1964 United States presidential election in Wisconsin explained

See main article: 1964 United States presidential election.

Election Name:1964 United States presidential election in Wisconsin
Country:Wisconsin
Flag Year:1913
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1960 United States presidential election in Wisconsin
Previous Year:1960
Next Election:1968 United States presidential election in Wisconsin
Next Year:1968
Election Date:November 3, 1964
Image1:File:37 Lyndon Johnson 3x4 (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:Lyndon B. Johnson
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Home State1:Texas
Running Mate1:Hubert Humphrey
Electoral Vote1:12
Popular Vote1:1,050,424
Percentage1:62.09%
Nominee2:Barry Goldwater
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Home State2:Arizona
Running Mate2:William E. Miller
Electoral Vote2:0
Popular Vote2:638,495
Percentage2:37.74%
Map Size:310px
President
Before Election:Lyndon B. Johnson
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Lyndon B. Johnson
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 1964 United States presidential election in Wisconsin was held on November 3, 1964, as part of 1964 United States presidential election. State voters chose 12 electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

Politics in Wisconsin since the Populist movement had been dominated by the Republican Party,[1] as the upper classes, along with the majority of workers who followed them, fled from William Jennings Bryan's agrarian and free silversympathies.[2] Competition between the "League" under Robert M. La Follette, and the conservative "Regular" faction[3] would develop into the Wisconsin Progressive Party in the late 1930s, which was opposed to the conservative German Democrats and to the national Republican Party, and allied with Franklin D. Roosevelt at the federal level. During the two wartime elections, the formerly Democratic German counties in the east of the state – which had been powerfully opposed to the Civil War because they saw it as a "Yankee" war and opposed the military draft instituted during it[4] – viewed Communism as a much greater threat to America than Nazism and consequently opposed President Roosevelt's war effort.[5] Consequently, these historically Democratic counties became virtually the most Republican in the entire state, and became a major support base for populist conservative Senator Joe McCarthy, who became notorious for his investigations into Communists inside the American government. The state's populace's opposition to Communism and the Korean War turned Wisconsin strongly to Republican nominee Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1952 and 1956 presidential elections.

The 1958 midterm elections, however, saw a major change in Wisconsin politics, as Gaylord A. Nelson became only the state's second Democratic Governor since 1895, and the state also elected Democrats to the position of treasurer and Senator, besides that party gaining a majority in the State Assembly for only the second time since the middle 1890s. They maintained a close balance in the early 1960s, signaling the state's transition to a swing state. During the Republican primaries, Wisconsin supported favorite son John W. Byrnes but no other state joined him. Ultimate Republican nominee Barry Goldwater considered Wisconsin a useful state to combine with his Southern and Western strategy for winning the presidency and directing the GOP away from the declining Yankee Northeast.[6] The Republican would campaign in Wisconsin late in September, but met with severe hostility at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.[7] Signs saying "Bring the Bomb—Back Barry" were common in Madison.

Background

In the 1958 election, Gaylord A. Nelson was elected as Wisconsin's second Democratic governor since 1895, and the state also elected Democrats to the position of treasurer and U.S. Senator, besides that party gaining a majority in the State Assembly for only the second time since the middle 1890s. They maintained a close balance in the early 1960s, signaling the state's transition to a swing state.[8] The Republican would campaign in Wisconsin late in September, but met with severe hostility at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.[9]

Campaign

George Wallace ran in the Democratic primary, but was defeated by Governor John W. Reynolds Jr., who served as a surrogate for Johnson.

Results

1964 United States presidential election in Wisconsin[10] [11]
PartyCandidateVotesPercentageElectoral votes
DemocraticLyndon B. Johnson (incumbent)1,050,42462.09%12
RepublicanBarry Goldwater638,49537.74%0
Socialist WorkersClifton DeBerry1,6920.10%0
Socialist LaborEric Hass1,2040.07%0
Totals1,691,815100.00%12

