Evening star., 1942-03-23
Politics Is Reported
Playing Second Fiddle
To War in Midwest
compoisns stort Slowly;
Formers Too Busy
To Attend RaIIies

Formers Too Busy
To Attend RoIIies
BY W. w. HERCHER.
BY the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, March 23-Politics Is
playing second fiddle to the war this
year in the Middle West.
Although six governors, four and
possibly five senators and 101 repre-
sentatives will be elected, campaigns
are starting slowly, and the ballyhoo
is restrained.
A study of eight States-Ilnnois,
Ohio, Michigan, Indisna, Wisconsin,
Minnesota, North and South Dakota
shows an unusual lack of interest
In politics or in any issue not associ-
ated with winning the war.
The survey indicates farmers are
too busy to listen to campaign
speeches. They appear to be salts
fled with the rising level Of farm
prices and do not seem to have
united behind any one political
movement.
In Michigan, Minnesota and South
Dakota, reports show voters may
take time out to spank those men,
bers of Congress who tried to vote
themselves pensions Reaction to
the pension vote was especially bit
ter in these States.
Incumbents Favored In Ohio.
Only in Wisconsin and, to q lesser
degree, Minnesota were pre-war vot-
ing records considered an important
election factor. Both States had
strong isolationist delegations in
Washington.
The consensus of political OBJ
servers throughout the region Is that
the present ratio Of Republicans to
Democrats in Congress roughly two
to one) will be maintained for an
other two years. Trends not now
apparent may alter that conclusion,
however.
Incumbents generally are favored
in Illinois and Ohio. The G. o. P.
is believed to be assured Of victories
in Minnesota, North and South
Dakota.
War has dumped several unknown
factors into the Mid-West's political
arithmetic. Perhaps as many as
125 900 war workers have focked into
Indiana. AS yet the politicians do
not know how these are going to
vote. South Dakota, with a popula-
ton of SAC, 900 has lost $4,000 to the
armed forces and war industry in
other States. Illinois IS permitting
soldiers to vote by absentee ballot.
Candidates Use Radio.
General lack of interest in politics
has been reflected in the small size
of campaign rallies. Many candidates
find it hard to raise campaign funds
and are curtailing their tours. News
papers and the radio are being used
increasingly to reach voters.
State summaries follow:
Illinois - Approximately 2,500,0 900
voters may turn out for the primary
April IA. Interest centers in the
reelection campaign OF Senator
Brooks, Republican, erstwhile isola-
zionist opposed by State Treasurer
Warren Wright. In the Democratic
senatorial race, Raymond S. Nc
Keough, four-term representative,
opposes Paul H. Douglas, Chicago
alderman and university professor.
Both are for the administration. Mr..
McKeough has organization support.
Ohio-A subnormal vote is antic-
ipated, with incumbents generally
favored to go back in. Ohio has lost
voters to the Army and many mi
grating workers haven't established
voting rights.
Brown Unopp0sed.
Micigan-Senator Brown. Demo-
crat, and Gov. Murray Van Wagner
are out for denomination without op-
position so far Secretary Of State
Harry F. Kelly may become the
Republican candidate for Governor.
No Republican senatorial candidates
announced.
Indiana-No major State officers
elected this year. Most politicians
agree prosecution of the war will
be a deciding factor in the election
of the States II Representatives. II
the United Nations are winning IN
October, leaders in both parties
admit it will help the Democrats.
Wisconsin-AIl 10 Representatives
expected to be up for reelection.
Republican Gov. Julius He'll has not
announced, but friends say he'll run
for a third term. Neither the Pro-
eressives nor Democrats have pro-
duced candidates for Governor yet.
Minnesota-Minnesota seems des-
tined to stay Republican, principal
" because of split in the Farmer
Labor party. The signs point to-
ward a three-way race, with easy
victories for young Gov. Harold
Stassen and the political reporter
he appointed Senator, Joseph H.
Ball.
Lemke May Enter Race.
North Dakota-The fifth sena-
torial race may develop here. Until
the Senate decides whether or not
Senator LANCER, Republican, will be
admitted it's hard to guess how the
contests will shape up.
If Senator LANCER Is denied his
seat, many sources predict Demo-
cratic Gov. John Moses will forsake
reelection to run for the last four
and q half years of Senator Lam
gers term. Many also predict Sena-
tor LANCER would run again for
vindication, and that William Lemke
would be in the race.
1t. Gov. Oscar Hagen has been
indorsed by the Nonpartisan League,
a Republican group, for Governor,
and the league has Endorsed both
incumbent Representatives.
South Dakota-An ex-county
school marm has put color into the
Republican senatorial contest. Olive
A. Ringsrud, secretary of State and
a vote getter, opposes Gov. Harlan
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