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The 1964 United States Senate elections were held on November 3. The 33 seats of Class 1 were contested in regular elections. Special elections were also held to fill vacancies. They coincided with the election of President Lyndon B. Johnson by an overwhelming majority, to a full term. His Democratic Party picked up a net two seats from the Republicans. As of 2023, this was the last time either party has had a two-thirds majority in the Senate, which allowed the Senate Democrats to override a veto, propose constitutional amendments, or convict and expel certain officials without any votes from Senate Republicans. However, internal divisions would have prevented the Democrats from having done so. The Senate election cycle coincided with Democratic gains in the House in the same year.

In a close race in Nevada, Democratic incumbent Howard Cannon won re-election over Republican Lieutenant Governor Paul Laxalt by fewer than 100 votes. Laxalt joined Cannon in the Senate when he won Nevada's other seat in 1974. Patrick V. McNamara (D–Michigan) later died on April 30, 1966, and was replaced on May 11, 1966, by appointee Robert P. Griffin (R), reducing Democrats' majority to 67–33.

Notably, of the 35 seats up for election this year, 26 were held by Democrats, who managed to retain 25 of them. A party defending two-thirds of the seats up for election would not make net gains in the Senate again until 2012. Coincidentally, it would be the same Senate class, class 1. This is the earliest round of Senate elections in which a first-elected member is still alive (Fred Harris, D-OK).

Results summary

↓
68 32
Democratic Republican
Parties Total
Democratic Republican Other
Last elections (1962) 67 33 0 100
Before these elections 66 34 0 100
Not up 40 25 0 65
Up 26 9 — 35
Class 1 (1958→1964) 24 9 — 33
Special: Class 2 2 0 — 2
Incumbent retired 1 1 — 2
Held by same party 1 1 — 2
Replaced by other party 0 0 — 0
Result 1 1 0 2
Incumbent ran 25 8 — 33
Won re-election 23 5 — 28
Lost re-election Decrease3 Republicans replaced by Increase3 Democrats
Decrease1 Democrat replaced by Increase1 Republican 		— 4
Lost renomination,
but held by same party 		1 0 — 1
Result 27 6 0 33
Total elected 28 7 0 35
Net gain/loss Increase2 Decrease2 Steady 2
Nationwide vote 30,786,035[a] 23,171,991 848,082 54,806,108
Share 56.17% 42.28% 1.55% 100%
Result 68 32 0 100

Source:[1]

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

One Republican did not seek re-election and one Democrat did not seek election to finish an unexpired term.

State Senator Replaced by
Arizona Barry Goldwater Paul Fannin
Tennessee (special) Herbert S. Walters Ross Bass

Defeats

One Democrat sought election to finish the unexpired term but lost in the primary election. One Democrat sought election to a full term but lost in the general election. One Republican sought election to finish the unexpired term and sought election to a full term but lost in both the special election and the regular election. Two Republicans sought re-election but lost in the general election.

State Senator Replaced by
California Pierre Salinger George Murphy
Maryland J. Glenn Beall Joseph Tydings
New Mexico Edwin L. Mechem Joseph Montoya
New York Kenneth Keating Robert F. Kennedy
Oklahoma

J. Howard Edmondson

Fred R. Harris

Post-election changes

One Democrat died on April 30, 1966, and was replaced on May 11, 1966, by a Republican appointee. Another Democrat died on April 18, 1965, and was replaced by a fellow Democrat. Another Democrat resigned on November 10, 1965, due to health reasons and was replaced by a fellow Democrat.

State Senator Replaced by
Michigan Patrick V. McNamara Robert P. Griffin
South Carolina Olin D. Johnston Donald S. Russell
Virginia Harry F. Byrd Harry F. Byrd Jr.

Change in composition

Before the elections

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40 D39 D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31
D41
Calif.
Ran 		D42
Conn.
Ran 		D43
Fla.
Ran 		D44
Ind.
Ran 		D45
Maine
Ran 		D46
Mass.
Ran 		D47
Mich.
Ran 		D48
Minn.
Ran 		D49
Miss.
Ran 		D50
Mo.
Ran
Majority → D51
Mont.
Ran
D60
Texas
Ran 		D59
Tenn. (sp)
Retired 		D58
Tenn. (reg)
Ran 		D57
R.I.
Ran 		D56
Okla. (sp)
Ran 		D55
Ohio
Ran 		D54
N.D.
Ran 		D53
N.J.
Ran 		D52
Nev.
Ran
D61
Utah
Ran 		D62
Va.
Ran 		D63
Wash.
Ran 		D64
W.Va.
Ran 		D65
Wis.
Ran 		D66
Wyo.
Ran 		R34
Vt.
Ran 		R33
Pa.
Ran 		R32
N.Y.
Ran 		R31
N.M. (sp)
N.M. (reg)
Ran
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26
Ariz.
Retired 		R27
Del.
Ran 		R28
Hawaii
Ran 		R29
Md.
Ran 		R30
Neb.
Ran
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10

