After a narrow failed bid in the 1940 GOP gubernatorial primary,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=879313 ME Governor - R Primary Race - Jun 17, 1940]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref> Payne was successfully elected in 1948,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=174305 ME Governor Race - Sep 13, 1948]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref> and re-elected the following election cycle during the [[1950 Midterm Elections|1950 Midterms]] with a sweep of every single county.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=174306 ME Governor Race - Sep 11, 1950]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref> | After a narrow failed bid in the 1940 GOP gubernatorial primary,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=879313 ME Governor - R Primary Race - Jun 17, 1940]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref> Payne was successfully elected in 1948,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=174305 ME Governor Race - Sep 13, 1948]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref> and re-elected the following election cycle during the [[1950 Midterm Elections|1950 Midterms]] with a sweep of every single county.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=174306 ME Governor Race - Sep 11, 1950]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved August 21, 2021.</ref> |