1948 United States Senate elections

November 2, 1948

33 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate
49 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Alben Barkley Wallace White
(retired)
Party Democratic Republican
Leader since July 22, 1937 February 25, 1944
Leader's seat Kentucky Maine
Seats before 45 51
Seats after 54 42
Seat change Increase 9 Decrease 9
Popular vote 13,056,944 9,764,384
Percentage 56.5% 42.3%
Seats up 15 18
Races won 24 9

Results of the elections:
     Democratic gain      Democratic hold
     Republican hold
     No election
Rectangular inset (Louisiana): both seats up for election

Majority Leader before election

Wallace White
Republican

Elected Majority Leader

Scott Lucas
Democratic

The 1948 United States Senate elections were elections which coincided with the election of Democratic President Harry S. Truman for a full term. The 32 seats of Class 2 were contested in regular elections, and one special election was held to fill a vacancy. Truman had campaigned against an "obstructionist" Congress that had blocked many of his initiatives, and in addition the U.S. economy recovered from the postwar recession of 1946–1947 by election day. Thus Truman was rewarded with a Democratic gain of nine seats in the Senate, enough to give them control of the chamber.[1][2] This was the last time until 2020 that Democrats flipped a chamber of Congress in a presidential election cycle.

Results summary

54 42
Democratic Republican

Colored shading indicates party with largest share of that row.

Parties Total
Democratic Republican Other
Last elections (1946)
Before these elections
45 51 0 96
Not up 30 33 0 63
Up 15 18 0 33
Class 2 (1942→1948) 14 18 0 32
Special: Class 3 1 0 1
Incumbent retired 3 5 8
Held by same party 3 4 7
Replaced by other party Decrease1 Republican replaced by Increase1 Democrat 1
Result 4 4 0 8
Incumbent ran 12 13 25
Won re-election 10 5 17
Lost re-election Decrease8 Republicans replaced by Increase8 Democrats 8
Lost renomination
but held by same party
2 0 2
Result 20 5 0 25
Total elected 24 9 0 33
Net change Increase9 Decrease9 Steady 9
Nationwide vote 13,056,944 9,764,384 269,669 23,090,997
Share 56.55% 42.29% 1.17% 100%
Result 54 42 0 96

Source: Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives[3]

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

Five Republicans and three Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.

State Senator Replaced by
Kansas Arthur Capper Andrew Frank Schoeppel
Louisiana (special) William C. Feazel Russell B. Long
Maine Wallace H. White Margaret Chase Smith
New Jersey Albert W. Hawkes Robert C. Hendrickson
New Mexico Carl Hatch Clinton Anderson
Oklahoma Edward H. Moore Robert S. Kerr
South Dakota Vera C. Bushfield Karl Mundt
Texas W. Lee O'Daniel Lyndon B. Johnson

Defeats

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

State Senator Replaced by
Delaware C. Douglass Buck J. Allen Frear Jr.
Idaho Henry Dworshak Bert H. Miller
Illinois C. Wayland Brooks Paul Douglas
Iowa George A. Wilson Guy Gillette
Kentucky John Sherman Cooper Virgil Chapman
Minnesota Joseph H. Ball Hubert Humphrey
North Carolina William B. Umstead J. Melville Broughton
Tennessee Tom Stewart Estes Kefauver
West Virginia Chapman Revercomb Matthew M. Neely
Wyoming Edward V. Robertson Lester C. Hunt

Post election changes

State Senator Replaced by
Connecticut Raymond E. Baldwin William Benton
New York Robert F. Wagner John Foster Dulles
New York John Foster Dulles Herbert H. Lehman
North Carolina J. Melville Broughton Frank Porter Graham
Idaho Bert H. Miller Henry Dworshak
Kansas Clyde M. Reed Harry Darby
Kentucky Alben W. Barkley Garrett Withers
Rhode Island J. Howard McGrath Edward L. Leahy

