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1942 United States Senate elections

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1942 United States Senate elections

← 1940 November 3, 1942[1] 1944 →

34 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate
49 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Alben Barkley Charles McNary
Party Democratic Republican
Leader since July 22, 1937 January 3, 1941
Leader's seat Kentucky Oregon
Seats before 65 29
Seats after 57 38
Seat change Decrease 8 Increase 9
Popular vote 6,497,048[2] 6,869,448[2]
Percentage 46.6% 49.3%
Seats up 24 9
Races won 16 18

  Third party Fourth party
 
Party Progressive Independent
Seats before 1 1
Seats after 1 0
Seat change Steady Decrease 1
Popular vote 236,682[2]
Percentage 1.7%
Seats up 0 1
Races won 0 0

1942 United States Senate special election in Nevada1942 United States Senate special election in Colorado1942 United States Senate election in Alabama1942 United States Senate election in Arkansas1942 United States Senate election in Colorado1942 United States Senate election in Delaware1942 United States Senate election in Georgia1942 United States Senate election in Idaho1942 United States Senate election in Illinois1942 United States Senate election in Iowa1942 United States Senate election in Kansas1942 United States Senate election in Kentucky1942 United States Senate election in Louisiana1942 United States Senate election in Maine1942 United States Senate election in Massachusetts1942 United States Senate election in Michigan1942 United States Senate election in Minnesota1942 United States Senate election in Mississippi1942 United States Senate election in Montana1942 United States Senate election in Nebraska1942 United States Senate election in New Hampshire1942 United States Senate election in New Jersey1942 United States Senate election in New Mexico1942 United States Senate election in North Carolina1942 United States Senate election in Oklahoma1942 United States Senate election in Oregon1942 United States Senate election in Rhode Island1942 United States Senate election in South Carolina1942 United States Senate election in South Dakota1942 United States Senate election in Tennessee1942 United States Senate election in Texas1942 United States Senate election in Virginia1942 United States Senate election in West Virginia1942 United States Senate election in Wyoming
Results of the elections:
     Democratic hold
     Republican gain      Republican hold
     No election
Rectangular inset (Colorado): both seats up for election

Majority Leader before election

Alben Barkley
Democratic

Elected Majority Leader

Alben Barkley
Democratic

The 1942 United States Senate elections were held November 3, 1942, midway through Franklin D. Roosevelt's third term as president. The 32 seats of Class 2 were contested in regular elections, and two special elections were held to fill vacancies.

Although this election took place during World War II, the opposition Republican party made major gains, taking eight seats from the Democrats and one from an independent. The Democrats nonetheless retained a significant majority, though the smallest since Roosevelt was first elected in 1932. However, for the first time since 1932, Democrats did not have a supermajority.

The New York Times ascribed the results to "voters' dissatisfaction with the conduct of the war, both at home and abroad" but not evidence of a lack of enthusiasm for the war effort. It found that a candidate's stance as isolationist or interventionist before Pearl Harbor had little impact on his success at the polls.[3] The paper's editorial board welcomed a return to normal political alignments after the unbalanced majorities of the previous decade.[4] The election not only changed the numbers of Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, but also accomplished an ideological shift, as several longtime enthusiastic supporters of the New Deal were replaced by Republicans of the most conservative sort.[5]

The Republicans gained enough seats to end the Democrats' supermajority control.[6] Democrats later gained a seat in New Jersey through an appointment, bringing their seat total up to 58.

Results summary

[edit]
57 1 38
Democratic P Republican

Colored shading indicates party with largest share of that row.

Parties Total
Democratic Republican Progressive Other
Last elections (1940) 66 28 1 1 96
Before these elections 65 29 1 1 96
Not up 41 20 1 0 62
Up 24 9 0 1 34
Class 2 (1936→1942) 23 8 0 1 32
Special: Class 1 1 0 1
Special: Class 3 0 1 1
Incumbent retired 1 0 1
Held by same party 1 0 1
Replaced by other party 0 0 0
Result 1 0 0 0 1
Incumbent ran 22 8 1 31
Won re-election[a] 13 8 0 21
Lost re-election Decrease5 Democrats replaced by Increase 5 Republicans
Decrease1 Independent replaced by Increase 1 Republican
6
Lost renomination
but held by same party
2 0 0 2
Lost renomination
and party lost
Decrease2 Democrats replaced by Increase2 Republicans 2
Result 15 16 0 0 31
Appointee ran for either,
but not both, special
and regular election
1 1 0 2
Appointee's party
won both elections
0 1 0 1
Appointee's party
lost both elections
Decrease1 Democrat replaced by Increase1 Republican 0 1
Result 0 2 0 0 2
Total elected 16 18 0 0 34
Net change Decrease8 Increase9 Steady Decrease1 9
Nationwide vote 6,497,048 6,869,448 565,783 13,932,279
Share 46.63% 49.31% 4.06% 100%
Result 57 38 1 0 96

Source:[2]

Gains, losses, and holds

[edit]

Retirements

[edit]

One Republican retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term and two Democrats retired instead of seeking election to a full term.

