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1954 United States Senate elections

The 1954 United States Senate elections was a midterm election in the first term of Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidency. The 32 Senate seats of Class 2 were contested in regular elections, and six special elections were held to fill vacancies. Eisenhower's Republican party lost a net of two seats to the Democratic opposition. This small change was just enough to give Democrats control of the chamber with the support of an Independent (Wayne Morse of Oregon) who agreed to caucus with them, he later officially joined the party in April 1955.

1954 United States Senate elections

← 1952 September 13[a] & November 2, 1954 1956 →

38 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate
49 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Lyndon Johnson William Knowland
Party Democratic Republican
Leader since January 3, 1953 August 4, 1953
Leader's seat Texas California
Seats before 46 49
Seats after 48 47
Seat change 2 2
Popular vote 15,137,069[1] 12,585,368[1]
Percentage 53.9% 44.8%
Seats up 22 16
Races won 24 14

  Third party
 
Party Independent
Seats before 1
Seats after 1[b]
Seat change
Seats up 0
Races won 0

1954 United States Senate special election in California1954 United States Senate special election in Nevada1954 United States Senate special election in Ohio1954 United States Senate special elections in Nebraska1954 United States Senate special election in New Hampshire1954 United States Senate special elections in North Carolina1954 United States Senate election in Alabama1954 United States Senate election in Arkansas1954 United States Senate election in Colorado1954 United States Senate election in Delaware1954 United States Senate election in Georgia1954 United States Senate election in Idaho1954 United States Senate election in Illinois1954 United States Senate election in Iowa1954 United States Senate election in Kansas1954 United States Senate election in Kentucky1954 United States Senate election in Louisiana1954 United States Senate election in Maine1954 United States Senate election in Massachusetts1954 United States Senate election in Michigan1954 United States Senate election in Minnesota1954 United States Senate election in Mississippi1954 United States Senate election in Montana1954 United States Senate election in Nebraska1954 United States Senate election in New Hampshire1954 United States Senate election in New Jersey1954 United States Senate election in New Mexico1954 United States Senate election in North Carolina1954 United States Senate election in Oklahoma1954 United States Senate election in Oregon1954 United States Senate election in Rhode Island1954 United States Senate election in South Carolina1954 United States Senate election in South Dakota1954 United States Senate election in Tennessee1954 United States Senate election in Texas1954 United States Senate election in Virginia1954 United States Senate election in West Virginia1954 United States Senate election in Wyoming
Results of the elections:
     Democratic gain      Democratic hold
     Republican gain      Republican hold
     No election
Rectangular inset (Neb., N. H. & N. C.): both seats up for election

The elections resulted in a divided government that continued to the end of Eisenhower's presidency and a Democratic majority that would last until 1981. As of 2022, this is the last Senate election cycle in which a state (both Nebraska and North Carolina) had to hold three simultaneous elections (two special elections and one regular election) due to the near-simultaneous deaths of both incumbent Senators. This is also the last time until 2024 where both Senate seats in Nebraska were concurrently up for election.

Results summary edit

48 1 47
Democratic I Republican

Colored shading indicates party with largest share of that row.

Parties Total
Democratic Republican Independent Other
Last elections (1952) 47 49 0 0 96
Before these elections 46 49 1 0 96
Not up 24 33 0 1 58
Up 22 16 0 38
Class 2 (1948→1954) 20 12 32
Special: Class 1 0 1 1
Special: Class 3 2 3 5
Incumbent retired 2 4 6
Held by same party 1 3 4
Replaced by other party  1 Republican replaced by  1 Democrat
 1 Democrat replaced by  1 Republican
2
Result 2 4 0 0 6
Incumbent ran 20 12 32
Won re-election 17 7 24
Lost re-election  4 Republicans replaced by  4 Democrats
 2 Democrats replaced by  2 Republicans
6
Lost renomination
but held by same party
1 1 2
Result 22 10 0 0 32
Total elected 24 14 0 0 38
Net change  2  2     2
Nationwide vote 15,137,069 12,585,368 35,661 323,147 28,081,245
Share 53.90% 44.82% 0.13% 1.15% 100%
Result 48 47 1 0 96

Source: Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives[1]

Gains, losses and holds edit

Retirements edit

One Republican and one Democrat retired instead of seeking re-election. Two Republicans and one Democrat also retired instead of finishing the unexpired term.

Defeats edit

Three Republicans and two Democrats sought re-election, and two Republicans and one Democrat also sought election to finish the unexpired term, but lost in the primary or general election.

Party entrance edit

Wayne Morse (I-OR) who caucused with the Democrats, officially joined the party in April 1955.

State Senator Replaced by
Oregon Wayne Morse Wayne Morse

Post-election changes edit

Change in composition edit

Before the elections edit

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8
D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9
D19 D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 D25
Ala.
Ran
D26
Ark.
Ran
D27
Colo.
Retired
D28
Del.
Ran
D38
N.C. (sp 3)
Ran
D37
N.C. (reg)
N.C. (sp 2)
Ran
D36
N.M.
Ran
D35
Mont.
Ran
D34
Miss.
Ran
D33
Minn.
Ran
D32
La.
Ran
D31
Iowa
Ran
D30
Ill.
Ran
D29
Ga.
Ran
D39
Ohio (sp)
Ran
D40
Okla.
Ran
D41
R.I.
Ran
D42
S.C.
Retired
D43
Tenn.
Ran
D44
Texas
Ran
D45
Va.
Ran
D46
W.Va.
Ran
I1 R49
Wyo. (reg)
Wyo. (sp)
Retired
Majority →
R39
Mass.
Ran
R40
Mich.
Ran
R41
Neb. (reg)
Neb. (sp 2)
Retired
R42
Neb. (sp 1)
Retired
R43
Nev. (sp)
Ran
R44
N.H. (reg)
Ran
R45
N.H. (sp)
Ran
R46
N.J.
Retired
R47
Ore.
Ran
R48
S.D.
Ran
R38
Me.
Ran
R37
Ky.
Ran
R36
Kan.
Ran
R35
Idaho
Ran
R34
Calif. (sp)
Ran
R33 R32 R31 R30 R29
R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28
R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8

Results of the elections edit

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8
D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9
D19 D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 D25
Ala.
Re-elected
D26
Ark.
Re-elected
D27
Del.
Re-elected
D28
Ga.
Re-elected
D38
R.I.
Re-elected
D37
Okla.
Re-elected
D36
N.C. (sp 3)
Elected[c]
D35
N.C. (reg)
N.C. (sp 2)
Hold
D34
N.M.
Re-elected
D33
Mont.
Re-elected
D32
Miss.
Re-elected
D31
Minn.
Re-elected
D30
La.
Re-elected
D29
Ill.
Re-elected
D39
S.C.
Hold
D40
Tenn.
Re-elected
D41
Texas
Re-elected
D42
Va.
Re-elected
D43
W.Va.
Re-elected
D44
Ky.
Gain
D45
Mich.
Gain
D46
Nev. (sp)
Gain[d]
D47
Ore.
Gain
D48
Wyo. (reg)
Wyo. (sp)
Gain
Majority with Independent in caucus ↑ I1
R39
Neb. (sp 2)
Hold
Neb. (reg)
Hold
R40
Neb. (sp 1)
Hold
R41
N.H. (reg)
Re-elected
R42
N.H. (sp)
Hold
R43
N.J.
Hold
R44
S.D.
Re-elected
R45
Colo.
Gain
R46
Iowa
Gain
R47
Ohio (sp)
Gain[d]
R38
Mass.
Re-elected
R37
Me.
Re-elected
R36
Kan.
Re-elected
R35
Idaho
Re-elected
R34
Calif. (sp)
Elected[c]
R33 R32 R31 R30 R29
R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28
R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8

Race summaries edit

Special elections during the 83rd Congress edit

In these special elections, the winners were seated during 1954 or before January 3, 1955; ordered by election date, then state, then class.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
California
(Class 3)
Thomas Kuchel Republican 1953 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected November 2, 1954.
  •  Y Thomas Kuchel (Republican) 53.2%
  • Sam Yorty (Democratic) 45.5%
  • Isobel M. Cerney (Progressive) 1.3%
Nebraska
(Class 1)
Samuel W. Reynolds Republican 1954 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected November 2, 1954.
Republican hold.
  •  Y Roman Hruska (Republican) 60.9%
  • James F. Green (Democratic) 39.1%
Nebraska
(Class 2)
Eva Bowring Republican 1954 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected November 2, 1954.
Republican hold.
Winner was not elected to the next term; see below.
  •  Y Hazel Abel (Republican) 57.8%
  • William H. Meier (Democratic) 42.2%
Nevada
(Class 3)
Ernest S. Brown Republican 1954 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost election.
New senator elected November 2, 1954.
Democratic gain.
New Hampshire
(Class 3)
Robert W. Upton Republican 1953 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost nomination.
New senator elected November 2, 1954.
Republican hold.
  •  Y Norris Cotton (Republican) 60.2%
  • Stanley J. Betley (Democratic) 39.8%
North Carolina
(Class 2)
Alton Lennon Democratic 1953 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost nomination.
New senator elected November 2, 1954.
Democratic hold.
Winner also elected to next term; see below.
North Carolina
(Class 3)
Sam Ervin Democratic 1954 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected November 2, 1954.
Ohio
(Class 3)
Thomas A. Burke Democratic 1953 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost election.
New senator elected November 2, 1954.
Republican gain.
Wyoming
(Class 2)
Edward D. Crippa Republican 1954 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected November 2, 1954.
Democratic gain.
Winner also elected to the next term; see below.

