1958 United States Senate elections

Results summary

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

Colored shading indicates party with largest share of that row.

Source: Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

Six Republicans retired instead of seeking re-election.

Defeats

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

New states

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

Post-election states

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

Post election changes

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

Change in composition

Before the elections

After the elections

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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.

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.

Closest races

Eleven races had a margin of victory under 10%:

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

Alaska

Main article: 1958 United States Senate elections in 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.

Bartlett:
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.

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

Gruening:
Stepovich:
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.

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

Arizona

Goldwater:
McFarland:
Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Arizona

California

Engle:
Knight: Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in California

Connecticut

Purtell:
Tie: Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Connecticut

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

Delaware

Williams:

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Delaware

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

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

Florida

Holland:
Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in 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.

Indiana

Hartke:
Handley:

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in 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.

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.

Maine

Muskie: Payne: Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in 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%.

Maryland

Beall:
D'Alesandro: Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Maryland

Massachusetts

|[[File:1958 United States Senate election in Massachusetts results map by county.svg|250px]] |County Results |[[File:1958 United States Senate Election in Massachusetts by Municipality.svg|250px| ]] |Municipality Results Kennedy Celeste

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

Michigan

Hart:
Potter:
Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Michigan

Minnesota

McCarthy:
Thye:
Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Minnesota

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

Mississippi

Stennis: Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Mississippi

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

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

Missouri

Symington:
Palmer:
Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in 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.

Montana

Mansfield:
Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in 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.

Nebraska

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in 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.{{Infobox election Hruska:
Morrison:

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

Cannon:
Malone:
Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in 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 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.

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.

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

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.

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

New Jersey

Williams:
Kean:
Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in 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.

New Mexico

Chávez:
Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in New Mexico

New York

Keating:
Hogan:

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in New York

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

North Carolina (special)

Jordan:
Clarke:

Main article: 1958 United States Senate special election in 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.

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

North Dakota

(special) Langer:
Vendsel:
Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in 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.

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.

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

Young:
Bricker:

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Ohio

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

Pennsylvania

Scott:
Leader:
Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in 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.

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

|[[File:1958 United States Senate election in Rhode Island results map by municipality.svg|250px]]|Municipality results}} Ewing:
Tie: Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Rhode Island

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

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

Tennessee

Gore:

Atkins: Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Tennessee

Texas

Yarborough:
Whittenburg: Tie: Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Texas

Utah

Moss:
Watkins:
Lee:
Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Utah

Vermont

Prouty:

Fayette:
Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in 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.

Virginia

Byrd:

Wensel:
Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Virginia

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

Washington

Jackson:
Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Washington

West Virginia

West Virginia (regular)

Byrd:
Revercomb:
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.

West Virginia (special)

Randolph:
Hoblitzell:
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.

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

Proxmire:

Kohler:
Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

Wyoming

McGee:
Barrett:

Main article: 1958 United States Senate election in Wyoming

Notes

References

References

1. [[Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives]]. (1959-03-16). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 4, 1958". [[U.S. Government Printing Office]].
2. "Our Campaigns - AK US Senate Race - Nov 25, 1958".
3. "Our Campaigns - CT US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1958".
4. Egerton, John. (November 29, 1981). "COURTLY CHAMPION OF AMERICA'S ELDERLY". The New York Times.
5. "Our Campaigns - FL US Senate - D Primary Race - Sep 09, 1958".
6. "Our Campaigns - FL US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1958".
7. (2006). "The Governors of Indiana". Indiana Historical Society Press.
8. "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate - D Primary Race - Sep 09, 1958".
9. "Primary Election Returns on Election held September 9, 1958". Minnesota Legislature.
10. "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate Race - Nov 03, 1964".
11. "MO US Senate – D Primary".
12. "MO US Senate – R Primary".
13. "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, June 3, 1958". Montana Secretary of State.
14. "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 4, 1958". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives.
15. "Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska (primary election)".
16. Driggs, Don W.. (March 1959). "The 1958 Election in Nevada". The Western Political Quarterly.
17. "NV US Senate - D Primary".
18. "NJ US Senate - D Primary".
19. "NJ US Senate - R Primary".
20. "NJ US Senate Race".
21. "NY US Senate - D Convention". Our Campaigns.
22. "Our Campaigns - NC US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 04, 1958".
23. "OH US Senate".
24. Lambert, Bruce. (November 1, 1991). "Bayard Ewing, 75, Ex-U.S. Chairman Of the United Way". The New York Times.
25. 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
26. "Primary Election Results". Office of the Vermont Secretary of State.
27. "General Election Results - U.S. senator - 1914-2014". Office of the Vermont Secretary of State.
28. "1958 General Election". [[Secretary of State of West Virginia]].