1906 Wyoming gubernatorial election

Summary

The 1906 Wyoming gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1906. Incumbent Republican Governor Bryant B. Brooks ran for re-election to a second term. After winning renomination against some intraparty challengers, he faced State Senator Stephen Keister in the general election. Brooks was ultimately able to win re-election by an overwhelming margin, setting a record for the largest majority in a state gubernatorial election, which would not be exceeded until Governor Stanley Hathaway's re-election in 1970.

1906 Wyoming gubernatorial election

← 1904 November 6, 1906 1910 →
Turnout29.29% of Total Population Decrease 4.11
 
Nominee Bryant Butler Brooks Stephen A. D. Keister
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 16,317 9,444
Percentage 60.20% 34.85%

County Result

Governor before election

Bryant Butler Brooks
Republican

Elected Governor

Bryant Butler Brooks
Republican

Party conventions edit

As the Republican convention began on August 29, 1906, Governor Brooks was seen as a heavy favorite for renomination,[1] but several challengers to Brooks emerged, including State Treasurer William C. Irvine, banker Thomas A. Cosgriff, and L. G. Phelps.[2] Despite the strong challenges, however, Brooks was renominated.[3]

As the Democratic convention began on September 13, 1906, Democratic leaders reported that they had "difficulty finding prominent democrats willing to take places on the ticket," with State Senator Stephen Keister named as the likeliest candidate for Governor.[4] Keister was ultimately nominated, and the Democratic Party adopted a platform endorsing William Jennings Bryan as a candidate for president in 1908 and supporting the direct election of U.S. Senators.[5]

General election edit

Results edit

1906 Wyoming gubernatorial election[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bryant B. Brooks (inc.) 16,317 60.20% +2.73%
Democratic Stephen A. D. Keister 9,444 34.84% -4.42%
Socialist William L. O'Neill 1,236 4.56%
Independent George W. Blain 106 0.39%
Majority 6,873 25.36% +7.15%
Turnout 27,103 100.00%
Republican hold

Results by county edit

County Brooks Votes Keister Votes O'Neill Votes Blain Votes
Uinta 59.34% 2,259 28.24% 1,075 12.19% 465 0.24% 9
Big Horn 66.00% 1,807 32.18% 881 1.57% 43 0.26% 7
Fremont 35.51% 722 62.52% 1,271 1.43% 29 0.54% 11
Sweetwater 59.83% 1,010 32.46% 548 7.41% 125 0.30% 5
Sheridan 54.92% 1,411 37.02% 951 7.82% 201 0.23% 6
Johnson 56.54% 666 42.44% 500 0.93% 11 0.08% 1
Natrona 63.00% 664 37.00% 390 0.00% 0 0.00% 0
Carbon 65.82% 1,579 30.47% 548 3.50% 84 0.21% 5
Crook 64.40% 747 31.29% 363 4.05% 47 0.26% 3
Weston 70.18% 633 29.16% 263 0.55% 5 0.11% 1
Converse 68.57% 1,023 27.95% 417 1.27% 19 2.21% 33
Albany 57.45% 1,342 32.83% 767 8.73% 204 0.98% 23
Laramie 65.49% 2,454 34.45% 1,287 0.11% 4 0.05% 2

References edit

  1. ^ "Phelps for Governor". Great Falls Tribune. Great Falls, Mont. June 17, 1906. p. 4. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  2. ^ "The Political Situation". Natrona County Tribune. Great Falls, Mont. June 28, 1906. p. 4. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  3. ^ "The Wyoming Republicans". Great Falls Tribune. Great Falls, Mont. August 30, 1906. p. 4. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  4. ^ "Wyoming Democrats". Butte Daily Post. Butte, Mont. September 13, 1906. p. 5. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  5. ^ "Wyoming Democrats Make Nominations". Butte Miner. Butte, Mont. September 15, 1906. p. 1. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  6. ^ Erwin, Marie (1974). Trenholm, Virginia Cole (ed.). Wyoming Blue Book (PDF). Vol. 2. Cheyenne, Wyo.: Pioneer Printing & Stationery Co. pp. 565–66.