Races leading to the 84th Congress edit

In these general elections, the winner was seated on January 3, 1955; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral
history
Alabama John Sparkman Democratic 1946 (special)
1948
Incumbent re-elected.
Arkansas John L. McClellan Democratic 1942
1948
Incumbent re-elected.
Colorado Edwin C. Johnson Democratic 1936
1942
1948
Incumbent retired to run for Governor.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Delaware J. Allen Frear Jr. Democratic 1948 Incumbent re-elected.
Georgia Richard Russell Jr. Democratic 1932 (special)
1936
1942
1948
Incumbent re-elected.
Idaho Henry Dworshak Republican 1946 (special)
1948 (Lost)
1949 (Appointed)
1950 (special)
Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois Paul Douglas Democratic 1948 Incumbent re-elected.
  •  Y Paul Douglas (Democratic) 53.6%
  • Joseph T. Meek (Republican) 46.4%
Iowa Guy Gillette Democratic 1936 (special)
1938
1944 (Lost)
1948
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Kansas Andrew Frank Schoeppel Republican 1948 Incumbent re-elected.
Kentucky John Sherman Cooper Republican 1946 (special)
1948 (Lost)
1952 (special)
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Louisiana Allen J. Ellender Democratic 1936
1942
1948
Incumbent re-elected.
Maine Margaret Chase Smith Republican 1948 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts Leverett Saltonstall Republican 1944 (special)
1948
Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan Homer S. Ferguson Republican 1942
1948
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Minnesota Hubert Humphrey DFL 1948 Incumbent re-elected.
Mississippi James Eastland Democratic 1942
1948
Incumbent re-elected.
Montana James E. Murray Democratic 1934 (special)
1936
1942
1948
Incumbent re-elected.
Nebraska Eva Bowring Republican 1954 (special) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Winner was not elected to finish the term; see above.
Successor seated January 1, 1955.
New Hampshire Styles Bridges Republican 1936
1942
1948
Incumbent re-elected.
  •  Y Styles Bridges (Republican) 60.2%
  • Gerard L. Morin (Democratic) 39.8%
New Jersey Robert C. Hendrickson Republican 1948 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
New Mexico Clinton Anderson Democratic 1948 Incumbent re-elected.
North Carolina Alton Lennon Democratic 1953 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost nomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Winner also elected to finish the term; see above.
  •  Y W. Kerr Scott (Democratic) 65.90%
  • Paul C. West (Republican) 34.10%
Oklahoma Robert S. Kerr Democratic 1948 Incumbent re-elected.
  •  Y Robert S. Kerr (Democratic) 55.8%
  • Fred M. Mock (Republican) 43.7%
Others
  • George V. Fried (Independent) 0.3%
  • George H. Brasier (Independent) 0.2%
Oregon Guy Cordon Republican 1944 (Appointed)
1944 (special)
1948
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Rhode Island Theodore F. Green Democratic 1936
1942
1948
Incumbent re-elected.
South Carolina Charles E. Daniel Democratic 1954 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Incumbent then resigned December 23, 1954, to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed December 24 to finish the term.
South Dakota Karl Mundt Republican 1948
1948 (Appointed)
Incumbent re-elected.
  •  Y Karl Mundt (Republican) 57.3%
  • Kenneth Holum (Democratic) 42.7%
Tennessee Estes Kefauver Democratic 1948 Incumbent re-elected.
  •  Y Estes Kefauver (Democratic) 70.0%
  • Tom Wall (Republican) 30.0%
Texas Lyndon B. Johnson Democratic 1948 Incumbent re-elected.
  •  Y Lyndon B. Johnson (Democratic) 84.6%
  • Carlos G. Watson (Republican) 14.9%
  • Fred Spangler (Constitution) 0.5%
Virginia A. Willis Robertson Democratic 1946 (special)
1948
Incumbent re-elected.
  •  Y A. Willis Robertson (Democratic) 79.9%
  • Charles W. Lewis Jr. (Ind. Democratic) 10.7%
  • Clarke T. Robb (Social Democratic) 9.4%
West Virginia Matthew M. Neely Democratic 1922
1928 (Lost)
1930
1936
1941 (Resigned)
1948
Incumbent re-elected.
Wyoming Edward D. Crippa Republican 1954 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Winner also elected to finish the term; see above.

Closest races edit

Twelve races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State Party of winner Margin
Ohio (special) Republican (flip) 0.12%
New Jersey Republican 0.19%
Oregon Democratic (flip) 0.4%[e]
Montana Democratic 0.8%
Massachusetts Republican 1.5%
Michigan Democratic (flip) 1.9%
Colorado Republican (flip) 2.6%
Wyoming Democratic (flip) 3.2%
Iowa Republican (flip) 4.7%
California (special) Republican 7.7%
Kentucky Democratic (flip) 9.0%
West Virginia Democratic 9.6%

Alabama edit

Alabama election
 
← 1948
1960 →
     
Nominee John Sparkman Junius Foy Guin Jr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 259,348 55,110
Percentage 82.48% 17.53%

 
County results
Sparkman:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. senator before election

John Sparkman
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

John Sparkman
Democratic

Alabama election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Sparkman (Incumbent) 259,348 82.47
Republican J. Foy Guin Jr. 55,110 17.53
Majority 204,438 64.96
Turnout 314,458
Democratic hold

Arkansas edit

 
Senator John L. McClellan
Arkansas election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John L. McClellan (Incumbent) 291,058 100.00
Democratic hold

California (special) edit

Following the resignation of Richard Nixon to assume the vice presidency, Governor Earl Warren appointed Thomas Kuchel to Nixon's seat; Kuchel assumed the office on January 2, 1953.[3]

California election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Thomas Kuchel (Incumbent) 2,090,836 53.2
Democratic Sam Yorty 1,788,071 45.5
Independent–Progressive Isobel M. Cerney 50,506 1.3
None Scattering 255 0.00
Majority 302,765 7.7
Turnout 3,929,668
Republican hold

Colorado edit

Colorado election
 
← 1948
1960 →
     
Nominee Gordon Allott John A. Carroll
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 248,502 235,686
Percentage 51.32% 48.68%

 
County results
Allott:      50–60%      60–70%
Carroll:      50–60%      60–70%

Colorado election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gordon Allott 248,502 51.32
Democratic John A. Carroll 235,686 48.68
Majority 12,816 2.64
Turnout 484,188
Republican gain from Democratic

Delaware edit

Delaware election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Allen Frear (Incumbent) 82,511 56.94
Republican Herbert B. Warburton 62,389 43.06
Majority 20,122 13.88
Turnout 144,900
Democratic hold

Georgia edit

Georgia election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard B. Russell (Incumbent) 333,917 99.99
None Scattering 19 0.01
Majority 333,898 99.98
Turnout 333,936
Democratic hold

Idaho edit

Idaho election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Henry Dworshak (Incumbent) 142,269 62.84%
Democratic Glen H. Taylor 84,139 37.16%
Majority 58,130 25.68%
Turnout 226,408
Republican hold

Illinois edit

Illinois election
 
← 1948
1960 →
Turnout63.69%
     
Nominee Paul Douglas Joseph T. Meek
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,804,338 1,563,683
Percentage 53.57% 46.43%

 
County results

U.S. senator before election

Paul Douglas
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Paul Douglas
Democratic

Illinois election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paul H. Douglas (Incumbent) 1,804,338 53.57
Republican Joseph T. Meek 1,563,683 46.43
Majority 240,655 7.14
Turnout 3,368,021
Democratic hold

Iowa edit

Iowa election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Thomas E. Martin 442,409 52.21
Democratic Guy Gillette (Incumbent) 402,712 47.53
Republicsons Ernest Seeman 2,234 0.26
Majority 39,697 4.68
Turnout 847,355
Republican gain from Democratic

Kansas edit

Kansas election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Andrew Schoeppel (Incumbent) 348,144 56.33
Democratic George McGill 258,575 41.84
Prohibition David C. White 11,344 1.84
Majority 89,569 14.49
Turnout 618,063
Republican hold

Kentucky edit

Kentucky election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alben Barkley 434,109 54.46
Republican John Sherman Cooper (Incumbent) 362,948 45.54
Majority 71,161 8.92
Turnout 797,057
Democratic gain from Republican

Louisiana edit

 
Senator Allen J. Ellender
Louisiana election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Allen J. Ellender (Incumbent) 207,115 100.00
Democratic hold

Maine edit

Maine election
 
← 1948 September 13, 1954 1960 →
     
Nominee Margaret Chase Smith Paul Fullam
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 144,530 102,075
Percentage 58.61% 41.39%

Maine election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Margaret Chase Smith (Incumbent) 144,530 58.61
Democratic Paul A. Fullam 102,075 41.39
Majority 42,455 17.22
Turnout 246,605
Republican hold

Massachusetts edit

Massachusetts election
 
← 1948
1960 →
     
Nominee Leverett Saltonstall Foster Furcolo
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 956,605 927,899
Percentage 50.54% 49.03%

 
Municipal results

In Massachusetts, Republican Incumbent Leverett Saltonstall defeated his challengers.

Democrat Foster Furcolo (Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts since 1952 and member of the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district from 1949 to 1952) beat John I. Fitzgerald (former member of the Boston City Council and Democratic candidate for Senate in 1948) and Joseph L. Murphy (former member of the Massachusetts Senate).

Republican incumbent Leverett Saltonstall (United States senator since 1945 and Governor of Massachusetts from 1939 to 1945) was renominated. Other nominees included Socialist Workers Thelma Ingersoll (ran for Senate in 1952.[4]) and Prohibition Harold J. Ireland (candidate for Treasurer and Receiver-General in 1948 and 1952).

