Fort Towson

Edit links

The 1958 United States Senate elections were elections for the United States Senate which occurred in the middle of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's second term. Thirty-two seats of Class 1 were contested in regular elections, the new state of Alaska held its first Senate elections for its Class 2 and 3 seats, and two special elections were held to fill vacancies.

As is common in mid-term elections, the party in the White House lost seats, but losses this year were heavy due to the Recession of 1958, the Eisenhower Administration's position on right-to-work issues that galvanized labor unions which supported Democrats, and the launch of Sputnik. This was the first time since 1934 that Democrats gained seats in this class of Senators. Democrats won both seats in West Virginia, making the last time that Democrats simultaneously flipped both of a state's Senate seats until Georgia's elections in 2020 and 2021.

The Democratic Party gained a record 15 seats in this election, defeating 10 Republican incumbents, gaining three open Republican seats, and winning both seats from the new state of Alaska. This gave the Democrats a strong Senate majority of 64–34 over the Republicans, and the largest swing in the history of the Senate. After the new state of Hawaii elected its first Senators in 1959, the Senate's balance changed to 65–35.

This is only one of two occasions in U.S. history that 10 or more Senate seats changed hands in a mid-term election (the other being in 1946), and also one of five occasions where 10 or more Senate seats changed hands in an election, with the other occasions being in 1920, 1932, 1946, and 1980.

Results summary

↓
64 34
Democratic Republican

For the November 5 and 25, 1958 regular and special elections.

Colored shading indicates party with largest share of that row.

Parties Total
Democratic Republican Other
Last elections (1956)
Before these elections 		49 47 0 96
Not up 36 26 0 62
Class 2 (1954) 19 11 0 30
Class 3 (1956) 17 15 0 32
Up 13 21 — 34
Class 1 (1952→1958) 12 20 — 32
Special: Class 2 1 1 — 2
Incumbent retired 0 6 — 6
Held by same party 0 3 — 3
Replaced by other party Decrease3 Republicans replaced by Increase3 Democrats — 3
Result 3 3 0 6
Incumbent ran 13 15 — 28
Won re-election 13 5 — 18
Lost re-election Decrease10 Republicans replaced by Increase10 Democrats — 10
Lost renomination,
but held by same party 		0 0 — 0
Result 23 5 0 28
New state 2 0 0 2
Total elected 28 8 0 36
Net gain/loss Increase15 Decrease13 Steady 15
Nationwide vote 21,426,124[b] 16,622,338 678,147 38,726,609
Share 55.33% 42.92% 1.75% 100%
Result 64 34 0 98

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

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

Six Republicans retired instead of seeking re-election.

State Senator Replaced by
California William Knowland Clair Engle
Indiana William E. Jenner Vance Hartke
New Jersey H. Alexander Smith Harrison A. Williams
New York Irving Ives Kenneth Keating
Pennsylvania Edward Martin Hugh Scott
Vermont Ralph Flanders Winston L. Prouty

Defeats

Ten Republicans sought re-election but lost in the general election.

State Senator Replaced by
Connecticut William A. Purtell Thomas J. Dodd
Maine Frederick G. Payne Edmund Muskie
Michigan Charles E. Potter Philip Hart
Minnesota Edward J. Thye Eugene McCarthy
Nevada George W. Malone Howard Cannon
Ohio John W. Bricker Stephen M. Young
Utah Arthur V. Watkins Frank Moss
West Virginia (regular) Chapman Revercomb Robert Byrd
West Virginia (special) John D. Hoblitzell Jr. Jennings Randolph
Wyoming Frank A. Barrett Gale W. McGee

New states

Alaska was admitted into the Union and elected two Democrats to the Senate.

State Senator
Alaska (class 2) Bob Bartlett
Alaska (class 3) Ernest Gruening

Post-election states

Hawaii was admitted into the Union and elected one Democrat and one Republican to the Senate on July 28, 1959.

State Senator
Hawaii (class 1) Hiram Fong
Hawaii (class 3) Oren E. Long

Post election changes

Two Democrats left the Senate after the election. Both seats were filled by Democrats.