State Senator Replaced by
Arkansas Lloyd Spencer John L. McClellan
Minnesota (special) Joseph H. Ball Arthur E. Nelson
West Virginia Joseph Rosier Chapman Revercomb

Defeats

[edit]

Eight Democrats and one Independent sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election. One Democrat sought election to finish the unexpired term but lost in the primary election and one Democrat sought election to finish the unexpired term but lost in the general election.

State Senator Replaced by
Delaware James H. Hughes C. Douglass Buck
Iowa Clyde L. Herring George A. Wilson
Michigan Prentiss M. Brown Homer S. Ferguson
Mississippi Wall Doxey James Eastland
Nebraska George W. Norris Kenneth S. Wherry
Nevada Berkeley L. Bunker James G. Scrugham
New Jersey William H. Smathers Albert W. Hawkes
Oklahoma Joshua B. Lee Edward H. Moore
South Dakota William J. Bulow Harlan J. Bushfield
West Virginia (special) Joseph Rosier Hugh Ike Shott
Wyoming Harry Schwartz Edward V. Robertson

Post election changes

[edit]
State Senator Replaced by
New Jersey William Warren Barbour Arthur Walsh
Indiana Frederick Van Nuys Samuel D. Jackson
Oregon Charles L. McNary Guy Cordon
Massachusetts Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. Sinclair Weeks

Change in composition

[edit]

Before the elections

[edit]

At the beginning of 1942.

  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 D26 D27 D28
D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31 D30 D29
D39 D40 D41 D42
Ala.
Ran
D43
Ark.
Retired
D44
Colo. (reg)
Ran
D45
Del.
Ran
D46
Ga.
Ran
D47
Iowa
Ran
D48
Ky.
Ran
Majority → D49
La.
Ran
D58
R.I.
Ran
D57
Okla.
Ran
D56
N.C.
Ran
D55
N.M.
Ran
D54
N.J.
Ran
D53
Nev. (sp)
Ran
D52
Mont.
Ran
D51
Miss.
Ran
D50
Mich.
Ran
D59
S.C.
Ran
D60
S.D.
Ran
D61
Tenn.
Ran
D62
Texas
Ran
D63
Va.
Ran
D64
W.Va. (sp)
Ran
W.Va. (reg)
Retired
D65
Wyo.
Ran
P1 I1
Neb.
Ran
R29
Ore.
Ran
R19 R20 R21
Colo. (sp)
Ran
R22
Idaho
Ran
R23
Ill.
Ran
R24
Kan.
Ran
R25
Maine
Ran
R26
Mass.
Ran
R27
Minn. (sp)
Retired
Minn. (reg)
Ran
R28
N.H.
Ran
R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8

Election results

[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 D26 D27 D28
D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31 D30 D29
D39 D40 D41 D42
Ala.
Re-elected
D43
Ark.
Hold
D44
Colo. (reg)
Re-elected
D45
Ga.
Re-elected
D46
Ky.
Re-elected
D47
La.
Re-elected
D48
Miss.
Hold
Majority → D49
Mont.
Re-elected
P1 D57
Va.
Re-elected
D56
Tenn.
Re-elected
D55
Texas
Re-elected
D54
S.C.
Re-elected
D53
R.I.
Re-elected
D52
N.C.
Re-elected
D51
N.M.
Re-elected
D50
Nev. (sp)
Hold
R38
Wyo.
Gain
R37
W.Va. (sp)
Gain[b]
W.Va. (reg)
Gain
R36
S.D.
Gain
R35
Okla.
Gain
R34
N.J.
Gain
R33
Neb.
Gain
R32
Mich.
Gain
R31
Iowa
Gain
R30
Del.
Gain
R29
Ore.
Re-elected
R19 R20 R21
Colo. (sp)
Elected[c]
R22
Idaho
Re-elected
R23
Ill.
Re-elected
R24
Kan.
Re-elected
R25
Maine
Re-elected
R26
Mass.
Re-elected
R27
Minn. (sp)
Hold
Minn. (reg)
Elected[c]
R28
N.H.
Re-elected
R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8
Key:
D# Democratic
P# Progressive
R# Republican
I# Independent

Race summaries

[edit]