Elections results

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40 D39 D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31
D41
Conn.
Re-elected 		D42
Fla.
Re-elected 		D43
Ind.
Re-elected 		D44
Maine
Re-elected 		D45
Mass.
Re-elected 		D46
Mich.
Re-elected 		D47
Minn.
Re-elected 		D48
Miss.
Re-elected 		D49
Mo.
Re-elected 		D50
Mont.
Re-elected
Majority → D51
Nev.
Re-elected
D60
Utah
Re-elected 		D59
Texas
Re-elected 		D58
Tenn. (sp)
Hold 		D57
Tenn. (reg)
Re-elected 		D56
R.I.
Re-elected 		D55
Okla. (sp)
Hold 		D54
Ohio
Re-elected 		D53
N.D.
Re-elected 		D52
N.J.
Re-elected
D61
Va.
Re-elected 		D62
Wash.
Re-elected 		D63
W.Va.
Re-elected 		D64
Wis.
Re-elected 		D65
Wyo.
Re-elected 		D66
Md.
Gain 		D67
N.M. (sp)
N.M. (reg)
Gain[b] 		D68
N.Y.
Gain 		R32
Calif.
Gain[b] 		R31
Vt.
Re-elected
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26
Ariz.
Hold 		R27
Del.
Re-elected 		R28
Hawaii
Re-elected 		R29
Neb.
Re-elected 		R30
Pa.
Re-elected
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10
Key
D# Democratic
R# Republican

Race summary

Special elections during the 88th Congress

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1964 or before January 3, 1965; ordered by election date, then state.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
New Mexico
(Class 1) 		Edwin L. Mechem Republican 1962 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Winner also elected to the next term, see below.
Oklahoma
(Class 2) 		J. Howard Edmondson Democratic 1963 (Appointed) Appointee lost nomination to finish term.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Tennessee
(Class 2) 		Herbert S. Walters Democratic 1963 (Appointed) Appointee retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.

Elections leading to the next Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1965; 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
1958 		Incumbent retired to run for President of the United States.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
California Pierre Salinger Democratic 1964 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Incumbent resigned December 31, 1964, to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner seated January 1, 1965.
Connecticut Thomas J. Dodd Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Delaware John J. Williams Republican 1946
1952
1958 		Incumbent re-elected.
Florida Spessard Holland Democratic 1946 (Appointed)
1946
1952
1958 		Incumbent re-elected.
Hawaii Hiram Fong Republican 1959 Incumbent re-elected.
Indiana Vance Hartke Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • ▌J. Ralston Miller (Prohibition) 0.3%
  • ▌Casimer Kanczuzewski (Socialist Labor) 0.06%
Maine Edmund Muskie Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Maryland J. Glenn Beall Republican 1952
1958 		Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Massachusetts Ted Kennedy Democratic 1962 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • ▌Lawrence Gilfedder (Socialist Labor) 0.2%
  • ▌Grace F. Luder (Prohibition) 0.1%
Michigan Philip Hart Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • ▌Ernest C. Smith (Freedom Now) 0.1%
  • ▌Evelyn Sell (Socialist Workers) 0.09%
  • ▌James Sim (Socialist Labor) 0.05%
Minnesota Eugene McCarthy DFL[c] 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • ▌William Braatz (Industrial Government) 0.3%
  • ▌Everett E. Luoma (Socialist Workers) 0.1%
Mississippi John C. Stennis Democratic 1947 (special)
1952
1958 		Incumbent re-elected.
Missouri Stuart Symington Democratic 1952
1958 		Incumbent re-elected.
Montana Mike Mansfield Democratic 1952
1958 		Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Mike Mansfield (Democratic) 64.5%
  • ▌Alex Blewett (Republican) 35.5%
Nebraska Roman Hruska Republican 1954 (special)
1958 		Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Roman Hruska (Republican) 61.4%
  • ▌Raymond W. Arndt (Democratic) 38.6%
Nevada Howard Cannon Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
New Jersey Harrison A. Williams Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
New Mexico Edwin L. Mechem Republican 1962 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Winner was also elected to finish the term, see above.
New York Kenneth Keating Republican 1958 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
North Dakota Quentin Burdick Democratic-NPL 1960 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Ohio Stephen M. Young Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Pennsylvania Hugh Scott Republican 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Rhode Island John Pastore Democratic 1950 (special)
1952
1958 		Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee Albert Gore Sr. Democratic 1952
1958 		Incumbent re-elected.
Texas Ralph Yarborough Democratic 1957 (special)
1958 		Incumbent re-elected.
Utah Frank Moss Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Vermont Winston L. Prouty Republican 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Virginia Harry F. Byrd Democratic 1933 (Appointed)
1933 (special)
1934
1940
1946
1952
1958 		Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Harry F. Byrd (Democratic) 63.8%
  • ▌Richard A. May (Republican) 19.0%
  • ▌James W. Respess (Independent) 10.3%
Washington Henry M. Jackson Democratic 1952
1958 		Incumbent re-elected.
West Virginia Robert Byrd Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Robert Byrd (Democratic) 67.7%
  • ▌Cooper P. Benedict (Republican) 32.3%
Wisconsin William Proxmire Democratic 1957 (special)
1958 		Incumbent re-elected.
Wyoming Gale W. McGee Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.