State Senator Replaced by
Oregon Richard L. Neuberger Hall S. Lusk
Missouri Thomas C. Hennings Jr. Edward V. Long

Change in composition

Before the elections

  D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9
D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10
D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D27 D26 D28 D29
D39
Miss.
Ran 		D38
Mass.
Ran 		D37
Fla.
Ran 		D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31 D30
D40
Mo.
Ran 		D41
Mont.
Ran 		D42
N.M.
Ran 		D43
N.C. (sp)
Ran 		D44
R.I.
Ran 		D45
Tenn.
Ran 		D46
Texas
Ran 		D47
Va.
Ran 		D48
Wash.
Ran 		D49
Wis.
Ran
Majority ↑ TBD1
Ak. (cl. 3)
New state
R40
N.D.
Ran 		R41
Ohio
Ran 		R42
Pa.
Retired 		R43
Utah
Ran 		R44
Vt.
Retired 		R45
W.Va. (reg)
Ran 		R46
W.Va. (sp)
Ran 		R47
Wyo.
Ran 		TBD2
Ak. (cl. 2)
New state
R39
N.Y.
Retired 		R38
N.J.
Retired 		R37
Nev.
Ran 		R36
Neb.
Ran 		R35
Minn.
Ran 		R34
Mich.
Ran 		R33
Md.
Ran 		R32
Maine
Ran 		R31
Ind.
Retired 		R30
Del.
Ran
R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27
Ariz.
Ran 		R28
Calif.
Retired 		R29
Conn.
Ran
R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10
  R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9

After the elections

  D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9
D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10
D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29
D39
Miss.
Re-elected 		D38
Mass.
Re-elected 		D37
Fla.
Re-elected 		D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31 D30
D40
Mo.
Re-elected 		D41
Mont.
Re-elected 		D42
N.M.
Re-elected 		D43
N.C. (sp)
Elected[c] 		D44
R.I.
Re-elected 		D45
Tenn.
Re-elected 		D46
Texas
Re-elected 		D47
Va.
Re-elected 		D48
Wash.
Re-elected 		D49
Wis.
Re-elected
Majority → D50
Ak. (cl. 2)
Gain
D59
N.J.
Gain 		D58
Nev.
Gain 		D57
Minn.
Gain 		D56
Mich.
Gain 		D55
Maine
Gain 		D54
Ind.
Gain 		D53
Conn.
Gain 		D52
Calif.
Gain 		D51
Ak. (cl. 3)
Gain
D60
Ohio
Gain 		D61
Utah
Gain 		D62
W.Va. (reg)
Gain 		D63
W.Va. (sp)
Gain[d] 		D64
Wyo.
Gain 		R34
Vt.
Hold 		R33
Pa.
Hold 		R32
N.D.
Re-elected 		R31
N.Y.
Hold 		R30
Neb.
Re-elected
R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27
Ariz.
Re-elected 		R28
Del.
Re-elected 		R29
Md.
Re-elected
R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10
  R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9
Key:
D# Democratic
R# Republican

Race summaries

Special / new state elections

In the special elections, the winners were seated during 1958 or before January 3, 1959. In the new state elections, the winners were seated with the new Congress on January 3, 1959. Ordered by election date.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
North Carolina
(class 2) 		B. Everett Jordan Democratic 1958 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected November 4, 1958.
West Virginia
(class 2) 		John D. Hoblitzell, Jr. Republican 1958 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost election.
New senator elected November 4, 1958.
Democratic gain.
Alaska
(class 2) 		Alaska admitted as a state January 3, 1959. New state.
New senator elected November 25, 1958.
Democratic gain.
Alaska
(class 3) 		New state.
New senator elected November 25, 1958.
Democratic gain.

Elections leading to the next Congress

In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1959; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Arizona Barry Goldwater Republican 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
California William Knowland Republican 1945 (Appointed)
1946 (special)
1952 		Incumbent retired to run for California Governor.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Connecticut William A. Purtell Republican 1952 (Appointed)
1952 (Retired)
1952 		Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Delaware John J. Williams Republican 1946
1952 		Incumbent re-elected.
Florida Spessard Holland Democratic 1946 (Appointed)
1946
1952 		Incumbent re-elected.
Indiana William E. Jenner Republican 1944 (special)
1946
1952 		Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Maine Frederick G. Payne Republican 1952 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Maryland J. Glenn Beall Republican 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts John F. Kennedy Democratic 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan Charles E. Potter Republican 1952 (special)
1952 		Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Minnesota Edward J. Thye Republican 1946
1952 		Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic–Farmer–Labor gain.
Mississippi John C. Stennis Democratic 1947 (special)
1952 		Incumbent re-elected.
Missouri Stuart Symington Democratic 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
Montana Mike Mansfield Democratic 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
Nebraska Roman Hruska Republican 1954 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Nevada George W. Malone Republican 1946
1952 		Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
New Jersey Howard Alexander Smith Republican 1944 (special)
1946
1952 		Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
New Mexico Dennis Chávez Democratic 1935 (Appointed)
1936 (special)
1940
1946
1952 		Incumbent re-elected.
New York Irving Ives Republican 1946
1952 		Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
North Dakota William Langer Republican 1940
1946
1952 		Incumbent re-elected.
Ohio John W. Bricker Republican 1946
1952 		Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Pennsylvania Edward Martin Republican 1946
1952 		Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Rhode Island John Pastore Democratic 1950 (special)
1952 		Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee Albert Gore Sr. Democratic 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
Texas Ralph Yarborough Democratic 1957 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Utah Arthur V. Watkins Republican 1946
1952 		Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Vermont Ralph Flanders Republican 1946 (Appointed)
1946 (special)
1952 		Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Virginia Harry F. Byrd Democratic 1933 (Appointed)
1933 (special)
1934
1940
1946
1952 		Incumbent re-elected.
Washington Henry M. Jackson Democratic 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
West Virginia Chapman Revercomb Republican 1942
1948 (Lost)
1956 (special) 		Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Wisconsin William Proxmire Democratic 1957 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Wyoming Frank A. Barrett Republican 1952 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.