Democratic primary [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Foster Furcolo 207,232 59.13
Democratic Joseph L. Murphy 79,463 22.68
Democratic John I. Fitzgerald 63,752 18.19
General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Leverett Saltonstall (Incumbent) 956,605 50.54 -2.41%
Democratic Foster Furcolo 927,899 49.03 +2.60%
Socialist Labor Thelma Ingersoll 5,353 0.28 -0.17%
Prohibition Harold J. Ireland 2,832 0.15 -0.03%
None Scattering 21 0.00
Majority 28,706 1.52
Turnout 1,892,710
Republican hold Swing

Michigan edit

1954 United States Senate election in Michigan
 
← 1948
1960 →
     
Nominee Patrick V. McNamara Homer S. Ferguson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,088,550 1,049,420
Percentage 50.75% 48.93%

 
County results
McNamara:      50–60%      60–70%
Ferguson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Michigan election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Patrick V. McNamara 1,088,550 50.75
Republican Homer S. Ferguson (Incumbent) 1,049,420 48.93
Prohibition Leroy M. Lowell 4,841 0.23
Socialist Labor James Sim 1,126 0.05
Socialist Workers Rita Shaw 902 0.04
None Scattering 1 0.00
Majority 39,130 1.82
Turnout 2,144,840
Democratic gain from Republican

Minnesota edit

1954 United States Senate election in Minnesota
 
← 1948
1960 →
     
Nominee Hubert H. Humphrey Val Bjornson
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican
Popular vote 642,193 479,619
Percentage 56.39% 42.11%

 
County results
Humphrey:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Bjornson:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%

Minnesota election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Hubert Humphrey (Incumbent) 642,193 56.38
Republican Val Bjornson 479,619 42.11
Liberal Independent Francis Patrick Ryan 12,457 1.09
Socialist Workers Vincent R. Dunne 4,683 0.41
Majority 162,574 14.27
Turnout 1,138,952
Democratic (DFL) hold

Mississippi edit

Mississippi election
 
← 1948
1960 →
     
Nominee James Eastland James A. White
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 100,848 4,678
Percentage 95.6% 4.43%

 
County results
Eastland:      80-90%      90-100%

Mississippi election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James Eastland (Incumbent) 100,848 95.57
Republican James A. White 4,678 4.43
Majority 96,070 91.14
Turnout 105,526
Democratic hold

Montana edit

In Montana incumbent senator James E. Murray, who was first elected to the Senate in a special election in 1934 and was re-elected in 1936, 1942, and 1948, ran for re-election.

Murray won the Democratic primary against trivial opponents (farmer Ray E. Gulick and Sam G. Feezell).

Democratic Party primary results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James E. Murray (Incumbent) 65,896 86.94
Democratic Ray E. Gulick 4,961 6.55
Democratic Sam G. Feezell 4,941 6.52
Total votes 75,798 100.00

Republican Wesley A. D'Ewart United States Congressman from Montana's 2nd congressional district beat Robert Yellowtail, former Superintendent of the Crow Indian Reservation, for the GOP nomination.

Republican Primary results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Wesley A. D'Ewart 49,964 82.36
Republican Robert Yellowtail 10,705 17.64
Total votes 60,669 100.00

A contentious and close election ensued, but ultimately, Murray was able to narrowly win re-election over D'Ewart to a final term in the Senate.

Montana election[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic James E. Murray (Incumbent) 114,591 50.38 -6.27%
Republican Wesley A. D'Ewart 112,863 49.62 +6.88%
Majority 1,728 0.76 -13.15%
Turnout 227,454
Democratic hold Swing

Nebraska edit

Nebraska had three Senate elections on the ballot. Both incumbents had died in the span of three months, leading to appointments and special elections.

Nebraska (special, class 1) edit

Incumbent Republican Hugh A. Butler died July 1, 1954, and Republican Samuel W. Reynolds was appointed July 3 to continue the term. Reynolds did not run to finish the term, and Republican Roman Hruska won the seat in November to finish the term ending in 1959.

Nebraska class 1 special election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Roman Hruska 250,341 60.88
Democratic James F. Green 160,881 39.12
None Scattering 3 0.00
Majority 89,460 21.76
Turnout 411,225
Republican hold

Nebraska (special, class 2) edit

Incumbent Republican Dwight P. Griswold died April 12, 1954, and Republican Eva Bowring was appointed April 16 to continue the term. In November, Republican Hazel Abel was elected to finish the term.

Nebraska class 2 special election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mrs. Hazel Abel 233,589 57.76
Democratic William H. Meier 170,828 42.24
None Scattering 5 0.00
Majority 62,761 15.52
Turnout 404,422
Republican hold

Nebraska (regular) edit

Although elected to finish the class 2 term, Abel did not run for the next term, and Republican Carl Curtis was elected in November to the next term.

Nebraska general election (class 2)[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Carl T. Curtis 255,695 61.07
Democratic Keith Neville 162,990 38.93
None Scattering 6 0.00
Majority 92,705 22.14
Turnout 418,691
Republican hold

On December 31, 1954, Abel resigned and Curtis was appointed January 1, 1955, two days ahead of his elected term.

Nevada (special) edit

Nevada election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alan Bible 45,043 58.11
Republican Ernest S. Brown (Incumbent) 32,470 41.89
Majority 12,573 16.22
Turnout 77,513
Democratic gain from Republican

New Hampshire edit

New Hampshire (regular) edit

New Hampshire election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Styles Bridges (Incumbent) 117,150 60.22
Democratic Gerard L. Morin 77,386 39.78
Majority 39,764 20.44
Turnout 194,536
Republican hold

New Hampshire (special) edit

New Hampshire election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Norris Cotton 114,068 60.18
Democratic Stanley J. Betley 75,490 39.82
Majority 38,578 20.36
Turnout 189,558
Republican hold

New Jersey edit

New Jersey election
 
← 1948
1960 →
     
Nominee Clifford P. Case Charles R. Howell
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 861,528 858,158
Percentage 48.66% 48.47%

 
County Results
Case:      40–50%      50-60%      60-70%
Howell:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

New Jersey election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Clifford Case (Incumbent) 861,528 48.66
Democratic Charles R. Howell 858,158 48.47
American Third Henry Krajewski 35,421 2.00
Write-In Fred A. Hartley 7,025 0.40
Socialist Labor Albert Ronis 4,832 0.27
Socialist Workers George Breitman 3,590 0.20
Majority 3,370 0.19
Turnout 1,770,554
Republican hold

New Mexico edit

New Mexico election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Clinton P. Anderson (Incumbent) 111,351 57.10
Republican Edwin L. Mechem 83,671 42.90
Majority 27,680 14.20
Turnout 195,022
Democratic hold

North Carolina edit

Like Nebraska, North Carolina, had three elections on the ballot. Both senators had died during the 83rd Congress, leading to appointments and special elections.

North Carolina (special, class 2) edit

Democrat Willis Smith died June 26, 1953, and Democrat Alton A. Lennon was appointed July 10 to continue the term. In November, Lennon lost the nomination to Democrat W. Kerr Scott to finish the term.[7] Scott took office November 29, 1954.

North Carolina class 2 special election[1][8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic W. Kerr Scott 420,268 100.00
Democratic hold

North Carolina (regular) edit

Democrat W. Kerr Scott was also elected to the next term, which would begin January 3, 1955.[9]

North Carolina (class 2) general election[1][10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic W. Kerr Scott 408,312 65.90
Republican Paul C. West 211,322 34.10
Majority 196,990 31.80
Turnout 619,634
Democratic hold

North Carolina (special, class 3) edit

Democrat Clyde R. Hoey died May 12, 1954, and Democrat Sam Ervin was appointed June 5 to continue the term. In November, Ervin was elected to finish the term.

North Carolina class 3 special election[1][11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Samuel J. Ervin Jr. (Incumbent) 410,574 100.00
Democratic hold

Ohio (special) edit

Ohio election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George H. Bender 1,257,874 50.06
Democratic Thomas A. Burke (Incumbent) 1,254,904 49.94
Majority 2,970 0.12
Turnout 2,512,778
Republican gain from Democratic

Oklahoma edit

Oklahoma election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert S. Kerr (Incumbent) 335,127 55.84
Republican Fred M. Mock 262,013 43.66
Independent George V. Fried 1,563 0.26
Independent George H. Brasier 1,417 0.24
Majority 73,114 12.18
Turnout 600,120
Democratic hold

Oregon edit

Oregon election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard L. Neuberger 285,775 50.22
Republican Guy Cordon (Incumbent) 283,313 49.78
Majority 2,462 0.44
Turnout 569,088
Democratic gain from Republican

Rhode Island edit

Rhode Island election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Theodore Francis Green (Incumbent) 193,654 59.29
Republican Walter I. Sundlun 132,970 40.71
Majority 60,684 18.58
Turnout 326,624
Democratic hold

South Carolina edit

South Carolina election
 
     
Nominee Strom Thurmond Edgar A. Brown
Party Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 143,444 83,525
Percentage 63.1% 36.8%

 
Thurmond:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      70–80% Brown:      50-60%      60-70%      >90%

In South Carolina, Senator Burnet R. Maybank did not face a primary challenge in the summer and was therefore renominated as the Democratic Party's nominee for the election in the fall. However, his death on September 1 left the Democratic Party without a nominee and the executive committee decided to nominate state Senator Edgar A. Brown as their candidate for the election. Many South Carolinians were outraged by the party's decision to forgo a primary election and former Governor Strom Thurmond entered the race as a write-in candidate. He easily won the election and became the first U.S. senator to be elected by a write-in vote (William Knowland of California in 1946 was technically the first, but the ballots in that election were blank with no candidates listed, so essentially every candidate was running a write-in campaign).[12]

Sitting Senator Burnet R. Maybank entered the 1954 contest without a challenge in the Democratic primary nor in the general election. His unexpected death on September 1 caused panic and confusion within the hierarchy of the state Democratic party because the state law required that a party's nominee be certified by September 3. Hours after Maybank's funeral, the state Democratic executive committee met in secret and chose state Senator Edgar A. Brown of Barnwell County as the party's nominee for the general election. Not only was Brown a part of the "Barnwell Ring", but he was also a member of the executive committee.

