1936 United States Senate elections

November 3, 1936

32 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate
49 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Joseph Robinson Charles McNary
Party Democratic Republican
Leader since December 3, 1923 March 4, 1933
Leader's seat Arkansas Oregon
Seats before 70 22
Seats after 75 17
Seat change Increase 5 Decrease 5
Seats up 19 11
Races won 24 6

  Third party Fourth party
 
Party Farmer–Labor Progressive
Seats before 2 1
Seats after 2 1
Seat change Steady Steady
Seats up 1 0
Races won 1 0

  Fifth party
 
Party Independent
Seats before 0
Seats after 1
Seat change Increase 1
Seats up 0
Races won 1

Results of the elections:
     Democratic gain      Democratic hold
     Republican gain      Republican hold
     Farmer–Labor hold
     Independent gain
     No election

Majority Leader before election

Joseph Robinson
Democratic

Elected Majority Leader

Joseph Robinson
Democratic

The 1936 United States Senate elections coincided with the reelection of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The 32 seats of Class 2 were contested in regular elections, and special elections were held to fill vacancies. The Great Depression continued and voters backed progressive candidates favoring Roosevelt's New Deal in races across the country. The Democrats gained 5 net seats during the election, and in combination with Democratic and Farmer–Labor interim appointments and the defection of George W. Norris from the Republican Party to become independent, the Republicans were reduced to 16 seats. Democrats gained a further two seats due to mid-term vacancies. The Democrats' 77 seats and their 62-seat majority remain their largest in history.

This was the last of four consecutive election cycles where Republicans suffered losses due to the ongoing effects of the Great Depression. This was also the last Senate election cycle until 2012 in which a Democratic candidate who won two terms also made net gains in the Senate on both occasions (although Roosevelt won a third term and fourth term, he lost Senate seats on both occasions). Additionally, this is the last time any party held three-fourths of all Senate seats.

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

One Republican, one Farmer-Labor, and five Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.

State Senator Replaced by
Colorado Edward P. Costigan Edwin C. Johnson
Florida (special, class 1) Scott Loftin Charles O. Andrews
Florida (special, class 3) William Luther Hill Claude Pepper
Louisiana Rose McConnell Long Allen J. Ellender
Massachusetts Marcus A. Coolidge Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.
Minnesota (special) Elmer A. Benson Guy V. Howard
Minnesota Elmer A. Benson Ernest Lundeen
New Hampshire Henry W. Keyes Styles Bridges

Defeats

Six Republicans and one Democrat sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.

State Senator Replaced by
Delaware Daniel O. Hastings James H. Hughes
Iowa L. J. Dickinson Clyde L. Herring
Michigan James Couzens Prentiss M. Brown
New Jersey W. Warren Barbour William H. Smathers
Oklahoma Thomas Gore Joshua B. Lee
Rhode Island Jesse H. Metcalf Theodore F. Green
Wyoming Robert D. Carey Harry Schwartz

Death

One Democrat died on July 16, 1936, and his seat remained vacant until the election.

State Senator Replaced by
Iowa (special) Louis Murphy Guy Gillette

Independent gain

One Republican won re-election as an Independent.

State Senator Replaced by
Nebraska George W. Norris George W. Norris

Post-election changes

State Senator Replaced by
Alabama Hugo Black Dixie Bibb Graves
Arkansas Joseph Taylor Robinson John E. Miller
New Jersey A. Harry Moore John Gerald Milton
New York Royal S. Copeland James M. Mead
Oregon Frederick Steiwer Alfred E. Reames
Tennessee Nathan L. Bachman George L. Berry

Change in composition

Before the elections

After the April 1936 special election.