Change in composition

Before the elections

  D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8
D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9
D19 D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28
D38
Mont.
Ran
D37
Miss.
Ran
D36
La. (sp)
Retired
D35
La. (reg)
Ran
D34
Ga.
Ran
D33
Colo.
Ran
D32
Ark.
Ran
D31
Ala.
Ran
D30 D29
D39
N.M.
Retired
D40
N.C. (sp)
N.C. (reg)
Ran
D41
R.I.
Ran
D42
S.C.
Ran
D43
Tenn.
Ran
D44
Texas
Retired
D45
Va.
Ran
R51
Wyo.
Ran
R50
W.Va.
Ran
R49
S.D.
Retired
Majority →
R39
Ky.
Ran
R40
Maine
Retired
R41
Mass.
Ran
R42
Mich.
Ran
R43
Minn.
Ran
R44
Neb.
Ran
R45
N.H.
Ran
R46
N.J.
Retired
R47
Okla.
Retired
R48
Ore.
Ran
R38
Kan.
Retired
R37
Iowa
Ran
R36
Ill.
Ran
R35
Idaho
Ran
R34
Del.
Ran
R33 R32 R31 R30 R29
R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28
R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8

Election results

  D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8
D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9
D19 D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28
D38
Mont.
Re-elected
D37
Miss.
Re-elected
D36
La. (sp)
Hold
D35
La. (reg)
Re-elected
D34
Ga.
Re-elected
D33
Colo.
Re-elected
D32
Ark.
Re-elected
D31
Ala.
Re-elected
D30 D29
D39
N.M.
Hold
D40
N.C. (sp)
N.C. (reg)
Hold
D41
R.I.
Re-elected
D42
S.C.
Re-elected
D43
Tenn.
Hold
D44
Texas
Hold
D45
Va.
Re-elected
D46
Del.
Gain
D47
Idaho
Gain
D48
Ill.
Gain
Majority → D49
Iowa
Gain
R39
N.H.
Re-elected
R40
N.J.
Hold
R41
Ore.
Re-elected
R42
S.D.
Hold
D54
Wyo.
Gain
D53
W.Va.
Gain
D52
Okla.
Gain
D51
Minn.
Gain
D50
Ky.
Gain
R38
Neb.
Re-elected
R37
Mich.
Re-elected
R36
Mass.
Re-elected
R35
Maine
Hold
R34
Kan.
Hold
R33 R32 R31 R30 R29
R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28
R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8
Key:
D# Democratic
R# Republican

Race summaries

Special elections during the 80th Congress

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1948 or before January 3, 1949; ordered by election date.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Louisiana
(Class 3)
William C. Feazel Democratic 1948 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
Winner elected November 2, 1948.
Democratic hold.
North Carolina
(Class 2)
William B. Umstead Democratic 1946 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost nomination.
Winner elected November 2, 1948.
Democratic hold.
Winner also elected to the next full term.

