1962 United States Senate elections

The 1962 United States Senate elections was an election for the United States Senate. Held on November 6, the 34 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections. Special elections were also held to fill vacancies. They occurred in the middle of President John F. Kennedy's term. His Democratic Party made a net gain of four seats from the Republicans, increasing their control of the Senate to 68-32. However, this was reduced to 67-33 between the election and the next Congress, as on November 18, 1962, Democrat Dennis Chávez, who was not up for election that year, died. He was replaced on November 30, 1962, by Republican appointee Edwin L. Mechem. Additionally, Democrat Strom Thurmond became a Republican in 1964, further reducing Democrats to 66-34. This was the first time since 1932 that Democrats gained seats in this class of Senators.

1962 United States Senate elections

November 6, 1962

39 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate
51 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Mike Mansfield Everett Dirksen
Party Democratic Republican
Leader since January 3, 1961 January 3, 1959
Leader's seat Montana Illinois
Seats before 64 36
Seats after 68 32
Seat change Increase 4 Decrease 4
Popular vote 21,387,598[1] 20,897,719[1]
Percentage 50.3% 49.1%
Seats up 21 18
Races won 25 14

Results of the elections:
     Democratic gain      Democratic hold
     Republican gain      Republican hold
     No election
Rectangular inset (Id., Kan. & N. H.): both seats up for election

Majority Leader before election

Mike Mansfield
Democratic

Elected Majority Leader

Mike Mansfield
Democratic

This was the first time since 1914 that the president's party gained seats in the Senate and lost seats in the House, this would occur again in 1970, 2018, and 2022. This was the last time until 2022 that the Democrats would win full terms in Arizona's and Pennsylvania's Class 3 Senate seats.

Results summary

68 32
Democratic Republican
Parties Total
Democratic Republican Other
Last elections (1960)
Before these elections
64 36 0 100
Not up 43 18 0 61
Up 21 18 39
Class 3 (1956→1962) 19 15 34
Special: Class 1 1 0 1
Special: Class 2 1 3 4
Incumbent retired 2 2 4
Held by same party 2 0 2
Replaced by other party Decrease2 Republicans replaced by Increase2 Democrats 2
Result 4 0 0 4
Incumbent ran 19 16[lower-alpha 1] 35
Won re-election 17 12 29
Lost re-election Decrease3 Republicans replaced by Increase3 Democrats
Decrease2 Democrats replaced by Increase2 Republicans
5
Lost renomination,
but held by same party
0 0 0
Lost renomination,
and party lost
Decrease1 Republican replaced by Increase1 Democrat 1
Result 21 14 0 35
Total elected 25 14 0 39
Net gain/loss Increase4 Decrease4 Steady 4
Nationwide vote 21,387,598 20,897,719 258,084 42,543,401
Share 50.27% 49.12% 0.61% 100%
Result 68 32 0 100

Source:[1]

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

Two Republicans and two Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.

State Senator Replaced by
Connecticut Prescott Bush Abraham Ribicoff
Hawaii Oren E. Long Daniel Inouye
Maryland John Marshall Butler Daniel Brewster
Massachusetts Benjamin A. Smith II Ted Kennedy

Defeats

Four Republicans and two Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.

State Senator Replaced by
Colorado John A. Carroll Peter H. Dominick
Indiana Homer E. Capehart Birch Bayh
New Hampshire (special) Maurice J. Murphy Jr. Thomas J. McIntyre
South Dakota Joe Bottum George McGovern
Wisconsin Alexander Wiley Gaylord Nelson
Wyoming (special) Joe Hickey Milward Simpson

Post-election changes

State Senator Replaced by
California
(Class 1)
Clair Engle Pierre Salinger
New Mexico
(Class 1)
Dennis Chávez Edwin L. Mechem
Tennessee
(Class 2)
Estes Kefauver Herbert S. Walters

Post-election changes

One Democrat switched to a Republican in September 1964.