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 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31 D30 D29
D39 D40 D41 D42 D43 D44 D45 D46 D47 D48
Ala.
Ran
Majority → D49
Ark.
Ran
D58
Miss.
Ran
D57
Mass.
Retired
D56
La. (sp)
Elected[lower-alpha 1]
La. (reg)
Retired
D55
Ky.
Ran
D54
Ill.
Ran
D53
Ga.
Ran
D52
Fla. (sp3)
Retired
D51
Fla. (sp1)
Retired
D50
Colo.
Retired
D59
Mont.
Ran
D60
N.M. (reg)
Ran
D61
N.M. (sp)
Ran
D62
N.C.
Ran
D63
Okla.
Ran
D64
S.C.
Ran
D65
S.D.
Ran
D66
Tenn.
Ran
D67
Texas
Ran
D68
Va.
Ran
R19
N.H.
Retired
R20
N.J.
Ran
R21
Ore.
Ran
R22
R.I.
Ran
R23
Wyo.
Ran
FL1 FL2
Minn. (sp)
Minn. (reg)
Retired
P1 V1
Iowa (sp)
D69
W.Va.
Ran
R18
Neb.
Ran
R17
Mich.
Ran
R16
Maine
Ran
R15
Kan.
Ran
R14
Iowa
Ran
R13
Idaho
Ran
R12
Del.
Ran
R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8

Result of 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 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31 D30 D29
D39 D40 D41 D42 D43 D44 D45 D46 D47 D48
Ala.
Re-elected
Majority → D49
Ark.
Re-elected
D58
Mont.
Re-elected
D57
Miss.
Re-elected
D56
La. (reg)
Hold
D55
Ky.
Re-elected
D54
Ill.
Re-elected
D53
Ga.
Re-elected
D52
Fla. (sp3)
Hold
D51
Fla. (sp1)
Hold
D50
Colo.
Hold
D59
N.M. (reg)
Re-elected
D60
N.M. (sp)
Elected[lower-alpha 1]
D61
N.C.
Re-elected
D62
Okla.
Hold
D63
S.C.
Re-elected
D64
S.D.
Re-elected
D65
Tenn.
Re-elected
D66
Texas
Re-elected
D67
Va.
Re-elected
D68
W.Va.
Re-elected
FL1 FL2
Minn. (sp)
Gain[lower-alpha 2]
Minn. (reg)
Hold[lower-alpha 2]
P1 D75
Wyo.
Gain
D74
R.I.
Gain
D73
N.J.
Gain
D72
Mich.
Gain
D71
Iowa (sp)
Hold
D70
Iowa (reg)
Gain
D69
Del.
Gain
I1
Neb.
Re-elected
new party
R17
Mass.
Gain
R16
Ore.
Re-elected
R15
N.H.
Hold
R14
Maine
Re-elected
R13
Kan.
Re-elected
R12
Idaho
Re-elected
R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8

Beginning of the next Congress

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 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31 D30 D29
D39 D40 D41 D42 D43 D44 D45 D46 D47 D48
Majority → D49
D58 D57 D56 D55 D54 D53 D52 D51 D50
D59 D60 D61 D62 D63 D64 D65 D66 D67 D68
FL2 P1 D76
S.D.
Appointed[lower-alpha 3]
D75 D74 D73 D72 D71 D70 D69
FL1 I1 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8
Key
D# Democratic
FL# Farmer–Labor
I# Independent
P# Progressive
R# Republican
V# Vacant
Composition of the Senate after the Election

Race summaries

Elections during the 74th Congress

In these special elections the winners were seated once they qualified; ordered by election date.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Louisiana
(Class 2)
Rose McConnell Long Democratic 1936 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected April 21, 1936.
Winner was later not elected to the next term; see below.
Florida
(Class 1)
Scott Loftin Democratic 1936 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected November 3, 1936.
Democratic hold.
Florida
(Class 3)
William Luther Hill Democratic 1936 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected November 3, 1936.
Democratic hold.
Iowa
(Class 3)
Vacant Louis Murphy (D) had died July 16, 1936.
New senator elected November 3, 1936.
Democratic hold
  • Green tickY Guy Gillette (Democratic) 51.9%
  • Berry F. Halden (Republican) 46.6%
Minnesota
(Class 2)
Elmer A. Benson Farmer–Labor 1935 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected November 3, 1936.
Republican gain.
Winner was not a candidate for the next term; see below.
  • Green tickY Guy V. Howard (Republican) 42.89%
  • Nathaniel J. Holmberg (Republican) 28.42%
  • Andrews O. Devold (Republican) 19.98%
  • John G. Alexander (Republican) 8.71%
New Mexico
(Class 1)
Dennis Chávez Democratic 1935 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected November 3, 1936.
  • Green tickY Dennis Chávez (Democratic) 55.7%
  • M. A. Otero Jr. (Republican) 44.2%