Elections leading to the next Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1949; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Alabama John Sparkman Democratic 1946 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY John Sparkman (Democratic) 84.0%
  • Paul G. Parsons (Republican) 16.0%
Arkansas John L. McClellan Democratic 1942 Incumbent re-elected.
Colorado Edwin C. Johnson Democratic 1936
1942
Incumbent re-elected.
Delaware C. Douglass Buck Republican 1942 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Georgia Richard Russell Jr. Democratic 1932 (special)
1936
1942
Incumbent re-elected.
Idaho Henry Dworshak Republican 1946 (special) Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Illinois C. Wayland Brooks Republican 1940 (special)
1942
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Iowa George A. Wilson Republican 1942 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Kansas Arthur Capper Republican 1918
1924
1930
1936
1942
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Kentucky John Sherman Cooper Republican 1946 (special) Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Louisiana Allen J. Ellender Democratic 1936
1942
Incumbent re-elected.
Maine Wallace H. White Republican 1930
1936
1942
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Massachusetts Leverett Saltonstall Republican 1944 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan Homer S. Ferguson Republican 1942 Incumbent re-elected.
Minnesota Joseph H. Ball Republican 1940 (Appointed)
1942 (Retired)
1942
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic–Farmer–Labor gain.
Mississippi James Eastland Democratic 1941 (Appointed)
1941 (Retired)
1942
Incumbent re-elected.
Montana James E. Murray Democratic 1934 (special)
1936
1942
Incumbent re-elected.
Nebraska Kenneth S. Wherry Republican 1942 Incumbent re-elected.
New Hampshire Styles Bridges Republican 1936
1942
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Styles Bridges (Republican) 58.1%
  • Alfred E. Fortin (Democratic) 41.2%
New Jersey Albert W. Hawkes Republican 1942 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
New Mexico Carl Hatch Democratic 1933 (Appointed)
1934 (special)
1936
1942
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
North Carolina William B. Umstead Democratic 1946 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost nomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Winner also elected to finish the term, see above.
Oklahoma Edward H. Moore Republican 1942 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Oregon Guy Cordon Republican 1944 (Appointed)
1944 (special)
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Guy Cordon (Republican) 60.0%
  • Manley J. Wilson (Democratic) 40.0%
Rhode Island Theodore F. Green Democratic 1936
1942
Incumbent re-elected.
South Carolina Burnet R. Maybank Democratic 1941 (special)
1942
Incumbent re-elected.
South Dakota Vera C. Bushfield Republican 1948 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned December 26, 1948 and winner appointed December 31, 1948 to finish the term.
  • Green tickY Karl Mundt (Republican) 59.3%
  • John A. Engel (Democratic) 40.7%
Tennessee Tom Stewart Democratic 1938 (special) Incumbent lost re-nomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Texas W. Lee O'Daniel Democratic 1941 (special)
1942
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Virginia A. Willis Robertson Democratic 1946 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
West Virginia Chapman Revercomb Republican 1942 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Wyoming Edward V. Robertson Republican 1942 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.

Closest races

Six races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State Party of winner Margin
Idaho Democratic (flip) 1.5%
Michigan Republican 2.2%
Delaware Democratic (flip) 2.6%
New Jersey Republican 2.7%
Kentucky Democratic (flip) 3.1%
Massachusetts Republican 6.6%

Wyoming is the tipping point state with a margin of 14.2%.

Alabama

Alabama election

November 2, 1948
 
Nominee John Sparkman Paul G. Parsons
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 185,534 35,341
Percentage 84.00% 16.00%


U.S. senator before election

John Sparkman
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

John Sparkman
Democratic

Alabama election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Sparkman (Incumbent) 185,534 84.00%
Republican Paul G. Parsons 35,341 16.00%
Majority 150,193 68.00%
Turnout 220,875
Democratic hold

Arkansas

Arkansas election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John L. McClellan (Incumbent) 216,401 100.00%
Democratic hold

Colorado

Colorado election

 
Nominee Ed Johnson Will Nicholson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 340,719 165,059
Percentage 66.79% 32.36%

U.S. senator before election

Edwin C. Johnson
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Edwin C. Johnson
Democratic

Colorado election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edwin C. Johnson (Incumbent) 340,719 66.79%
Republican Will Nicholson 165,069 32.36%
Progressive Joe Gurule 2,981 0.58%
Socialist Carle Whithead 1,352 0.27%
Majority 175,650 34.43%
Turnout 510,121
Democratic hold

Delaware

Delaware election

 
Nominee J. Allen Frear Jr. C. Douglass Buck
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 71,888 68,246
Percentage 50.85% 48.28%

County Results
Frear:      50–60%
Buck:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

C. Douglass Buck
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

J. Allen Frear Jr.
Democratic

Delaware election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Allen Frear Jr. 71,888 50.85%
Republican C. Douglass Buck (incumbent) 68,246 48.28%
Majority 3,642 2.57%
Turnout 141,362
Democratic gain from Republican