Closest races

Fifteen races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State Party of winner Margin
Nevada Democratic 0.04%
Ohio Democratic 0.4%
Pennsylvania Republican 1.5%
Oklahoma (special) Democratic 2.4%
Arizona Republican 2.8%
California Republican (flip) 3.4%
Delaware Republican 2.4%
Tennessee (special) Democratic 4.7%
Hawaii Republican 6.6%
Wisconsin Democratic 6.7%
Tennessee Democratic 7.2%
Vermont Republican 7.0%
Wyoming Democratic 8.0%
Indiana Democratic 9.0%
New Mexico Democratic (flip) 9.4%

Michigan is the tipping point state with a margin of 29.1%.

Arizona

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Arizona
See also: List of United States senators from Arizona

Incumbent Barry Goldwater decided not to run for re-election to a third term, instead running for President of the United States as the Republican Party nominee against Lyndon B. Johnson.[2] Governor of Arizona Paul Fannin ran unopposed in the Republican primary, and defeated Democratic nominee Roy Elson, who was a staff member for U.S. senator Carl Hayden until Hayden's retirement in 1969. Despite a landslide loss throughout the country, and Goldwater only able to obtain 50.45% of the vote in his home state of Arizona, Fannin managed to prevail in the state's Senate election. Goldwater would win the election for the other Senate seat in 1968 when Hayden retired from the post and serving two more terms.

Democratic primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Roy Elson 76,697 41.41
Democratic Renz L. Jennings 64,331 34.73
Democratic Howard V. Peterson 22,424 12.11
Democratic George Gavin 10,291 5.56
Democratic Raymond G. Neely 6,022 3.25
Democratic Robert P. Ketterer 5,460 2.95
Total votes 185,225 100.00
1964 United States Senate election in Arizona[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Fannin 241,089 51.43
Democratic Roy Elson 227,712 48.57
Majority 13,377 2.86
Turnout 468,801
Republican hold

California

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in California
See also: List of United States senators from California

Democratic incumbent Pierre Salinger, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Senator Clair Engle three months earlier, was defeated in his bid for a full term by Republican candidate George Murphy, a retired actor.

1964 United States Senate election in California[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Murphy 3,628,552 51.54
Democratic Pierre Salinger (Incumbent) 3,411,915 48.46
Majority 216,537 3.08
Turnout 7,040,467
Republican gain from Democratic

Connecticut

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Connecticut
See also: List of United States senators from Connecticut

Democrat Thomas J. Dodd was re-elected and served a second term. John Davis Lodge, grandson of Henry Cabot Lodge was defeated by almost 30%.

1964 United States Senate election in Connecticut[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Thomas J. Dodd (Incumbent) 781,008 64.66
Republican John Davis Lodge 426,939 35.34
Majority 354,069 29.32
Turnout 1,207,947
Democratic hold

Delaware

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Delaware
See also: List of United States senators from Delaware

Republican incumbent John J. Williams was reelected to a fourth term, defeating Democratic Governor Elbert N. Carvel.

1964 United States Senate election in Delaware[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John J. Williams (Incumbent) 103,782 51.71
Democratic Elbert N. Carvel 96,850 48.26
Socialist Labor Joseph B. Hollon Sr. 71 0.04
Majority 6,932 3.45
Turnout 200,703
Republican hold

Florida

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Florida
See also: List of United States senators from Florida

Democratic incumbent Spessard Holland was reelected to a fourth term in a landslide, defeating the Republican candidate, future governor Claude R. Kirk Jr.

1964 United States Senate election in Florida[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Spessard L. Holland (Incumbent) 997,585 63.93
Republican Claude R. Kirk Jr. 562,212 36.03
None Scattering 540 0.03
Majority 435,373 27.90
Turnout 1,560,337
Democratic hold

Hawaii

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Hawaii
See also: List of United States senators from Hawaii

Republican incumbent Hiram Fong was reelected to a second term, defeating Democratic Congressman Thomas Gill

1964 United States Senate election in Hawaii[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Hiram Fong (Incumbent) 110,747 53.04
Democratic Thomas P. Gill 96,789 46.35
Independent Lawrence Domine 1,278 0.61
Majority 3,958 6.69
Turnout 208,814
Republican hold

Indiana

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Indiana
See also: List of United States senators from Indiana

Democratic incumbent Vance Hartke was reelected to a second term, defeating Republican State Senator Russell Bontrager.