Elections leading to the 75th Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1937; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Alabama John H. Bankhead II Democratic 1930 Incumbent re-elected.
Arkansas Joseph T. Robinson Democratic 1913
1918
1924
1930
Incumbent re-elected.
Colorado Edward P. Costigan Democratic 1930 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
  • Green tickY Edwin C. Johnson (Democratic) 63.5%
  • Raymond L. Sauter (Republican) 35.3%
Delaware Daniel O. Hastings Republican 1928 (Appointed)
1930
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Georgia Richard Russell Jr. Democratic 1932 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Idaho William Borah Republican 1907
1913
1918
1924
1930
Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois J. Hamilton Lewis Democratic 1913 (Late)
1918 (Lost)
1930
Incumbent re-elected.
Iowa L. J. Dickinson Republican 1930 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Kansas Arthur Capper Republican 1918
1924
1930
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Arthur Capper (Republican) 51.0%
  • Omar B. Ketchum (Democratic) 48.4%
Kentucky M. M. Logan Democratic 1930 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY M. M. Logan (Democratic) 58.8%
  • Robert M. Lucas (Republican) 39.8%
Louisiana Rose McConnell Long Democratic 1936 (Appointed)
1936 (special)
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Maine Wallace H. White Republican 1930 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts Marcus A. Coolidge Democratic 1930 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Michigan James Couzens Republican 1922 (Appointed)
1924 (special)
1924
1930
Incumbent lost renomination[2] then died October 22, 1936.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Winner was later appointed to finish term.
Minnesota Elmer A. Benson Farmer–Labor 1935 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired to run for Governor of Minnesota.
New senator elected.
Farmer–Labor hold.
Winner was not a candidate to finish the current term.
Mississippi Pat Harrison Democratic 1918
1924
1930
Incumbent re-elected.
Montana James E. Murray Democratic 1934 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Nebraska George W. Norris Republican 1913
1918
1924
1930
Incumbent re-elected as an Independent.
Independent gain.
New Hampshire Henry W. Keyes Republican 1918
1924
1930
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
New Jersey W. Warren Barbour Republican 1931 (Appointed)
1932 (special)
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
New Mexico Carl Hatch Democratic 1933 (Appointed)
1934 (special)
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Carl Hatch (Democratic) 61.7%
  • Ernest W. Everly (Republican) 38.3%
North Carolina Josiah Bailey Democratic 1930 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Josiah Bailey (Democratic) 70.8%
  • Frank R. Patton (Republican) 29.2%
Oklahoma Thomas Gore Democratic 1907 (New state)
1909
1914
1920 (Lost)
1930
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
  • Green tickY Joshua B. Lee (Democratic) 68.0%
  • Herbert K. Hyde (Republican) 31.6%
Oregon Charles L. McNary Republican 1917 (Appointed)
1918 (Not elected
1918 (Appointed)
1918
1924
1930
Incumbent re-elected.
Rhode Island Jesse H. Metcalf Republican 1924 (special)
1924
1930
Incumbent lost re-election.[3]
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
South Carolina James F. Byrnes Democratic 1930 Incumbent re-elected.
South Dakota William J. Bulow Democratic 1930 Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee Nathan L. Bachman Democratic 1933 (Appointed)
1934 (special)
Incumbent re-elected.
Texas Morris Sheppard Democratic 1913 (special)
1913
1918
1924
1930
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Morris Sheppard (Democratic) 92.6%
  • Carlos G. Watson (Republican) 7.1%
Virginia Carter Glass Democratic 1920 (Appointed)
1920 (special)
1924
1930
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Carter Glass (Democratic) 91.7%
  • George Rohken (Republican) 4.7%
  • Donald Burke (Communist) 3.3%
West Virginia Matthew M. Neely Democratic 1930 Incumbent re-elected.
Wyoming Robert D. Carey Republican 1930 (special)
1930
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.