State Senator Replaced by
South Carolina
(Class 2)
Strom Thurmond Strom Thurmond

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 D42 D43 D44
Ala.
Ran
D45
Alaska
Ran
D46
Ariz.
Ran
D47
Ark.
Ran
D48
Colo.
Ran
D49
Fla.
Ran
D50
Ga.
Ran
Majority → D51
Hawaii
Retired
D60
Ore.
Ran
D59
Okla.
Ran
D58
Ohio
Ran
D57
N.C.
Ran
D56
Nev.
Ran
D55
Mo.
Ran
D54
Mass. (sp)
Retired
D53
La.
Ran
D52
Idaho (reg)
Ran
D61
Pa.
Ran
D62
S.C.
Ran
D63
Wash.
Ran
D64
Wyo. (sp)
Ran
R36
Wisc.
Ran
R35
Vt.
Ran
R34
Utah
Ran
R33
S.D.
Ran
R32
N.D.
Ran
R31
N.Y.
Ran
R30
N.H. (sp)
Ran
R29
N.H. (reg)
Ran
R28
Md.
Retired
R27
Ky.
Ran
R26
Kan. (sp)
Ran
R25
Kan. (reg)
Ran
R24
Iowa
Ran
R23
Ind.
Ran
R22
Ill.
Ran
R21
Idaho (sp)
Ran
R20
Conn.
Retired
R19
Calif.
Ran
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 D42 D43 D44
Ala.
Re-elected
D45
Alaska
Re-elected
D46
Ariz.
Re-elected
D47
Ark.
Re-elected
D48
Fla.
Re-elected
D49
Ga.
Re-elected
D50
Hawaii
Hold
Majority → D51
Idaho (reg)
Re-elected
D60
Pa.
Re-elected
D59
Ore.
Re-elected
D58
Okla.
Re-elected
D57
Ohio
Re-elected
D56
N.C.
Re-elected
D55
Nev.
Re-elected
D54
Mo.
Re-elected
D53
Mass. (sp)
Hold
D52
La.
Re-elected
D61
S.C.
Re-elected
D62
Wash.
Re-elected
D63
Conn.
Gain
D64
Ind.
Gain
D65
Md.
Gain
D66
N.H. (sp)
Gain
D67
S.D.
Gain[lower-alpha 2]
D68
Wisc.
Gain
R32
Wyo. (sp)
Gain[lower-alpha 2]
R31
Colo.
Gain
R30
Vt.
Re-elected
R29
Utah
Re-elected
R28
N.D.
Re-elected
R27
N.Y.
Re-elected
R26
N.H. (reg)
Re-elected
R25
Ky.
Re-elected
R24
Kan. (sp)
Elected[lower-alpha 3]
R23
Kan. (reg)
Re-elected
R22
Iowa
Re-elected
R21
Ill.
Re-elected
R20
Idaho (sp)
Elected[lower-alpha 3]
R19
Calif.
Re-elected
R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10

Beginning of the next Congress

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 D42 D43 D44 D45 D46 D47 D48 D49 D50
Majority → D51
D60 D59 D58 D57 D56 D55 D54 D53 D52
D61 D62 D63 D64 D65 V1
Okla.
Died
V2
Wisc.
Delayed
R33
N.M.
Gain
R32 R31
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30
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
V# Vacant

Race summaries

Special elections during the 87th Congress

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1962 or before January 3, 1963; ordered by election date, then state.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Idaho
(Class 2)
Leonard B. Jordan Republican 1962 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected.
Kansas
(Class 2)
James B. Pearson Republican 1962 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected.
Massachusetts
(Class 1)
Benjamin A. Smith II Democratic 1960 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
New Hampshire
(Class 2)
Maurice J. Murphy Jr. Republican 1961 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost nomination
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Wyoming
(Class 2)
Joe Hickey Democratic 1961 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost election
New senator elected.
Republican gain.

