1946 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

Background

Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. was elected to two terms in the U.S. Senate in 1936 and 1942, but resigned during his second term to serve in World War II. With the completion of the war in Europe, Lodge returned to Massachusetts and to politics.

David I. Walsh had served four terms in office since his election as an ally of Woodrow Wilson in 1918 but had alienated New Deal supporters by opposing the labor and social reform measures of the Second New Deal. He was also embroiled in a personal scandal after the owner of a Brooklyn homosexual brothel allegedly frequented by German spies had sworn under oath that Walsh was his client. Though an official Federal Bureau of Investigation report failed to reveal any wrongdoing, the investigation did find substantial "derogatory information" regarding Walsh, and the scandal hung over his head.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• David I. Walsh, incumbent Senator since 1926 Given his poor relationship with President Harry S. Truman, Walsh anticipated that the White House might support an opponent in a Democratic primary, but no opponent materialized.

Results

Despite the brothel scandal, he faced no opposition at the Democratic convention, which was the shortest recorded. The convention started at 2 P.M., to allow delegates to attend the funeral of Walsh's sister Hannah, and finished by 5 P.M. Walsh did not attend and there was no debate over his nomination, though Attorney General nominee Paul Dever devoted his own speech to praising Walsh's record.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., former Senator (1937–1944)

Results

Lodge was unopposed for the Republican nomination. He was heavily recruited by the state Republican Party, which sought to counter the supposed popularity of Walsh and Governor Maurice J. Tobin. A formal declaration of candidacy was submitted to the Secretary of the Commonwealth in April.

General election

Candidates

• Henning A. Blomen, perennial candidate (Socialist Labor)
• Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., former Senator (1937–1944) (Republican)
• Mark R. Shaw, temperance activist and pastor from Beverly (Prohibition)
• David I. Walsh, incumbent Senator since 1926

Campaign

Lodge, who considered Walsh a family friend, avoided mentioning his opponent's alleged homosexuality or impropriety. He centered his campaign on criticism of postwar economic conditions, arguing that inflation, labor strife, and consumer goods shortages were leading the country toward "another depression".

Results

Lodge carried every county and the city of Boston.

Aftermath

Five months after leaving office, Walsh died following a cerebral hemorrhage in Boston on June 11, 1947.

Notes

References

References

1. Whalen, Thomas J.. (2000). "Kennedy versus Lodge: The 1952 Massachusetts Senate Race". Northeastern University Press.
2. Hanify, Edward B., ''Memories of a Senator: The Honorable David I. Walsh'' (Boston, Mass., 1994), pp. 26{{Endash27
3. (23 Sep 1946). "State PAC Votes to Back Tobin, Walsh and Dever". [[The Berkshire Eagle]].
4. "Election Statistics, 1946".
5. (15 Apr 1946). "Lodge Papers Circulating for Republican Senate Nomination". [[The Berkshire Eagle]].
6. "Election Statistics, 1946".
7. "Our Campaigns - MA US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1946".
8. "Election statistics". UMass Amherst Libraries.
9. ''The New York Times'': [https://www.nytimes.com/1947/06/12/archives/exsenator-walsh-dies-at-age-of-74-served-five-terms-in-upper-house.html "Ex-Senator Walsh Dies at Age of 74", June 12, 1947], accessed October 30, 2010