Closest races

Eleven races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State Party of winner Margin
Maine Republican 1.5%
Kansas Republican 2.6%
Oregon Republican 2.6%
South Dakota Democratic 2.0%
Iowa Democratic (flip) 3.4%
New Hampshire Republican 4.2%
Rhode Island Democratic (flip) 4.2%
Iowa (special) Democratic (flip) 5.3%
Nebraska Independent (flip) 6.0%
Massachusetts Republican (flip) 7.5%
Wyoming Democratic (flip) 8.4%

There is no tipping point state.

Alabama

Alabama election

 
Nominee John H. Bankhead II H. E. Berkstresser
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 239,632 33,698
Percentage 87.03% 12.24%

U.S. senator before election

John H. Bankhead II
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

John H. Bankhead II
Democratic

1936 United States Senate election in Alabama[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John H. Bankhead II (Incumbent) 239,532 87.02%
Republican H. E. Berkstresser 33,697 12.24%
Independent William C. Irby 2,022 0.73%
Independent Sam Powe 1 0.00%
Majority 105,835 74.78%
Turnout 275,252
Democratic hold

Arkansas

1936 United States Senate election in Arkansas[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph Taylor Robinson 154,866 84.08%
Republican G. C. Ledbetter 27,746 15.06%
Independent Claude C. Williams 1,587 0.86%
Majority 127,120 69.02%
Turnout 184,199
Democratic hold

Colorado

1936 United States Senate election in Colorado[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edwin C. Johnson 299,376 63.45%
Republican Raymond L. Sauter 166,308 35.25%
Socialist Carle Whithead 4,438 0.94%
National Union George W. Carleton 1,705 0.36%
Majority 133,068 28.20%
Turnout 471,827
Democratic hold

Delaware

1936 United States Senate election in Delaware[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James H. Hughes 67,136 52.97%
Republican Daniel O. Hastings (Incumbent) 52,469 41.40%
Independent Robert G. Houston 6,897 5.44%
Socialist Charles W. Perry 183 0.14%
Communist William V. P. Daviatis 53 0.04%
Majority 14,667 11.57%
Turnout 126,738
Democratic gain from Republican

Florida (special)

There were two special elections in Florida, due to the May 8, 1936, death of four-term Democrat Park Trammell and the June 17, 1936, death of five-term Democrat Duncan U. Fletcher.

Florida (special, class 1)

Democrat Scott M. Loftin was appointed May 26, 1936, to continue the term, pending a special election. Primaries were held August 11, 1936.[5]

1936 United States Senate election in Florida (Class 1 special)[4][6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charles O. Andrews 241,528 81.90%
Republican Howard C. Babcock 57,016 19.10%
Majority 184,512 62.80%
Turnout 298,544 20.33%
Democratic hold

Andrews would be re-elected once and serve until his death September 18, 1946.

Florida (special, class 3)

Democrat William Luther Hill was appointed July 1, 1936, to continue the term, pending a special election. Democrat Claude Pepper, who had lost to Trammell in 1934 won this election.

1936 United States Senate Class 3 special election in Florida[4][7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Claude Pepper 246,050 100.00%
Turnout 16.76%
Democratic hold

Pepper would be re-elected twice and serve until he lost renomination in 1950. He would later be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and serve there for 26 years.

Georgia

1936 United States Senate election in Georgia[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard Russell Jr. (Incumbent) 285,468 100.00%
Democratic hold

Idaho

1936 United States Senate election in Idaho[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Borah (Incumbent) 128,723 63.36%
Democratic C. Ben Ross 74,444 36.64%
Majority 54,279 26.72%
Turnout 203,167
Republican hold

Illinois

1936 United States Senate election in Illinois

November 3, 1936
 
Nominee J. Hamilton Lewis Otis F. Glenn
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,142,887% 1,545,170
Percentage 56.47% 40.72%

Results by county
Lewis:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Glenn:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

J. Hamilton Lewis
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

J. Hamilton Lewis
Democratic

1936 United States Senate election in Illinois[4][8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Hamilton Lewis (Incumbent) 2,142,887 56.47%
Republican Otis F. Glenn 1,545,170 40.72%
Union Newton Jenkins 93,696 2.47%
Socialist Arthur McDowell 7,405 0.20%
Prohibition Adah M. Hagler 3,298 0.09%
Socialist Labor Frank Schnur 2,208 0.06%
Majority 597,717 15.75%
Turnout 3,794,664
Democratic hold