Special elections during the 77th Congress

[edit]

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1942 or before January 3, 1943; ordered by election date.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Colorado
Class 3
Eugene Millikin Republican 1941 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected November 3, 1942.
  • Green tickY Eugene Millikin (Republican) 56.1%
  • James A. Marsh (Democratic) 42.1%
Minnesota
Class 2
Joseph H. Ball Republican 1940 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected November 3, 1942.
Republican hold.
Winner did not run for the next term, see below.
Nevada
Class 1
Berkeley L. Bunker Democratic 1940 (Appointed) Appointee lost nomination to finish term.
New senator elected November 3, 1942 and qualified December 7, 1942.[7][8]
Democratic hold.
West Virginia
Class 2
Joseph Rosier Democratic 1941 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost election to finish term.
New senator elected November 3, 1942 and qualified November 17, 1942.[9]
Neither candidate ran in the contemporaneous election for the next term, see below.
Republican gain.

Races leading to the 78th Congress

[edit]

In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1943; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Alabama John H. Bankhead II Democratic 1930
1936
Incumbent re-elected.
Arkansas Lloyd Spencer Democratic 1941 (Appointed) Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Colorado Edwin C. Johnson Democratic 1936 Incumbent re-elected.
Delaware James H. Hughes Democratic 1936 Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Georgia Richard Russell Jr. Democratic 1932 (special)
1936
Incumbent re-elected.
Idaho John Thomas Republican 1939 (Appointed)
1940 (special)
Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois C. Wayland Brooks Republican 1940 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Iowa Clyde L. Herring Democratic 1936 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Kansas Arthur Capper Republican 1918
1924
1930
1936
Incumbent re-elected.
Kentucky Happy Chandler Democratic 1939 (Appointed)
1940 (special)
Incumbent re-elected.
Louisiana Allen J. Ellender Democratic 1936 Incumbent re-elected.
Maine Wallace H. White Republican 1930
1936
Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. Republican 1936 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan Prentiss M. Brown Democratic 1936
1936 (Appointed)
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Minnesota Joseph H. Ball Republican 1940 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected.
Winner did not run to finish the term, see above.
Mississippi Wall Doxey Democratic 1941 (special) Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Montana James E. Murray Democratic 1934 (special)
1936
Incumbent re-elected.
Nebraska George W. Norris Independent 1913[d]
1918
1924
1930
1936
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
New Hampshire Styles Bridges Republican 1936 Incumbent re-elected.
New Jersey William H. Smathers Democratic 1936 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
New Mexico Carl Hatch Democratic 1933 (Appointed)
1934 (special)
1936
Incumbent re-elected.
North Carolina Josiah Bailey Democratic 1936 Incumbent re-elected.
Oklahoma Joshua B. Lee Democratic 1936 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Oregon Charles L. McNary Republican 1917 (Appointed)
1918 (Not elected)
1918 (Appointed)
1918
1924
1930
1936
Incumbent re-elected.
Rhode Island Theodore F. Green Democratic 1936 Incumbent re-elected.
South Carolina Burnet R. Maybank Democratic 1941 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
South Dakota William J. Bulow Democratic 1930
1936
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Tennessee Tom Stewart Democratic 1938 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Texas W. Lee O'Daniel Democratic 1941 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Virginia Carter Glass Democratic 1920 (Appointed)
1920 (special)
1924
1930
1936
Incumbent re-elected.
West Virginia Joseph Rosier Democratic 1941 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Winner did not run to finish the term, see above.
Wyoming Harry Schwartz Democratic 1936 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.

Closest races

[edit]

Eleven races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State Party of winner Margin
Montana Democratic 0.7%
Colorado Democratic 1.0%
Michigan Republican (flip) 2.4%
Idaho Republican 3.0%
West Virginia (special) Republican (flip) 4.6%
Massachusetts Republican 5.8%
Illinois Republican 6.8%
New Jersey Republican (flip) 7.3%
Wyoming Republican (flip) 9.18%
New Hampshire Republican 9.22%
Delaware Republican (flip) 9.3%

There is no tipping point state

Alabama

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Alabama

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1946 (special) →
 
Nominee John H. Bankhead II
Party Democratic
Popular vote 69,212
Percentage 100.0%

County results
Bankhead:      100%

U.S. senator before election

John H. Bankhead II
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

John H. Bankhead II
Democratic

1942 United States Senate election in Alabama[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John H. Bankhead II (Incumbent) 69,212 100.00%
Democratic hold

Arkansas

[edit]
1942 U.S. Senate Democratic primary in Arkansas

← 1937 (special) August 11, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee John L. McClellan Jack Holt
Party Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 134,277 83,516
Percentage 61.65% 31.35%

U.S. senator before election

Lloyd Spencer
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

John L. McClellan
Democratic

1942 United States Senate election in Arkansas[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John L. McClellan 99,124 100.00%
Democratic hold

Colorado

[edit]

There were 2 elections in Colorado.