Elections leading to the next Congress

In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1963; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Alabama J. Lister Hill Democratic 1938 (Appointed)
1938
1944
1950
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
Alaska Ernest Gruening Democratic 1958 (New state) Incumbent re-elected.
Arizona Carl Hayden Democratic 1926
1932
1938
1944
1950
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
Arkansas J. William Fulbright Democratic 1944
1950
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
California Thomas Kuchel Republican 1953 (Appointed)
1954 (special)
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Thomas Kuchel (Republican) 56.3%
  • Richard Richards (Democratic) 43.4%
Colorado John A. Carroll Democratic 1956 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Connecticut Prescott Bush Republican 1952 (special)
1956
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Florida George Smathers Democratic 1950
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY George Smathers (Democratic) 70.0%
  • Emerson Rupert (Republican) 30.0%
Georgia Herman Talmadge Democratic 1956 Incumbent re-elected.
Hawaii Oren E. Long Democratic 1959 (New state) Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
  • Green tickY Daniel Inouye (Democratic) 69.4%
  • Ben Dillingham (Republican) 30.6%
Idaho Frank Church Democratic 1956 Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois Everett Dirksen Republican 1950
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
Indiana Homer E. Capehart Republican 1944
1950
1956
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Iowa Bourke B. Hickenlooper Republican 1944
1950
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
Kansas Frank Carlson Republican 1950 (special)
1950
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Frank Carlson (Republican) 62.4%
  • K. L. Smith (Democratic) 35.9%
Kentucky Thruston Ballard Morton Republican 1956 Incumbent re-elected.
Louisiana Russell B. Long Democratic 1948 (special)
1950
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Russell B. Long (Democratic) 75.6%
  • Taylor W. O'Hearn (Republican) 24.4%
Maryland John Marshall Butler Republican 1950
1956
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Missouri Edward V. Long Democratic 1960 (Appointed)
1960 (special)
Incumbent re-elected.
Nevada Alan Bible Democratic 1954 (special)
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Alan Bible (Democratic) 65.3%
  • William B. Wright (Republican) 34.7%
New Hampshire Norris Cotton Republican 1954 (special)
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Norris Cotton (Republican) 59.7%
  • Alfred Catalfo Jr. (Democratic) 40.3%
New York Jacob Javits Republican 1956 Incumbent re-elected.
North Carolina Sam Ervin Democratic 1954 (Appointed)
1954 (special)
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Sam Ervin (Democratic) 60.5%
  • Claude L. Greene Jr. (Republican) 39.6%
North Dakota Milton Young Republican 1945 (Appointed)
1946 (special)
1950
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Milton Young (Republican) 60.7%
  • William Lanier (Democratic-NPL) 39.4%
Ohio Frank Lausche Democratic 1956 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Frank Lausche (Democratic) 61.6%
  • John M. Briley (Republican) 38.4%
Oklahoma Mike Monroney Democratic 1950
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Mike Monroney (Democratic) 53.2%
  • B. Hayden Crawford (Republican) 46.3%
Oregon Wayne Morse Democratic 1944[lower-alpha 4]
1950
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Wayne Morse (Democratic) 54.2%
  • Sig Unander (Republican) 45.8%
Pennsylvania Joseph S. Clark Jr. Democratic 1956 Incumbent re-elected.
South Carolina Olin D. Johnston Democratic 1944
1950
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Olin D. Johnston (Democratic) 57.2%
  • W. D. Workman Jr. (Republican) 42.8%
South Dakota Joe Bottum Republican 1962 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Utah Wallace F. Bennett Republican 1950
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
Vermont George Aiken Republican 1940 (special)
1944
1950
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY George Aiken (Republican) 66.9%
  • W. Robert Johnson (Democratic) 33.1%
Washington Warren Magnuson Democratic 1944 (Appointed)
1944
1950
1956
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Warren Magnuson (Democratic) 52.1%
  • Richard G. Christensen (Republican) 47.3%
Wisconsin Alexander Wiley Republican 1938
1944
1950
1956
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.

