Lessons from the past: Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates 1948 - 2006
1948, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58
Gerhard Mennen (Soapy) Williams
G. Mennen Williams was one of the people that made Michigan a 2-party state again. Before his election as Governor, the republicans dominated state government. He accomplished many things including the construction of the Mackinac Bridge and refusing to extradite Haywood Patterson, one of the Scottsboro Boys accused of the rape of two white women, although most people believe that the girls fabricated their story to avoid charges of prostitution or vagrancy. Soapy was a big fan of square dancing and really loved calling a square dance. His talent for square dance calling came in handy in budget negotiations with the republican controlled legislature. His talent for square dance calling came in handy in budget negotiations with the republican controlled legislature. When campaigning for his first term in 1948 Soapy campaign retail style across the state in his old DeSoto convertible. He would appear and community festivals, county fairs, and of course called square dances. Another of the taglines of the Democrats of the times was a worker in every precinct, a candidate for every office.
John Swainson
1960-62
Governor John Swainson’s story is probably one of the most impressive and sad stories in Michigan political history. Swainson was only 35 when he was elected Governor making him the second youngest Governor in Michigan history. His rise to the Governorship was fast and impressive. Swainson served as a combat infantryman in General Patton’s division in Word War II. When a nearby army jeep hit a German Landmine Swainson was badly injured. One of his legs was blown off below the knee and the other had to be amputated at an army hospital. Swainson was then sent to the Percy Jones U.S. Army hospital in Battle Creek
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