The 1928 New York state elections were held on November 6, 1928, to elect the governor, the lieutenant governor, the state comptroller, the attorney general, a U.S. senator and a judgeto succeed William S. Andrews who would reach the constitutional age limit at the end of the year of the New York Court of Appeals, as well as all members of the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate. Incumbent Governor Al Smith did not seek reelection, and instead unsuccessfully ran for President.

Conventions Workers Convention The Workers state convention met on June 10.REDS IN STATE CONVENTION in NYT on June 11, 1928 (subscription required)

Socialist Convention The Socialist state convention met on July 15 at Albany, New York.SOCIALISTS DECLARE FOR WINES AND BEER.; ...WALDMAN FOR GOVERNOR in NYT on July 16, 1928 (subscription required)

Republican Convention The Republican state convention met on September 29 at Syracuse, New York.STATE REPUBLICANS NAME OTTINGER AND HOUGHTON in NYT on September 30, 1928 (subscription required)

Democratic Convention The Democratic state convention met on October 2 at Rochester, New York.ROOSEVELT YIELDS TO SMITH AND HEADS STATE TICKET in NYT on October 3, 1928 (subscription required)

William Stormont Hackett, the mayor of Albany, had indicated to friends in late 1925 and early 1926 that he intended to enter the campaign for governor in 1928, presuming that Governor Al Smith won reelection in 1926 and made the presidential race in 1928.Mayor Erastus Corning: Albany Icon, Albany Enigma, pp. 64–65 As a result of Hackett's death in early 1926, the Democratic Party in New York next turned to Edwin Corning as their likely nominee for governor in 1928. Corning was a leader of Daniel P. O'Connell's Democratic organization in Albany, and had been elected Lieutenant Governor in 1926.The Encyclopedia of New York State However, Corning began to suffer health problems, and declined to become a candidate. As a result of Hackett's death and Corning's poor health, in 1928 New York Democrats attempted to recruit several other prominent politicians to run, including Robert F. Wagner, George R. Lunn, and Peter G. Ten Eyck. After those efforts failed, the party turned to Franklin D. Roosevelt to make the 1928 governor's race. He was nominated by acclamation at the state party convention.

Result Four Democrats and two Republicans were elected in a tight race, resulting in no party change overall. The incumbents Tremaine and Copeland were re-elected.

The Democratic, Republican, and Socialist parties maintained automatic ballot access, the Socialist Labor Party did not re-attain it, and the Workers Party did not attain it.

+ 1928 state election results Office Democratic ticket Republican ticket Socialist ticket Workers ticket Socialist Labor ticketGovernorFranklin D. Roosevelt 2,130,193 Albert Ottinger 2,104,129Louis Waldman 101,859William F. Dunne 10,741Charles H. Corregan 4,213Lieutenant GovernorHerbert H. Lehman 2,078,921Charles C. Lockwood 2,064,882Herman J. HahnRev. Herman J. Hahn, of Buffalo, ran also for U.S. Senator in 1938 105,806Franklin P. BrillFranklin P. Brill, of Buffalo, ran also in 1924 and 1926 11,715John E. DeLeeJohn E. DeLee, ran also for Comptroller in 1920; for Lieutenant Governor in 1922 and 1926; and for Treasurer in 1924 5,198ComptrollerMorris S. Tremaine 2,053,971Harry B. Crowley 2,038,306Elizabeth C. RothElizabeth C. Roth, of Buffalo, ran also for Lieutenant Governor in 1930; and for Comptroller in 1932 117,346Lovett Fort-Whiteman 12,370Henrietta Silver 6,733Attorney GeneralAlbert Conway 2,014,769Hamilton Ward Jr. 2,081,279William Karlin 118,797Juliet S. Poyntz 12,464Simeon Bickwheat 5,701Judge of the Court of AppealsLeonard C. Crouch 2,006,239Irving G. Hubbs 2,067,046Hezekiah D. WilcoxHezekiah D. Wilcox (Jan 24., 1855 - Dec. 18, 1931), lawyer, of Elmira, ran also for the Court of Appeals in 1916, 1917, 1921 and 1927; and for Attorney General in 1918, 1922 and 1926; Obit in NYT on December 19, 1931. Wilcox was actually ineligible for this office, since he had passed already the constitutional age limit of 70 years. 120,076 U.S. SenatorRoyal S. Copeland 2,084,273Alanson B. Houghton 2,034,014McAlister Coleman 111,208Robert Minor 11,956Henry KuhnHenry Kuhn, ran also for Secretary of State in 1910; for Attorney General in 1912; and for the U.S. Senate in 1922 5,543

See also New York gubernatorial elections New York state elections 1928 United States presidential election

Notes

Vote Totals-New York Red Book 1929