Leathem D. Smith for Senator: The Wisconsin Senate Race of 1944

By Brennan Christianson, Collections Coordinator, Door County Maritime Museum

for the Republican nomination. He would be running against the incumbent, Senator Alexander Wiley, as well as a former judge from Appleton, Joseph McCarthy. He advocated for several positions, including a rejection of American isolation, creation of the St. Lawrence Seaway, and – once the war was won – to rebuild Europe “American-Style.” advocated for the construction of the Saint Lawrence Seaway.

Leathem D. Smith was a shipbuilder, business owner, and a true maritime icon. He also tried to become one of Wisconsin’s US senators during the Second World War.

In 1944, residents of Door County petitioned Smith to run

“The lid is off!” proclaimed the March 10, 1944 issue of the Door County Advocate. “The much talked of candidacy of Leathem D. Smith for the Republican nomination for United States senator became a reality here Saturday evening as he threw his hat into the ring.”

His political positions covered topics such as economics, foreign policy, and transportation. As the owner of one of the largest employers in Door County, Smith saw the importance of getting materials in and out of the Great Lakes region. His company constructed several subchasers and patrol craft that were being used to fight in Europe. He

Smith argued that the Isolationism of pre-war America was not sustainable. The US found itself entangled in a world war for a second time within a twenty-five-year period. Smith proposed a hard-headed approach where America would help in “re-establishing Europe on a constructive basis not only for their own welfare but primarily so that we do not have to make again the sacrifices of World War.”

To prevent future wars in Europe, in which Americans might need to get involved, Smith proposed a solution he called “Europe AmericanStyle.” He saw the cause of most European conflicts to be a symptom of nationalism, ambitious rulers, and the uneven distribution of materials between nations. Once the war was won, Smith believed that Europe should be rebuilt as one nation.

The primary election took place on August 15, 1944. Leathem Smith predicted a landslide victory for the Republican party, and hoped to be among the victorious. This would not come to pass, however, as he came in third place, with 15% of the vote. Not surprisingly, Smith did win the vast majority of votes from Door County. Incumbent Republican Senator Wiley was ultimately reelected in November 1944. Though Leathem Smith’s political career did not succeed, some of his platform would ultimately come to fruition. In 1959, the St. Lawrence Seaway was opened, creating the ability to transfer more goods to and from the Great Lakes. Although Europe is not “Americanstyle” as he had hoped, economic cooperation greatly increased following World War Two, culminating with the establishment of the European Union in 1993.