WI Nixon loses 1950

(Note: This is an aspect of a larger defeated Mao TL)

So let's say Nixon runs for Senate 1950 but loses, and isn't picked as VP candidate in 1952. Where does his career go from there?
 
My bet would be on his running for Governor 8 years earlier in 1954 against Goodwin Knight, who succeeded to the Governorship when Earl Warren was appointed to the Supreme Court. Nixon's 1950 loss might actually result in Warren not being appointed, making the seat open in '54. Alternatively, Nixon waits until 1958 and runs for the Senate again when Bill Knowland runs for Governor.
 
Nixon is still a very useful man to Ike, especially given how well he can bridge the conservative and liberal wings of the Republican party. Solicitor-General, Press Secretary and an Undersecretary at State are all good choices for him; Ike's second term, he might get a full Cabinet position, and might even be back on track to campaign in '60.

Warren still gets the SCOTUS position; he threatened to guarantee a Democrat took the White House in 56 if he didn't get it, and Ike doubted neither his intent nor his ability to make that happen.
 
OK, so immediate possibilities include:

Governor's race, 1954
Solicitor General or Undersecretary of State under Ike

I agree SCOTUS seems unlikely, but I don't see him "stooping" to press secretary either.

If TTL the Dems pull out another WH win in 1952 (that's another thread) sound like Dick's best bet is the governor's mansion...
 
OK, so immediate possibilities include:

Governor's race, 1954
Solicitor General or Undersecretary of State under Ike

I agree SCOTUS seems unlikely, but I don't see him "stooping" to press secretary either.

If TTL the Dems pull out another WH win in 1952 (that's another thread) sound like Dick's best bet is the governor's mansion...

This seems about right, though I suppose one could add the possibility of him returning to Congress in 1952 as well; CA picked up a lot of new House seats and it wouldn't have been all that hard for him to find a suitable new district. Come to think of it, this seems more likely than him entering the administration.

He could run for Congress with a view toward either taking a crack at the 1954 gubernatorial race or another shot at the Senate seat he lost, which would be up in 1956.
 
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