Georgia

1948 U.S. Senate Democratic primary in Georgia

September 8, 1948
 
Nominee Richard Russell Jr.
Party Democratic
Electoral vote 410
Popular vote 703,048
Percentage 99.98%

U.S. senator before election

Richard Russell Jr.
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Richard Russell Jr.
Democratic

Georgia election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard Russell Jr. (Incumbent) 362,104 99.89%
Write-In Larkin Marshall 388 0.11%
Write-In Ellis Arnall 9 0.00%
Write-In Roy Harris 2 0.00%
Write-In Harry Sommers 1 0.00%
Majority 361,716 99.78%
Turnout 362,504
Democratic hold

Idaho

Democrat Bert H. Miller defeated incumbent Republican Henry Dworshak. As of 2024, this remains the only time that a Democrat would win Idaho's Class 2 Senate seat.

Idaho election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bert H. Miller 107,000 49.96%
Republican Henry Dworshak (Incumbent) 103,868 48.49%
Progressive John Derr 3,154 1.47%
Socialist Paul Wengert 166 0.08%
Majority 3,132 1.47%
Turnout 214,188
Democratic gain from Republican

Illinois

Illinois election

 
Nominee Paul Douglas Charles W. Brooks
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,147,754 1,740,026
Percentage 55.07% 44.61%

County Results
Douglas:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Tie:      
Brooks:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Charles W. Brooks
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Paul Douglas
Democratic

Illinois election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paul Douglas 2,147,754 55.07%
Republican Charles W. Brooks (Incumbent) 1,740,026 44.61%
Prohibition Enoch A. Holtwick 9,784 0.25%
Socialist Labor Frank Schnur 2,693 0.07%
None Write-In 28 0.00%
Majority 407,728 10.46%
Turnout 3,900,285
Democratic gain from Republican

Iowa

Iowa election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Guy Gillette 578,226 57.80%
Republican George A. Wilson (Incumbent) 415,778 41.56%
Progressive Seymour Pitcher 3,387 0.34%
Prohibition Z. Everett Kellum 2,580 0.26%
Socialist Hugo Bockewitz 441 0.04%
Majority 162,448 16.24%
Turnout 1,000,412
Democratic gain from Republican

Kansas

Kansas election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Andrew Frank Schoeppel 393,412 54.92%
Democratic George McGill 305,987 42.72%
Prohibition C. Floyd Hester 16,943 2.37%
Majority 87,425 12.20%
Turnout 716,342
Republican hold

Kentucky

Kentucky election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Virgil Chapman 408,256 51.39%
Republican John Sherman Cooper (Incumbent) 383,776 48.31%
Socialist W. A. Standefur 1,232 0.16%
Progressive H. G. Stanfield 924 0.12%
Socialist Labor David R. Cox 254 0.03%
Write-In John Y. Brown 26 0.00%
Write-In O. G. Gaines 1 0.00%
Majority 24,480 3.08%
Turnout 794,469
Democratic gain from Republican

Louisiana

Louisiana (regular)

Louisiana election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Allen J. Ellender (Incumbent) 330,115 100.00%
Independent Maurice Eugene Clark 9 0.00%
Majority 330,106 100.00%
Turnout 330,124
Democratic hold

Louisiana (special)

1948 United States Senate special election in Louisiana[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Russell B. Long 306,336 74.96%
Republican Clem S. Clarke 102,331 25.04%
Majority 204,005 49.92%
Turnout 408,667
Democratic hold

Maine

Maine election

September 13, 1948
 
Nominee Margaret Chase Smith Adrian Scolten
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 159,182 64,074
Percentage 71.30% 28.70%

U.S. senator before election

Wallace H. White Jr.
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Margaret Chase Smith
Republican