Closest races

Eleven races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State Party of winner Margin
Wyoming Democratic (flip) 1.6%
Maryland Republican 2.0%
New York Republican 2.4%
Utah Democratic (flip) 3.9%
Vermont Republican 4.4%
New Jersey Democratic (flip) 4.5%
Ohio Democratic (flip) 5.0%
Alaska (class 3) Democratic (flip) 5.2%
Minnesota Democratic (flip) 6.3%
Delaware Republican 6.6%
Michigan Democratic (flip) 7.5%

Maine was the tipping point state with a margin of 21.6%.

Alaska

Main article: 1958 United States Senate elections in Alaska
See also: List of United States senators from Alaska

Alaska would become a new state January 3, 1959, and it elected two initial senators November 25, 1958, in advance of statehood. The Democratic Party thereby picked up 2 more seats.

In their next elections, Alaska's senators would be elected to 6-year terms.

The class 2 race, for the 2-year term ending in 1961, was between the Democratic incumbent territorial delegate Bob Bartlett, and the Republican Juneau attorney R. E. Robertson.

Alaska regular election (class 2)[1][2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Bartlett 40,939 83.83
Republican R. E. Robertson 7,299 14.95
Write-In Keith Capper 599 1.23
Majority 33,640 68.88
Turnout 48,837
Democratic win (new seat)

Bartlett would be re-elected twice and serve until his death in 1968.

The class 3 race, for the 4-year term ending in 1963, pitted two former territorial governors, Democrat Ernest Gruening against Republican Mike Stepovich. Gruening won a close race.

Alaska regular election (class 3)[1][3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ernest Gruening 26,045 52.61
Republican Mike Stepovich 23,464 47.39
Majority 2,581 5.22
Turnout 49,509
Democratic win (new seat)

Gruening would be re-elected in 1962 and serve until losing renomination in 1968.

Arizona

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Arizona
See also: List of United States senators from Arizona
Arizona general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Barry Goldwater (Incumbent) 164,593 56.06%
Democratic Ernest W. McFarland 129,030 43.94%
Majority 35,563 12.12%
Turnout 293,623
Republican hold

California

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in California
See also: List of United States senators from California
California general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Clair Engle 2,927,693 57.01
Republican Goodwin Knight 2,204,337 42.93
Write-In Jesse M. Ritchie 892 0.02
Write-In Ray B. Pollard 281 0.01
None Scattering 2,018 0.04
Majority 723,356 14.08
Turnout 5,135,221
Democratic gain from Republican

Connecticut

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Connecticut
See also: List of United States senators from Connecticut

In Connecticut, Democrat Thomas J. Dodd defeated incumbent senator William A. Purtell who ran for a second term.

Connecticut general election 1958[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thomas J. Dodd 554,841 57.28
Republican William A. Purtell (Incumbent) 410,622 42.39
Independent Vivien Kellems 3,043 0.31
None Scattering 119 0.01
Majority 144,219 14.89
Turnout 968,625
Swing to Democratic from Republican Swing

Delaware

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Delaware
See also: List of United States senators from Delaware

Two-term Republican John J. Williams was re-elected to a third term.

Delaware general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John J. Williams (Incumbent) 82,280 53.28
Democratic Elbert Carvel 72,152 46.72
Majority 10,128 6.56
Turnout 154,432
Republican hold

Williams would be re-elected in 1964, serving four terms until his 1970 retirement.

