1948 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

The 1948 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1948. Democrat Paul A. Dever defeated Republican incumbent Robert F. Bradford, Socialist Labor candidate Horace Hillis, and Prohibition candidate Mark R. Shaw.

1948 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

November 2, 1948

Nominee Paul A. Dever Robert F. Bradford Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,239,247 849,895 Percentage 59.03% 40.49%

Dever   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90% Bradford   40–50%   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90%   90–100%

Governor before election Robert F. Bradford Republican Elected Governor Paul A. Dever Democratic

Republican primary

Candidates

• Robert F. Bradford, incumbent Governor
• Edward Rowe, State Senator

Results

1948 Republican gubernatorial primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Robert F. Bradford (incumbent)	210,574	82.86%
	Republican	Edward Rowe	43,545	17.14%
Total votes			254,119	100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Paul Dever, former Attorney General and candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 1946

Withdrew

• Maurice Tobin, former Governor (withdrew to become United States Secretary of Labor)

Results

Democratic gubernatorial primary, 1948

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Paul A. Dever	221,727	76.65%
	Democratic	Maurice J. Tobin	67,555	23.35%

General election

Results

Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 1948

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Paul A. Dever	1,239,247	59.03%
	Republican	Robert F. Bradford (incumbent)	849,895	40.49%
	Socialist Labor	Horace Hillis	7,259	0.35%
	Prohibition	Mark R. Shaw	2,841	0.14%

See also

• 1948 Massachusetts general election
• 1947–1948 Massachusetts legislature