Colorado (regular)

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Colorado

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Ed Johnson Ralph L. Carr
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 174,612 170,970
Percentage 50.23% 49.19%

Results by county
Johnson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Carr:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Edwin C. Johnson
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Edwin C. Johnson
Democratic

Colorado regular election (Class 2)[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edwin C. Johnson (Incumbent) 174,612 50.23%
Republican Ralph Lawrence Carr 170,970 49.19%
Socialist Carle Whithead 1,387 0.40%
Communist James Allander 627 0.18%
Majority 3,642 1.04%
Turnout 347,596
Democratic hold

Colorado (special)

[edit]
1942 United States Senate special election in Colorado

← 1938 November 3, 1942 1944 →
 
Nominee Eugene Millikin James A. Marsh
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 191,517 143,817
Percentage 56.12% 42.14%

Results by county
Millikin:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Marsh:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Eugene Millikin
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Eugene Millikin
Republican

Colorado special election (Class 3)[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Eugene Millikin (Incumbent) 191,517 56.12%
Democratic James A. Marsh 143,817 42.14%
Independent Lewis Haley Tiley 4,262 1.25%
Socialist Edgar P. Sherman 1,664 0.49%
Majority 48,700 13.98%
Turnout 341,260
Republican hold

Delaware

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Delaware

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee C. Douglass Buck E. Ennalls Berl
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 46,210 38,322
Percentage 54.17% 44.92%

County Results
Buck:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

James H. Hughes
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

C. Douglass Buck
Republican

1942 United States Senate election in Delaware[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican C. Douglass Buck 46,210 54.17%
Democratic E. Ennalls Berl 38,322 44.92%
Prohibition Thomas J. Sard 776 0.91%
Majority 7,888 9.25%
Turnout 85,308
Republican gain from Democratic

Georgia

[edit]
1942 U.S. Senate Democratic primary in Georgia

← 1936 September 9, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Richard Russell Jr. William D. Upshaw
Party Democratic Democratic
Electoral vote 410 0
Popular vote 232,084 55,845
Percentage 80.60% 19.40%

County results[10]
Russell:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. senator before election

Richard Russell Jr.
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Richard Russell Jr.
Democratic

1942 United States Senate election in Georgia[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard Russell Jr. (Incumbent) 59,870 96.94%
Independent LeVert Dwyer Shivers 1,892 3.06%
Majority 57,978 93.88%
Turnout 61,762
Democratic hold

Idaho

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Idaho

← 1940 (special) November 3, 1942 1946 (special) →
 
Nominee John Thomas Glen H. Taylor
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 73,353 68,989
Percentage 51.53% 48.47%

County results
Thomas:      50-60%      60-70%
Taylor:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

John Thomas
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

John Thomas
Republican

1942 United States Senate election in Idaho[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Thomas (Incumbent) 73,353 51.53%
Democratic Glen H. Taylor 68,989 48.47%
Majority
Turnout
Republican hold

Illinois

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Illinois

← 1940 (special) November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Charles W. Brooks Raymond S. McKeough
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,582,887 1,380,011
Percentage 53.24% 46.41%

Results by county
Brooks:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
McKeough:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Charles W. Brooks
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Charles W. Brooks
Republican

Illinois election[2][11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles W. Brooks (Incumbent) 1,582,887 53.24%
Democratic Raymond S. McKeough 1,380,011 46.41%
Prohibition Enoch A. Holtwick 10,331 0.35%
Write-in Others 32 0.00%
Majority 202,876 6.83%
Turnout 2,973,261
Republican hold

Iowa

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Iowa

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee George A. Wilson Clyde Herring
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 410,383 295,194
Percentage 57.98% 41.70%

County results
Wilson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Herring:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Clyde Herring
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

George A. Wilson
Republican

1942 United States Senate election in Iowa[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George A. Wilson 410,383 57.97%
Democratic Clyde L. Herring (Incumbent) 295,194 41.70%
Prohibition M. M. Heptonstall 1,461 0.21%
Independent Progressive Ernest J. Seeman 821 0.12%
None Scattering 4 0.00%
Majority 115,189 16.27%
Turnout 707,863
Republican gain from Democratic

Kansas

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Kansas

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Arthur Capper George McGill
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 284,059 200,437
Percentage 57.11% 40.30%