Iowa

Iowa (regular)

1936 United States Senate election in Iowa

November 3, 1936
 
Nominee Clyde Herring L. J. Dickinson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 539,554 504,535
Percentage 50.26% 47.34%

County Results
Herring:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Dickinson:     40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Lester J. Dickinson
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Clyde Herring
Democratic

1936 United States Senate election in Iowa[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Clyde L. Herring 539,555 50.34%
Republican Lester J. Dickinson (Incumbent) 503,635 46.99%
Farmer–Labor George F. Buresch 25,567 2.39%
Prohibition John B. Hammond 1,726 0.16%
Socialist Laetitia M. Conrad 1,233 0.12%
Majority 35,920 3.35%
Turnout 1,071,716
Democratic gain from Republican

Iowa (special)

Iowa special election

 
Nominee Guy M. Gillette B.F. Halden
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 535,966 478,516
Percentage 52% 46.43%

County Results
Gillette:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Halden:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Vacant
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Guy M. Gillette
Democratic

1936 United States Senate special election in Iowa[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Guy M. Gillette 535,966 52.00%
Republican Berry.F. Halden 478,516 46.43%
Farmer–Labor Ernest R. Quick 16,179 1.57%
Majority 57,450 5.57%
Turnout 1,030,661
Democratic hold

Kansas

1936 United States Senate election in Kansas[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Arthur Capper (Incumbent) 417,873 51.63%
Democratic Omar B. Ketchum 386,685 47.78%
Socialist T. C. Hager 4,775 0.59%
Majority 31,188 3.85%
Turnout 809,333
Republican hold

Kentucky

1936 United States Senate election in Kentucky[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic M. M. Logan (Incumbent) 539,968 58.80%
Republican Robert H. Lucas 365,850 39.84%
Union William M. Likins 11,709 1.28%
Socialist W. E. Sandefer 541 0.06%
Socialist Labor Ferdinand Zimmerer 271 0.03%
Majority 174,118 18.96%
Turnout 918,339
Democratic hold

Louisiana

Louisiana (regular)

1936 United States Senate election in Louisiana[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Allen J. Ellender 293,256 100.00%
None Scattering 7 0.00%
Majority 293,249 100.00%
Turnout 293,263
Democratic hold

Louisiana (special)

Democrat Rose McConnell Long was elected April 21, 1936, to finish the term to which she was appointed on January 31, 1936. She was not a candidate, however, to the next term on November 3, 1936, see above.

Maine

1936 United States Senate election in Maine[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Wallace H. White Jr. (Incumbent) 158,068 50.75%
Democratic Louis J. Brann 153,420 49.25%
Majority 4,648 1.50%
Turnout 311,488
Republican hold

Massachusetts

Massachusetts election

 
Nominee Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. James Michael Curley Thomas C. O'Brien
Party Republican Democratic Union
Popular vote 875,160 739,751 134,245
Percentage 48.53% 41.02% 7.44%

U.S. senator before election

Marcus A. Coolidge
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.
Republican

Massachusetts general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. 875,160 48.53 +3.86
Democratic James Michael Curley 739,751 41.02 -12.99
Union Thomas C. O'Brien 134,245 7.44 +7.44
Economy Alonzo B. Cook 11,519 0.64 +0.64
Social Justice Guy M. Gray 9,906 0.55 +0.55
Socialist Albert Sprague Coolidge 9,763 0.54 -0.06
Townsend Moses H. Gulesian 7,408 0.41 +0.41
Socialist Labor Ernest L. Dodge 7,408 0.39 +0.01
Communist Charles Flaherty 4,821 0.27 -0.06
Prohibition Wilbur D. Moon 3,677 0.20 +0.20
Write-in 16 0.00
total 1,803,674 100.00

Michigan

1936 United States Senate election in Michigan[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Prentiss M. Brown 910,937 53.29%
Republican Wilber M. Brucker 714,602 41.80%
The Third Party Louis B. Ward 75,680 4.43%
Democratic Roy E. Mathews 4,994 0.29%
Communist Lawrence Emery 2,145 0.13%
Socialist Labor Ralph Naylor 510 0.03%
Commonwealth Land Albert B. Sheldon 429 0.03%
American Edward N. Lee 147 0.01%
Majority 196,335 11.49%
Turnout 1,709,444
Democratic gain from Republican

Minnesota

There were 2 elections to the same seat on the same day due to the December 22, 1935, death of two-term Republican Thomas D. Schall.

