Republican Primary Election Results and Candidate Analysis
The Republican primary serves as a critical selection process to determine which candidate will represent the party in a general election. In this particular contest, a diverse field of candidates—ranging from financial experts and legal professionals to religious leaders—competed for the party nomination.
The Field of Candidates
The primary featured six declared candidates, each bringing a unique professional background to the race. The contenders included:
- Albert Hawkes: Director of the United States Chamber of Commerce.
- Gill Robb Wilson: A Presbyterian minister and the founder of the Civil Air Patrol.
- Joseph A. Bower: A banker who served as the treasurer of the Republican State Committee.
- George O. Pullen: A seasoned politician who previously ran for the Senate in 1938 and 1940.
- Franklin W. Kielb: An attorney based in North Plainfield.
- George Biehl: A declared candidate for the nomination.
Election Results and Vote Distribution
The primary concluded with a highly competitive race between the top two candidates, who together captured the vast majority of the total vote. Out of 297,655 total votes cast, Albert W. Hawkes emerged as the winner.
Hawkes secured 130,885 votes, accounting for 43.97% of the total. He was followed closely by Gill Robb Wilson, who received 127,390 votes, or 42.80%. The remaining candidates saw significantly lower support, with Joseph A. Bower receiving the third-highest share of the vote.
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Albert W. Hawkes | 130,885 | 43.97% |
| Gill Robb Wilson | 127,390 | 42.80% |
| Joseph A. Bower | 16,097 | 5.41% |
| George Biehl | 11,588 | 3.89% |
| George O. Pullen | 6,311 | 2.12% |
| Franklin W. Kielb | 5,384 | 1.81% |
Key Facts
- Winner: Albert W. Hawkes won the primary with 43.97% of the vote.
- Total Participation: A total of 297,655 votes were cast in the primary.
- Competitive Margin: The gap between the first and second-place candidates was only 1.17%.
- Diverse Backgrounds: Candidates included a Chamber of Commerce director, a minister, a banker, and an attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Republican primary?
Albert W. Hawkes won the primary, receiving 130,885 votes.
How many total votes were cast in the election?
A total of 297,655 votes were cast.
Who was the runner-up in the race?
Gill Robb Wilson was the runner-up, securing 127,390 votes (42.80%).
What was the professional background of Gill Robb Wilson?
Gill Robb Wilson was a Presbyterian minister and the founder of the Civil Air Patrol.
Which candidate had the lowest percentage of the vote?
Franklin W. Kielb received the lowest percentage of the vote at 1.81%.