1956 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

The 1956 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1956. Republican nominee Vernon Wallace Thomson defeated Democratic nominee William Proxmire with 51.89% of the vote.

1956 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

November 6, 1956

Nominee Vernon W. Thomson William Proxmire Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 808,273 749,421 Percentage 51.89% 48.11%

County Results Thomson:      50–60%      60–70%      70-80% Proxmire:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Walter J. Kohler Jr. Republican Elected Governor Vernon Wallace Thomson Republican

General election

Candidates

• Vernon Wallace Thomson (Republican), Attorney General of Wisconsin since 1951.[1]
• William Proxmire (Democrat), member of the Wisconsin State Assembly 1951–53,[2] and Democratic nominee for Wisconsin governor in 1952 and 1954.[3][4]

Results

1956 Wisconsin gubernatorial election[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Republican	Vernon Wallace Thomson	808,273	51.89%
	Democratic	William Proxmire	749,421	48.11%
	Independent	Write-ins	94	0.01%
Majority			58,852	3.78%
Turnout			1,557,788
	Republican hold		Swing

References

1. "THOMSON, Vernon Wallace 1905–1988". House.gov. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
2. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. The Wisconsin Blue Book 1952. Madison, State of Wisconsin, 1952, p. 43.
3. "WI Governor (1952)". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
4. "WI Governor (1954)". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
5. "WI Governor (1956)". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 23 May 2020.