Results by county

CountyLyndon B. Johnson
Democratic		Barry Goldwater
Republican		Clifton DeBerry
Socialist Workers		Eric Hass
Socialist Labor		MarginTotal votes cast
%%%%%
Adams2,26264.83%1,21934.94%30.09%50.14%1,04329.89%3,489
Ashland5,38370.91%2,19828.96%60.08%40.05%3,18541.95%7,591
Barron8,33259.28%5,70140.56%170.12%60.04%2,63118.72%14,056
Bayfield3,87567.08%1,88632.65%140.24%20.03%1,98934.43%5,777
Brown30,85159.26%21,13440.59%610.12%180.03%9,71718.67%52,064
Buffalo3,66363.60%2,09136.31%50.09%00.00%1,57227.29%5,759
Burnett2,92165.45%1,53634.42%50.11%10.02%1,38531.03%4,463
Calumet5,35657.75%3,90542.11%100.11%30.03%1,45115.64%9,274
Chippewa10,91163.38%6,27736.46%180.10%80.05%4,63426.92%17,214
Clark7,78161.25%4,89738.55%160.13%100.08%2,88422.70%12,704
Columbia10,09361.66%6,25338.20%170.10%70.04%3,84023.46%16,370
Crawford3,93058.98%2,72640.91%40.06%30.05%1,20418.07%6,663
Dane68,11871.38%27,12428.42%830.09%1010.11%40,99442.96%95,426
Dodge15,49758.91%10,77240.95%300.11%90.03%4,72517.96%26,308
Door4,41650.68%4,28949.22%80.09%10.01%1271.46%8,714
Douglas15,23776.80%4,57923.08%120.06%110.06%10,65853.72%19,839
Dunn6,47561.91%3,96437.90%140.13%50.05%2,51124.01%10,458
Eau Claire15,77564.33%8,70035.48%340.14%120.05%7,07528.85%24,521
Florence1,02963.25%59636.63%10.06%10.06%43326.62%1,627
Fond du Lac18,04058.61%12,70841.29%260.08%40.01%5,33217.32%30,778
Forest2,47969.79%1,06930.10%30.08%10.03%1,41039.69%3,552
Grant9,30954.09%7,87245.74%160.09%140.08%1,4378.35%17,211
Green5,54850.76%5,36449.08%140.13%30.03%1841.68%10,929
Green Lake3,89350.12%3,87149.83%20.03%20.03%220.29%7,768
Iowa4,62058.43%3,27541.42%90.11%30.04%1,34517.01%7,907
Iron2,51472.24%96327.67%20.06%10.03%1,55144.57%3,480
Jackson3,81860.06%2,53239.83%60.09%10.02%1,28620.23%6,357
Jefferson13,29560.20%8,74139.58%280.13%200.09%4,55420.62%22,084
Juneau4,58360.57%2,97639.33%50.07%30.04%1,60721.24%7,567
Kenosha30,52267.29%14,76432.55%400.09%300.07%15,75834.74%45,356
Kewaunee4,79261.59%2,98038.30%60.08%20.03%1,81223.29%7,780
La Crosse16,62555.78%13,13544.07%260.09%170.06%3,49011.71%29,803
Lafayette4,47158.28%3,19441.64%40.05%20.03%1,27716.64%7,671
Langlade5,07762.83%2,99437.05%80.10%20.02%2,08325.78%8,081
Lincoln5,88360.06%3,89439.75%100.10%90.09%1,98920.31%9,796
Manitowoc21,92768.92%9,84930.96%240.08%150.05%12,07837.96%31,815
Marathon24,60365.74%12,76634.11%380.10%190.05%11,83731.63%37,426
Marinette9,65764.32%5,33235.52%120.08%120.08%4,32528.80%15,013
Marquette1,92750.50%1,88149.29%80.21%00.00%461.21%3,816
Menominee64789.12%7810.74%10.14%00.00%56978.38%726
Milwaukee288,57765.67%149,96234.12%4010.09%5190.12%138,61531.55%439,459
Monroe6,38555.41%5,12644.48%70.06%60.05%1,25910.93%11,524
Oconto6,36058.92%4,42040.94%110.10%40.04%1,94017.98%10,795
Oneida6,43162.11%3,90937.75%100.10%50.05%2,52224.36%10,355
Outagamie21,55653.62%18,59546.26%350.09%120.03%2,9617.36%40,198
Ozaukee9,51752.51%8,58147.35%150.08%100.06%9365.16%18,123
Pepin2,15466.71%1,06933.11%40.12%20.06%1,08533.60%3,229
Pierce6,35165.70%3,29134.05%140.14%100.10%3,06031.65%9,666
Polk7,21565.57%3,75434.12%180.16%160.15%3,46131.45%11,003
Portage11,88772.05%4,57927.75%210.13%110.07%7,30844.30%16,498
Price4,28963.97%2,40635.88%70.10%30.04%1,88328.09%6,705
Racine37,78563.71%21,43436.14%520.09%350.06%16,35127.57%59,306
Richland4,31557.17%3,22442.71%60.08%30.04%1,09114.46%7,548
Rock28,25758.04%20,37241.85%440.09%110.02%7,88516.19%48,684
Rusk4,17665.20%2,21434.57%70.11%80.12%1,96230.63%6,405
Sauk9,28859.33%6,34540.53%120.08%110.07%2,94318.80%15,656
Sawyer2,59156.17%2,01243.62%70.15%30.07%57912.55%4,613
Shawano6,56050.06%6,51949.74%180.14%80.06%410.32%13,105
Sheboygan26,41066.95%12,96832.88%480.12%190.05%13,44234.07%39,445
St. Croix8,86465.86%4,56533.92%160.12%130.10%4,29931.94%13,458
Taylor4,62467.03%2,26132.78%100.14%30.04%2,36334.25%6,898
Trempealeau6,32065.91%3,26434.04%30.03%20.02%3,05631.87%9,589
Vernon6,24257.28%4,64042.58%110.10%50.05%1,60214.70%10,898
Vilas2,84150.03%2,82749.78%30.05%80.14%140.25%5,679
Walworth11,74648.92%12,22550.92%300.12%80.03%−479−2.00%24,009
Washburn3,18162.84%1,86536.84%80.16%80.16%1,31626.00%5,062
Washington11,56355.62%9,19144.21%270.13%100.05%2,37211.41%20,791
Waukesha39,79652.76%35,50247.07%850.11%460.06%4,2945.69%75,429
Waupaca6,99045.42%8,38154.46%150.10%30.02%−1,391−9.04%15,389
Waushara3,00446.64%3,43753.36%00.00%00.00%−433−6.72%6,441
Winnebago23,63652.72%21,08447.03%850.19%300.07%2,5525.69%44,835
Wood15,37864.65%8,38835.26%160.07%50.02%6,99029.39%23,787
Totals1,050,42462.09%638,49537.74%1,6920.10%1,2040.07%411,92924.35%1,691,815