Maine election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Margaret Chase Smith 159,182 71.30%
Democratic Adrian H. Scolten 64,074 28.70%
Majority 95,108 42.60%
Turnout 223,256
Republican hold

Massachusetts

Massachusetts election

 
Nominee Leverett Saltonstall John I. Fitzgerald
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,088,475 954,398
Percentage 52.95% 46.43%

Senator before election

Leverett Saltonstall
Republican

Elected Senator

Leverett Saltonstall
Republican

General election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Leverett Saltonstall (Incumbent) 1,088,475 52.95%
Democratic John I. Fitzgerald 954,398 46.42%
Socialist Labor Henning A. Blomen 9,266 0.45%
Prohibition E. Tallmadge Root 3,652 0.18%
None Scattering 7 0.00%
Majority 134,077 6.53%
Turnout 2,055,798
Republican hold

Michigan

Michigan election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Homer S. Ferguson (Incumbent) 1,045,156 50.68%
Democratic Frank E. Hook 1,000,329 48.51%
Prohibition Harold A. Lindahl 12,146 0.59%
Socialist Michael Magee 2,160 0.10%
Socialist Labor Theos S. Grove 1,418 0.07%
Socialist Workers Genora Dollinger 882 0.04%
None Scattering 2.57% 0.00%
Majority 44,827 2.17%
Turnout 2,062,093
Republican hold

Minnesota

Minnesota election

 
Nominee Hubert H. Humphrey Joseph H. Ball
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican
Popular vote 729,494 485,801
Percentage 59.78% 39.81%

County results
Humphrey:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Ball:      50-60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election

Joseph H. Ball
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Hubert H. Humphrey
Democratic (DFL)

Minnesota election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Hubert Humphrey 729,494 59.78%
Republican Joseph H. Ball (Incumbent) 485,801 39.81%
Socialist Workers Vincent R. Dunne 4,951 0.41%
None Scattering 41.56% 0.00%
Majority 243,693 19.97%
Turnout 1,220,250
Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican

Mississippi

Mississippi election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James Eastland (Incumbent) 151,478 100.00%
Democratic hold

Montana

Montana election

 
Nominee James E. Murray Tom J. Davis
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 125,193 94,458
Percentage 56.65% 42.74%

U.S. senator before election

James E. Murray
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

James E. Murray
Democratic

Incumbent United States Senator James E. Murray, who was first elected to the Senate in a special election in 1934 and was re-elected in 1936 and 1942, ran for re-election. After winning the Democratic primary, he faced Tom J. Davis, an attorney and the Republican nominee, in the general election. Following a narrow re-election in 1936, Murray significantly expanded his margin of victory and comfortably won re-election over Davis, winning his fourth term and his third full term in the Senate.

1948 United States Senate election in Montana[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James E. Murray (Incumbent) 125,193 56.65%
Republican Tom J. Davis 94,458 42.74%
Prohibition C. S. Hanna 1,352 0.61%
Majority 30,735 13.91%
Turnout 221,003
Democratic hold

Nebraska

Nebraska election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kenneth S. Wherry (Incumbent) 267,575 56.67%
Democratic Terry Carpenter 204,320 43.27%
N/A Scattering 261 0.06%
Majority 63,255 13.40%
Turnout 472,156
Republican hold

New Hampshire

New Hampshire election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Styles Bridges (Incumbent) 129,600 58.14%
Democratic Alfred E. Fortin 91,760 41.17%
Progressive John G. Rideout 1,538 0.69%
Majority 37,840 16.97%
Turnout 222,898
Republican hold

New Jersey

New Jersey election

 
Nominee Robert C. Hendrickson Archibald S. Alexander
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 934,720 884,414
Percentage 49.99% 47.30%

County Results
Hendrickson:      40–50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%
Alexander:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Albert Hawkes
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Robert C. Hendrickson
Republican

