1947 United States Senate special election in Mississippi

The 1947 United States Senate special election in Mississippi was held on November 4, 1947. John C. Stennis was elected to fill the seat vacated by the death of Theodore G. Bilbo.

1947 United States Senate special election in Mississippi

← 1946 November 4, 1947 1952 →

Nominee John C. Stennis William M. Colmer Forrest B. Jackson Party Democratic Democratic Democratic Popular vote 52,068 45,725 43,642 Percentage 26.88% 23.61% 22.53%   Nominee Paul B. Johnson Jr. John E. Rankin Party Democratic Democratic Popular vote 27,159 24,492 Percentage 14.02% 12.64%

Results by county Stennis:      20–30%      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90% Colmer:      20–30%      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Jackson:      20–30%      30–40%      40–50%      60–70% Johnson:      20–30%      30–40% Rankin:      20–30%      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election Theodore G. Bilbo Democratic Elected U.S. Senator John C. Stennis Democratic

This is the most recent open seat won by a Democrat in Mississippi, as Stennis and his fellow senator James Eastland would continue to be reelected until both being succeeded by Republicans.

General election

Candidates

• John C. Stennis, former State Representative from Starkville^[a]
• William M. Colmer, U.S. Representative from Pascagoula
• Forrest B. Jackson
• Paul B. Johnson Jr., son of former governor Paul B. Johnson Sr.
• John E. Rankin, U.S. Representative from Lee County
• L. R. Collins

1. Stennis represented Starkville during his time as a student at Mississippi State University, but later moved to Kemper County, where he resided in 1947.

Results

1947 United States Senate election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John C. Stennis	52,068	26.88%
	Democratic	William M. Colmer	45,725	23.61%
	Democratic	Forrest B. Jackson	43,642	22.53%
	Democratic	Paul B. Johnson Jr.	27,159	14.02%
	Democratic	John E. Rankin	24,492	12.64%
	Republican	L. R. Collins	623	0.32%

References

1. "Our Campaigns - Container Detail Page". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved December 20, 2017.