Minnesota (special)

Minnesota special election

November 3, 1936
 
Nominee Guy V. Howard N. J. Holmberg
Party Republican Independent
Popular vote 317,457 210,364
Percentage 42.89% 28.42%

 
Nominee Andrew Olaf Devold John G. Alexander
Party Independent Independent
Popular vote 147,858 64,493
Percentage 19.98% 8.71%

County Results:
Howard:      30-40%      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%
Holmberg:      30-40%
Devold:      30-40%
Tie:      Howard/Holmberg 30-40%

U.S. senator before election

Elmer A. Benson
Farmer–Labor

Elected U.S. Senator

Guy V. Howard
Republican

The election was held to fill the vacancy in the seat formerly held by Thomas D. Schall for the final two months of Schall's unexpired term. Governor Floyd B. Olson had appointed Elmer Benson to fill the seat in 1935, but this appointment was temporary and subject to a special election held in the next general election year thereafter—1936. Benson opted to run for governor instead of running for election to continue for the remainder of the term. No special primaries were held for the special election, and, among Minnesota's three major parties, only the Republican Party of Minnesota officially fielded a candidate—Guy V. Howard. Regardless of the absence of Farmer-Labor and Democratic nominees, Howard nevertheless faced a great degree of competition from independent candidates Nathaniel J. Holmberg, Andrew Olaf Devold, and John G. Alexander.

The candidates were:

Minnesota special election[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Guy V. Howard 317,457 42.89%
Independent N. J. Holmberg 210,364 28.42%
Independent Andrew Olaf Devold 147,858 19.98%
Independent John G. Alexander 64,493 8.71%
Total votes 740,172 100.00%
Majority 107,093 14.47%
Republican gain from Farmer–Labor

Howard was not a candidate for the next term, and served only until January 1937.

Minnesota (regular)

Minnesota regular election

 
Nominee Ernest Lundeen Theodore Christianson
Party Farmer–Labor Republican
Popular vote 663,363 402,404
Percentage 62.24% 37.76%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Elmer A. Benson
Farmer–Labor

Elected U.S. Senator

Ernest Lundeen
Farmer–Labor

The election to the next term was won by Farmer–Labor congressman Ernest Lundeen.

Minnesota regular election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Farmer–Labor Ernest Lundeen 663,363 62.24%
Republican Theodore Christianson 402,404 37.76%
Majority 260,959 24.48%
Turnout 1,065,767
Farmer–Labor hold

Mississippi

1936 United States Senate election in Mississippi[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pat Harrison (Incumbent) 140,570 100.00%
Democratic Mike Conner 1 0.00%
Democratic Frank Harper 1 0.00%
Majority 140,569 100.00%
Turnout 140,572
Democratic hold

Montana

Montana election

 
Nominee James E. Murray Thomas Larson Joseph P. Monaghan
Party Democratic Republican Independent
Popular vote 121,769 60,038 39,655
Percentage 54.98% 27.11% 17.91%

U.S. senator before election

James E. Murray
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

James E. Murray
Democratic

1936 United States Senate election in Montana[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic James E. Murray (Incumbent) 121,769 54.98% -4.68%
Republican Thomas O. Larson 60,038 27.11% -12.32%
Independent Joseph P. Monaghan 39,655 17.91%
Majority 61,731 27.87% +7.65%
Turnout 221,462
Democratic hold Swing

Nebraska

Nebraska election

November 3, 1936
 
Nominee George Norris Robert Simmons Terry Carpenter
Party Independent Republican Democratic
Popular vote 258,700 223,276 108,391
Percentage 43.82% 37.82% 18.36%

Results by county
Norris:      30-39%      40-49%      50-59%      60-69%
Simmons:      30-39%      40-49%      50-59%
Carpenter:      30-39%      40-49%      50-59%      60-69%