Florida

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Florida
See also: List of United States senators from Florida

Incumbent Democrat Senator Holland, a conservative, was challenged by former senator Claude Pepper, who had been unseated in 1950. Holland had played a role in recruiting George A. Smathers to run against the liberal Pepper in that election. The two served as colleagues in the Senate from 1947 to 1951.[5]

Democratic primary[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Spessard L. Holland (Incumbent) 408,084 55.94
Democratic Claude Pepper 321,377 44.06
Total votes 729,461 100.00
General election results[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Spessard Holland (Incumbent) 386,113 71.23 Decrease28.59
Republican Leland Hyzer 155,956 28.77 Increase28.77
Majority 230,157 42.46
Turnout 542,069
Democratic hold

Indiana

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Indiana
See also: List of United States senators from Indiana

Incumbent Republican William E. Jenner did not seek a second full term in office and was replaced by Democrat Vance Hartke, the mayor of Evansville. Hartke defeated incumbent Republican Governor of Indiana Harold W. Handley.

Jenner resigned shortly before the election and urged Handley, Jenner's political protégé, to seek his seat. A plan was proposed whereby Handley would resign the governorship, his lieutenant would appoint him senator, and he would finish the term and run as an incumbent. When the plan was revealed to the party leadership, they strongly advised him to not implement it because they feared it would hurt the party and be perceived as a scandal.[8]

Handley did not resign from the governorship during his campaign and was widely criticized for the unprecedented action. Hartke accused Handley of raising taxes, breaking of his campaign promise, his reluctance in supporting right-to-work, and rising state unemployment. Statewide unemployment was just above 10% in April, but dropped to 6.9% by the end of September.[8]

Indiana general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Vance Hartke 973,636 56.47
Republican Harold W. Handley 731,635 42.43
Prohibition John Stelle 19,040 1.10
Majority 242,001 14.04
Turnout 1,724,311
Democratic gain from Republican

Maine

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Maine
See also: List of United States senators from Maine

Maine held its election September 8, 1958, in keeping with its routine practice of holding elections before the November national Election Day. Democrat Edmund Muskie defeated one-term Republican incumbent, Frederick G. Payne by a wide margin, 61–39%.

Maine general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edmund Muskie 172,704 60.76%
Republican Frederick G. Payne (Incumbent) 111,522 39.24%
Majority 61,182 21.52%
Turnout 284,226
Democratic gain from Republican

Maryland

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Maryland
See also: List of United States senators from Maryland
Maryland general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican J. Glenn Beall (Incumbent) 384,931 51.18%
Democratic Thomas D'Alesandro Jr. 367,142 48.82%
Majority 17,789 3.36%
Turnout 752,073
Republican hold

Massachusetts

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Massachusetts
See also: List of United States senators from Massachusetts
Massachusetts general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John F. Kennedy (Incumbent) 1,362,926 73.20%
Republican Vincent J. Celeste 488,318 26.22%
Socialist Labor Lawrence Gilfedder 5,457 0.29%
Prohibition Mark R. Shaw 5,335 0.29%
None Scattering 5 0.00%
Majority 874,608 46.98%
Turnout 1,862,041
Democratic hold

Michigan

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Michigan
See also: List of United States senators from Michigan
Michigan general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Philip A. Hart 1,216,966 53.57%
Republican Charles E. Potter (Incumbent) 1,046,963 46.09%
Prohibition Elmer H. Ormiston 3,518 0.15%
Socialist Labor James Sim 3,128 0.14%
Socialist Workers Evelyn Sell 1,068 0.05%
None Scattering 1 0.00%
Majority 170,003 7.48%
Turnout 2,271,644
Democratic gain from Republican

Minnesota

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Minnesota
See also: List of United States senators from Minnesota

In Minnesota, Democratic Representative Eugene McCarthy defeated incumbent senator Edward John Thye who ran for a third term.

Democratic primary election[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Eugene J. McCarthy 279,796 75.65%
Democratic (DFL) Hjalmar Petersen 76,340 20.64%
Democratic (DFL) Hans R. Miller 13,736 3.71%
Total votes 369,872 100.00%
Republican primary election[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Edward John Thye (Incumbent) 224,833 91.81%
Republican Edward C. Slettedahl 13,734 5.61%
Republican Mrs. Peder P. Schmidt 6,332 2.58%
Total votes 244,899 100.00%
General election[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Eugene J. McCarthy 608,847 52.95%
Republican Edward John Thye (Incumbent) 535,629 46.58%
Socialist Workers William M. Curran 5,407 0.47%
Total votes 1,149,883 100.00%
Majority 73,218 6.37%
Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican

Mississippi

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Mississippi
See also: List of United States senators from Mississippi

Two-term Democrat John C. Stennis was re-elected with no opposition.

