Dewey polls half of Wisconsin GOP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (UP) –
More than 50% of the 260,468 Republican votes cast in the Wisconsin primary election Tuesday were for Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York, unofficial returns from 2,845 of the state’s 3,075 precincts showed today.
The total number of Dewey votes was131,740, the number cast for Wisconsin Secretary of State Fred Zimmerman, the leading candidate for delegate-at-large. Mr. Zimmerman’s total was more than the combined number of votes cast for the leading candidates for delegate-at-large for LtCdr. Harold E. Stassen (former Governor of Minnesota), Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Wendell L. Willkie.
The total Republican vote was 61% of the 426,996 ballots cast by both sides in the precincts reported.
Willkie to close his headquarters
New York (UP) –
Wendell L. Willkie, declaring that he felt “fine,” arrived in New York today and announced that his national campaign headquarters would be closed “immediately” as the result of his withdrawal from the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
Mr. Willkie, accompanied by his wife, laughed off any specific questions as to his future political moves.
Asked whether he intended to make any political trips or speeches in the near future, Mr. Willkie said:
Not that I know of. I’m going to devote all of my time to running my office and practicing law. This is my home, you know.
Mr. Willkie, for the most part, appeared less jovial than usual and appeared tired.
Asked whether he had any plans to meet with Governor Thomas E. Dewey, now considered the leading Republican candidate, Mr. Willkie laughed and declined to answer.