New Jersey election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert C. Hendrickson 934,720 49.99%
Democratic Archibald S. Alexander 884,414 47.30%
Progressive James Imbrie 22,658 1.21%
Socialist Rubye Smith 11,450 0.61%
Socialist Workers George Breitman 8,076 0.43%
Prohibition George W. Rideout 4,656 0.25%
Socialist Labor George E. Bopp 3,908 0.21%
Majority 50,306 2.69%
Turnout 1,869,882
Republican hold

New Mexico

New Mexico election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Clinton Anderson (Incumbent) 108,269 57.44%
Republican Patrick J. Hurley 80,226 42.56%
Majority 28,043 13.88%
Turnout 188,495
Democratic hold

North Carolina

There were 2 elections to the same seat, due to the December 15, 1946 death of three-term Democrat Josiah Bailey. Democratic former congressman William B. Umstead was appointed December 18, 1946 to continue Bailey's term, pending a special election.

Umstead supported the conservative Taft–Hartley Act. The Democratic former Governor of North Carolina J. Melville Broughton was seen as a "rather liberal alternative" to Umstead. Broughton beat Umstead in the Democratic primaries and then won the general elections.

North Carolina (special)

North Carolina special Democratic primary election, May 29, 1948[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Melville Broughton 206,605 52.30%
Democratic William B. Umstead (Incumbent) 188,420 47.70%
Majority 18,196 4.60%
North Carolina special election, November 2, 1948[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Melville Broughton 534,917 100.00%
Democratic hold

North Carolina (regular)

North Carolina regular Democratic primary election, May 29, 1948[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Melville Broughton 207,981 53.10%
Democratic William B. Umstead (Incumbent) 183,865 46.90%
Majority 23,894 6.10%
North Carolina regular election, November 2, 1948[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Melville Broughton 540,762 70.70%
Republican John A. Wilkinson 220,307 28.80%
Majority 320,455 41.91%
Democratic hold

Broughton was seated December 31, 1948 to finish the current term but died March 6, 1949, just after the new term began. His death lead to another appointment (Democrat Frank Graham) in 1949 and another special election in 1950 of Democrat Willis Smith. Smith also died during the term, leading to yet another appointment (Democrat Alton A. Lennon) and 1954 special election (of Democrat W. Kerr Scott). In all, five senators held the seat during the 1949–1955 term.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert S. Kerr 441,654 62.30%
Republican Ross Rizley 265,169 37.40%
Independent W. O. Pratt 2,108 0.30%
Majority 176,485 24.90%
Turnout 708,931
Democratic gain from Republican

Oregon

Oregon election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Guy Cordon (Incumbent) 299,295 60.03%
Democratic Manley J. Wilson 199,275 39.97%
Majority 100,020 20.06%
Turnout 498,570
Republican hold

Rhode Island

Rhode Island election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Theodore F. Green (Incumbent) 190,158 59.35%
Republican Thomas P. Hazard 130,262 40.65%
Majority 59,896 18.70%
Turnout 320,420
Democratic hold

South Carolina

Senator Burnet R. Maybank was opposed in the Democratic primary by U.S. Representative William Jennings Bryan Dorn and three other candidates. Maybank obtained over 50% in the primary election on August 10 to avoid a runoff election.

Democratic Primary
Candidate Votes  %
Burnet R. Maybank 161,608 51.5
W.J. Bryan Dorn 76,749 24.4
Neville Bennett 43,068 13.7
Alan Johnstone 17,689 5.6
Marcus A. Stone 14,904 4.8

Since the end of Reconstruction in 1877, the Democratic Party dominated the politics of South Carolina and its statewide candidates were never seriously challenged. Maybank did not campaign for the general election as there was no chance of defeat.