Mississippi general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John C. Stennis (Incumbent) 61,039 100.00%
Democratic hold

Stennis would be re-elected four more times, serving until his retirement in 1989.

Missouri

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Missouri
See also: List of United States senators from Missouri

Incumbent Democrat Stuart Symington was re-elected to a second term. Hazel Palmer was the first woman ever nominated for United States senator in Missouri.

Democratic primary[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stuart Symington (incumbent) 365,470 92.13%
Democratic Lawrence Hastings 19,954 5.03%
Democratic Lamar Dye 11,262 2.84%
Total votes 396,686 100.00%
Republican primary[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Hazel Palmer 61,481 44.63%
Republican William McKinley Thomas 36,438 26.45%
Republican Homer Cotton 27,023 19.62%
Republican Herman G. Grosby 12,818 9.31%
Total votes 137,760 100.00%
General election[1][14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Stuart Symington (Incumbent) 780,083 66.45% Increase12.46
Republican Hazel Palmer 393,847 33.55% Decrease12.39
Majority 386,236 32.90%
Turnout 1,173,930
Democratic hold Swing

Montana

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Montana
See also: List of United States senators from Montana

Incumbent Mike Mansfield, who was first elected to the Senate in 1952, ran for re-election. Mansfield won the Democratic primary comfortably, and moved on to the general election, where he was opposed by Lou W. Welch, a millworker and the Republican nominee. In contrast to the close campaign in 1952, Mansfield defeated Welch in a landslide and won his second term in the Senate easily.

Democratic primary[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike Mansfield (Incumbent) 97,207 91.72%
Democratic J. M. Nickey 4,710 4.44%
Democratic Thomas G. Stimatz, former State Representative 4,061 3.83%
Total votes 105,978 100.00%
Republican Primary[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lou W. Welch, millworker 19,860 50.30%
Republican Blanche Anderson 19,624 49.70%
Total votes 39,484 100.00%
General election[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mike Mansfield (Incumbent) 174,910 76.22% Increase25.47%
Republican Lou W. Welch 54,573 23.78% Decrease24.77%
Majority 120,337 52.44% Increase50.25%
Turnout 229,483
Democratic hold Swing

Nebraska

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Nebraska
See also: List of United States senators from Nebraska

Republican Roman Hruska had won a 1954 special election and ran for a full term. He beat Democratic attorney Frank B. Morrison, who had previously lost his challenger bid for Nebraska's 1st congressional district.

Democratic primary[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank B. Morrison 35,482 51.85
Democratic Eugene D. O'Sullivan 26,436 38.63
Democratic Mike F. Kracher 6,500 9.50
Democratic Scattering 13 0.02
Total votes 68,431 100
Republican primary[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Roman Hruska (Incumbent) 103,348 99.95
Republican Scattering 51 0.05
Total votes 103,399 100
Nebraska general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Roman Hruska (Incumbent) 232,227 55.64%
Democratic Frank B. Morrison 185,152 44.36%
N/A Scattering 6 0.00%
Majority 47,075 11.18%
Turnout 417,385
Republican hold

Hruska would be re-elected two more times and serve until his 1976 retirement.

Morrison would be elected Governor of Nebraska in 1960 and serve there for six years from 1961 to 1967, and was re-elected twice while running unsuccessfully for U.S. senator.

Nevada

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Nevada
See also: List of United States senators from Nevada

In Nevada, incumbent Republican George W. Malone ran for re-election to a third term, but was defeated by Democrat Howard Cannon.

The campaign was considered[by whom?] one of the most competitive and highly watched in the nation in 1958. Senator Malone was known nationally as a leader within the Republican Party's right wing and held key appointments on the Senate Finance and Interior Committees.[18]

Malone campaigned on his experience and seniority in the Senate, using the slogan "He Knows Nevada Best." He received support from Eisenhower cabinet secretaries Fred Seaton and Ezra Taft Benson. Benson, one of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, was especially influential among Nevada's large Mormon population. His endorsement was seen as particularly important in light of Cannon's Mormon faith. Late in the campaign, Malone published full-page ads touting his effort to save Nevada from a federal gambling tax.[18]

Cannon focused his attacks on Malone's absentee record in the Senate and his reputation on Capitol Hill as an unpopular extremist.[18]

Cannon won the election by a safe margin owing to his overwhelming support in his native Clark County, which contained 47 percent of the state's registered voters. He was the first candidate from southern Nevada elected to the United States Senate.[18]

Democratic primary[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Howard Cannon 22,787 51.66%
Democratic Fred Anderson 21,319 48.34%
Total votes 44,106 {{{percentage}}}

Senator Malone was unopposed for re-nomination by the Republican Party.

