1954 United States Senate election in Oklahoma
November 2, 1954
 
Nominee Robert S. Kerr Fred M. Mock
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 335,127 262,013
Percentage 55.84% 43.66%
U.S. senator before election

Robert S. Kerr
Democratic

 Elected U.S. Senator

Robert S. Kerr
Democratic

The 1954 United States Senate election in Oklahoma took place on November 2, 1954. Incumbent Democratic Senator Robert S. Kerr ran for re-election to a second term. He faced strong competition in the Democratic primary from former Governor Roy J. Turner, and though he won a sizable victory over Turner in the primary, he fell shy of an outright majority. Turner, however, withdrew from the race before a runoff election could be held. On the Republican side, U.S. Attorney Fred Mock won the nomination following a runoff against newspaper publisher Raymond Fields. In the general election, Kerr ended up easily defeating Mock, but with a significantly reduced victory from 1948.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert S. Kerr (inc.) 238,543 49.00%
Democratic Roy J. Turner 205,241 42.16%
Democratic David C. Shapard 11,071 2.27%
Democratic George H. Hunt 10,014 2.06%
Democratic Jess L. Pullen 6,267 1.29%
Democratic Henry Harding 6,154 1.26%
Democratic A. B. McDonald 3,745 0.77%
Democratic Jeff McHenry 2,934 0.60%
Democratic Sooner Singleton 2,896 0.59%
Total votes 486,865 100.00%

Following the Democratic primary, Kerr had a sizable lead over Turner, but fell just short of a majority, thereby triggering a runoff election. However, several weeks after the primary, Turner withdrew from the runoff, announcing that he would not be able to adequately finance his campaign.[3] After Turner's withdrawal, David C. Shapard, who placed a distant third in the primary, announced that he would attempt to force a runoff with Kerr.[1] The State Election Board denied Kerr's request, and he appealed to the state Supreme Court,[4] which quickly denied his appeal, concluding that his claim had no "apparent merit."[5]

Runoff election results

Democratic primary runoff[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert S. Kerr (inc.) 318,862 100.00%
Total votes 318,862 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Fred M. Mock, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma[6]
  • Raymond H. Fields, newspaper publisher, 1950 Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate[7]
  • Ernest G. Albright
  • Frank A. Anderson

Results

Republican primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Raymond H. Fields 23,339 41.53%
Republican Fred M. Mock 17,062 30.36%
Republican Ernest G. Albright 11,521 20.50%
Republican Frank A. Anderson 4,270 7.60%
Total votes 56,192 100.00%

Runoff election results

Republican primary runoff[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Fred M. Mock 22,340 53.43%
Republican Raymond H. Fields 19,471 46.57%
Total votes 41,811 100.00%

General election

Results

1954 United States Senate election in Oklahoma[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Robert S. Kerr (inc.) 335,127 55.84% -6.46%
Republican Fred M. Mock 262,013 43.66% +6.26%
Independent George V. Fried 1,563 0.26% —
Independent George H. Brasier 1,417 0.24% —
Majority 73,114 12.18% -12.71%
Turnout 600,120
Democratic hold

References

  1. 1 2 "Shapard Wants Chance to Meet Kerr in Run-Off". Seminole Producer. Seminole, Okla. July 13, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "1952-1956 Election Results" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Turner Withdraws From Senate Race Against Bob Kerr". Rogers County News. Claremore, Okla. July 13, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Shapard To Take Request Before Supreme Court". Okmulgee Daily Times. Okmulgee, Okla. July 14, 1954. p. 5. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Shapard Is Denied A Place on Ballot". Miami News-Record. Miami, Okla. July 19, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Attorney In Senate Race". Daily Oklahoman. Oklahoma City, Okla. April 22, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Raymond Fields Is Inclined Run For U. S. Senator". Alva Review-Courier. Alva, Okla. March 15, 1954. p. 2. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
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