1964 United States Senate election in Indiana[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Vance Hartke (Incumbent) 1,128,505 54.33
Republican D. Russell Bontrager 941,519 45.33
Prohibition J. Ralston Miller 5,708 0.27
Socialist Labor Casimer Kanczuzewski 1,231 0.06
Majority 187,986 9.00
Turnout 2,076,963
Democratic hold

Maine

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Maine
See also: List of United States senators from Maine

Democratic incumbent Edmund Muskie was reelected to a second term, defeating Republican Congressman Clifford McIntire in a landslide.

1964 United States Senate election in Maine[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edmund S. Muskie (Incumbent) 253,511 66.62
Republican Clifford McIntire 127,040 33.38
Majority 126,471 33.24
Turnout 380,551
Democratic hold

Maryland

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Maryland
See also: List of United States senators from Maryland

Republican incumbent J. Glenn Beall was defeated in his bid for a third term by Democratic candidate Joseph Tydings, the former United States Attorney for the District of Maryland and son of former Senator Millard Tydings.

Beall's own son, J. Glenn Beall Jr., would go on to defeat Tydings six years later.

1964 United States Senate election in Maryland[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph Tydings 678,649 62.78
Republican J. Glenn Beall (Incumbent) 402,393 37.22
None Write-Ins 7 0.00
Majority 276,256 25.56
Turnout 1,081,049
Democratic gain from Republican

Massachusetts

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Massachusetts
See also: List of United States senators from Massachusetts

Incumbent Democrat Ted Kennedy, who had won a special election two years earlier, defeated his challengers to win his second (his first full) Senate term. Much of the campaign-appearance burden on behalf of Ted Kennedy fell on his wife, Joan, because of Ted's serious back injury in a plane crash.

Candidates:

General election[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Edward M. Kennedy (Incumbent) 1,716,907 74.26 +21.3
Republican Howard J. Whitmore Jr. 587,663 25.42 -19.08
Socialist Labor Lawrence Gilfedder 4,745 0.21 -0.03
Prohibition Grace F. Luder 2,700 0.12 +0.05
Majority 1,129,244 50.84
Turnout 2,312,028
Democratic hold Swing

Michigan

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Michigan
See also: List of United States senators from Michigan

Democratic incumbent Philip Hart was easily reelected to a second term over Republican challenger Elly M. Peterson.

1964 United States Senate election in Michigan[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Philip A. Hart (Incumbent) 1,996,912 64.38
Republican Elly M. Peterson 1,096,272 35.34
Freedom Now Ernest C. Smith 4,125 0.13
Socialist Workers Evelyn Sell 2,754 0.09
Socialist Labor James Sim 1,598 0.05
None Scattering 6 0.00
Majority 90,640 29.04
Turnout 3,101,667
Democratic hold

Minnesota

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Minnesota
See also: List of United States senators from Minnesota

Incumbent Democrat Eugene McCarthy defeated Republican challenger Wheelock Whitney Jr. to win a second term.

Democratic primary election results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Eugene McCarthy (Incumbent) 245,068 90.47
Democratic (DFL) R. H. Underdahl 14,562 5.38
Democratic (DFL) Joseph Nowak 11,267 4.16
Republican primary election results[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Wheelock Whitney Jr. 161,363 100.00
General election results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Eugene McCarthy (Incumbent) 931,363 60.34
Republican Wheelock Whitney Jr. 605,933 39.26
Industrial Government William Braatz 3,947 0.26
Socialist Workers Everett E. Luoma 2,357 0.15
Majority 325,420 21.09
Turnout 1,543,590
Democratic (DFL) hold

Mississippi

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Mississippi
See also: List of United States senators from Mississippi

Democratic incumbent John C. Stennis was reelected virtually unopposed to a fourth term, even as Republican candidate Barry Goldwater carried Mississippi in the presidential election. Stennis received 97% of the vote in the Democratic primary and faced no Republican challenger in the general election.

1964 United States Senate election in Mississippi[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John C. Stennis (Incumbent) 343,364 100.00
Democratic hold

Missouri

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Missouri
See also: List of United States senators from Missouri

Democratic incumbent Stuart Symington was reelected to a third term in a landslide, defeating Republican candidate Jean Paul Bradshaw.