The state Democratic Party's decision to choose a candidate without holding a special primary election drew widespread criticism across the state. On September 3, The Greenville News ran an editorial advocating that a primary election be called and several newspapers across the state followed suit. At least six county Democratic committees repudiated the action by the state committee and called for a primary election. Despite repeated calls for a primary, the state executive committee voted against holding a primary because they did not think that there was enough time before the general election to hold a primary election.

Immediately after the executive committee voted against holding a primary election, former Governor Strom Thurmond and lumberman Marcus Stone announced their intention to run as Democratic write-in candidates. Thurmond and his supporters stated that the executive committee had several legal alternatives as opposed to the outright appointment of state Senator Brown. In addition, Thurmond promised that if he were elected he would resign in 1956 so that the voters could choose a candidate in the regular primary for the remaining four years of the term.

Thurmond received support from Governor James F. Byrnes and from those who backed his Presidential bid as a Dixiecrat in the 1948 Presidential election. Thurmond framed the race as a "moral issue: democracy versus committee rule"[13] and his write-in campaign was repeatedly assisted by every newspaper in the state, except for those in Anderson. For instance, The News and Courier devoted its front page on November 2 to show voters a sample ballot and it also provided detailed instructions on how to cast a write-in vote. Not only that, but the newspaper also printed an editorial on the front page giving precise reasons why voters should vote for Thurmond instead of Brown.

On the other hand, Brown was supported by the Democratic party regulars and he also gained the endorsement of Senator Olin D. Johnston. Brown based his campaign entirely on the issue of party loyalty, stressing that Thurmond was a Republican ally because he had voted for President Eisenhower in 1952.

Marcus A. Stone, a lumberman in Florence and Dillon, was a candidate in previous Democratic primaries for governor and senator. He did very little campaigning for the general election.

South Carolina U.S. Senate Election, 1954
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Strom Thurmond (Write-In) 143,444 63.13 +63.13
Democratic Edgar A. Brown 83,525 36.76 -59.64
Democratic Marcus Stone (Write-In) 240 0.11 +0.11
No party Write-Ins 23 0.00 0.00
Majority 59,919 26.37 -66.43
Turnout 227,232
Democratic hold

South Dakota edit

South Dakota election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Karl Mundt (Incumbent) 135,071 57.30
Democratic Kenneth Holum 100,674 42.70
Majority 34,397 14.60
Turnout 235,745
Republican hold

Tennessee edit

Tennessee election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Estes Kefauver (Incumbent) 249,121 69.96
Republican Thomas P. Wall Jr. 106,971 30.04
None Write-Ins 2 0.00
Majority 142,150 39.92
Turnout 356,094
Democratic hold

Texas edit

Texas election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lyndon Johnson (Incumbent) 538,417 84.59
Republican Carlos Watson 95,033 14.93
Constitution Fred T. Spangler 3,025 0.48
Majority 443,384 69.66
Turnout 636,475
Democratic hold

Virginia edit

Virginia election
 
← 1948
1960 →
     
Nominee A. Willis Robertson Charles W. Lewis Jr.
Party Democratic Independent Democratic
Popular vote 244,844 32,681
Percentage 79.9% 10.7%

 
Nominee Clarke T. Robb
Party Social Democratic
Popular vote 28,922
Percentage 9.4%

In Virginia, Democratic incumbent Senator A. Willis Robertson defeated Independent Democrat Charles Lewis and Social Democrat Clarke Robb and was re-elected to a third term in office.

Virginia election[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic A. Willis Robertson (Incumbent) 244,844 79.88 +14.14%
Independent Democratic Charles W. Lewis Jr. 32,681 10.66 +10.66%
Social Democratic Clarke T. Robb 28,922 9.44 +9.02%
Write-ins 63 0.02 +0.02%
Majority 212,163 69.22 +34.18%
Turnout 306,510
Democratic hold Swing

West Virginia edit

West Virginia election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew M. Neely (Incumbent) 325,263 54.82
Republican Thomas Sweeney 268,066 45.18
Majority 57,197 9.64
Turnout 593,329
Democratic hold

Wyoming edit

 
Senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney

There were two elections the same day to the same seat, due to the June 19, 1954, death of Democrat Lester C. Hunt. Both elections were won by Democratic former senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney.

Wyoming (special) edit

Republican Edward D. Crippa was appointed June 24, 1954, to continue the term, pending a November 2 special election.

Wyoming special election, November 2, 1954[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph C. O'Mahoney 57,163 51.56
Republican William Henry Harrison III 53,705 48.44
Majority 3,458 3.12
Turnout 110,868
Democratic gain from Republican

Wyoming (regular) edit

Wyoming general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph C. O'Mahoney 57,845 51.53
Republican William Henry Harrison III 54,407 48.47
Majority 3,438 3.06
Turnout 112,252
Democratic gain from Republican

O'Mahoney would serve out the remainder of Hunt's term followed by this one term and then retire after 1960.

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Maine held its election in September
  2. ^ Independent Wayne Morse caucused with the Democrats.
  3. ^ a b Appointee elected
  4. ^ a b Appointee defeated
  5. ^ Oregon was the "tipping-point state".

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (October 15, 1955). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 2, 1954" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 2, 4, 20–21, 28–29, 30–31, 43.
  2. ^ a b "Our Campaigns - Container Detail Page". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  3. ^ "SENATORS OF THE UNITED STATES, 1789-present, A chronological list of senators since the First Congress in 1789" (PDF). United States Senate. p. 63. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  4. ^ Thelma Ingersoll at ourcampaigns.com
  5. ^ "Our Campaigns - MA US Senate Race - Nov 08, 1960". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  6. ^ a b (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 28, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  7. ^ "Our Campaigns - NC US Senate - Special D Primary Race - May 29, 1954". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  8. ^ "Our Campaigns - NC US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 02, 1954". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  9. ^ "Our Campaigns - NC US Senate - D Primary Race - May 29, 1954". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  10. ^ "Our Campaigns - NC US Senate Race - Nov 02, 1954". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  11. ^ "Our Campaigns - NC US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 02, 1954". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  12. ^ Wilgoren, Debbi (November 3, 2010). "Murkowski appears to make history in Alaska". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  13. ^ Lander, Ernest: A History of South Carolina 1865-1960, page 183. University of South Carolina Press, 1970.

Sources edit

  • "A New Test For S.C. Voters". The News and Courier. November 2, 1954. p. 1A.
  • "Brown Faces Thurmond In Write-In Race". The News and Courier. November 2, 1954. p. 1A.
  • Lander, Ernest McPherson Jr. (1970). A History of South Carolina, 1865-1960. University of South Carolina Press. pp. 182–184. ISBN 0-87249-169-2.
  • "Supplemental Report of the Secretary of State to the General Assembly of South Carolina." Reports and Resolutions of South Carolina to the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina. Volume I. Columbia, SC: 1955, pp. 4–5.
  • U.S. Senate Biography of Strom Thurmond

