1950 Massachusetts elections
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.
In the race for Governor, Democratic incumbent Paul Dever was re-elected over former Lieutenant Governor Arthur W. Coolidge.
Democratic incumbents swept the six elections for statewide offices.
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
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 founder of the John Birch Society
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
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
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
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
Treasurer and Receiver-General
Republican primary
Candidates
- Fred J. Burrell, former Treasurer and Receiver-General
- Roy C. Papalia, Watertown selectman
Auditor
Republican primary
Candidates
- William G. Andrew, former interim district attorney of Middlesex County, Massachusetts
- Warren A. Rood