County results
Capper:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
McGill:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Arthur Capper
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Arthur Capper
Republican

1942 United States Senate election in Kansas[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Arthur Capper (Incumbent) 284,059 57.11%
Democratic George McGill 200,437 40.30%
Prohibition C. Floyd Hester 12,863 2.59%
Majority 83,622 16.81%
Turnout 497,359
Republican hold

Kentucky

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Kentucky

← 1940 (special) November 3, 1942 1946 (special) →
 
Nominee Happy Chandler Richard J. Colbert
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 216,958 175,081
Percentage 55.34% 44.66%

County results
Chandler:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Colbert:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Happy Chandler
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Happy Chandler
Democratic

1942 United States Senate election in Kentucky[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Happy Chandler (Incumbent) 216,958 55.34%
Republican Richard J. Colbert 175,081 44.66%
Majority 41,877 10.68%
Turnout 392,023
Democratic hold

Louisiana

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Louisiana[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Allen J. Ellender (Incumbent) 85,488 100.00%
Democratic hold

Maine

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Maine

← 1936 September 14, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Wallace White Fulton J. Redman
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 111,520 55,754
Percentage 66.67% 33.33%

County Results
White:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Wallace H. White Jr.
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Wallace H. White Jr.
Republican

1942 United States Senate election in Maine[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Wallace H. White Jr. (Incumbent) 111,520 66.67%
Democratic Fulton J. Redman 55,754 33.33%
Majority 65,766 33.34%
Turnout 167,274
Republican hold

Massachusetts

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1944 (special) →
 
Nominee Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. Joseph E. Casey
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 721,239 641,042
Percentage 52.44% 46.61%

Lodge:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90–100%
Casey:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Senator before election

Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.
Republican

Elected Senator

Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.
Republican

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. (Incumbent) 721,239 52.44% +3.91%
Democratic Joseph E. Casey 641,042 46.61% +5.62%
Socialist George Lyman Paine 4,802 0.35% −0.19%
Socialist Labor Horace I. Hillis 4,781 0.35% +0.35%
Prohibition George L. Thompson 3,577 0.26% +0.26%
Majority 80,197 5.83%
Turnout 1,375,441
Republican hold Swing

Michigan

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Michigan

← 1936 November 2, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Homer S. Ferguson Prentiss M. Brown
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 589,652 561,595
Percentage 49.55% 47.20%

County results
Ferguson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Brown:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Prentiss M. Brown
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Homer S. Ferguson
Republican

1942 United States Senate election in Michigan[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Homer S. Ferguson 589,652 49.55%
Democratic Prentiss M. Brown (Incumbent) 561,595 47.19%
Republican Gerald L. K. Smith (sticker) 32,173 2.70%
Prohibition Leroy M. Powell 6,526 0.55%
None Scattering 20 0.00%
Majority 28,057 2.36%
Turnout 1,189,966
Republican gain from Democratic

Minnesota

[edit]

There were two elections to the same seat due to the August 31, 1940 death of Farmer–Laborite Ernest Lundeen. Republican Joseph H. Ball was appointed October 14, 1940 to continue the term, pending the special election. Ball was elected to the next term in the regular election, but not to finish the current term in the special election.

Minnesota (special)

[edit]
1942 United States Senate special election in Minnesota

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1942 →
 
Nominee Arthur E. Nelson Al Hansen John E. O'Rourke
Party Republican Farmer–Labor Democratic
Popular vote 372,240 177,008 114,086
Percentage 56.12% 26.68% 17.20%

County results
Nelson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Hansen:      40–50%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Joseph H. Ball
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Arthur E. Nelson
Republican

Minnesota special election[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Arthur E. Nelson 372,240 56.12%
Farmer–Labor Al Hansen 177,008 26.68%
Democratic John E. O’Rourke 114,086 17.20%
Majority 195,232 29.44%
Turnout 663,334
Republican hold

Minnesota (regular)

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Minnesota

← 1942 (special) November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Joseph H. Ball Elmer A. Benson
Party Republican Farmer–Labor
Popular vote 356,297 213,965
Percentage 46.98% 28.21%

 
Nominee Martin A. Nelson Ed Murphy
Party Independent Democratic
Popular vote 109,226 78,959
Percentage 14.40% 10.41%

County results
Ball:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Benson:      40–50%      50–60%
Nelson:      30–40%      40–50%

U.S. senator before election

Joseph H. Ball
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Joseph H. Ball
Republican

Minnesota regular election[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph H. Ball (Incumbent) 356,297 46.98%
Farmer–Labor Elmer A. Benson 213,965 28.21%
Independent Martin A. Nelson 109,226 14.40%
Democratic Ed Murphy 78,959 10.41%
Majority 142,232 18.77%
Turnout 758,447
Republican hold

