Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-08

NO IOi0 NGy ~ iI1V
II Democrats, q G. O. p.
Governors Up for Election
By GouId Lincoln
In the political campaign now de-
veloping. the fact that 81 Governors Of
States are to be elected next November
is sometimes overlooked in the consum-
ing interest In the congressional con-
tests. The Republicans really went
to town in 1850 and 1852 and wound up
with 80 Governors to 10 for the Demo-
Gratis. Since then. the score has been
cut to 20 Republican Governors and 10
Democrats.
New Jersey, Republican State.
turned down Paul TroaSt. the COP.
candidate for Governor, last November
and elected Gov. Robert B. Meyner,
Democrat. It wasn't because Mr.. Mey-
ner was Democrat, however. It was
because Mr.. TroaSt was shown to have
written Gov. Dewey of New York, urging
that Mr.. Dewey let crooked labor
: leader. joey Fay, out Of jail. Fay had
been notorious labor boss in New Jer-
sey. There were other contributing fac
tors-but the Fay business sounded Mr..
Troast's political death knell.
OF the "a Governors who come up for
election or reelection this year, % are
Republicans and II are Democrats.
Eight of the IL Democrats are Governors
Of States Of the solid South"-where
Republicans still have no chance. The
other three are Cows. Williams of Mich
igan. Lausche of Ohio and Roberts of
Rhode Island. Gov. Williams is seeking
fourth term in Michigan, Gov.
LauSche fifth term in Ohio. Both are
marked men in the Democratic Party
and from large States, and in position
if they win to be considered for places
on the Democratic national ticket in
1856. Gov. Lausche has a great grip on
Ohio voterS-and has had the support
Of many Republicans, else he would
have been defeated long since. Mennen
Williams, on the other hand, has won
by hair--a few thousand at most.
Democrats Are Hopeful.
The Democrats believe they can re-
gain number of governorships this
fall. They look hopefully at Colorado.
where the unbeatable Ed johnson is
going home to be their candidate It
will be political miracle if the Re-
publicans defeat Senator johnson.
Democrats talk of winning in New
York, whether Gov. Dewey runs or
Senator Ives is the Republican nomi-
nee. 1t seems unlikely they could de-
feat either one.
Gov. John Lodge of Connecticut, Re-
publican, is another target. But Gov.
Lodge has gained rather than lost in
strength in the last year. They have
their eye on Maryland, where Repub-
lican Gov. McKeldin is seeking third
term, The Byrd-Mahoney bitter pri-
mary campaign and election is not
helping the Democrats there, though
they are seeking to close ranks back
OF DR.. Byrd, the winner of the nomi-
nation. Gov. Herter. Republican, of
Massachusetts,. despite his good record.
faces hard fight for reelection. Most
political observers. however, give Gov.
Herter the edge.
Other States where Republicans are
defending governorships are Idaho.
wyoming, Arizona, Nevada, New Mex
leo, California, Pennsylvania, Wiscon-
sin. Kansas, Maine, Iowa, Minnesota.
Nebraska, North Dakota, South Da-
kota, New Hampshire, Vermont and
Oregon. They hold the edge in nearly
all of these States.
Il May Be in Big Race.
These governorship races may hold
the secret of 1856 presidential NOM
nations. Democrats have for years
been drawn to Governors for their pres
ldential nominations. They may stick
to Adlai Stevenson, their 1852 candi-
date. They persuaded him to give over
running for reelection as Governor of
Illinois that year and become their
presidential nominee But Mennen
Williams of Michigan, Lausche of Ohio
and Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1r., of New
York-provided the last wins the gov
ernorship of New York-may be in
tnere battling for the presidency in
1856.
On the Republican side of the fence.
the denomination of President Eisen-
hover is predicted by many. However.
should ne fail for any reason to run
again, the G.. o. p might turn to the
Governor of New York, should he be
Senator Ives, or to the Governor of
Illinois, William G. Stratton. who has
made real impression by his admin
lstration. Gov. Dewey of New York
has twice been nominated-in 1914 and
l948. Twice he was defeated and even
should he be reelected Governor of
the Empire State, he does not expect
third presidential nomination.
The political Importance of these
gubernatorial races is considerable.
The party which holds the governor
ship OF State is always in a stra-
tegic position there, with State paw
roiis and other patronage to keep the
party faithful working hard on election
day. So If the Republicans can Approx
innate their present strength among
Governors after the November elections
the G. o. P. will have strong back
log of support for their presidential
candidate two years hence.
Questions and Answers