U.S. senator before election

George W. Norris
Independent

Elected U.S. Senator

George W. Norris
Independent

1936 United States Senate election in Nebraska[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Independent George W. Norris (Incumbent) 258,700 43.82%
Republican Robert G. Simmons 223,276 37.82%
Democratic Terry Carpenter 108,391 18.36%
Majority 35,424 6.00%
Turnout 590,367
Independent gain from Republican

New Hampshire

1936 United States Senate election in New Hampshire[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Styles Bridges 107,923 51.86%
Democratic William Nathaniel Rogers 99,195 47.67%
Farmer–Labor Stearns Morse 989 0.48%
Majority 8,728 4.19%
Turnout 208,107
Republican hold

New Jersey

New Jersey election

 
Nominee William H. Smathers William Warren Barbour
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 916,414 740,088
Percentage 54.90% 44.34%

County Results
Smathers:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Barbour:      50-60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election

William Warren Barbour
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

William H. Smathers
Democratic

1936 United States Senate election in New Jersey[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William H. Smathers 916,414 54.90%
Republican William Warren Barbour (Incumbent) 740,088 44.34%
Townsend Fred Turner 6,651 0.40%
Socialist Herman F. Niessner 3,309 0.20%
Communist Herbert Coley 1,414 0.08%
Prohibition Malcolm G. Thomas 967 0.06%
Socialist Labor George E. Bopp 448 0.03%
Majority 176,326 10.56%
Turnout 1,669,291
Democratic gain from Republican

New Mexico

There were 2 elections, due to the May 6, 1935, death of two-term Republican Bronson M. Cutting.

New Mexico (special)

Democratic former-Congressman Dennis Chavez had been Cutting's opponent in 1934. On May 11, 1935, after Cutting's death, Chavez was then appointed to continue Cutting's term, pending a special election which he then won.

New Mexico special election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dennis Chávez (Incumbent) 94,585 55.74%
Republican M. A. Otero Jr. 75,029 44.22%
Farmer–Labor Santiago El Mayor Matta 68 0.04%
Majority 19,556 11.52%
Turnout 169,438
Democratic hold

Chavez would be re-elected four more times and serve until his death in 1962.

New Mexico (regular)

One-term Democrat Carl Hatch was easily re-elected.

New Mexico regular election[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carl Hatch (Incumbent) 104,550 61.70%
Republican Ernest W. Everly 64,817 38.25%
Farmer–Labor W. C. Throp 71 0.04%
Majority 39,733 23.45%
Turnout 169,682
Democratic hold

Hatch would be re-elected once and serve until his 1948 retirement.

North Carolina

1936 United States Senate election in North Carolina[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josiah Bailey (Incumbent) 563,968 70.76%
Republican Frank C. Patton 233,009 29.24%
Majority 330,959 41.52%
Turnout 796,977
Democratic hold

Oklahoma

1936 United States Senate election in Oklahoma[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joshua B. Lee (Incumbent) 493,407 67.97%
Republican Herbert K. Hyde 229,004 31.55%
Socialist Edgar Clemons 1,895 0.26%
Prohibition P. C. Nelson 973 0.13%
Independent Frank M. Kimes 344 0.05%
Independent R. M. Funk 298 0.04%
Majority 264,403 36.42%
Turnout 725,921
Democratic hold

Oregon

1936 United States Senate election in Oregon[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles L. McNary (Incumbent) 199,332 49.69%
Democratic Willis Mahoney 193,822 48.32%
Independent Albert Streiff 3,134 0.78%
Socialist Labor Eric Hass 2,886 0.72%
Independent Clarence Rudder 1,956 0.49%
None Scattering 1 0.00%
Majority 5,510 1.37%
Turnout 401,131
Republican hold

Rhode Island

1936 United States Senate election in Rhode Island[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Theodore F. Green 149,141 48.62%
Republican Jesse H. Metcalf (Incumbent) 136,125 44.37%
Independent Ludger LaPointe 21,495 7.01%
Majority 13,016 4.35%
Turnout 306,761
Democratic gain from Republican

South Carolina

1936 South Carolina election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic James F. Byrnes (Incumbent) 113,696 98.6 -1.4
Republican Joseph Augustis Tolbert 961 0.8 N/A
Republican Marion W. Seabrook 702 0.6 N/A
No party Write-Ins 1 0.0 0.0
Majority 112,735 97.8 -2.2
Turnout 115,360
Democratic hold
  65+% won by Byrnes