General election[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Howard Cannon, City Attorney of Las Vegas 48,732 57.65% Increase7.63%
Republican George W. Malone (Incumbent) 35,760 42.32% Decrease9.35%
Majority 12,972 15.35% Increase12.00%
Turnout 84,492
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

New Jersey

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in New Jersey
See also: List of United States senators from New Jersey

Incumbent Republican H. Alexander Smith chose not to seek a third term in office. Democratic U.S. Representative Harrison Williams won the open seat over U.S. Representative Robert Kean.

Democratic primary[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harrison A. Williams 152,413 43.12%
Democratic John Grogan 139,605 39.49%
Democratic Joseph E. McLean 61,478 17.39%
Total votes 353,496 100.00%
Republican primary[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Kean 152,884 43.00%
Republican Bernard M. Shanley 128,990 36.28%
Republican Robert J. Morris 73,658 20.72%
Total votes 355,532 100.00%
General election[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Harrison A. Williams 966,832 51.39% Increase7.77
Republican Robert Kean 882,287 46.90% Decrease8.61
Socialist Workers Daniel Roberts 11,669 0.62% Increase0.40
Politicians Are Jokers Henry Krajewski 6,013 0.32% N/A
Independent John J. Winberry 5,481 0.29% N/A
Conservative Winifred O. Perry 3,062 0.16% N/A
People's Choice John M. D'Addetta 3,024 0.16% N/A
Socialist Labor Albert Ronis 2,935 0.16% Increase0.09
Total votes 1,881,303 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican

New Mexico

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in New Mexico
See also: List of United States senators from New Mexico
New Mexico general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dennis Chavez (Incumbent) 127,496 62.71%
Republican Forrest S. Atchley 75,827 37.29%
Majority 51,669 25.42%
Turnout 203,323
Democratic hold

New York

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in New York
See also: List of United States senators from New York

Incumbent Republican Irving Ives retired. Republican Representative Kenneth Keating defeated Democrat Frank Hogan to succeed Ives.

1958 Democratic Convention[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank Hogan 772 67.60%
Democratic Thomas E. Murray Sr. 304 26.62%
Democratic Thomas K. Finletter 66 5.78%
Total votes 1,317 100.00%
General election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kenneth Keating 2,842,942 50.75%
Democratic Frank Hogan 2,709,950 48.37%
Independent Socialist Corliss Lamont 49,087 0.88%
None Scattering 95 0.00%
Majority 132,992 2.38%
Turnout 5,601,979
Republican hold

North Carolina (special)

Main article: 1958 United States Senate special election in North Carolina
See also: List of United States senators from North Carolina

Democrat W. Kerr Scott had died April 16, 1958, and former Democratic Governor of North Carolina B. Everett Jordan was appointed April 19, 1958, to continue the term, pending a special election. Jordan was then re-elected in November.

General election[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic B. Everett Jordan (incumbent) 431,492 70.0%
Republican Richard C. Clarke Jr. 184,977 30.0%
Turnout 15.18%
Democratic hold

Jordan would later be twice re-elected and serve until 1973.

North Dakota

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in North Dakota
See also: List of United States senators from North Dakota

Incumbent Republican, and former Non-Partisan League (NPL) senator, William Langer, was re-elected to a fourth term, defeating North Dakota Democratic NPL Party (Dem-NPL) candidate Raymond G. Vendsel.[16]

Only Langer filed as a Republican, and the endorsed Democratic-NPL candidate was Raymond G. Vendsel. Langer and Vendsel won the primary elections for their respective parties.

Two independent candidates, Arthur C. Townley and Custer Solem, also filed before the deadline but had minimal impact on the outcome of the election, totaling less than 3,000 votes combined. Townley was known as the creator of the National Non-Partisan League, and had previously sought North Dakota's other senate seat in 1956.

North Dakota election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Langer (Incumbent) 117,070 57.21%
Democratic–NPL Raymond G. Vendsel 84,892 41.49%
Independent Arthur C. Townley 1,700 0.83%
Independent Custer Solem 973 0.48%
Majority 32,178 15.72%
Turnout 204,635
Republican hold

Langer would die in office less than a year into what became his final term. A special election was held in 1960 triggered by Langer's death.

Ohio

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Ohio
See also: List of United States senators from Ohio

Incumbent Republican John W. Bricker was defeated in his bid for a third term by U.S. Representative Stephen M. Young.