Mississippi

[edit]
1942 U.S. Senate Democratic primary in Mississippi

← 1941 (special) September 15, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee James Eastland Wall Doxey
Party Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 74,747 56,748
Percentage 56.84% 43.16%

County results
Eastland:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      >90%
Doxey:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%
Tie:      50%

U.S. senator before election

Wall Doxey
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

James Eastland
Democratic

1942 United States Senate election in Mississippi[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James Eastland (Incumbent) 51,355 100.00%
Democratic hold

Montana

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Montana

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee James E. Murray Wellington D. Rankin
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 83,673 82,461
Percentage 49.07% 48.36%

County results
Murray:      40–50%      50–60%
Rankin:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

James E. Murray
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

James E. Murray
Democratic

1942 United States Senate election in Montana[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic James E. Murray (Incumbent) 83,673 49.07% −5.91%
Republican Wellington D. Rankin 82,461 48.36% +21.25%
Prohibition Charles R. Miller 2,711 1.59%
Socialist E. H. Helterbran 1,669 0.98%
Majority 1,212 0.71% −27.16%
Turnout 170,514
Democratic hold Swing

Nebraska

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Nebraska

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Kenneth Wherry George Norris Foster May
Party Republican Independent Democratic
Popular vote 186,207 108,899 83,763
Percentage 48.97% 28.64% 22.03%

County results
Wherry:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Norris:      30–40%      30–40%
May:      30–40%

U.S. senator before election

George W. Norris
Independent

Elected U.S. Senator

Kenneth Wherry
Republican

1942 United States Senate election in Nebraska[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kenneth S. Wherry 186,207 48.97%
Independent George W. Norris (Incumbent) 108,899 28.64%
Democratic Foster May 83,768 22.03%
Independent Albert F. Ruthven 1,348 0.35%
Majority 77,308 20.33%
Turnout 380,222
Republican gain from Independent

Nevada (special)

[edit]
1942 United States Senate special election in Nevada

← 1940 November 3, 1942 1946 →
 
Nominee James G. Scrugham Cecil W. Creel
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 23,805 16,735
Percentage 58.72% 41.28%

County results
Scrugham:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Creel:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Berkeley L. Bunker
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

James G. Scrugham
Democratic

1942 United States Senate special election in Nevada[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James G. Scrugham 23,805 58.72%
Republican Cecil W. Creel 16,735 41.28%
Majority 7,070 17.44%
Turnout 40,540
Democratic hold

New Hampshire

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Styles Bridges Francis P. Murphy
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 88,601 73,656
Percentage 54.60% 45.40%

County results
Bridges:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Murphy:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Styles Bridges
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Styles Bridges
Republican

1942 United States Senate election in New Hampshire[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Styles Bridges (Incumbent) 88,601 54.61%
Democratic Francis P. Murphy 73,656 45.39%
Majority 14,945 9.22%
Turnout 162,257
Republican hold

New Jersey

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in New Jersey

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Albert Hawkes William Smathers
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 648,855 559,851
Percentage 53.09% 45.81%

County results
Hawkes:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%
Smathers:      50–60%      70–80%

Senator before election

William Smathers
Democratic

Elected Senator

Albert Hawkes
Republican

1942 United States Senate election in New Jersey[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Albert W. Hawkes 648,855 53.09%
Democratic William H. Smathers (Incumbent) 559,851 45.81%
Socialist William L. Becker 6,775 0.55%
Independent Progressive Lorenzo Harris 3,224 0.26%
Prohibition Elmo L. Bateman 1,438 0.12%
Socialist Labor John C. Butterworth 1,310 0.11%
Socialist Workers George Breitman 679 0.06%
Majority 89,004 7.28%
Turnout 1,222,132
Republican gain from Democratic

New Mexico

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in New Mexico

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Carl Hatch J. Benson Newell
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 63,301 43,704
Percentage 59.16% 40.84%

County results
Hatch:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Newell:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Carl Hatch
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Carl Hatch
Democratic

1942 United States Senate election in New Mexico[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carl Hatch (Incumbent) 63,301 59.16%
Republican J. Benson Newell 43,704 40.84%
Majority 19,597 18.32%
Turnout 107,005
Democratic hold

North Carolina

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in North Carolina

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 (special) →
 
Nominee Josiah Bailey Sam J. Morris
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 540,762 220,307
Percentage 70.70% 28.80%

County results
Bailey:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90-100%
Morris:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Senator before election

