1948 Wisconsin lieutenant gubernatorial election

The Republican primary election was held on September 21, 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]

The Democratic primary election was held on September 21, 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]

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