South Dakota

1936 United States Senate election in South Dakota[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William J. Bulow (Incumbent) 141,509 48.83%
Republican John Chandler Gurney 135,461 46.75%
Independent Arthur Bennett 12,816 4.42%
Majority 6,048 2.08%
Turnout 289,786
Democratic hold

Tennessee

1936 United States Senate election in Tennessee[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nathan L. Bachman (Incumbent) 273,298 75.88%
Republican Dwayne D. Maddox 69,753 19.37%
Independent John Randolph Neal Jr. 14,617 4.06%
Independent Howard Kester 2,516 0.70%
Majority 203,545 56.51%
Turnout 360,184
Democratic hold

Texas

Texas election

November 3, 1936
 
Nominee Morris Sheppard Carlos Watson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 774,975 59,491
Percentage 92.56% 7.11%

County Results[10]

Sheppard:      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Watson:      40–50%      50–60%

No vote:      

U.S. senator before election

Morris Sheppard
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Morris Sheppard
Democratic

1936 United States Senate election in Texas[4][11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Morris Sheppard (incumbent) 774,975 92.56% Increase5.65
Republican Carlos G. Watson 59,491 7.11% Decrease5.62
Union Gertrude Wilson 1,836 0.22% N/A
Socialist W. B. Starr 958 0.11% Decrease0.15
Total votes 837,260 100.00%
Democratic hold

Virginia

1936 United States Senate election in Virginia[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Carter Glass (inc.) 244,518 91.66% +14.99%
Republican George Rohken 12,573 4.71% +4.71%
Communist Donald Burke 8,907 3.34% +3.34%
Independent Democratic Elbert Lee Trinkle 469 0.18% -17.68%
Independent A. J. Dunning 125 0.05%
Write-ins 174 0.07% +0.04%
Majority 231,945 86.95% +28.14%
Turnout 266,766
Democratic hold

West Virginia

1936 United States Senate election in West Virginia[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew M. Neely (Incumbent) 488,720 58.95%
Republican Hugh Ike Shott 338,363 40.81%
Prohibition John Wesley MacDonald 1,005 0.12%
Socialist J. H. Snider 935 0.11%
Majority 150,357 18.14%
Turnout 829,023
Democratic hold

Wyoming

1936 United States Senate election in Wyoming[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Henry H. Schwartz 53,919 53.83%
Republican Robert D. Carey (Incumbent) 45,483 45.40%
Union George E. Geier 682 0.68%
Communist Merton Willer 88 0.09%
Majority 8,436 8.43%
Turnout 100,172
Democratic gain from Republican

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Appointee elected
  2. 1 2 The Republican candidate was elected to finish the term, but the Farmer-Labor candidate was elected to the next term.
  3. A South Dakota Republican, who was not up for election, died December 20, 1936, and a Democrat was appointed December 29, 1936, to continue the term pending a 1938 special election.

References

  1. "Our Campaigns - Container Detail Page". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  2. "Our Campaigns - MI US Senate - R Primary Race - Sep 15, 1936". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  3. "Our Campaigns - Container Detail Page". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  4. 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 31 32 33 34 "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1936" (PDF). Clerk.house.gov. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  5. "Our Campaigns - FL US Senate - Special D Primary Race - Aug 11, 1936". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  6. "Our Campaigns - FL US Senate - Special Race - Nov 03, 1936". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  7. "Our Campaigns - FL US Senate - Special Race - Nov 03, 1936". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  8. "OFFICIAL VOTE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS CAST AT THE GENERAL ELECTION, NOV. 3, 1936 PRIMARY ELECTIONS GENERAL PRIMARY, APRIL 14, 1936 PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE, APRIL 14, 19356" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  9. "General Election Returns for Minnesota / Tuesday, November Third 1936" (PDF). Minnesota Legislative Manual 1937.
  10. Heard, Alexander; Strong, Donald (1950). Southern Primaries and Elections 1920-1949. University of Alabama Press. pp. 174–177. ISBN 9780836955248.
  11. "Our Campaigns – TX US Senate Race – Nov 03, 1936". www.ourcampaigns.com.
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