The 1950 Massachusetts general election was held on November 7, 1950, throughout Massachusetts. Primary elections took place on September 19.

At the federal level, Republicans maintained their majority in the state by holding eight of fourteen seats in the United States House of Representatives. Incumbents were re-elected in each House seat.

1950 Massachusetts elections

In the race for Governor, Democratic incumbent Paul Dever was re-elected over former Lieutenant Governor Arthur W. Coolidge.

1950 Massachusetts elections

Democratic incumbents swept the six elections for statewide offices.

1950 Massachusetts elections

Governor

Democratic incumbent Paul A. Dever was reelected over Republican Arthur W. Coolidge, Socialist Labor candidate Horace Hillis, and Prohibition candidate Mark R. Shaw.

Lieutenant governor

Democratic incumbent Charles F. Sullivan was reelected over Republican Laurence Curtis and Socialist Labor candidate Lawrence Gilfedder.

Democratic primary

Candidates

William N. Bergan, Hull selectman

G. Edward Bradley, Mayor of Somerville

John Francis Cahill, former Democratic State Committee Chair

J. Frank Murphy

Charles F. Sullivan, incumbent Lieutenant Governor

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Laurence Curtis, former Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts

Warren G. Harris, former Governor's Councilor

Daniel E. McLean, former Mayor of Beverly

Harris S. Richardson, State Senator

Robert W. Welch, Jr., businessman and anti-communist activist

Results

General election

Attorney general

Incumbent Francis E. Kelly attorney general defeated Benjamin F. Chesky, Eli Y. Krovitsky, Isadore H. Y. Muchnick in the Democratic primary and Republican Frederick Ayer Jr., Socialist Workers candidate Anthony Martin, and Prohibition candidate Howard B. Rand in the general election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Benjamin F. Chesky

Francis E. Kelly, incumbent Attorney General

Eli Y. Krovitsky

Isadore H. Y. Muchnick, member of the Boston School Committee

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Frederick Ayer Jr., Republican Party fundraiser and nephew of George S. Patton

Edward Butterworth, former State Representative

George Fingold, member of the Malden City Council

Edwin W. Hadley, professor at Northeastern University School of Law

Frank F. Walters

Results

General election

Secretary of the Commonwealth

Democratic primary

Candidates

Anthony L. Bruno

Stephen J. Carr

Edward J. Cronin, incumbent Secretary of the Commonwealth

Martin Graham

Paul V. Shaughnessy, member of the Waltham School Committee

Alfred L. Smith

Alfred R. Vitale

John F. Welch

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

John Adams

William B. Bailey, former State Representative

Henry Clay

Douglas Lawson

Ranny Weeks, bandleader

Russell A. Wood, former Massachusetts Auditor and State Representative

Ada F. York

Results

General election

Treasurer and Receiver-General

Republican primary

Candidates

Fred J. Burrell, former Treasurer and Receiver-General

Roy C. Papalia, Watertown selectman

Results

General election

Auditor

Republican primary

Candidates

William G. Andrew

Warren A. Rood

Results

General election

See also

157th Massachusetts General Court (1951–1952)

References

Massachusetts