1964 United States Senate election in Missouri[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stuart Symington (Incumbent) 1,186,666 66.55
Republican Jean Paul Bradshaw 596,377 33.45
Majority 590,289 33.10
Turnout 1,783,043
Democratic hold

Montana

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Montana
See also: List of United States senators from Montana

Incumbent Democrat Mike Mansfield, who was first elected to the Senate in 1952 and was re-elected in 1958, ran for re-election. Mansfield won the Democratic primary in a landslide, and advanced to the general election, where he faced Alex Blewett, the Majority Leader of the Montana House of Representatives and the Republican nominee. Though Mansfield's margin was significantly reduced from 1958, he still overwhelmingly defeated Blewett and won his third term in the Senate.

Democratic Party primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike Mansfield (Incumbent) 109,904 85.51
Democratic Joseph P. Monaghan 18,630 14.49
Total votes 128,534 100.00
Republican Primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alex Blewett 31,934 59.37
Republican Lyman Brewster 12,375 23.01
Republican Antoinette F. Rosell 9,480 17.62
Total votes 53,789 100.00
1964 United States Senate election in Montana[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mike Mansfield (Incumbent) 180,643 64.51 -11.71%
Republican Alex Blewett 99,367 35.49 +11.71%
Majority 81,276 29.03 -23.41%
Turnout 280,010
Democratic hold Swing

Nebraska

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Nebraska
See also: List of United States senators from Nebraska

Republican incumbent Roman Hruska was reelected in a landslide over Democratic challenger Raymond Arndt.

1964 United States Senate election in Nebraska[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Roman L. Hruska (Incumbent) 345,772 61.37
Democratic Raymond W. Arndt 217,605 38.62
None Scattering 24 0.00
Majority 128,167 22.75
Turnout 563,401
Republican hold

Nevada

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Nevada
See also: List of United States senators from Nevada

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Howard Cannon won re-election to a second term by a razor-thin margin of only 48 votes over Republican Lieutenant Governor Paul Laxalt.

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Howard Cannon
(Incumbent) 		67,336 50.02 -7.66
Republican Paul Laxalt 67,288 49.98 +7.66
Majority 48 0.04 -15.32
Turnout 134,624
Democratic hold Swing

New Jersey

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in New Jersey
See also: List of United States senators from New Jersey

Democratic incumbent Harrison A. Williams was reelected to a second term over Republican candidate Bernard M. Shanley, a former white house staffer during the Eisenhower administration.

1964 United States Senate election in New Jersey[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harrison A. Williams (Incumbent) 1,677,515 61.91
Republican Bernard M. Shanley 1,011,280 37.32
Conservative Harold P. Poeschel 7,582 0.28
Socialist Workers Lawrence Stewart 6,147 0.23
America First John Valgene Mahalchik 4,926 0.18
Socialist Labor Albert Ronis 2,125 0.08
Majority 666,235 23.58
Turnout 2,709,575
Democratic hold

New Mexico

New Mexico (regular)

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in New Mexico
See also: List of United States senators from New Mexico

Incumbent Republican Edwin L. Mechem, who had been appointed to the seat following the death of Democrat Dennis Chávez two years earlier, sought election to a full term, but was defeated by Democrat Joseph Montoya.

Montoya was Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico (1947–1951 and 1955–1957) and a four-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1957–1964).

General election results[14][1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph Montoya 178,209 54.70
Republican Edwin L. Mechem (Incumbent) 147,562 45.30
Majority 30,647 9.41
Total votes 325,771 100.00
Democratic gain from Republican

New Mexico (special)

Montoya was also elected to finish the term ending January 3, 1965.

New York

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in New York
See also: List of United States senators from New York

Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Kenneth Keating ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Robert F. Kennedy, the former United States Attorney General and brother of former President John F. Kennedy and Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy.

The Socialist Labor state convention met on March 29, and nominated John Emanuel.[15] The Republican state convention met on August 31, and re-nominated the incumbent U.S. Senator Kenneth B. Keating.[16] The Conservative state convention met on August 31 at Saratoga Springs, New York, and nominated Prof. Henry Paolucci.[17] The Democratic state convention met on September 1, and nominated U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy on the first ballot, with 968 votes against 153 for Congressman Samuel S. Stratton.[18] The Liberal Party met on September 1, and endorsed the Democratic nominee, U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.[19] The Socialist Workers Party filed a petition to nominate candidates on September 7. Richard Garza was nominated.[20]

John English, a Nassau County leader who helped John F. Kennedy during the 1960 presidential election, encouraged Robert Kennedy to oppose Keating. At the time, Samuel S. Stratton, a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York's 35th congressional district, was considered the most likely Democratic candidate. At first, Kennedy resisted. After President Kennedy's assassination, Robert Kennedy remained as Attorney General for Lyndon B. Johnson. However, Johnson and Kennedy feuded. Kennedy decided to run for the Senate in New York in August, and resigned from the Cabinet on September 3, 1964. While many reform Democrats resisted Kennedy, support from Robert F. Wagner Jr., and party bosses like Charles A. Buckley, of The Bronx, and Peter J. Crotty,[d] of Buffalo, helped Kennedy win the nomination at the party convention.[22]