General election[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Stephen M. Young 1,652,211 52.46% Increase7.04
Republican John W. Bricker (Incumbent) 1,497,199 47.54% Decrease7.05
Majority 155,012 4.92%
Turnout 3,149,410
Democratic gain from Republican

Pennsylvania

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania
See also: List of United States senators from Pennsylvania

Incumbent Republican Edward Martin did not seek re-election. The Republican nominee, Hugh Scott, defeated the term-limited Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania George M. Leader for the vacant seat.

General election[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Hugh Scott 2,042,586 51.21% Decrease0.37%
Democratic George M. Leader 1,929,821 48.38% Increase0.40%
Socialist Labor George S. Taylor 10,431 0.26% Increase0.26%
Socialist Workers Ethel Peterson 5,742 0.14% Increase0.14%
N/A Other 42 0.00% N/A
Majority 112,765 2.83%
Turnout 3,988,622
Republican hold Swing

Scott would be twice re-elected, rising to the Senate Minority leader, and serve until retiring in 1977. Leader retired from public service after the defeat.

Rhode Island

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Rhode Island
See also: List of United States senators from Rhode Island

Two-term incumbent Democrat John Pastore was easily re-elected over Republican attorney Bayard Ewing,[26] a repeat of their 1952 race.

Rhode Island general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Pastore (Incumbent) 222,166 64.49%
Republican Bayard Ewing 122,353 35.51%
Majority 99,813 28.98%
Turnout 344,519
Democratic hold

Ewing would later serve as the national chairman of the United Way (1969–1972) and the Rhode Island School of Design (1967–1985).

Tennessee

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Tennessee
See also: List of United States senators from Tennessee
Tennessee general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Albert Gore Sr. (Incumbent) 317,324 79.00%
Republican Hobart F. Atkins 76,371 19.01%
Write-In Chester W. Mason 5,324 1.33%
Write-In Thomas Gouge Jr. 2,646 0.66%
Majority 240,953 59.99%
Turnout 401,665
Democratic hold

Texas

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Texas
See also: List of United States senators from Texas
Texas general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ralph Yarborough (Incumbent) 587,030 74.58%
Republican Roy Whittenburg 185,926 23.62%
Write-In Bard W. Logan 14,172 1.80%
Majority 401,104 50.96%
Turnout 787,128
Democratic hold

Utah

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Utah
See also: List of United States senators from Utah
Utah general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank Moss 112,827 38.73%
Republican Arthur V. Watkins (Incumbent) 101,471 34.83%
Independent J. Bracken Lee 77,013 26.44%
Majority 11,356 3.90%
Turnout 291,311
Democratic gain from Republican

Vermont

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Vermont
See also: List of United States senators from Vermont

Incumbent Republican Ralph Flanders did not run for re-election to another term in the United States Senate. Republican candidate Winston L. Prouty defeated Democratic candidate Frederick J. Fayette to succeed him.

Republican primary[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Winston L. Prouty 31,866 64.6%
Republican Lee E. Emerson 17,468 35.4%
Republican Other 4 0.0%
Total votes 49,338 100.00%
Democratic primary[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frederick J. Fayette 6,546 99.5%
Democratic Other 32 0.5%
Total votes 6,578 100.00%
General election[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Winston L. Prouty 64,900 52.15%
Democratic Frederick J. Fayette 59,536 47.84%
N/A Other 6 0.00%
Majority 5,364 4.31%
Total votes 124,442 100.00%
Republican hold

Virginia

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Virginia
See also: List of United States senators from Virginia

Incumbent Harry F. Byrd Sr. was re-elected after defeating Independent Louise Wensel and Social Democrat Clarke Robb.

General election[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Harry F. Byrd (Incumbent) 317,221 69.32% Decrease4.03%
Independent Louise Wensel 120,224 26.27% Increase26.27%
Social Democratic Clarke T. Robb 20,154 4.40% Decrease7.98%
Write-in write-ins 41 0.01% Decrease1.54%
Majority 196,997 43.05%
Turnout 457,640
Democratic hold

Washington

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Washington
See also: List of United States senators from Washington
Washington general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Henry M. Jackson (Incumbent) 597,040 67.32%
Republican William B. Bantz 278,271 31.38%
Socialist Labor Henry Killman 7,592 0.86%
Constitution Archie G. Idso 2,257 0.25%
United Liberals and Socialists Jay G. Sykes 1,662 0.19%
Majority 318,769 35.94%
Turnout 886,822
Democratic hold

West Virginia

See also: List of United States senators from West Virginia

West Virginia (regular)

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in West Virginia

In 1956, senator Harley M. Kilgore died, and former senator William Revercomb won his seat in the 1956 special election. Revercomb sought re-election to a third term, but was defeated by Congressman Robert Byrd. This election was the beginning of Byrd's lifelong career in the Senate.