1954, united, states, senate, elections, midterm, election, first, term, dwight, eisenhower, presidency, senate, seats, class, were, contested, regular, elections, special, elections, were, held, fill, vacancies, eisenhower, republican, party, lost, seats, dem. The 1954 United States Senate elections was a midterm election in the first term of Dwight D Eisenhower s presidency The 32 Senate seats of Class 2 were contested in regular elections and six special elections were held to fill vacancies Eisenhower s Republican party lost a net of two seats to the Democratic opposition This small change was just enough to give Democrats control of the chamber with the support of an Independent Wayne Morse of Oregon who agreed to caucus with them he later officially joined the party in April 1955 1954 United States Senate elections 1952 September 13 a amp November 2 1954 1956 38 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate49 seats needed for a majority Majority party Minority party Leader Lyndon Johnson William KnowlandParty Democratic RepublicanLeader since January 3 1953 August 4 1953Leader s seat Texas CaliforniaSeats before 46 49Seats after 48 47Seat change 2 2Popular vote 15 137 069 1 12 585 368 1 Percentage 53 9 44 8 Seats up 22 16Races won 24 14 Third party Party IndependentSeats before 1Seats after 1 b Seat changeSeats up 0Races won 0Results of the elections Democratic gain Democratic hold Republican gain Republican hold No election Rectangular inset Neb N H amp N C both seats up for electionMajority Leader before electionBill KnowlandRepublican Elected Majority Leader Lyndon JohnsonDemocraticThe elections resulted in a divided government that continued to the end of Eisenhower s presidency and a Democratic majority that would last until 1981 As of 2022 update this is the last Senate election cycle in which a state both Nebraska and North Carolina had to hold three simultaneous elections two special elections and one regular election due to the near simultaneous deaths of both incumbent Senators This is also the last time until 2024 where both Senate seats in Nebraska were concurrently up for election Contents 1 Results summary 2 Gains losses and holds 2 1 Retirements 2 2 Defeats 2 3 Party entrance 2 4 Post election changes 3 Change in composition 3 1 Before the elections 3 2 Results of the elections 4 Race summaries 4 1 Special elections during the 83rd Congress 4 2 Races leading to the 84th Congress 5 Closest races 6 Alabama 7 Arkansas 8 California special 9 Colorado 10 Delaware 11 Georgia 12 Idaho 13 Illinois 14 Iowa 15 Kansas 16 Kentucky 17 Louisiana 18 Maine 19 Massachusetts 20 Michigan 21 Minnesota 22 Mississippi 23 Montana 24 Nebraska 24 1 Nebraska special class 1 24 2 Nebraska special class 2 24 3 Nebraska regular 25 Nevada special 26 New Hampshire 26 1 New Hampshire regular 26 2 New Hampshire special 27 New Jersey 28 New Mexico 29 North Carolina 29 1 North Carolina special class 2 29 2 North Carolina regular 29 3 North Carolina special class 3 30 Ohio special 31 Oklahoma 32 Oregon 33 Rhode Island 34 South Carolina 35 South Dakota 36 Tennessee 37 Texas 38 Virginia 39 West Virginia 40 Wyoming 40 1 Wyoming special 40 2 Wyoming regular 41 See also 42 Notes 43 References 44 SourcesResults summary edit 48 1 47Democratic I RepublicanColored shading indicates party with largest share of that row Parties TotalDemocratic Republican Independent OtherLast elections 1952 47 49 0 0 96Before these elections 46 49 1 0 96Not up 24 33 0 1 58Up 22 16 0 38Class 2 1948 1954 20 12 32Special Class 1 0 1 1Special Class 3 2 3 5Incumbent retired 2 4 6Held by same party 1 3 4Replaced by other party nbsp 1 Republican replaced by nbsp 1 Democrat nbsp 1 Democrat replaced by nbsp 1 Republican 2Result 2 4 0 0 6Incumbent ran 20 12 32Won re election 17 7 24Lost re election nbsp 4 Republicans replaced by nbsp 4 Democrats nbsp 2 Democrats replaced by nbsp 2 Republicans 6Lost renominationbut held by same party 1 1 2Result 22 10 0 0 32Total elected 24 14 0 0 38Net change nbsp 2 nbsp 2 nbsp nbsp 2Nationwide vote 15 137 069 12 585 368 35 661 323 147 28 081 245Share 53 90 44 82 0 13 1 15 100 Result 48 47 1 0 96Source Clerk of the U S House of Representatives 1 Gains losses and holds editRetirements edit One Republican and one Democrat retired instead of seeking re election Two Republicans and one Democrat also retired instead of finishing the unexpired term State Senator Replaced byColorado Edwin C Johnson Gordon AllottNebraska regular Eva Bowring Carl CurtisNebraska special Class 1 Samuel W Reynolds Roman HruskaNebraska special Class 2 Eva Bowring Hazel AbelNew Jersey Robert C Hendrickson Clifford P CaseSouth Carolina Charles E Daniel Strom ThurmondWyoming Edward D Crippa Joseph C O MahoneyDefeats edit Three Republicans and two Democrats sought re election and two Republicans and one Democrat also sought election to finish the unexpired term but lost in the primary or general election State Senator Replaced byIowa Guy Gillette Thomas E MartinKentucky John Sherman Cooper Alben W BarkleyMichigan Homer S Ferguson Patrick V McNamaraNevada special Ernest S Brown Alan BibleNew Hampshire special Robert W Upton Norris CottonNorth Carolina reg and sp Cl 2 Alton Lennon W Kerr ScottOhio special Thomas A Burke George H BenderOregon Guy Cordon Richard L NeubergerParty entrance edit Wayne Morse I OR who caucused with the Democrats officially joined the party in April 1955 State Senator Replaced byOregon Wayne Morse Wayne MorsePost election changes edit State Senator Replaced byKentucky Alben W Barkley Robert HumphreysSouth Carolina Strom Thurmond Thomas A WoffordWest Virginia Harley M Kilgore William Laird IIIChange in composition editBefore the elections edit D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9D19 D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 D25Ala Ran D26Ark Ran D27Colo Retired D28Del RanD38N C sp 3 Ran D37N C reg N C sp 2 Ran D36N M Ran D35Mont Ran D34Miss Ran D33Minn Ran D32La Ran D31Iowa Ran D30Ill Ran D29Ga RanD39Ohio sp Ran D40Okla Ran D41R I Ran D42S C Retired D43Tenn Ran D44Texas Ran D45Va Ran D46W Va Ran I1 R49Wyo reg Wyo sp RetiredMajority R39Mass Ran R40Mich Ran R41Neb reg Neb sp 2 Retired R42Neb sp 1 Retired R43Nev sp Ran R44N H reg Ran R45N H sp Ran R46N J Retired R47Ore Ran R48S D RanR38Me Ran R37Ky Ran R36Kan Ran R35Idaho Ran R34Calif sp Ran R33 R32 R31 R30 R29R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8Results of the elections edit D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9D19 D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 D25Ala Re elected D26Ark Re elected D27Del Re elected D28Ga Re electedD38R I Re elected D37Okla Re elected D36N C sp 3 Elected c D35N C reg N C sp 2 Hold D34N M Re elected D33Mont Re elected D32Miss Re elected D31Minn Re elected D30La Re elected D29Ill Re electedD39S C Hold D40Tenn Re elected D41Texas Re elected D42Va Re elected D43W Va Re elected D44Ky Gain D45Mich Gain D46Nev sp Gain d D47Ore Gain D48Wyo reg Wyo sp GainMajority with Independent in caucus I1R39Neb sp 2 Hold Neb reg Hold R40Neb sp 1 Hold R41N H reg Re elected R42N H sp Hold R43N J Hold R44S D Re elected R45Colo Gain R46Iowa Gain R47Ohio sp Gain d R38Mass Re elected R37Me Re elected R36Kan Re elected R35Idaho Re elected R34Calif sp Elected c R33 R32 R31 R30 R29R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8Key D DemocraticI IndependentR RepublicanRace summaries editSpecial elections during the 83rd Congress edit In these special elections the winners were seated during 1954 or before January 3 1955 ordered by election date then state then class State Incumbent Results CandidatesSenator Party Electoral historyCalifornia Class 3 Thomas Kuchel Republican 1953 Appointed Interim appointee elected November 2 1954 nbsp Y Thomas Kuchel Republican 53 2 Sam Yorty Democratic 45 5 Isobel M Cerney Progressive 1 3 Nebraska Class 1 Samuel W Reynolds Republican 1954 Appointed Interim appointee retired New senator elected November 2 1954 Republican hold nbsp Y Roman Hruska Republican 60 9 James F Green Democratic 39 1 Nebraska Class 2 Eva Bowring Republican 1954 Appointed Interim appointee retired New senator elected November 2 1954 Republican hold Winner was not elected to the next term see below nbsp Y Hazel Abel Republican 57 8 William H Meier Democratic 42 2 Nevada Class 3 Ernest S Brown Republican 1954 Appointed Interim appointee lost election New senator elected November 2 1954 Democratic gain nbsp Y Alan Bible Democratic 58 1 Ernest S Brown Republican 41 9 New Hampshire Class 3 Robert W Upton Republican 1953 Appointed Interim appointee lost nomination New senator elected November 2 1954 Republican hold nbsp Y Norris Cotton Republican 60 2 Stanley J Betley Democratic 39 8 North Carolina Class 2 Alton Lennon Democratic 1953 Appointed Interim appointee lost nomination New senator elected November 2 1954 Democratic hold Winner also elected to next term see below nbsp Y W Kerr Scott Democratic UnopposedNorth Carolina Class 3 Sam Ervin Democratic 1954 Appointed Interim appointee elected November 2 1954 nbsp Y Sam Ervin Democratic UnopposedOhio Class 3 Thomas A Burke Democratic 1953 Appointed Interim appointee lost election New senator elected November 2 1954 Republican gain nbsp Y George H Bender Republican 50 1 Thomas A Burke Democratic 49 9 Wyoming Class 2 Edward D Crippa Republican 1954 Appointed Interim appointee retired New senator elected November 2 1954 Democratic gain Winner also elected to the next term see below nbsp Y Joseph C O Mahoney Democratic 51 6 William Henry Harrison III Republican 48 4 2 Races leading to the 84th Congress edit In these general elections the winner was seated on January 3 1955 ordered by state All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats State Incumbent Results CandidatesSenator Party ElectoralhistoryAlabama John Sparkman Democratic 1946 special 1948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y John Sparkman Democratic 82 5 Junius Foy Guin Jr Republican 17 5 Arkansas John L McClellan Democratic 19421948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y John L McClellan Democratic UnopposedColorado Edwin C Johnson Democratic 193619421948 Incumbent retired to run for Governor New senator elected Republican gain nbsp Y Gordon Allott Republican 51 3 John A Carroll Democratic 48 7 Delaware J Allen Frear Jr Democratic 1948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y J Allen Frear Jr Democratic 56 9 Herbert Warburton Republican 43 1 Georgia Richard Russell Jr Democratic 1932 special 193619421948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Richard Russell Jr Democratic UnopposedIdaho Henry Dworshak Republican 1946 special 1948 Lost 1949 Appointed 1950 special Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Henry Dworshak Republican 62 8 Glen H Taylor Democratic 37 2 Illinois Paul Douglas Democratic 1948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Paul Douglas Democratic 53 6 Joseph T Meek Republican 46 4 Iowa Guy Gillette Democratic 1936 special 19381944 Lost 1948 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Republican gain nbsp Y Thomas E Martin Republican 52 2 Guy Gillette Democratic 47 5 Ernest Seemann Republicsons 0 3 Kansas Andrew Frank Schoeppel Republican 1948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Andrew Frank Schoeppel Republican 56 3 George McGill Democratic 41 8 David C White Prohibition 1 8 Kentucky John Sherman Cooper Republican 1946 special 1948 Lost 1952 special Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y Alben W Barkley Democratic 54 5 John Sherman Cooper Republican 45 5 Louisiana Allen J Ellender Democratic 