1904 Wyoming gubernatorial special election

Summary

The 1904 Wyoming gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1904. Shortly after he began his second term in 1903, Governor DeForest Richards died in office, elevating Secretary of State Fenimore Chatterton to the Governorship and triggering a special election in 1904 to fill the balance of Richards's term. Chatterton ran for re-election, but was defeated for renomination at the Republican convention by Bryant B. Brooks. Former Congressman John E. Osborne, the former Territorial Governor, was nominated by the Democratic Party. Aided by President Theodore Roosevelt's landslide victory over Democrat Alton B. Parker in the presidential election, Brooks overwhelmingly defeated Osborne.

1904 Wyoming gubernatorial special election

← 1902 November 8, 1904 1906 →
Turnout33.40% of total population Increase 6.33
 
Nominee Bryant B. Brooks John E. Osborne
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 17,765 12,137
Percentage 57.48% 39.27%

County Result

Governor before election

Fenimore Chatterton
Republican

Elected Governor

Bryant B. Brooks
Republican

Party conventions edit

As the Republican convention began on May 18, 1904, former State Representative Bryant B. Brooks was seen as having a slight edge over acting Governor Fenimore Chatterton, with the leading rumor that the Laramie County delegation held the balance of power and favored Brooks over Chatterton.[1] Ultimately, the contest between Brooks and Chatterton was not close, with Brooks defeating the incumbent Governor on the first ballot with 83 votes to Chatterton's 41.[2]

Meanwhile, as the Democratic convention began on September 7, 1904, several candidates were seen as likely nominees: former Congressman and Territorial Governor John E. Osborne; former State Senator William H. Holliday, the 1894 Democratic nominee for Governor; Robert H. Homer, a former territorial legislator; and W. Dean Hays,[3] with Osborne seen as the frontrunner.[4] After several days of indecision, Osborne—who had been reluctant to run—allowed himself to be nominated and he was approved by acclamation.[5]

General election edit

Results edit

1904 Wyoming gubernatorial special election[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bryant B. Brooks 17,765 57.48% -0.34%
Democratic John E. Osborne 10,017 39.98% -0.72%
Socialist James W. Gates 816 2.64% +0.44%
Prohibition George W. Blain 191 0.62%
Majority 5,628 18.21% +0.38%
Turnout 30,909 100.00%
Republican hold

Results by county edit

County Brooks Votes Osborne Votes Gates Votes Blain Votes
Uinta 58.39% 2,553 38.04% 1,663 3.29% 144 0.27% 12
Big Horn 66.79% 1,868 31.82% 890 1.04% 29 0.36% 10
Fremont 47.06% 775 52.46% 864 0.43% 7 0.06% 1
Sweetwater 52.15% 1,078 42.86% 886 4.55% 94 0.44% 9
Sheridan 56.24% 1,798 38.25% 1,223 4.94% 158 0.56% 18
Johnson 50.48% 680 39.27% 529 6.24% 84 4.01% 54
Natrona 50.78% 553 48.58% 529 0.09% 1 0.55% 6
Carbon 55.24% 1,823 43.12% 1,423 1.61% 53 0.03% 1
Crook 61.23% 938 35.51% 544 2.68% 41 0.59% 9
Weston 73.18% 756 25.56% 264 1.16% 12 0.10% 1
Converse 67.50% 1,024 30.98% 470 0.13% 2 1.38% 21
Albany 56.82% 1,492 34.39% 903 6.97% 183 1.83% 48
Laramie 55.37% 2,427 44.47% 1,949 0.02% 1 0.14% 6

References edit

  1. ^ "The Wyoming Republicans: There Is Great Doubt as to a Renomination for Chatterton". Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Mo. May 18, 1904. p. 4. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  2. ^ "Brooks Up for Governor in Wyoming: Republican State Convention Completes its Labors—Opposes Including Agricultural Land". Butte Miner. Butte, Mont. May 20, 1904. p. 2. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  3. ^ "Wyoming Democratic Convention Wednesday". Salt Lake Herald. Salt Lake City, Utah. September 7, 1904. p. 1. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  4. ^ "Wyoming Democrats". Butte Miner. Grand Junction, Colo. September 7, 1904. p. 1. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  5. ^ "Wyoming Lost to Republicans: John E. Osborne Accepts Nomination for Governor". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. September 9, 1904. p. 4. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  6. ^ Erwin, Marie (1974). Trenholm, Virginia Cole (ed.). Wyoming Blue Book (PDF). Vol. 2. Cheyenne, Wyo.: Pioneer Printing & Stationery Co. p. 562.