The 1958 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1958. The Democratic nominee, state senator Gaylord A. Nelson, defeated the Republican incumbent governor, Vernon W. Thomson, receiving 53.59% of the vote.
This was the first Democratic victory in a Wisconsin gubernatorial election since 1932, and only the second since 1892. Nelson's share of the vote was the highest for a Democrat since 1873. As of 2024, this is the most recent gubernatorial election in which Vilas County has voted for the Democratic candidate.
Primary election
The primary election was held on September 9, 1958. Both major party candidates were unopposed in their respective primaries.
Republican party
Candidates
- Vernon W. Thomson, incumbent governor
Democratic party
Candidates
- Gaylord A. Nelson, member of the Wisconsin State Senate since 1948.
General election
Candidates
- Gaylord A. Nelson, Democrat
- Vernon W. Thomson, Republican
- Wayne Leverenz, Independent
Results by county
By backing Thomson, Oconto County voted for the losing candidate for the first time since 1875, breaking a streak of 40 consecutive elections of backing the eventual winner. Additionally, Clark County, Green County, and Waupaca County voted for the losing candidate for the first time since 1892.
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
- Adams
- Barron
- Burnett
- Eau Claire
- Florence
- Jefferson
- La Crosse
- Langlade
- Lincoln
- Oneida
- Price
- Sheboygan
- St. Croix
- Taylor
- Vilas