1936 Massachusetts gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	1936 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
Country:	Massachusetts
Flag Year:	1908
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	No
Previous Election:	1934 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	1934
Next Election:	1938 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
Next Year:	1938
Turnout:	42.88% (total pop.)
Image1:	CharlesFHurley.jpg
Nominee1:	Charles F. Hurley
Party1:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	867,743
Percentage1:	47.62%
Nominee2:	John W. Haigis
Party2:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	839,740
Percentage2:	46.08%
Map Size:	250px
Governor
Before Election:	James Michael Curley
Before Party:	Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:	Charles F. Hurley
After Party:	Democratic Party (United States)

The 1936 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1936.

Democratic Governor James Michael Curley chose to run for United States Senate rather than seek a second term in office. Incumbent Democratic Treasurer Charles F. Hurley was elected Governor over former Republican State Treasurer John W. Haigis.

Democratic primary

Governor

Candidates

• Charles F. Hurley, Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts
• William McMasters, publicity agent and whistleblower in the Charles Ponzi case^[1]

Declined

• James Michael Curley, incumbent Governor (to run for U.S. Senate)

Results

Following his loss in the Democratic primary, McMasters accepted the nomination of the Union Party.

Lt. Governor

Candidates

• Thomas F. Galvin, Lawrence City Alderman and Commissioner of Public Safety
• Francis E. Kelly, former member of the Boston City Council and candidate for Lt. Governor in 1932 and 1934
• Philip J. Philbin, special counsel for the United States Senate Committee on Education and Labor and ally of Senator David I. Walsh

Results

Republican primary

Governor

Candidates

• John W. Haigis, former Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts

Results

Haigis was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Lt. Governor

Candidates

• Leverett Saltonstall, Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives

Results

Speaker Saltonstall was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

General election

Candidates

• John W. Haigis, former Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts (Republican)
• Horace I. Hillis, candidate for Lt. Governor in 1934 (Socialist Labor)
• Otis Archer Hood (Communist)
• Charles F. Hurley, Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts (Democratic)
• Alfred Baker Lewis, attorney, civil rights activist, and perennial candidate (Socialist)
• William McMasters, publicity agent and whistleblower in the Charles Ponzi case (Union)
• Fred G. Bushold (Union-Coughlin-Townsend)

Results

See also

• 1935–1936 Massachusetts legislature

Bibliography

Book: Election Statistics, 1935–36 . Frederic W. Cook, Secretary of the Commonwealth . 1936 . Boston, MA . .

Notes and References

1. Book: Zuckoff . Mitchell . Ponzi's Scheme: The True Story of a Financial Legend . Mar 8, 2005 . Random House Publishing Group . 296 . 9781400060399 . registration . 29 September 2019.