[1][30]
1958 United States Senate election in West Virginia
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Robert Byrd 381,745 59.19% +18.39%
Republican William Revercomb (Incumbent) 263,172 40.81% -18.39%
Total votes 644,917 100.00% -21.5%
Democratic gain from Republican

West Virginia (special)

Main article: 1958 United States Senate special election in West Virginia

Incumbent Democrat Matthew M. Neely died of cancer January 8, 1958, and Republican John D. Hoblitzell Jr. was appointed January 25, 1958, to continue the term, pending a special election.

Former Democratic congressman Jennings Randolph was elected to finish the term that would run through 1961. Byrd however, would become the senior Senator from West Virginia as he was elected to his first full six year term.

West Virginia special election[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jennings Randolph 374,167 59.32%
Republican John D. Hoblitzell Jr. (Incumbent) 256,510 39.77%
Total votes 630,677 100%

Randolph would be re-elected four times and serve until his retirement in 1985. Hoblitzell resumed his business interests and died January 6, 1962.

Wisconsin

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Wisconsin
See also: List of United States senators from Wisconsin
Wisconsin general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William Proxmire (Incumbent) 682,440 57.12%
Republican Roland J. Steinle 510,398 42.72%
Socialist Workers James E. Boulton 1,226 0.10%
Socialist Labor Georgia Cozzini 537 0.04%
None Scattering 77 0.01%
Majority 171,042 14.40%
Turnout 1,194,678
Democratic hold

Wyoming

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Wyoming
See also: List of United States senators from Wyoming
Wyoming general election 1958[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gale McGee 58,035 50.84%
Republican Frank A. Barrett (Incumbent) 56,122 49.16%
Majority 1,913 1.68%
Turnout 114,157
Democratic gain from Republican

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Maine election held on September 8, 1958; Alaska elections held on November 25, 1958.
  2. ^ a b The Liberal Party in New York endorsed Frank Hogan, a Democrat, but the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives did not tabulate their votes, totaling 275,051, into the national Democratic total.[1]
  3. ^ Appointee elected
  4. ^ Appointee defeated

References

  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 Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (March 16, 1959). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 4, 1958" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 27, 39, 42.
  2. ^ "Our Campaigns - AK US Senate Race - Nov 25, 1958". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  3. ^ "Our Campaigns - AK US Senate Race - Nov 25, 1958". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  4. ^ "Our Campaigns - CT US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1958". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  5. ^ Egerton, John (November 29, 1981). "COURTLY CHAMPION OF AMERICA'S ELDERLY". The New York Times. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  6. ^ "Our Campaigns - FL US Senate - D Primary Race - Sep 09, 1958". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  7. ^ "Our Campaigns - FL US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1958". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Gugin, Linda C.; St. Clair, James E, eds. (2006). The Governors of Indiana. Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Historical Society Press. p. 333. ISBN 0-87195-196-7.
  9. ^ "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate - D Primary Race - Sep 09, 1958". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  10. ^ "Primary Election Returns on Election held September 9, 1958" (PDF). Minnesota Legislature.
  11. ^ "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate Race - Nov 03, 1964". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  12. ^ "MO US Senate – D Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  13. ^ "MO US Senate – R Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  14. ^ "MO US Senate Race". OurCampaigns. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  15. ^ a b "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, June 3, 1958" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 28, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  16. ^ a b c d e "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 4, 1958" (PDF). Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  17. ^ a b Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska (primary election). Available at: https://sos.nebraska.gov/elections/previous-elections
  18. ^ a b c d Driggs, Don W. (March 1959). "The 1958 Election in Nevada". The Western Political Quarterly. 12 (1): 317–321. doi:10.2307/444059. JSTOR 444059.
  19. ^ "NV US Senate - D Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  20. ^ "NJ US Senate - D Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  21. ^ "NJ US Senate - R Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  22. ^ "NJ US Senate Race". OurCampaigns. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  23. ^ "NY US Senate - D Convention". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  24. ^ "Our Campaigns - NC US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 04, 1958". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  25. ^ "OH US Senate". OurCampaigns. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  26. ^ Lambert, Bruce (November 1, 1991). "Bayard Ewing, 75, Ex-U.S. Chairman Of the United Way". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  27. ^ Election Returns: November 4, 1958, Texas Secretary of State election registers. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. pp. 481–486
  28. ^ a b "Primary Election Results" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  29. ^ "General Election Results - U.S. senator - 1914-2014" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  30. ^ "WV US Senate". Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  31. ^ "1958 General Election" (PDF). Historical Election Results and Turnout. Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_elections,_1958