United States Senate Campaign of 1932 in Ohio

In the Ohio Senatorial election of 1932, Gilbert Bettman ran against incumbent Senator Robert J. Bulkley.  The Gilbert Bettman Papers contain documents that trace Gilbert Bettman’s career as a judge and as Attorney General of Ohio.  The Senatorial campaign of 1932 is particularly interesting for its focus on prohibition.  Below are some images of material from this campaign:

A political cartoon from the Gilbert Bettman papers touting Attorney General Bettman for cleaning up the “State Legal Law Jam.”

Bettman declared his candidacy for United States Senator in March of 1932.  Below is an excerpt from his declaration in which he stood on his achievements as Ohio Attorney General.

In his declaration of candidacy, Bettman also explained his views towards prohibition,  a heated issue in this election.  Bettman wrote that “Prohibition is a mistake” and that “It is not the way to temperance.” 

The collection also shows Bettman’s interaction with Bulkley, especially in their letters and telegrams to each other.  In the below telegram, dated September 14, 1932, Bulkley accuses Bettman of breaking a promise to debate in Cincinnati.