South Carolina U.S. Senate Election, 1948
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Burnet R. Maybank (Incumbent) 135,998 96.45%
Republican J. Bates Gerald 5,008 3.55%
Majority 130,990 92.90
Turnout 141,006
Democratic hold

South Dakota

South Dakota election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Karl E. Mundt 144,084 59.33%
Democratic John A. Engel 98,749 40.67%
Majority 45,335 18.66%
Turnout 242,833
Republican hold

Tennessee

Tennessee election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Estes Kefauver 326,142 65.33%
Republican B. Carroll Reece 166,947 33.44%
Independent John Randolph Neal Jr. 6,103 1.22%
None Scattering 26 0.01%
Majority 159,195 31.89%
Turnout 499,218
Democratic hold

Texas

Texas election

 
Nominee Lyndon B. Johnson Jack Porter
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 702,985 349,665
Percentage 66.22% 32.94%

County Results[6]

Johnson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

Porter:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

W. Lee O'Daniel
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Lyndon B. Johnson
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat W. Lee O'Daniel decided to retire rather than seek a second full term. Congressman Lyndon Johnson won the highly contested Democratic primary against former governor Coke Stevenson. Johnson went on to win the general election against Republican Jack Porter, but by a closer margin than usual for Texas Democrats.

Texas election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lyndon Johnson 702,985 66.22%
Republican Jack Porter 349,665 32.94%
Prohibition Samuel N. Morris 8,913 0.84%
Majority 353,320 33.28%
Turnout 1,061,563
Democratic hold

Virginia

Virginia election

November 2, 1948
 
Nominee A. Willis Robertson Robert H. Woods
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 253,865 118,546
Percentage 65.7% 30.7%

U.S. senator before election

A. Willis Robertson
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

A. Willis Robertson
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat A. Willis Robertson defeated Republican Robert H. Woods and was re-elected to his first full term in office.

1948 United States Senate election in Virginia[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic A. Willis Robertson (Incumbent) 253,865 65.74% -2.41%
Republican Robert H. Woods 118,546 30.70% +1.68%
Independent Howard Carwile 6,788 1.76%
Progressive Virginia Foster Durr 5,347 1.38% +1.38%
Socialist Clarke T. Robb 1,627 0.42% -2.40%
Write-ins 5 <0.01%
Majority 135,319 35.04% -4.09%
Turnout 386,168
Democratic hold Swing

West Virginia

West Virginia election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew M. Neely 435,354 56.99%
Republican Chapman Revercomb (Incumbent) 328,534 43.01%
Majority 106,810 13.98%
Turnout 763,888
Democratic gain from Republican

Wyoming

1948 United States Senate election in Wyoming

November 2, 1948
 
Nominee Lester C. Hunt Edward V. Robertson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 57,953 43,527
Percentage 57.11% 42.89%

U.S. senator before election

Edward V. Robertson
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Lester C. Hunt
Democratic

Wyoming election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lester C. Hunt 57,953 57.11%
Republican Edward V. Robertson (Incumbent) 43,527 42.89%
Majority 14,426 14.22%
Turnout 101,480
Democratic gain from Republican

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See also

References

  1. William S. White (November 4, 1948). "SWEEP IN CONGRESS – Democrats Obtain 54-42 Margin in Senate by Winning 9 G.O.P. Seats". New York Times. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  2. "Truman Sweep". New York Times. November 7, 1948. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (1949-03-01). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 2, 1948" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 14–15, 50.
  4. 1 2 Kalb, Deborah, ed. (2010). Guide to U.S. Elections. Washington, DC: CQ Press. p. 1524. ISBN 978-1-60426-536-1.
  5. 1 2 Kalb, Deborah, ed. (2010). Guide to U.S. Elections. Washington, DC: CQ Press. p. 1458. ISBN 978-1-60426-536-1.
  6. Heard, Alexander; Strong, Donald (1950). Southern Primaries and Elections 1920-1949. University of Alabama Press. pp. 184–186. ISBN 9780836955248.

Further reading

  • Hartley, Robert E. Battleground 1948: Truman, Stevenson, Douglas, and the Most Surprising Election in Illinois History (Southern Illinois University Press; 2013)
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