193619421948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Allen J Ellender Democratic UnopposedMaine Margaret Chase Smith Republican 1948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Margaret Chase Smith Republican 58 6 Paul A Fullam Democratic 41 4 Massachusetts Leverett Saltonstall Republican 1944 special 1948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Leverett Saltonstall Republican 50 5 Foster Furcolo Democratic 49 0 Michigan Homer S Ferguson Republican 19421948 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y Patrick V McNamara Democratic 50 8 Homer S Ferguson Republican 48 9 Minnesota Hubert Humphrey DFL 1948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Hubert Humphrey DFL 56 4 Val Bjornson Republican 42 1 Mississippi James Eastland Democratic 19421948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y James Eastland Democratic UnopposedMontana James E Murray Democratic 1934 special 193619421948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y James E Murray Democratic 50 4 Wesley A D Ewart Republican 49 6 Nebraska Eva Bowring Republican 1954 special Interim appointee retired New senator elected Republican hold Winner was not elected to finish the term see above Successor seated January 1 1955 nbsp Y Carl Curtis Republican 61 1 Keith Neville Democratic 38 9 New Hampshire Styles Bridges Republican 193619421948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Styles Bridges Republican 60 2 Gerard L Morin Democratic 39 8 New Jersey Robert C Hendrickson Republican 1948 Incumbent retired New senator elected Republican hold nbsp Y Clifford P Case Republican 48 7 Charles R Howell Democratic 48 5 New Mexico Clinton Anderson Democratic 1948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Clinton Anderson Democratic 57 3 Edwin L Mechem Republican 42 7 North Carolina Alton Lennon Democratic 1953 Appointed Interim appointee lost nomination New senator elected Democratic hold Winner also elected to finish the term see above nbsp Y W Kerr Scott Democratic 65 90 Paul C West Republican 34 10 Oklahoma Robert S Kerr Democratic 1948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Robert S Kerr Democratic 55 8 Fred M Mock Republican 43 7 Others George V Fried Independent 0 3 George H Brasier Independent 0 2 Oregon Guy Cordon Republican 1944 Appointed 1944 special 1948 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y Richard L Neuberger Democratic 50 2 Guy Cordon Republican 49 8 Rhode Island Theodore F Green Democratic 193619421948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Theodore F Green Democratic 59 3 Walter I Sundlun Republican 40 7 South Carolina Charles E Daniel Democratic 1954 Appointed Interim appointee retired New senator elected Democratic hold Incumbent then resigned December 23 1954 to give successor preferential seniority Winner appointed December 24 to finish the term nbsp Y Strom Thurmond Democratic 63 1 Edgar Allan Brown Democratic 36 8 South Dakota Karl Mundt Republican 19481948 Appointed Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Karl Mundt Republican 57 3 Kenneth Holum Democratic 42 7 Tennessee Estes Kefauver Democratic 1948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Estes Kefauver Democratic 70 0 Tom Wall Republican 30 0 Texas Lyndon B Johnson Democratic 1948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Lyndon B Johnson Democratic 84 6 Carlos G Watson Republican 14 9 Fred Spangler Constitution 0 5 Virginia A Willis Robertson Democratic 1946 special 1948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y A Willis Robertson Democratic 79 9 Charles W Lewis Jr Ind Democratic 10 7 Clarke T Robb Social Democratic 9 4 West Virginia Matthew M Neely Democratic 19221928 Lost 193019361941 Resigned 1948 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Matthew M Neely Democratic 54 8 Thomas Sweeney Republican 45 2 Wyoming Edward D Crippa Republican 1954 Appointed Interim appointee retired New senator elected Democratic gain Winner also elected to finish the term see above nbsp Y Joseph C O Mahoney Democratic 51 5 William Henry Harrison III Republican 48 5 2 Closest races editTwelve races had a margin of victory under 10 State Party of winner MarginOhio special Republican flip 0 12 New Jersey Republican 0 19 Oregon Democratic flip 0 4 e Montana Democratic 0 8 Massachusetts Republican 1 5 Michigan Democratic flip 1 9 Colorado Republican flip 2 6 Wyoming Democratic flip 3 2 Iowa Republican flip 4 7 California special Republican 7 7 Kentucky Democratic flip 9 0 West Virginia Democratic 9 6 Alabama editAlabama election nbsp 19481960 nbsp nbsp Nominee John Sparkman Junius Foy Guin Jr Party Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 259 348 55 110Percentage 82 48 17 53 nbsp County resultsSparkman 50 60 60 70 70 80 80 90 gt 90 U S senator before electionJohn SparkmanDemocratic Elected U S Senator John SparkmanDemocraticMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Alabama See also List of United States senators from Alabama and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama Alabama election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic John Sparkman Incumbent 259 348 82 47Republican J Foy Guin Jr 55 110 17 53Majority 204 438 64 96Turnout 314 458Democratic holdArkansas edit nbsp Senator John L McClellanMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Arkansas See also List of United States senators from Arkansas and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Arkansas Arkansas election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic John L McClellan Incumbent 291 058 100 00Democratic holdCalifornia special editMain article 1954 United States Senate special election in California See also List of United States senators from California and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in California Following the resignation of Richard Nixon to assume the vice presidency Governor Earl Warren appointed Thomas Kuchel to Nixon s seat Kuchel assumed the office on January 2 1953 3 California election 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Thomas Kuchel Incumbent 2 090 836 53 2Democratic Sam Yorty 1 788 071 45 5Independent Progressive Isobel M Cerney 50 506 1 3None Scattering 255 0 00Majority 302 765 7 7Turnout 3 929 668Republican holdColorado editColorado election nbsp 19481960 nbsp nbsp Nominee Gordon Allott John A CarrollParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 248 502 235 686Percentage 51 32 48 68 nbsp County resultsAllott 50 60 60 70 Carroll 50 60 60 70 U S senator before electionEdwin C JohnsonDemocratic Elected U S Senator Gordon AllottRepublicanMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Colorado See also List of United States senators from Colorado and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado Colorado election 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Gordon Allott 248 502 51 32Democratic John A Carroll 235 686 48 68Majority 12 816 2 64Turnout 484 188Republican gain from DemocraticDelaware editMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Delaware See also List of United States senators from Delaware and 1954 United States House of Representatives election in Delaware Delaware election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic J Allen Frear Incumbent 82 511 56 94Republican Herbert B Warburton 62 389 43 06Majority 20 122 13 88Turnout 144 900Democratic holdGeorgia editMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Georgia See also List of United States senators from Georgia and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia Georgia election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Richard B Russell Incumbent 333 917 99 99None Scattering 19 0 01Majority 333 898 99 98Turnout 333 936Democratic holdIdaho editSee also List of United States senators from Idaho and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Idaho Idaho election 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Henry Dworshak Incumbent 142 269 62 84 Democratic Glen H Taylor 84 139 37 16 Majority 58 130 25 68 Turnout 226 408Republican holdIllinois editIllinois election nbsp 19481960 Turnout63 69 nbsp nbsp Nominee Paul Douglas Joseph T MeekParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 1 804 338 1 563 683Percentage 53 57 46 43 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionPaul DouglasDemocratic Elected U S Senator Paul DouglasDemocraticMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Illinois See also List of United States senators from Illinois and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois Illinois election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Paul H Douglas Incumbent 1 804 338 53 57Republican Joseph T Meek 1 563 683 46 43Majority 240 655 7 14Turnout 3 368 021Democratic holdIowa editMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Iowa See also List of United States senators from Iowa and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa Iowa election 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Thomas E Martin 442 409 52 21Democratic Guy Gillette Incumbent 402 712 47 53Republicsons Ernest Seeman 2 234 0 26Majority 39 697 4 68Turnout 847 355Republican gain from DemocraticKansas editSee also List of United States senators from Kansas and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Kansas Kansas election 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Andrew Schoeppel Incumbent 348 144 56 33Democratic George McGill 258 575 41 84Prohibition David C White 11 344 1 84Majority 89 569 14 49Turnout 618 063Republican holdKentucky editMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Kentucky See also List of United States senators from Kentucky and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky Kentucky election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Alben Barkley 434 109 54 46Republican John Sherman Cooper Incumbent 362 948 45 54Majority 71 161 8 92Turnout 797 057Democratic gain from RepublicanLouisiana edit nbsp Senator Allen J EllenderMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Louisiana See also List of United States senators from Louisiana and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Louisiana Louisiana election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Allen J Ellender Incumbent 207 115 100 00Democratic holdMaine editMaine election nbsp 1948 September 13 1954 1960 nbsp nbsp Nominee Margaret Chase Smith Paul FullamParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 144 530 102 075Percentage 58 61 41 39 U S senator before electionMargaret Chase SmithRepublican Elected U S Senator Margaret Chase SmithRepublicanMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Maine See also List of United States senators from Maine and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine Maine election 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Margaret Chase Smith Incumbent 144 530 58 61Democratic Paul A Fullam 102 075 41 39Majority 42 455 17 22Turnout 246 605Republican holdMassachusetts editMassachusetts election nbsp 19481960 nbsp nbsp Nominee Leverett Saltonstall Foster FurcoloParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 956 605 927 899Percentage 50 54 49 03 nbsp Municipal resultsU S senator before electionLeverett SaltonstallRepublican Elected U S Senator Leverett SaltonstallRepublicanMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Massachusetts See also List of United States senators from Massachusetts and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts In Massachusetts Republican Incumbent Leverett Saltonstall defeated his challengers Democrat Foster Furcolo Treasurer and Receiver General of