Closest races

Nineteen races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State Party of winner Margin
South Dakota Democratic (flip) 0.2%
Indiana Democratic (flip) 0.6%
Alabama Democratic 1.8%
Idaho (special) Republican 2.0%
Connecticut Democratic (flip) 2.5%
New Hampshire (special) Democratic (flip) 4.6%
Utah Republican 4.8%
Washington Democratic 4.8%
Wisconsin Democratic (flip) 5.4%
Kentucky Republican 5.6%
Illinois Republican 5.8%
Pennsylvannia Democratic 2.4%
Iowa Republican 6.8%
Oklahoma Democratic 6.9%
Colorado Republican (flip) 8.0%
Oregon Democratic 8.4%
Missouri Democratic 9.2%
Idaho Democratic 9.4%
Arizona Democratic 9.5%

Nevada was the tipping point state with a margin of 30.6%.

Alabama

Alabama election

 
Nominee J. Lister Hill James D. Martin
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 201,937 195,134
Percentage 50.86% 49.14%

U.S. Senate election results map.
Blue denotes counties won by Hill.
Red denotes those won by Martin.

U.S. senator before election

J. Lister Hill
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

J. Lister Hill
Democratic

Alabama general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lister Hill (Incumbent) 201,937 50.86
Republican James D. Martin 195,134 49.14
Majority 6,803 1.72
Turnout 397,071
Democratic hold

Alaska

Alaska election

 
Nominee Ernest Gruening Ted Stevens
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 33,827 24,354
Percentage 58.1% 41.9%

U.S. senator before election

Ernest Gruening
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Ernest Gruening
Democratic

Incumbent Ernest Gruening defeated the Republican challenger, former U.S. Attorney, Interior Solicitor & future long-time U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, to win re-election to a full term.

Alaska general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ernest Gruening (Incumbent) 33,827 58.14
Republican Ted Stevens 24,354 41.86
Majority 9,473 16.28
Turnout 58,181
Democratic hold

Arizona

Arizona election

 
Nominee Carl Hayden Evan Mecham
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 199,217 163,338
Percentage 54.9% 45.1%

U.S. Senate election results map.
Blue denotes counties won by Hayden.
Red denotes those won by Mecham.

U.S. senator before election

Carl Hayden
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Carl Hayden
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Carl Hayden defeated future Governor Evan Mecham to win re-election to a seventh term.

Arizona general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carl Hayden (Incumbent) 199,217 54.94
Republican Evan Mecham 163,388 45.06
Majority 35,829 9.88
Turnout 362,605
Democratic hold

Arkansas

Arkansas general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. William Fulbright (Incumbent) 214,867 68.67
Republican Kenneth Jones 98,013 31.33
Majority 116,854 37.34
Turnout 312,880
Democratic hold

California

California general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Thomas H. Kuchel (Incumbent) 3,180,483 56.31
Democratic Richard Richards 2,452,839 43.43
Write-In Howard Jarvis 9,963 0.18
Write-In Linus Pauling 2,964 0.05
Write-In Edward Brothers 1,689 0.03
None Scattering 284 0.01
Majority 727,644 12.88
Turnout 5,648,222
Republican hold

Colorado

Colorado general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Peter H. Dominick 328,655 53.58
Democratic John A. Carroll (Incumbent) 279,586 45.58
Socialist Labor Charlotte Benson 3,546 0.58
Independent Henry John Olshaw 1,217 0.20
Socialist Workers Thomas Leonard 440 0.07
Majority 49,069 8.00
Turnout 613,444
Republican gain from Democratic

Connecticut

Connecticut election

 
Nominee Abraham Ribicoff Horace Seely-Brown, Jr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 527,522 501,694
Percentage 51.25% 48.74%

County results
Ribicoff:      50–60%
Brown:      50-60%

U.S. senator before election

Prescott Bush
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Abraham Ribicoff
Democratic

Connecticut general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Abraham Ribicoff 527,522 51.25
Republican Horace Seely-Brown Jr. 501,694 48.74
None Scattering 85 0.00
Majority 25,828 2.51
Turnout 1,029,301
Democratic gain from Republican

Florida

1962 United States Senate election in Florida[1][2][3][4][5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George Smathers (Incumbent) 657,633 70.02
Republican Emerson Rupert 281,381 29.96
None Scattering 193 0.02
Majority 376,252 40.06
Turnout 939,207
Democratic hold

