1942 Wyoming state elections
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A general election was held in the U.S. state of Wyoming on Tuesday, November 3, 1942. All of the state's executive officers—the governor, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, and superintendent of public instruction—were up for election. Like the 1938 elections, this year's elections were something of a mixed bag for both parties. Democratic secretary of state Lester C. Hunt defeated Republican governor Nels H. Smith for re-election, but Republicans flipped the secretary of state's office in Hunt's absence. The other incumbents—State Auditor William M. Jack, a Democrat, and Superintendent Esther L. Anderson, a Republican—were re-elected, and Republicans held onto the state treasurer's office.
| Elections in Wyoming |
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After defeating his predecessor, Democrat Leslie A. Miller, by a wide margin in 1938, Republican governor Nels H. Smith faced a tough challenge to his re-election in Secretary of State Lester C. Hunt, the Democratic nominee. Ultimately, Hunt narrowly defeated Smith, winning the first of his two terms as governor.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lester C. Hunt | 39,599 | 51.32% | +11.12% | |
| Republican | Nels H. Smith (inc.) | 37,568 | 48.68% | −11.12% | |
| Majority | 2,031 | 2.63% | −16.98% | ||
| Turnout | 77,167 | ||||
| Democratic gain from Republican | |||||
Secretary of State
Secretary of State Lester C. Hunt opted to challenge Republican governor Nels H. Smith for re-election rather than seek a third term as secretary of state, thereby creating an open seat. Susan J. Quealey, a leader in the state Democratic Party, narrowly won the primary over State Representative Raymond E. Morris. In the general election, she faced State Treasurer Mart T. Christensen, and lost to him in a landslide. Fewer than two years into Christensen's term, however, he would die in office; Governor Hunt appointed State Auditor William M. Jack as his replacement.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Susan J. Quealy, Wyoming Democratic Party activist[2]
- Raymond E. Morris, State Representative from Laramie County[3]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Susan J. Quealy | 10,344 | 50.98% | |
| Democratic | Raymond E. Morris | 9,947 | 49.02% | |
| Total votes | 20,291 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Mart T. Christensen, State Treasurer[3]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mart T. Christensen | 25,560 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 25,560 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mart T. Christensen | 43,437 | 58.86% | +13.47% | |
| Democratic | Susan J. Quealy | 30,361 | 41.14% | −13.47% | |
| Majority | 13,076 | 17.72% | +8.49% | ||
| Turnout | 73,798 | ||||
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||
Auditor
Incumbent Democratic Auditor William M. Jack ran for re-election to a third term. After winning a contested Democratic primary against C. A. Johnson, a former state employee, he faced State Representative Everett T. Copenhaver in the general election. Building on his track record of decisive victories, Jack defeated Copenhaver relatively easily, winning 55% of the vote to Copenhaver's 45%. During Jack's third term, he was appointed by Governor Hunt as the successor to the late Secretary of State Mart T. Christensen, who died in office. Governor Hunt would, in turn, appoint Carl Robinson as Jack's successor.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- William M. Jack, incumbent state auditor
- C. A. Johnson, former sales tax department employee[4]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William M. Jack (inc.) | 17,120 | 79.37% | |
| Democratic | C. A. Johnson | 4,451 | 20.63% | |
| Total votes | 21,571 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Everett T. Copenhaver, State Representative from Converse County[3]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Everett T. Copenhaver | 23,400 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 23,400 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William M. Jack (inc.) | 40,768 | 54.79% | +0.48% | |
| Republican | Everett T. Copenhaver | 33,638 | 45.21% | −0.48% | |
| Majority | 7,130 | 9.58% | +0.96% | ||
| Turnout | 74,406 | ||||
| Democratic hold | |||||