1952 Maine gubernatorial election
Incumbent Republican Governor Frederick G. Payne was term limited and seeking election to the United States Senate, thus did not run.Burton's election was the ninth consecutive victory for the Republicans in Maine gubernatorial races.Cross actually became Governor about two weeks prior to the start of his elected term of office – the outgoing Governor, Frederick G. Payne had resigned on December 25, 1952, to prepare for his term in the United States Senate.Cross himself resigned as Senate President (and Governor) at 10:00am January 6, 1953 and was replaced for the next 25 hours by Nathaniel Haskell.At 11:00am on January 7, 1953, Cross' official elected term of office began.