During the campaign, Kennedy was frequently met by large crowds. Keating accused Kennedy of being a carpetbagger from Massachusetts. Kennedy responded to these charges in a televised town meeting by saying, "If the senator of the state of New York is going be selected on who's lived here the longest, then I think people are going vote for my opponent. If it's going be selected on who's got the best New York accent, then I think I'm probably out too. But I think if it's going be selected on the basis of who can make the best United States senator, I think I'm still in the contest."[23]

The Democratic/Liberal candidate was elected. Campaign help from President Lyndon B. Johnson, as well as the Democratic landslide after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, helped carry Kennedy into office, as Kennedy polled about 1.1 million votes less in New York than Johnson did. The incumbent Keating was defeated.

1964 state election result
Ticket U.S. Senator
Democratic Green tickY Robert F. Kennedy 3,539,746
Liberal Green tickY Robert F Kennedy 284,646
Republican Kenneth B. Keating 3,104,056
Conservative Henry Paolucci[e] 212,216
Socialist Labor John Emanuel[f] 7,358
Socialist Workers Richard Garza[g] 4,202

(For Total Votes, the Democratic and Liberal votes for Kennedy are combined.)

North Dakota

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in North Dakota
See also: List of United States senators from North Dakota

Incumbent Democratic-NPL Senator Quentin Burdick sought and received re-election to his second term, defeating Republican candidate Thomas S. Kleppe, who later became the United States Secretary of the Interior.[1]

Only Burdick filed as a Democratic-NPLer, and the endorsed Republican candidate was Thomas S. Kleppe, who would go on to serve two terms as a Representative for North Dakota's second congressional district from 1967 to 1971. Burdick and Kleppe won the primary elections for their respective parties.

1964 United States Senate election in North Dakota
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic–NPL Quentin Burdick (Incumbent) 149,264 57.64
Republican Thomas S. Kleppe 109,681 42.36
Turnout 219,560

Ohio

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Ohio
See also: List of United States senators from Ohio

Democratic incumbent Stephen M. Young narrowly won reelection to a second term over Republican Congressman Robert Taft Jr., the son of former Senator Robert A. Taft and grandson of former President William Howard Taft.

Taft would go on to win the seat in the next election, serving one term in the Senate.

1964 United States Senate election in Ohio[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stephen M. Young (Incumbent) 1,923,608 50.22
Republican Robert Taft Jr. 1,906,781 49.78
Majority 16,827 0.44
Turnout 3,830,389
Democratic hold

Oklahoma (special)

Main article: 1964 United States Senate special election in Oklahoma
See also: List of United States senators from Oklahoma

This election was to determine who would serve for the final two years of the term to which Robert S. Kerr had been elected in 1960. Kerr had died in January 1963, and outgoing Governor J. Howard Edmondson was appointed to take his place. Edmondson hoped to win the special election, but lost the Democratic primary to former state senator Fred R. Harris, who then won the general election over University of Oklahoma football coach Bud Wilkinson.

1964 United States Senate special election in Oklahoma[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Fred R. Harris 466,782 51.17
Republican Bud Wilkinson 445,392 48.83
Majority 21,390 3.34
Turnout 912,174
Democratic hold

Pennsylvania

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania
See also: List of United States senators from Pennsylvania

Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Hugh Scott successfully sought re-election to a second term, defeating Democratic nominee Genevieve Blatt.

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Hugh Scott (Incumbent) 2,429,858 50.59 -0.62%
Democratic Genevieve Blatt,
Pennsylvania Secretary of Internal Affairs 		2,359,223 49.12 +0.74%
Socialist Workers Morris Chertov 7,317 0.15 +0.01%
Socialist Labor George S. Taylor 6,881 0.14 -0.12%
N/A Other 473 0.00 N/A
Majority 70,635 1.47
Turnout 4,803,752
Republican hold Swing

Rhode Island

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Rhode Island
See also: List of United States senators from Rhode Island

Democratic incumbent John Pastore won reelection to a third full term (and fourth overall), defeating Republican candidate Ronald Lagueux by more than 65 percentage points.

1964 United States Senate election in Rhode Island[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Pastore (Incumbent) 319,607 82.73
Republican Ronald Legueux 66,715 17.27
Majority 252,892 65.45
Turnout 386,322
Democratic hold

Tennessee

See also: List of United States senators from Tennessee

Tennessee (regular)

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Tennessee

Incumbent Democrat Albert Gore Sr. was re-elected to a third term over Republican candidate Dan Kuykendall.