Massachusetts since 1952 and member of the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts s 2nd congressional district from 1949 to 1952 beat John I Fitzgerald former member of the Boston City Council and Democratic candidate for Senate in 1948 and Joseph L Murphy former member of the Massachusetts Senate Republican incumbent Leverett Saltonstall United States senator since 1945 and Governor of Massachusetts from 1939 to 1945 was renominated Other nominees included Socialist Workers Thelma Ingersoll ran for Senate in 1952 4 and Prohibition Harold J Ireland candidate for Treasurer and Receiver General in 1948 and 1952 Democratic primary 5 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Foster Furcolo 207 232 59 13Democratic Joseph L Murphy 79 463 22 68Democratic John I Fitzgerald 63 752 18 19General election Party Candidate Votes Republican Leverett Saltonstall Incumbent 956 605 50 54 2 41 Democratic Foster Furcolo 927 899 49 03 2 60 Socialist Labor Thelma Ingersoll 5 353 0 28 0 17 Prohibition Harold J Ireland 2 832 0 15 0 03 None Scattering 21 0 00Majority 28 706 1 52Turnout 1 892 710Republican hold SwingMichigan edit1954 United States Senate election in Michigan nbsp 19481960 nbsp nbsp Nominee Patrick V McNamara Homer S FergusonParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 1 088 550 1 049 420Percentage 50 75 48 93 nbsp County resultsMcNamara 50 60 60 70 Ferguson 50 60 60 70 70 80 U S senator before electionHomer S FergusonRepublican Elected U S Senator Patrick V McNamaraDemocraticMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Michigan See also List of United States senators from Michigan and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan Michigan election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Patrick V McNamara 1 088 550 50 75Republican Homer S Ferguson Incumbent 1 049 420 48 93Prohibition Leroy M Lowell 4 841 0 23Socialist Labor James Sim 1 126 0 05Socialist Workers Rita Shaw 902 0 04None Scattering 1 0 00Majority 39 130 1 82Turnout 2 144 840Democratic gain from RepublicanMinnesota edit1954 United States Senate election in Minnesota nbsp 19481960 nbsp nbsp Nominee Hubert H Humphrey Val BjornsonParty Democratic DFL RepublicanPopular vote 642 193 479 619Percentage 56 39 42 11 nbsp County resultsHumphrey 50 60 60 70 70 80 Bjornson 40 50 50 60 60 70 U S senator before electionHubert H HumphreyDemocratic DFL Elected U S Senator Hubert H HumphreyDemocratic DFL Main article 1954 United States Senate election in Minnesota See also List of United States senators from Minnesota and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota Minnesota election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic DFL Hubert Humphrey Incumbent 642 193 56 38Republican Val Bjornson 479 619 42 11Liberal Independent Francis Patrick Ryan 12 457 1 09Socialist Workers Vincent R Dunne 4 683 0 41Majority 162 574 14 27Turnout 1 138 952Democratic DFL holdMississippi editMississippi election nbsp 19481960 nbsp nbsp Nominee James Eastland James A WhiteParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 100 848 4 678Percentage 95 6 4 43 nbsp County resultsEastland 80 90 90 100 U S senator before electionJames EastlandDemocratic Elected U S senator James EastlandDemocraticMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Mississippi See also List of United States senators from Mississippi and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Mississippi Mississippi election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic James Eastland Incumbent 100 848 95 57Republican James A White 4 678 4 43Majority 96 070 91 14Turnout 105 526Democratic holdMontana editMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Montana See also List of United States senators from Montana and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Montana In Montana incumbent senator James E Murray who was first elected to the Senate in a special election in 1934 and was re elected in 1936 1942 and 1948 ran for re election Murray won the Democratic primary against trivial opponents farmer Ray E Gulick and Sam G Feezell Democratic Party primary results 6 Party Candidate Votes Democratic James E Murray Incumbent 65 896 86 94Democratic Ray E Gulick 4 961 6 55Democratic Sam G Feezell 4 941 6 52Total votes 75 798 100 00Republican Wesley A D Ewart United States Congressman from Montana s 2nd congressional district beat Robert Yellowtail former Superintendent of the Crow Indian Reservation for the GOP nomination Republican Primary results 6 Party Candidate Votes Republican Wesley A D Ewart 49 964 82 36Republican Robert Yellowtail 10 705 17 64Total votes 60 669 100 00A contentious and close election ensued but ultimately Murray was able to narrowly win re election over D Ewart to a final term in the Senate Montana election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic James E Murray Incumbent 114 591 50 38 6 27 Republican Wesley A D Ewart 112 863 49 62 6 88 Majority 1 728 0 76 13 15 Turnout 227 454Democratic hold SwingNebraska editSee also List of United States senators from Nebraska and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska Nebraska had three Senate elections on the ballot Both incumbents had died in the span of three months leading to appointments and special elections Nebraska special class 1 edit Main article 1954 United States Senate special elections in Nebraska Class I Incumbent Republican Hugh A Butler died July 1 1954 and Republican Samuel W Reynolds was appointed July 3 to continue the term Reynolds did not run to finish the term and Republican Roman Hruska won the seat in November to finish the term ending in 1959 Nebraska class 1 special election 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Roman Hruska 250 341 60 88Democratic James F Green 160 881 39 12None Scattering 3 0 00Majority 89 460 21 76Turnout 411 225Republican holdNebraska special class 2 edit Main article 1954 United States Senate special elections in Nebraska Class II Incumbent Republican Dwight P Griswold died April 12 1954 and Republican Eva Bowring was appointed April 16 to continue the term In November Republican Hazel Abel was elected to finish the term Nebraska class 2 special election 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Mrs Hazel Abel 233 589 57 76Democratic William H Meier 170 828 42 24None Scattering 5 0 00Majority 62 761 15 52Turnout 404 422Republican holdNebraska regular edit Main article 1954 United States Senate election in Nebraska Although elected to finish the class 2 term Abel did not run for the next term and Republican Carl Curtis was elected in November to the next term Nebraska general election class 2 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Carl T Curtis 255 695 61 07Democratic Keith Neville 162 990 38 93None Scattering 6 0 00Majority 92 705 22 14Turnout 418 691Republican holdOn December 31 1954 Abel resigned and Curtis was appointed January 1 1955 two days ahead of his elected term Nevada special editSee also List of United States senators from Nevada and 1954 United States House of Representatives election in Nevada Nevada election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Alan Bible 45 043 58 11Republican Ernest S Brown Incumbent 32 470 41 89Majority 12 573 16 22Turnout 77 513Democratic gain from RepublicanNew Hampshire editSee also List of United States senators from New Hampshire and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in New Hampshire New Hampshire regular edit Main article 1954 United States Senate election in New Hampshire New Hampshire election 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Styles Bridges Incumbent 117 150 60 22Democratic Gerard L Morin 77 386 39 78Majority 39 764 20 44Turnout 194 536Republican holdNew Hampshire special edit Main article 1954 United States Senate special election in New Hampshire New Hampshire election 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Norris Cotton 114 068 60 18Democratic Stanley J Betley 75 490 39 82Majority 38 578 20 36Turnout 189 558Republican holdNew Jersey editNew Jersey election nbsp 19481960 nbsp nbsp Nominee Clifford P Case Charles R HowellParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 861 528 858 158Percentage 48 66 48 47 nbsp County ResultsCase 40 50 50 60 60 70 Howell 40 50 50 60 60 70 U S senator before electionRobert C HendricksonRepublican Elected U S Senator Clifford P CaseRepublicanMain article 1954 United States Senate election in New Jersey See also List of United States senators from New Jersey and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey New Jersey election 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Clifford Case Incumbent 861 528 48 66Democratic Charles R Howell 858 158 48 47American Third Henry Krajewski 35 421 2 00Write In Fred A Hartley 7 025 0 40Socialist Labor Albert Ronis 4 832 0 27Socialist Workers George Breitman 3 590 0 20Majority 3 370 0 19Turnout 1 770 554Republican holdNew Mexico editSee also List of United States senators from New Mexico and 1954 United States House of Representatives election in New Mexico New Mexico election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Clinton P Anderson Incumbent 111 351 57 10Republican Edwin L Mechem 83 671 42 90Majority 27 680 14 20Turnout 195 022Democratic holdNorth Carolina editSee also List of United States senators from North Carolina and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina Like Nebraska North Carolina had three elections on the ballot Both senators had died during the 83rd Congress leading to appointments and special elections North Carolina special class 2 edit Democrat Willis Smith died June 26 1953 and Democrat Alton A Lennon was appointed July 10 to continue the term In November Lennon lost the nomination to Democrat W Kerr Scott to finish the term 7 Scott took office November 29 1954 North Carolina class 2 special election 1 8 Party Candidate Votes Democratic W Kerr Scott 420 268 100 00Democratic holdNorth Carolina regular edit Main article 1954 United States Senate election in North Carolina Democrat W Kerr Scott was also elected to the next term which would begin January 3 1955 9 North Carolina class 2 general election 1 10 Party Candidate Votes Democratic W Kerr Scott 408 312 65 90Republican Paul C West 211 322 34 10Majority 196 990 31 80Turnout 619 634Democratic holdNorth Carolina special class 3 edit Democrat Clyde R Hoey died May 12 1954 and Democrat Sam Ervin was appointed June 5 to continue the term In November Ervin was elected to finish the term North Carolina class 3 special election 1 11 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Samuel J Ervin Jr Incumbent 410 574 100 00Democratic holdOhio special editMain article 1954 United States Senate special election in Ohio See also List of United States senators from Ohio and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio Ohio election 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican George H Bender 1 257 874 50 06Democratic Thomas A Burke Incumbent 1 254 904 49 94Majority 2 970 0 12Turnout 2 512 778Republican gain from DemocraticOklahoma editMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Oklahoma See also List of United States senators from Oklahoma and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Oklahoma Oklahoma election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Robert S Kerr Incumbent 335 127 55 84Republican Fred M Mock 262 013 43 66Independent George V Fried 1 563 0 26Independent George H Brasier 1 417 0 24Majority 73 114 12 18Turnout 600 120Democratic holdOregon editSee also List of United States senators from Oregon and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon