1906 Wyoming gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:1906 Wyoming gubernatorial election
Country:Wyoming
Type:presidential
Election Date:November 6, 1906
Turnout:29.29% of Total Population 4.11
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1904 Wyoming gubernatorial special election
Previous Year:1904
Next Election:1910 Wyoming gubernatorial election
Next Year:1910
Nominee1:Bryant Butler Brooks
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:16,317
Percentage1:60.20%
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Nominee2:Stephen A. D. Keister
Popular Vote2:9,444
Percentage2:34.85%
Map Size:250px
Governor
Before Election:Bryant Butler Brooks
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Bryant Butler Brooks
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 1906 Wyoming gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1906. Incumbent Republican Governor Bryant B. Brooks ran for re-election to a second term. After winning renomination against some intraparty challengers, he faced State Senator Stephen Keister in the general election. Brooks was ultimately able to win re-election by an overwhelming margin, setting a record for the largest majority in a state gubernatorial election, which would not be exceeded until Governor Stanley Hathaway's re-election in 1970.

Party conventions

As the Republican convention began on August 29, 1906, Governor Brooks was seen as a heavy favorite for renomination,[1] but several challengers to Brooks emerged, including State Treasurer William C. Irvine, banker Thomas A. Cosgriff, and L. G. Phelps.[2] Despite the strong challenges, however, Brooks was renominated.[3]

As the Democratic convention began on September 13, 1906, Democratic leaders reported that they had "difficulty finding prominent democrats willing to take places on the ticket," with State Senator Stephen Keister named as the likeliest candidate for Governor.[4] Keister was ultimately nominated, and the Democratic Party adopted a platform endorsing William Jennings Bryan as a candidate for president in 1908 and supporting the direct election of U.S. Senators.[5]

General election

Results by county

CountyBrooksVotesKeisterVotesO'NeillVotesBlainVotes
Uinta59.34%2,25928.24%1,07512.19%4650.24%9
Big Horn66.00%1,80732.18%8811.57%430.26%7
Fremont35.51%72262.52%1,2711.43%290.54%11
Sweetwater59.83%1,01032.46%5487.41%1250.30%5
Sheridan54.92%1,41137.02%9517.82%2010.23%6
Johnson56.54%66642.44%5000.93%110.08%1
Natrona63.00%66437.00%3900.00%00.00%0
Carbon65.82%1,57930.47%5483.50%840.21%5
Crook64.40%74731.29%3634.05%470.26%3
Weston70.18%63329.16%2630.55%50.11%1
Converse68.57%1,02327.95%4171.27%192.21%33
Albany57.45%1,34232.83%7678.73%2040.98%23
Laramie65.49%2,45434.45%1,2870.11%40.05%2

Notes and References

  1. News: June 17, 1906. Phelps for Governor. Great Falls Tribune. Great Falls, Mont.. 4. June 6, 2021.
  2. News: June 28, 1906. The Political Situation. Natrona County Tribune. Great Falls, Mont.. 4. June 6, 2021.
  3. News: August 30, 1906. The Wyoming Republicans. Great Falls Tribune. Great Falls, Mont.. 4. June 6, 2021.
  4. News: September 13, 1906. Wyoming Democrats. Butte Daily Post. Butte, Mont.. 5. June 6, 2021.
  5. News: September 15, 1906. Wyoming Democrats Make Nominations. Butte Miner. Butte, Mont.. 1. June 6, 2021.