General election results[25]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Albert Gore Sr. (incumbent) 570,542 53.62
Republican Dan Kuykendall 493,475 46.38
Majority 77,067 7.24
Turnout 1,064,017
Democratic hold

Tennessee (special)

Main article: 1964 United States Senate special election in Tennessee
See also: List of United States senators from Tennessee

Democratic Congressman Ross Bass won the special election to serve the remaining 26 months of the term to which the late Estes Kefauver had been elected in 1960. He defeated Republican candidate Howard Baker, who would go on to win the seat in the regular election two years later.

General election results[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ross Bass 568,905 52.14
Republican Howard Baker 517,330 47.41
Independent Melvin Babcock Morgan 4,853 0.44
Majority 51,575 4.73
Turnout 1,091,088
Democratic hold

Texas

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Texas
See also: List of United States senators from Texas

Incumbent Democrat Ralph Yarborough defeated future President of the United States George H. W. Bush.

Although Yarborough won this election, he would lose the Democratic Primary six years later, in 1970, to Lloyd Bentsen. Bush later went on to win an election for the United States House of Representatives in 1966; he was elected vice president of the United States in 1980 and was elected president in 1988.

1964 United States Senate election in Texas[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ralph W. Yarborough (Incumbent) 1,463,958 56.22
Republican George H. W. Bush 1,134,337 43.56
Constitution Jack Carswell 5,542 0.21
Majority 329,621 12.66
Turnout 2,603,837
Democratic hold

Utah

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Utah
See also: List of United States senators from Utah

Democratic incumbent Frank Moss was reelected to a second term over Republican candidate Ernest L. Wilkinson, the president of Brigham Young University.

1964 United States Senate election in Utah[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank Moss (Incumbent) 227,822 57.33
Republican Ernest L. Wilkinson 169,562 42.67
Majority 58,260 14.66
Turnout 397,384
Democratic hold

Vermont

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Vermont
See also: List of United States senators from Vermont

Incumbent Republican Winston L. Prouty successfully ran for re-election, defeating Democratic candidate Frederick J. Fayette.

Republican primary results[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Winston L. Prouty (Incumbent) 43,648 99.9
Republican Other 63 0.1
Total votes '43,711' '100'
Democratic primary results[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Frederick J. Fayette 12,388 71.1
Democratic William H. Meyer 4,913 28.2
Democratic Other 134 0.7
Total votes '17,435' '100'
1964 United States Senate election in Vermont[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Winston L. Prouty 83,302 50.7
Independent Winston L. Prouty 4,516 2.7
Write-in Winston L. Prouty 61 0.0
Republican + Independent + Write-in Winston L. Prouty (Incumbent) 87,879 53.4
Democratic Frederick J. Fayette 76,457 46.5
N/A Other 14 0.0
Majority 11,422 6.95
Total votes '164,350' '100.00%'
Republican hold Swing

Virginia

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Virginia
See also: List of United States senators from Virginia

Incumbent Harry F. Byrd was re-elected to a seventh term, defeating Republican Richard A. May and independent James W. Respess.

1964 United States Senate election in Virginia[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Harry F. Byrd (Incumbent) 592,270 63.80 -5.52%
Republican Richard A. May 176,624 19.03 +19.03%
Independent James W. Respess 95,526 10.29
Independent J.B. Brayman 30,594 3.30
Independent Milton L. Green 12,110 1.30
Independent Robert E. Poole Jr. 10,774 1.16
Independent Willie T. Wright 10,424 1.12
Write-ins 51 0.01
Majority 415,646 44.77 +1.72%
Turnout 928,373
Democratic hold

Washington

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Washington
See also: List of United States senators from Washington

Democratic incumbent Henry M. Jackson was reelected to a third term in a landslide, defeating Republican challenger Lloyd J. Andrews, who had previously served as the state's Superintendent of Public Instruction.

1964 United States Senate election in Washington[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Henry M. Jackson (Incumbent) 875,950 72.21
Republican Lloyd J. Andrews 337,138 27.79
Majority 538,812 44.42
Turnout 1,213,088
Democratic hold

West Virginia

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in West Virginia
See also: List of United States senators from West Virginia

Democratic incumbent Robert Byrd was reelected to a second term over Republican candidate Cooper Benedict. Byrd would serve in the Senate until his death in 2010, making him the longest-serving senator in United States history.

1964 United States Senate election in West Virginia[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Byrd (Incumbent) 515,015 67.67
Republican Cooper P. Benedict 246,072 32.33
Majority 268,943 34.33
Turnout 761,087
Democratic hold

Wisconsin

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Wisconsin
See also: List of United States senators from Wisconsin

Incumbent Democrat William Proxmire was reelected to a second full term, defeating Republican Wilbur Renk.