Georgia

Georgia general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Herman Talmadge (Incumbent) 306,250 100.00
Democratic hold

Hawaii

Hawaii general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Daniel K. Inouye 136,294 69.41
Republican Ben F. Dillingham 60,067 30.59
Majority 76,227 38.82
Turnout 196,361
Democratic hold

Idaho

Idaho (regular)

Idaho general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank Church (Incumbent) 141,657 54.74
Republican Jack Hawley 117,129 45.26
Majority 24,528 9.48
Turnout 258,786
Democratic hold

Idaho (special)

1962 United States Senate special election in Idaho[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Len Jordan (Incumbent) 131,279 50.95
Democratic Gracie Pfost 126,398 49.05
Majority 4,881 1.90
Turnout 257,677
Republican hold

Illinois

Illinois election

Turnout72.66%
 
Nominee Everett Dirksen Sidney R. Yates
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,961,202 1,748,007
Percentage 52.87% 47.13%

County Results
Dirksen:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%
Yates:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Everett Dirksen
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Everett Dirksen
Republican

Illinois general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Everett Dirksen (Incumbent) 1,961,202 52.87
Democratic Sidney R. Yates 1,748,007 47.13
Majority 213,195 5.74
Turnout 3,709,209
Republican hold

Indiana

Indiana general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Birch Bayh 905,491 50.30
Republican Homer E. Capehart (Incumbent) 894,547 49.70
Majority 10,944 0.60
Turnout 1,800,038
Democratic gain from Republican

Iowa

Iowa general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bourke B. Hickenlooper (Incumbent) 431,364 53.39
Democratic E. B. Smith 376,602 46.61
None Scattering 6 0.00
Majority 54,762 6.78
Turnout 807,972
Republican hold

Kansas

Kansas (regular)

Kansas election

 
Nominee Frank Carlson K.L. Smith
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 388,500 223,630
Percentage 62.44% 35.94%

County Results

U.S. senator before election

Frank Carlson
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Frank Carlson
Republican

Kansas general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Frank Carlson (Incumbent) 388,500 62.44
Democratic K. L. (Ken) Smith 223,630 35.94
Prohibition George E. Kline 10,098 1.62
Majority 164,870 26.50
Turnout 622,228
Republican hold

Kansas (special)

Kansas special election

November 6, 1962
 
Nominee James B. Pearson Paul L. Aylward
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 344,689 260,756
Percentage 56.21% 42.52%

U.S. senator before election

James B. Pearson
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

James B. Pearson
Republican

Kansas special general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James B. Pearson (Incumbent) 344,689 56.21
Democratic Paul L. Aylward 260,756 42.52
Prohibition C.E. Cowen 7,804 1.27
Majority 83,933 13.69
Turnout 613,249
Republican hold

Kentucky

Kentucky general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Thruston B. Morton (Incumbent) 432,648 52.76
Democratic Wilson W. Wyatt 387,440 47.24
Majority 45,208 5.52
Turnout 820,088
Republican hold

Louisiana

Louisiana general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Russell B. Long (Incumbent) 318,838 75.57
Republican Taylor Walters O'Hearn 103,066 24.43
Majority 215,772 51.14
Turnout 421,904
Democratic hold

Maryland

Maryland general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Daniel B. Brewster 439,723 62.03
Republican Edward Tylor Miller 269,131 37.97
None Scattering 1 0.00
Majority 170,592 24.06
Turnout 708,855
Democratic gain from Republican

Massachusetts (special)

Massachusetts special election

November 6, 1962
 
Nominee Ted Kennedy George C. Lodge
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,162,611 877,668
Percentage 55.44% 41.85%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Benjamin A. Smith II
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Ted Kennedy
Democratic

Massachusetts special election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ted Kennedy 1,162,611 55.44 -17.76%
Republican George C. Lodge 877,668 41.85 +15.62%
Independent H. Stuart Hughes 50,013 2.38 N/A
Socialist Labor Lawrence Gilfedder 5,330 0.25 -0.04%
Prohibition Mark R. Shaw 1,439 0.07 -0.22%
Total votes 2,097,061 100.00%
Democratic hold

