Lum Wins Election by 17 Votes: Abner’s Sacrifice and the End of the Squire Skimp Scheme

Originally Aired: February 25, 1935 In Lum & Abner #51, “Lum Wins Election by 17 Votes,” Pine Ridge buzzes with anticipation as the votes are counted for the presidency of the Jot ‘Em Down Store. Squire Skimp anxiously oversees the tally, hoping to cash in on a contract that would award him 10% of Abner’s future earnings if Abner wins. As the count concludes, it’s revealed that Lum wins the election by a razor-thin margin—thanks to a surprising twist: Abner, in an act of self-sacrifice, campaigned for Lum to help avoid Squire’s grip. With honesty, humor, and a dash of rural cunning, the contract is torn up, Lum turns over the presidency to Abner anyway, and Squire is left outmaneuvered. This episode is a heartwarming portrait of friendship, cleverness, and Pine Ridge justice. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Dick Huddleston, Grandpappy Spears, and Squire Skimp Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, electionresults, Horlicks, smalltownpolitics, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, friendship, AbnerSacrifice, LumWins, torncontract, GoffAndLauck