Josiah Bailey
Democratic

Elected Senator

Josiah Bailey
Democratic

1942 United States Senate election in North Carolina[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josiah Bailey (Incumbent) 230,427 65.91%
Republican Sam J. Morris 119,165 34.09%
Majority 111,262 31.82%
Turnout 349,592
Democratic hold

Oklahoma

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Edward H. Moore Joshua B. Lee
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 204,163 166,653
Percentage 54.83% 44.76%

County results
Moore:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Lee:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Joshua B. Lee
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Edward H. Moore
Republican

1942 United States Senate election in Oklahoma[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Edward H. Moore 204,163 54.83%
Democratic Joshua B. Lee (Incumbent) 166,653 44.76%
Prohibition Oliver W. Lawton 1,549 0.42%
Majority 37,510 10.07%
Turnout 372,365
Republican gain from Democratic

Oregon

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Oregon

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1944 (special) →
 
Nominee Charles L. McNary Walter W. Whitbeck
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 214,755 63,946
Percentage 77.06% 22.94%

County results
McNary:      70-80%      80-90%

Senator before election

Charles L. McNary
Republican

Elected Senator

Charles L. McNary
Republican

1942 United States Senate election in Oregon[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles L. McNary (Incumbent) 214,755 77.06%
Democratic Walter W. Whitbeck 63,946 22.94%
Majority 150,809 54.12%
Turnout 278,701
Republican hold

Rhode Island

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Rhode Island[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Theodore F. Green (Incumbent) 138,247 57.97%
Republican Ira Lloyd Letts 100,240 42.03%
Majority 38,007 15.94%
Turnout
Democratic hold

South Carolina

[edit]
1942 Democratic Senate primary in South Carolina

← 1941 (special) August 25, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Burnet R. Maybank Eugene Blease
Party Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 120,731 114,241
Percentage 51.38% 48.62%

County results
Maybank:      50–60%      60–70%      80–90%
Blease:      50–60%      60–70%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Burnet R. Maybank
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Burnet R. Maybank
Democratic

South Carolina general election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Burnet R. Maybank (Incumbent) 22,556 >99.9%
No party Write-Ins 2 <0.1%
Majority 22,554 >99.9%
Turnout 22,558
Democratic hold

South Dakota

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Harlan J. Bushfield Tom Berry
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 106,704 74,945
Percentage 58.74% 41.26%

County results
Bushfield:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Berry:      50–60%      60–70%
No Vote:      

U.S. senator before election

William J. Bulow
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Harlan J. Bushfield
Republican

1942 United States Senate election in South Dakota[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Harlan J. Bushfield 106,704 58.74%
Democratic Tom Berry 74,945 41.26%
Majority 31,759 17.48%
Turnout 181,649
Republican gain from Democratic

Tennessee

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Tennessee

← 1938 November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Tom Stewart F. Todd Meacham John Randolph Neal Jr.
Party Democratic Republican Independent
Popular vote 109,881 34,324 15,317
Percentage 68.88% 21.52% 9.60%

Senator before election

Tom Stewart
Democratic

Elected Senator

Tom Stewart
Democratic

1942 United States Senate election in Tennessee[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Stewart (Incumbent) 109,881 68.88%
Republican F. Todd Meacham 34,324 21.52%
Independent John Randolph Neal Jr. 15,317 9.60%
Majority 75,557 47.36%
Turnout 159,522
Democratic hold

Texas

[edit]
Texas election

← 1941 (special) November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Pappy O'Daniel Dudley Lawson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 260,629 12,064
Percentage 94.90% 4.39%

County results.[12]

O'Daniel:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

No vote:      

U.S. senator before election

Pappy O'Daniel
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Pappy O'Daniel
Democratic

1942 United States Senate election in Texas[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic W. Lee O'Daniel (Incumbent) 260,629 94.90%
Republican Dudley Lawson 12,064 4.39%
People’s Unity Charles L. Somerville 1,934 0.70%
Majority 248,565 90.51%
Turnout 274,627
Democratic hold

Virginia

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Virginia

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1946 (special) →
 
Nominee Carter Glass Lawrence S. Wilkes
Party Democratic Socialist
Popular vote 79,421 5,690
Percentage 91.08% 6.53%

County and independent city results
Glass:      80–90%      90-100%
No Data/Vote:      

U.S. senator before election

Carter Glass
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Carter Glass
Democratic

1942 United States Senate election in Virginia[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Carter Glass (Incumbent) 79,421 91.08% +0.58%
Socialist Lawrence S. Wilkes 5,690 6.53% +6.53%
Communist Alice Burke 2,041 2.34% −1.00%
Write-ins 48 <0.01% −0.07%
Majority 73,731 84.55% −2.40%
Turnout 87,200
Democratic hold

West Virginia

[edit]

There were 2 elections to the same seat due to the January 12, 1941 resignation of Democrat Matthew M. Neely who was elected Governor of West Virginia. Democrat Joseph Rosier was appointed January 13, 1941 to continue the term, pending the special election. Primaries for both races were held August 4, 1942.

