1934 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:1934 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election
Country:Pennsylvania
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1930 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1930
Next Election:1938 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election
Next Year:1938
Image1:File:GeorgeHEarle.jpg
Nominee1:George Earle
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:1,476,377
Percentage1:50.04%
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Nominee2:William A. Schnader
Popular Vote2:1,410,138
Percentage2:47.80%
Map Size:250px
Governor
Before Election:Gifford Pinchot
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:George Earle
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 1934 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election occurred on November 6, 1934. Incumbent Republican governor Gifford Pinchot was not a candidate for re-election.

The Democratic candidate, George Howard Earle III, defeated Republican candidate William A. Schnader to become Governor of Pennsylvania.

This was the first Pennsylvania gubernatorial election won by the Democratic Party since 1890.

Background

Election eve was marred by the Kelayres massacre, in which a local, small-town, Republican boss and his family fired pistols, rifles and shotguns during a Democratic rally and parade, killing three, and leaving at least a dozen more seriously wounded. News of the attack was reported across the nation with front-page headlines.

In Pennsylvania, the attack was strongly politicized in Democratic newspapers and on the radio. There were numerous reports of Republicans voting Democratic due to the attack. Schnader, as incumbent Attorney General, was forced to comment on the attack in strong terms, and to the end of his life, believed the attack cost him the election.[1]

Republican primary

Candidates

Democratic primary

Candidates

General election

Candidates

Results

Notes and References

  1. The New Deal Comes to Pennsylvania: The Gubernatorial Election of 1934. Pennsylvania History. Edwin B.. Bronner. January 1960. XXVII. 1. 44 - 68. 27769931.