1952 Republican National Convention.[5][6] Dr. John E. Lydon, a Seattle sanipractor, was the only Republican to run against Langlie and was not considered a serious contender for the party nomination.[7]
Candidates[]
Democratic Party[]
Charles W. Hodde, Speaker of the State House
, State Treasurer
Hugh Mitchell, U.S. Representative from the 1st district, former U.S. Senator
Charles C. Ralls
Albert D. Rosellini, State Senator from South Seattle and Majority Leader in the State Senate
Republican Party[]
Arthur B. Langlie, incumbent Governor
John E. Lydon
Primary election results[]
Governor of Washington primary election, September 9, 1952[8]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Arthur B. Langlie (incumbent)
245,560
34.91
Democratic
Hugh Mitchell
168,844
24.01
Democratic
Albert D. Rosellini
137,889
19.60
Democratic
Charles W. Hodde
59,688
8.49
Democratic
48,327
6.87
Democratic
Charles C. Ralls
22,221
3.16
Republican
John E. Lydon
20,830
2.96
General election[]
General election results[]
Governor of Washington general election, November 4, 1952[8]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Arthur B. Langlie (incumbent)
567,822
52.65
Democratic
Hugh Mitchell
510,675
47.35
Total votes
1,078,497
100.00
Republicanhold
References[]
^Cunningham, Ross (March 23, 1952). "Congressman Mitchell Announces Candidacy For State Governorship". The Seattle Times. p. 22.
^Cunningham, Ross (August 7, 1952). "Mitchell and Hodde Seen in Lead of Demo Gubernatorial Contest". The Seattle Times. p. 3.
^Cunningham, Ross (May 14, 1952). "Demos Face Major Decisions in Spokane". The Seattle Times. p. 9.