The 1948 Maine gubernatorial election took place on September 13, 1948. Incumbent Republican Governor Horace A. Hildreth, was term limited and seeking election to the United States Senate (eventually losing the Republican primary to Margaret Chase Smith), thus did not run. Republican Frederick G. Payne, the former mayor of Augusta, faced off against Democratic challenger Louis B. Lausier, the mayor of Biddeford. Payne defeated Lausier in a landslide. Neil S. Bishop unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination
Payne dispatched four other Republicans in the GOP primary, including Bishop; his closest opponent was Maine Senate President George D. Varney. Lausier defeated former state senator Leland Currier in the Democratic primary.
Republican primary
Candidates Neil S. Bishop, of Bowdoinham, state senator Roy L. Fernald, of Winterport, former state senator Frederick G. Payne, of Waldoboro, businessman and former mayor of Augusta George D. Varney, of Kittery, President of the Maine Senate, former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives Robinson Verrill, of Portland, attorney
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates Leland Currier, of Lewiston, former state senator Louis B. Lausier, of Biddeford, mayor of Biddeford
Results
Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
York (largest town: Biddeford)
Notes