West Virginia (special)

[edit]
1942 United States Senate special election in West Virginia

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Hugh Ike Shott Joseph Rosier
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 227,469 207,678
Percentage 52.27% 47.73%

County results
Shott:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Rosier:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Joseph Rosier
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Hugh Ike Shott
Republican

Interim Democrat Joseph Rosier easily won the primary,[13] but lost the special election to finish the term that would end in January 1943 to former congressman and 1936 Senate nominee Hugh Ike Shott.

West Virginia special election, November 3, 1942[2][14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Hugh Ike Shott 227,469 52.27%
Democratic Joseph Rosier (Incumbent) 207,678 47.73%
Majority 19,791 4.54%
Turnout 435,147 22.88%
Republican gain from Democratic

West Virginia (regular)

[edit]
1942 United States Senate special election in West Virginia

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Chapman Revercomb Matthew M. Neely
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 256,816 207,045
Percentage 55.36% 44.64%

County results
Revercomb:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Neely:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Matthew M. Neely
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Chapman Revercomb
Republican

Neither Shott nor Rosier were candidates in the regular election. Instead, governor (and former senator) Neely ran to reclaim his seat, having regretted leaving the Senate.

Neely won the Democratic primary[15] but lost the regular election.

West Virginia regular election[2][16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chapman Revercomb 256,816 55.36%
Democratic Matthew M. Neely 207,045 44.64%
Majority 49,771 10.72%
Turnout 463,861 24.39%
Republican gain from Democratic

At the end of the term, Revercomb would lose re-election to Neely in 1948. He then won a special election to the other seat in 1956.

Wyoming

[edit]
1942 United States Senate election in Wyoming

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →
 
Nominee Edward V. Robertson Harry Schwartz
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 41,486 34,503
Percentage 54.59% 45.41%

County results
Robertson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Schwartz:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Harry Schwartz
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Edward V. Robertson
Republican

1942 United States Senate election in Wyoming[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Edward V. Robertson 41,486 54.59%
Democratic Henry H. Schwartz (Incumbent) 34,503 45.41%
Majority 6,983 9.18%
Turnout 75,989
Republican gain from Democratic

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Includes Colorado, where the appointee was elected to the remainder of the term.
  2. ^ Appointee defeated
  3. ^ a b Appointee elected
  4. ^ Norris was originally elected as a Republican. For his final term in 1936, he left the Republican Party and was elected as an independent.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ There was a regular election September 14, 1942 in Maine.
  2. ^ 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 Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (1943-01-30). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1942" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 4, 18, 37.
  3. ^ Lawrence, W.H. (November 5, 1942). "Margin is Narrow" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  4. ^ "The New Congress" (PDF). The New York Times. November 5, 2017. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  5. ^ Malsberger, John W. (2000). From Obstruction to Moderation: The Transformation of Senate Conservatism, 1938-1952. Susquehanna University Press. p. 100. ISBN 9781575910260. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  6. ^ Murphy, Paul (1974). Political Parties In American History, Volume 3, 1890-present. G. P. Putnam's Sons.
  7. ^ "Senators Elected". Nevada State Journal. Reno, Nevada. 1942-11-05. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-04-28 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Scrugham Takes Oath on Monday". Reno Gazette-Journal. Reno, Nevada. 1942-12-05. p. 14. Retrieved 2024-04-28 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "WV US Senate - Special". Our Campaigns. June 19, 2004. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  10. ^ Heard, Alexander; Strong, Donald (1950). Southern Primaries and Elections 1920-1949. University of Alabama Press. pp. 66–67. ISBN 9780836955248.
  11. ^ "OFFICIAL VOTE of the STATE OF ILLINOIS Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION, November 3, 1942 JUDICIAL ELECTIONS, 1941-1942 PRIMARY ELECTION GENERAL PRIMARY, April 14, 1942" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved August 4, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ Heard, Alexander; Strong, Donald (1950). Southern Primaries and Elections 1920-1949. University of Alabama Press. pp. 179–181. ISBN 9780836955248.
  13. ^ "WV US Senate - Special D Primary Race - Aug 04, 1942". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  14. ^ "WV US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 03, 1942". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  15. ^ "WV US Senate - D Primary Race - Aug 04, 1942". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  16. ^ "WV US Senate Race - Nov 03, 1942". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 25, 2020.