John F. Kennedy, originally elected to the U.S. Senate in 1952 United States Senate election in Massachusetts, resigned in 1961 after being elected in the 1960 United States presidential election. Incumbent Benjamin A. Smith II chose not to run for re-election. Ted Kennedy, brother of John and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, defeated Edward J. McCormack, Jr. by a wide margin in the Democratic primary. In the Republican primary, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for International Affairs George C. Lodge defeated U.S. representative Laurence Curtis in a close race.

A battle between two candidates from influential political families, H. Stuart Hughes ran as an independent. Kennedy defeated Lodge with 55% of the vote to 42% for Lodge, with 2% to Hughes. Kennedy would serve until 2010.

Missouri

Missouri election

 
Nominee Edward V. Long R. Crosby Kemper Jr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 663,301 555,330
Percentage 54.43% 45.57%

County results
Long:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Kemper:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Edward V. Long
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Edward V. Long
Democratic

Missouri general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edward V. Long (Incumbent) 663,301 54.43
Republican Crosby Kemper 555,330 45.57
Majority 107,971 8.86
Turnout 1,218,631
Democratic hold

Nevada

Nevada election

November 6, 1962
 
Nominee Alan Bible William B. Wright
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 63,443 33,749
Percentage 65.3% 34.7%

County results
Bible:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Wright:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Alan Bible
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Alan Bible
Democratic

Nevada general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alan Bible (Incumbent) 63,443 65.28
Republican William B. Wright 33,749 34.72
Majority 29,694 30.56
Turnout 97,192
Democratic hold

New Hampshire

New Hampshire (regular)

New Hampshire general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Norris Cotton (Incumbent) 134,035 59.71
Democratic Alfred Catalfo Jr. 90,444 40.29
Majority 43,591 19.42
Turnout 224,479
Republican hold

New Hampshire (special)

1962 United States Senate special election in New Hampshire[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thomas J. McIntyre 117,612 52.32
Republican Perkins Bass 107,199 47.68
Majority 10,413 4.64
Turnout 224,811
Democratic gain from Republican

New York

New York election

 
Nominee Jacob Javits James B. Donovan
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 3,269,772 2,289,323
Percentage 57.38% 40.14%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Jacob K. Javits
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Jacob K. Javits
Republican

New York general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jacob Javits (Incumbent) 3,272,417 57.38
Democratic James B. Donovan 2,289,323 40.14
Constitution Kieran O’Dougherty 116,151 2.04
Socialist Workers Carl Feingold 17,440 0.31
Socialist Labor Stephen Emery 7,786 0.14
Majority 983,094 17.24
Turnout 5,703,117
Republican hold

North Carolina

North Carolina election

 
Nominee Sam Ervin Claude Greene
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 491,520 321,635
Percentage 60.45% 39.55%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Sam Ervin
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Sam Ervin
Democratic

North Carolina general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sam Ervin (Incumbent) 491,520 60.45
Republican Claude L. Greene Jr. 321,635 39.55
Majority 169,885 20.90
Turnout 813,155
Democratic hold

North Dakota

North Dakota election

 
Nominee Milton R. Young William Lanier
Party Republican Democratic–NPL
Popular vote 135,705 88,032
Percentage 60.65% 39.35%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Milton R. Young
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Milton R. Young
Republican

Incumbent Republican Milton Young was re-elected to his fourth term, defeating North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party candidate William Lanier[6] of Fargo.[1] Only Young filed as a Republican, and the endorsed Democratic candidate was Lanier, who had previously faced Young in a special election held in 1946 to fill the seat which was vacated by the late John Moses. Young and Lanier won the primary elections for their respective parties. No independents ran.

