1950 New York gubernatorial election
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November 7, 1950
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 County results Dewey:
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60–70%
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The 1950 New York gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1950, to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of New York. Incumbent Republican governor Thomas E. Dewey was re-elected to a third term in office, defeating Democratic U.S. Representative Walter A. Lynch.
This was the final election in which the voters cast separate ballots for governor and lieutenant governor, ahead of a 1953 amendment to the New York Constitution.
Candidates
- Thomas E. Dewey, incumbent Governor since 1943
Results
Following his defeat in the 1948 presidential election, Governor Dewey initially elected not to run for a third term in office. However, he changed his decision two days ahead of the 1950 state convention and agreed to run for governor again.[1]
Dewey was unopposed at the Republican convention in Saratoga Springs on September 6, and he was nominated by the delegates by acclamation.[1] His nominating speech was given by Lieutenant Governor Joseph R. Hanley, and Dewey reciprocated by placing Hanley in nomination for U.S. Senate.[2] In his acceptance speech, Dewey assailed Lynch and the Democratic ticket as "unknown, inexperienced" men.[3]
Democratic nomination
Candidates
- Walter A. Lynch, U.S. Representative from the Bronx
Declined
- Oscar R. Ewing, administrator of the Federal Security Agency
- James A. Farley, former United States Postmaster General and chair of the Democratic National Committee
- Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., U.S. Representative from the Upper West Side and son of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt (declined September 6)
Results
The Democratic state convention was held at the Columbus Civic Center in Rochester. The convention was held amidst a general air of pessimism given general Republican sentiment throughout the country, though some drew parallels to the 1948 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, at which defeat seemed certain before Harry S. Truman eventually defeated Governor Dewey to win re-election.[1] On the eve of the convention, Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. announced that he would not be a candidate, conceding that Lynch had the support of the majority of delegates and the party's political bosses. His concession led to an hour-long demonstration, leading Roosevelt to reconsider his decision. After consulting with Daniel P. O'Connell, Roosevelt maintained his non-candidacy.[1]
Despite party support for Lynch, led by U.S. Senator Herbert H. Lehman, some delegates attempted to draft another candidate who would be more likely to win the general election. Suggestions included Roosevelt, former Postmaster General and chair of the Democratic National Committee James A. Farley, and Federal Security Agency administrator Oscar R. Ewing.[1] In reaction to this opposition, Senator Lehman opted to personally attend the convention in a show of support for Lynch.[1]
In his acceptance speech, Lynch attacked Dewey and the Republicans for "represent[ing] now, as always, that small privileged class which has sought, for its own advantage, to have influence in government."[4]