Oregon election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Richard L Neuberger 285 775 50 22Republican Guy Cordon Incumbent 283 313 49 78Majority 2 462 0 44Turnout 569 088Democratic gain from RepublicanRhode Island editMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Rhode Island See also List of United States senators from Rhode Island and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Rhode Island Rhode Island election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Theodore Francis Green Incumbent 193 654 59 29Republican Walter I Sundlun 132 970 40 71Majority 60 684 18 58Turnout 326 624Democratic holdSouth Carolina editSouth Carolina election nbsp 19481956 special nbsp nbsp Nominee Strom Thurmond Edgar A BrownParty Democratic DemocraticPopular vote 143 444 83 525Percentage 63 1 36 8 nbsp Thurmond 50 60 60 70 70 80 70 80 Brown 50 60 60 70 gt 90 U S senator before electionBurnet R MaybankDemocratic Elected U S Senator Strom ThurmondDemocraticMain article 1954 United States Senate election in South Carolina See also List of United States senators from South Carolina and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina In South Carolina Senator Burnet R Maybank did not face a primary challenge in the summer and was therefore renominated as the Democratic Party s nominee for the election in the fall However his death on September 1 left the Democratic Party without a nominee and the executive committee decided to nominate state Senator Edgar A Brown as their candidate for the election Many South Carolinians were outraged by the party s decision to forgo a primary election and former Governor Strom Thurmond entered the race as a write in candidate He easily won the election and became the first U S senator to be elected by a write in vote William Knowland of California in 1946 was technically the first but the ballots in that election were blank with no candidates listed so essentially every candidate was running a write in campaign 12 Sitting Senator Burnet R Maybank entered the 1954 contest without a challenge in the Democratic primary nor in the general election His unexpected death on September 1 caused panic and confusion within the hierarchy of the state Democratic party because the state law required that a party s nominee be certified by September 3 Hours after Maybank s funeral the state Democratic executive committee met in secret and chose state Senator Edgar A Brown of Barnwell County as the party s nominee for the general election Not only was Brown a part of the Barnwell Ring but he was also a member of the executive committee The state Democratic Party s decision to choose a candidate without holding a special primary election drew widespread criticism across the state On September 3 The Greenville News ran an editorial advocating that a primary election be called and several newspapers across the state followed suit At least six county Democratic committees repudiated the action by the state committee and called for a primary election Despite repeated calls for a primary the state executive committee voted against holding a primary because they did not think that there was enough time before the general election to hold a primary election Immediately after the executive committee voted against holding a primary election former Governor Strom Thurmond and lumberman Marcus Stone announced their intention to run as Democratic write in candidates Thurmond and his supporters stated that the executive committee had several legal alternatives as opposed to the outright appointment of state Senator Brown In addition Thurmond promised that if he were elected he would resign in 1956 so that the voters could choose a candidate in the regular primary for the remaining four years of the term Thurmond received support from Governor James F Byrnes and from those who backed his Presidential bid as a Dixiecrat in the 1948 Presidential election Thurmond framed the race as a moral issue democracy versus committee rule 13 and his write in campaign was repeatedly assisted by every newspaper in the state except for those in Anderson For instance The News and Courier devoted its front page on November 2 to show voters a sample ballot and it also provided detailed instructions on how to cast a write in vote Not only that but the newspaper also printed an editorial on the front page giving precise reasons why voters should vote for Thurmond instead of Brown On the other hand Brown was supported by the Democratic party regulars and he also gained the endorsement of Senator Olin D Johnston Brown based his campaign entirely on the issue of party loyalty stressing that Thurmond was a Republican ally because he had voted for President Eisenhower in 1952 Marcus A Stone a lumberman in Florence and Dillon was a candidate in previous Democratic primaries for governor and senator He did very little campaigning for the general election South Carolina U S Senate Election 1954 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Strom Thurmond Write In 143 444 63 13 63 13Democratic Edgar A Brown 83 525 36 76 59 64Democratic Marcus Stone Write In 240 0 11 0 11No party Write Ins 23 0 00 0 00Majority 59 919 26 37 66 43Turnout 227 232Democratic holdSouth Dakota editMain article 1954 United States Senate election in South Dakota See also List of United States senators from South Dakota and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in South Dakota South Dakota election 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Karl Mundt Incumbent 135 071 57 30Democratic Kenneth Holum 100 674 42 70Majority 34 397 14 60Turnout 235 745Republican holdTennessee editSee also List of United States senators from Tennessee and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee Tennessee election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Estes Kefauver Incumbent 249 121 69 96Republican Thomas P Wall Jr 106 971 30 04None Write Ins 2 0 00Majority 142 150 39 92Turnout 356 094Democratic holdTexas editMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Texas See also List of United States senators from Texas and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas Texas election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Lyndon Johnson Incumbent 538 417 84 59Republican Carlos Watson 95 033 14 93Constitution Fred T Spangler 3 025 0 48Majority 443 384 69 66Turnout 636 475Democratic holdVirginia editVirginia election nbsp 19481960 nbsp nbsp Nominee A Willis Robertson Charles W Lewis Jr Party Democratic Independent DemocraticPopular vote 244 844 32 681Percentage 79 9 10 7 Nominee Clarke T RobbParty Social DemocraticPopular vote 28 922Percentage 9 4 U S senator before electionA Willis RobertsonDemocratic Elected U S senator A Willis RobertsonDemocraticMain article 1954 United States Senate election in Virginia See also List of United States senators from Virginia and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia In Virginia Democratic incumbent Senator A Willis Robertson defeated Independent Democrat Charles Lewis and Social Democrat Clarke Robb and was re elected to a third term in office Virginia election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic A Willis Robertson Incumbent 244 844 79 88 14 14 Independent Democratic Charles W Lewis Jr 32 681 10 66 10 66 Social Democratic Clarke T Robb 28 922 9 44 9 02 Write ins 63 0 02 0 02 Majority 212 163 69 22 34 18 Turnout 306 510Democratic hold SwingWest Virginia editMain article 1954 United States Senate election in West Virginia See also List of United States senators from West Virginia and 1954 United States House of Representatives elections in West Virginia West Virginia election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Matthew M Neely Incumbent 325 263 54 82Republican Thomas Sweeney 268 066 45 18Majority 57 197 9 64Turnout 593 329Democratic holdWyoming edit nbsp Senator Joseph C O MahoneySee also List of United States senators from Wyoming and 1954 United States House of Representatives election in Wyoming There were two elections the same day to the same seat due to the June 19 1954 death of Democrat Lester C Hunt Both elections were won by Democratic former senator Joseph C O Mahoney Wyoming special edit Main article 1954 United States Senate elections in Wyoming Republican Edward D Crippa was appointed June 24 1954 to continue the term pending a November 2 special election Wyoming special election November 2 1954 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Joseph C O Mahoney 57 163 51 56Republican William Henry Harrison III 53 705 48 44Majority 3 458 3 12Turnout 110 868Democratic gain from RepublicanWyoming regular edit Main article 1954 United States Senate elections in Wyoming Wyoming general election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Joseph C O Mahoney 57 845 51 53Republican William Henry Harrison III 54 407 48 47Majority 3 438 3 06Turnout 112 252Democratic gain from RepublicanO Mahoney would serve out the remainder of Hunt s term followed by this one term and then retire after 1960 See also edit1954 United States elections 1954 United States House of Representatives elections 83rd United States Congress 84th United States CongressNotes edit Maine held its election in September Independent Wayne Morse caucused with the Democrats a b Appointee elected a b Appointee defeated Oregon was the tipping point state References edit a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap Clerk of the U S House of Representatives October 15 1955 Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 2 1954 PDF U S Government Printing Office pp 2 4 20 21 28 29 30 31 43 a b Our Campaigns Container Detail Page www ourcampaigns com SENATORS OF THE UNITED STATES 1789 present A chronological list of senators since the First Congress in 1789 PDF United States Senate p 63 Retrieved November 28 2020 Thelma Ingersoll at ourcampaigns com Our Campaigns MA US Senate Race Nov 08 1960 www ourcampaigns com a b Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana July 20 1954 PDF Montana Secretary of State Archived from the original PDF on December 28 2013 Retrieved July 2 2014 Our Campaigns NC US Senate Special D Primary Race May 29 1954 www ourcampaigns com Retrieved August 9 2020 Our Campaigns NC US Senate Special Election Race Nov 02 1954 www ourcampaigns com Retrieved August 9 2020 Our Campaigns NC US Senate D Primary Race May 29 1954 www ourcampaigns com Retrieved August 9 2020 Our Campaigns NC US Senate Race Nov 02 1954 www ourcampaigns com Retrieved August 9 2020 Our Campaigns NC US Senate Special Election Race Nov 02 1954 www ourcampaigns com Retrieved August 9 2020 Wilgoren Debbi November 3 2010 Murkowski appears to make history in Alaska The Washington Post Retrieved November 3 2010 Lander Ernest A History of South Carolina 1865 1960 page 183 University of South Carolina Press 1970 Sources edit A New Test For S C Voters The News and Courier November 2 1954 p 1A Brown Faces Thurmond In Write In Race The News and Courier November 2 1954 p 1A Lander Ernest McPherson Jr 1970 A History of South Carolina 1865 1960 University of South Carolina Press pp 182 184 ISBN 0 87249 169 2 Supplemental Report of the Secretary of State to the General Assembly of South Carolina Reports and Resolutions of South Carolina to the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina Volume I Columbia SC 1955 pp 4 5 U S Senate Biography of Strom Thurmond Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1954 United States Senate elections amp oldid 1183687413, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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