1922 New Jersey gubernatorial election

The 1922 New Jersey gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1922. Democratic nominee George Sebastian Silzer defeated Republican nominee William Nelson Runyon with 52.19% of the vote.

1922 New Jersey gubernatorial election

← 1919 November 7, 1922 1925 →
 
Nominee George Sebastian Silzer William Nelson Runyon
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 427,206 383,312
Percentage 52.2% 46.8%

County results
Silzer:      40–50%      50–60%      70–80%
Runyon:      40–50%      50-60%      60–70%

Governor before election

Edward I. Edwards
Democratic

Elected Governor

George Sebastian Silzer
Democratic

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Withdrew

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Campaign

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George Sebastian Silzer ran with the backing of Jersey City boss Frank Hague and as a firm opponent of Prohibition. The race was a two-way contest between Silzer and William E. Tuttle Jr. until Tuttle abruptly withdrew in early September, citing his health and leaving both candidates unopposed in their respective primaries.[1] Tuttle ultimately died on February 11, 1923, less than a year after the primary.

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Campaign

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The uncontested primary was largely uneventful until August, when a member of the Democratic State Committee accused Runyon, a supporter of Prohibition, of delivering a speech in Collingswood under the influence of alcohol. Both Democratic candidates were in attendance at the event and personally rebuked the claim, which the committeewoman, Katharine McTague Donges, denied making. Runyon demanded a full retraction, threatening a libel suit against Donges. Around the same time, Governor Edward I. Edwards allegedly made a similar insinuation regarding a speech Runyon delivered in Sea Girt, though Edwards denied the claim.[2]

General election

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Candidates

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Results

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New Jersey gubernatorial election, 1922[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic George Sebastian Silzer 427,206 52.19%
Republican William Nelson Runyon 383,312 46.82%
Socialist George A. Goebel 5,644 0.69%
Majority
Turnout
Democratic hold Swing

References

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  1. ^ "THE NEW JERSEY GOVERNORSHIP". The New York Times. September 9, 1922. p. 8. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  2. ^ "PRIMARY CAMPAIGN DISCORD". The New York Times. August 16, 1922. p. 7. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  3. ^ Kalb, Deborah (December 24, 2015). Guide to U.S. Elections. ISBN 9781483380353. Retrieved January 25, 2016.