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

Electors

These were the names of the electors on each ticket.[10]

Analysis

Early polls nevertheless showed incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson leading Goldwater comfortably,[12] despite predictions of a severe backlash to the Civil Rights Act from Wisconsin's anti-black German-American and Polish-American populations.[13] Extreme fears of financial loss for farmers accounted for a 66–28 lead for Johnson in September,[14] while fear of Goldwater's policy of strategic use of nuclear weapons,[15] rather than enthusiasm for the domestic and foreign policies of President Johnson, was cited as the cause of the President's continuing strong lead one month later.[16]

Johnson won Wisconsin by a margin of 24.35 percent. Goldwater held up slightly better in the German areas where conservative Republicanism had been established by anti-World War II sentiment, whilst he lost heavily in the Yankee counties of the south.[15], this is the last election in which Dodge County, Fond du Lac County, Green Lake County, Ozaukee County, Vilas County, Washington County, and Waukesha County (and by that extension, any of the WOW counties) voted for a Democratic presidential candidate.[17]

See also

Works cited

Notes and References

  1. Burnham, Walter Dean; 'The System of 1896: An Analysis'; in The Evolution of American Electoral Systems, pp. 178-179
  2. Sundquist, James; Politics and Policy: The Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson Years, p. 526
  3. Hansen, John Mark; Shigeo Hirano, and Snyder, James M. Jr.; 'Parties within Parties: Parties, Factions, and Coordinated Politics, 1900-1980'; in Gerber, Alan S. and Schickler, Eric; Governing in a Polarized Age: Elections, Parties, and Political Representation in America, pp. 165-168
  4. [Kevin Phillips (political commentator)|Phillips, Kevin P.]
  5. Phillips; The Emerging Republican Majority, pp. 387-388
  6. Kelley, Stanley junior; 'The Goldwater Strategy'; The Princeton Review; pp. 8-11
  7. Yerxa, Fendall W.; 'Goldwater Takes Campaign North: Senator Meets Opposition on Leaving the South'; Special to The New York Times, September 25, 1964, p. 61
  8. Kelley, Stanley junior; 'The Goldwater Strategy'; The Princeton Review; pp. 8–11.
  9. Yerxa, Fendall W.; 'Goldwater Takes Campaign North: Senator Meets Opposition on Leaving the South'; Special to The New York Times, September 25, 1964, p. 61.
  10. Wisconsin Historical Society, Statement of Board of State Canvassers for President, Vice President and Presidential Electors - General Election - 1964
  11. Book: The Wisconsin Blue Book 1966. Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library. Vote For President And Vice President By County. Madison, Wisconsin. 748.
  12. 'President Scans Favorable Polls: Surveys in 7 States Show Him Leading Goldwater'; Special to The New York Times, August 22, 1964, p. 9.
  13. Pomfrets, John D.; 'Milwaukee Poles in Johnson Camp: While Openly Anti-Negro, They Oppose Goldwater'; Special to The New York Times, August 22, 1964, p. 22.
  14. Janson, Donald; 'Johnson Gaining Corn Belt Vote: Farmers Voice Wariness of Goldwater's Philosophy'; Special to The New York Times, September 13, 1964, p. 72.
  15. Phillips; The Emerging Republican Majority, p. 396.
  16. 'Goldwater Lacks in Wisconsin Poll: Fear of His Nuclear Policy Is Cited in Survey'; Special to The New York Times, October 11, 1964, p. 61.
  17. Sullivan, Robert David; 'How the Red and Blue Map Evolved Over the Past Century'; America Magazine in The National Catholic Review; June 29, 2016.

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