North Dakota Senate election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Milton R. Young (incumbent) 135,705 60.65
Democratic–NPL William Lanier 88,032 39.35
Majority 47,673 21.30
Turnout 223,737
Republican hold

Ohio

Ohio general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank J. Lausche (Incumbent) 1,843,813 61.56
Republican John Marshall Briley 1,151,173 38.44
Majority 692,640 23.12
Turnout 2,994,986
Democratic hold

Oklahoma

Oklahoma general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic A. S. Mike Monroney (Incumbent) 353,890 53.24
Republican B. Hayden Crawford 307,966 46.33
Independent Paul V. Beck 2,856 0.43
Majority 45,924 6.91
Turnout 664,712
Democratic hold

Oregon

Oregon election

 
Nominee Wayne Morse Sig Unander
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 344,716 291,587
Percentage 54.2% 45.8%

County Results

U.S. senator before election

Wayne Morse
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Wayne Morse
Democratic

Democratic incumbent Wayne Morse was re-elected to a fourth term. He defeated Republican candidate Sig Unander in the general election.[7]

1962 United States Senate election in Oregon[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wayne Morse (Incumbent) 344,716 54.15%
Republican Sig Unander 291,587 45.81%
None write-ins 253 0.04%
Majority 53,129 8.34%
Total votes 636,556 100.00%
Democratic hold

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania election

November 6, 1962
 
Nominee Joseph S. Clark Jr. James E. Van Zandt
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,238,383 2,134,649
Percentage 51.1% 48.7%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Joseph S. Clark Jr.
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Joseph S. Clark Jr.
Democratic

Pennsylvania general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph S. Clark (Incumbent) 2,238,383 51.06
Republican James E. Van Zandt 2,134,649 48.70
Socialist Labor Arla A. Aubaugh 10,387 0.24
Majority 103,734 2.36
Turnout 4,383,419
Democratic hold

South Carolina

South Carolina election

 
Nominee Olin D. Johnston W. D. Workman, Jr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 178,712 133,930
Percentage 57.2% 42.8%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Olin D. Johnston
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Olin D. Johnston
Democratic

Incumbent Democratic Senator Olin D. Johnston defeated Governor Fritz Hollings in the Democratic primary and Republican W. D. Workman Jr. in the general election. The South Carolina Democratic Party held their primary on June 12, 1962. Olin D. Johnston, the incumbent Senator, faced stiff competition from Governor Fritz Hollings who argued that Johnston was too liberal and not representative of South Carolina interests. Johnston merely told the voters that he was doing what he thought was best for the agriculture and textile workers of the state. Hollings was decisively defeated by Johnston because Johnston used his position as Post Office and Civil Service Committee to build 40 new post offices in the state and thus demonstrate the pull he had in Washington to bring home the bacon.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Olin D. Johnston (incumbent) 216,918 66.3
Democratic Fritz Hollings 110,023 33.7

W. D. Workman Jr., a correspondent for the News and Courier, faced no opposition from South Carolina Republicans and avoided a primary election.

Both Johnston and Workman supported segregation, so the campaign centered on the economic issues of the state. Workman tried to persuade the voters that Johnston's policies were socialist and that he was too closely aligned with the Kennedy administration. Johnston was a consistent supporter of socialized health care proposals and Workman was able to win considerable support from the medical establishment. However, the state's citizens were much poorer than that of the rest of the nation and Johnston's class based appeals made him a very popular figure for the downtrodden of both the white and black races. The competitive nature of this race foresaw the eventual rise of the Republican Party and that South Carolinians were growing increasingly suspicious of policies generated at the federal level.

South Carolina U.S. Senate Election, 1962
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Olin D. Johnston (incumbent) 178,712 57.2 -25.0
Republican W. D. Workman Jr. 133,930 42.8 +25.0
No party Write-Ins 5 0.0 0.0
Majority 44,782 14.4 -50.0
Turnout 312,647 46.9 +8.8
Democratic hold Swing

South Dakota

South Dakota general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George McGovern 127,458 50.12
Republican Joseph H. Bottum (Incumbent) 126,861 49.88
Majority 597 0.24
Turnout 254,319
Democratic hold

Utah

Utah general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Wallace F. Bennett (Incumbent) 166,755 52.37
Democratic David S. King 151,656 47.63
Majority 15,099 4.74
Turnout 318,411
Republican hold