1964 United States Senate election in Wisconsin[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William Proxmire (Incumbent) 892,013 53.29
Republican Wilbur N. Renk 780,116 46.61
Independent Kenneth F. Klinkerk 1,062 0.06
Independent Wayne Leverenz 479 0.03
None Scattering 106 0.01
Majority 111,897 6.68
Turnout 1,673,776
Democratic hold

Wyoming

Main article: 1964 United States Senate election in Wyoming
See also: List of United States senators from Wyoming
1964 United States Senate election in Wyoming[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gale McGee (Incumbent) 76,485 53.99
Republican John S. Wold 65,185 46.01
Majority 11,300 6.98
Turnout 141,670
Democratic hold

See also

References

  1. ^ a b The Liberal Party in New York endorsed Robert F. Kennedy, a Democrat, but the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives did not tabulate their votes, totaling 284,646, into the national Democratic total.[1]
  2. ^ a b Appointee defeated
  3. ^ The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party is affiliated nationally with the Democratic Party (United States).
  4. ^ Peter J. Crotty (ca. 1910–1992), lawyer, of Buffalo, President of the Buffalo City Council 1948–1951.[21]
  5. ^ Dr. Henry Paolucci (1921-1999), Professor of Comparative Literature and Ancient Greek and Roman History at Iona College, later Professor of Government and Politics at St. John's University.[24]
  6. ^ John Emanuel (b. ca. 1908 in Greece), "fur worker," ran also for Comptroller in 1954; and for Lieutenant Governor in 1958 and 1962
  7. ^ Richard Garza (b. ca. 1928 The Bronx), "restaurant worker and seaman," ran also for Mayor of New York in 1961; and for Governor in 1962
  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 Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (August 15, 1965). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 3, 1964" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 43, 54.
  2. ^ Dean, John W. and Goldwater, Barry M. Jr. (2008). Pure Goldwater (1st ed.). New York, N.Y.: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 72. ISBN 978-0230611337. 1952 mcfarland goldwater.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "Our Campaigns - AZ US Senate - D Primary Race - Sep 08, 1964". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  4. ^ "Our Campaigns - AZ US Senate Race - Nov 03, 1964". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  5. ^ "Our Campaigns - CT US Senate Race - Nov 03, 1964". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  6. ^ Howard J. Whitmore Jr. at ourcampaigns.com
  7. ^ Lawrence Gilfedder at ourcampaigns.com
  8. ^ Grace F. Luder at ourcampaigns.com
  9. ^ Race details at ourcampaigns.com
  10. ^ "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate - D Primary Race - Sep 08, 1964". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  11. ^ "Primary Election Returns - September 8, 1964" (PDF). Minnesota Legislature.
  12. ^ "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate Race - Nov 03, 1964". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, June 2, 1964". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  14. ^ "NM US Senate". OurCampaigns. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  15. ^ Senate Candidate Chosen in NYT on March 30, 1964 (subscription required)
  16. ^ KEATING CHOSEN BY REPUBLICANS IN SHOW OF UNITY; Fino and Other Dissidents Yield to Party Chiefs at State Convention Here in NYT on September 1, 1964 (subscription required)
  17. ^ PAOLUCCI NAMED BY CONSERVATIVES in NYT on September 1, 1964 (subscription required)
  18. ^ KENNEDY SWAMPS STRATTON TO WIN STATE NOMINATION; Democrats Name Attorney General, 968 to 153, at a Noisy Convention Here; NOMINEE ANSWERS FOES; He Says New York's First Senator Was an Able Man From Massachusetts; Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, a sudden new power in New York politics, won the Democratic nomination for Senator yesterday at one of the most boisterous state conventions ever held here. in NYT on September 2, 1964 (subscription required)
  19. ^ KENNEDY NAMED BY LIBERAL PARTY; Opposition to Candidacy Is Angry, But Scattered; The Liberal party's state convention listened to some angry, but scattered, opposition last night, and then enthusiastically nominated Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy for United States Senator. in NYT on September 2, 1964 (subscription required)
  20. ^ Socialist Workers' Petitions Names Negro for President in NYT on September 8, 1964 (subscription required)
  21. ^ Peter J. Crotty, Democratic Force In Western New York, Dies at 82 in NYT on March 4, 1992
  22. ^ The Carpetbagger, 1964 in NYT on February 23, 1999
  23. ^ "Lessons for Mrs. Clinton from 1964 - June 15, 1999". CNN. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  24. ^ Henry Paolucci, 77, Scholar and a Leader in Conservative Party Obit in NYT on January 6, 1999
  25. ^ Cook, Rhodes (October 26, 2017). America Votes 32: 2015–2016, Election Returns by State. CQ Press. ISBN 9781506368993 – via Google Books.
  26. ^ Cook, Rhodes (October 26, 2017). America Votes 32: 2015–2016, Election Returns by State. CQ Press. ISBN 9781506368993. Retrieved February 14, 2019 – via Google Books.
  27. ^ a b "Primary Election Results" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  28. ^ "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.

External links

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_elections,_1964