Six New Democratic Governors

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27498, 4 November 1954, Page 13

Six New Democratic Governors

(Rec. 11.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, November 3. Democrats yesterday captured the State Governorships of New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Colorado and New Mexico.

Mr Averell W. Harriman, who served in high posts under Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, became Governor of New York in his first bid for elective office. Mr Harriman, the first Democratic Governor of New York since 1942, said: “We will restore a government with a heart in New York.” Mr Harriman’s victory represented a great upsurge for the Democrats since the last contest for the governorship four years ago. At that time, Mr Thomas E. Dewey defeated Mr Walter Lynch, the Democratic candidate, by almost 600,000 votes. Mr. Dewey did not seek re-election, and Mr Harriman’s opponent was Senator Irving Ives. One of Mr Harriman’s running mates. Mr Franklin D. Roosevelt, jun.. a retiring member of the House of Representatives, was defeated in his bid to become New York State’s AttorneyGeneral. He was beaten by the Republican nominee, Mr Jacob K. Jarvis. Mr Harriman, who was “smeared” by the Republicans in the campaign, had his revenge in a thumping victory. Mr Dewey threw all the weight of his political machine and his personal prertige into the fight for Senator Ives. But the voters returned a man respected highly not only in his native State of New York and elsewhere m the United States, but also in many overseas countries, for his notable public service before, during and after the Second World War. , Mr Harriman swept the New York City area, traditionally Democrat, and gained sufficient support through the State’s other cities and the rural areas, normally giving the edge to the Republican party; to,become the States first Democrat Governor since 1942. The Democrats, in effect have had six wins. In September, Mr Edmund Muskie (Democrat) won the Maine Governorship. . The successful Democrat in Colorado was Mr Edwin Johnson, a senator who chose to run tor Governor instead of

trying for another Senate term. He beat Mr Donald Brotzman, a Republican nominee, to succeed Mr Dan Thornton, a great friend of President Eisenhower. In New Mexico, Mr John Simms (Democrat) beat Mr Alvin Stockton (Republican). Mr George Leader (Democrat) defeated the Lieutenant-Governor. Mr Lloyd Wood (Republican) in Pennsylvannia. In Ohio, Mr Frank Lausche (Democrat) seemed certain of an unprecedented fifth term as Governor, There were 34 elections for governor. Apart from a total of six Democrat gains, the Republicans retained office in the other 26 contests, giving a total of 18 Republicans and 16 Democrats Six Republicans and eight Democrats held office in States where there were no elections, bringing the division of Governors to 24 for each party.