Vermont

Vermont election

 
Nominee George Aiken W. Robert Johnson
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 81,241 40,134
Percentage 66.8% 33.2%

County results
Aiken:

U.S. senator before election

George Aiken
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

George Aiken
Republican

Vermont general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George D. Aiken (Incumbent) 81,242 66.93
Democratic W. Robert Johnson Sr. 40,134 33.07
Majority 41,108 33.86
Turnout 121,376
Republican hold

Washington

Washington Election

 
Nominee Warren Magnuson Richard G. Christensen
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 491,365 446,204
Percentage 52.09% 47.31%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Warren G. Magnuson
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Warren G. Magnuson
Democratic

Washington general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Warren G. Magnuson (Incumbent) 491,365 52.09
Republican Richard G. Christensen 446,204 47.31
Socialist Labor Henry Killman 4,730 0.50
Constitution W. Frank Horne 930 0.10
Majority 45,161 4.78
Turnout 943,229
Democratic hold

Wisconsin

Wisconsin election

 
Nominee Gaylord A. Nelson Alexander Wiley
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 662,342 594,846
Percentage 52.26% 47.21%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Alexander Wiley
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Gaylord A. Nelson
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Alexander Wiley lost to Democrat Gaylord A. Nelson.[8]

Wisconsin election results[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gaylord A. Nelson 662,342 52.26
Republican Alexander Wiley (Incumbent) 594,846 47.21
Independent William Osborne Hart 1,428 0.11
Socialist Labor Georgia Cozzini 1,096 0.09
Socialist Workers Wayne Leverenz 368 0.03
None Scattering 88 0.01
Majority 67,496 5.36
Turnout 1,260,168
Democratic gain from Republican

Wyoming (special)

Wyoming Special election

 
Nominee Milward Simpson John J. Hickey
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 69,043 50,329
Percentage 57.84% 42.16%

County results

U.S. senator before election

John J. Hickey
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Milward Simpson
Republican

1962 United States Senate special election in Wyoming[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Milward Simpson 69,043 57.84
Democratic John J. Hickey (Incumbent) 50,329 42.16
Majority 18,714 15.68
Turnout 119,372
Republican gain from Democratic

See also

Notes

  1. In New Hampshire special election, Maurice J. Murphy Jr. lost nomination to represent the state and Perkins Bass became the party's new nominee.
  2. Appointee defeated
  3. Appointee elected
  4. Morse was first elected in 1944 and re-elected in 1950 as a Republican. He became an independent in 1952 and joined the Democratic Party in 1955.
  1. Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (March 16, 1963). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 6, 1962" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 10, 14, 15, 23, 42, 43.
  2. Congressional Elections, 1946-1996. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. p. 84. ISBN 1-56802-248-4.
  3. Scammon, Richard M., ed. (1964). America Votes 5: a handbook of contemporary American election statistics, 1962. Washington, D.C.: Governmental Affairs Institute. p. 73.
  4. "FL US Senate, 1962". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  5. Adams, Tom (1963). Biennial Report of the Secretary of State of the State of Florida for the Period Beginning January 1, 1961 and Ending December 31, 1962. Tallahassee: Office of the Secretary of State for Florida. p. 297.
  6. Lanier is not to be confused with former North Dakota Governor William Langer.
  7. "Our Campaigns - OR US Senate Race - Nov 06, 1962". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  8. "WI US Senate Race - Nov 06, 1962". Our Campaigns.

References

  • "Supplemental Report of the Secretary of State to the General Assembly of South Carolina." Reports and Resolutions of South Carolina to the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina. Volume II. Columbia, SC: 1963, p. 6.
  • Jordan, Frank E. The Primary State: A History of the Democratic Party in South Carolina, 1876-1962. p. 83.
  • Kalk, Bruce H. (2001). The Origins of the Southern Strategy: Two-Party Competition in South. Lexington Books. pp. 56–61.
  • "Veteran's Viciory". Time. June 22, 1962. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2008.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.