United States Senate election, 1960
Encyclopedia
The U.S. Senate elections of 1960 coincided with the election of John F. Kennedy
as president
. Kennedy's victory was extremely narrow to the point it causes some controversy still today, and the opposition Republicans gained one seat at the expense of the Democrats. The Democrats nonetheless retained a commanding lead in the Senate with 64 seats to 36.
The Republicans gained one open seat in Wyoming
and the seat of incumbent J. Allen Frear (D-DE), while the Democrats gained an open seat in North Dakota
.
The Democrats gained one more seat when Wyoming
Senator-elect Keith Thomson
died before taking his seat, being replaced by Democrat John J. Hickey
. The Republicans gained a compensating seat in 1961 when John Tower
(R-TX) was elected to fill the vacant seat of newly elected Vice President
Lyndon Baines Johnson (D-TX).
1Special election held due to death of Thomas C. Hennings, Jr.
(D)
2Special election held due to death of William Langer
(R)
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
as president
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. Kennedy's victory was extremely narrow to the point it causes some controversy still today, and the opposition Republicans gained one seat at the expense of the Democrats. The Democrats nonetheless retained a commanding lead in the Senate with 64 seats to 36.
The Republicans gained one open seat in Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
and the seat of incumbent J. Allen Frear (D-DE), while the Democrats gained an open seat in North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
.
The Democrats gained one more seat when Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
Senator-elect Keith Thomson
Edwin Keith Thomson
Edwin Keith Thomson was a United States Representative from Wyoming. Born in Newcastle, Wyoming, he attended the public schools in Beulah, Wyoming and Spearfish, South Dakota...
died before taking his seat, being replaced by Democrat John J. Hickey
John J. Hickey
John Joseph Hickey was an American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Wyoming.Born in Rawlins, Carbon County, Wyoming, Hickey attended public schools and graduated with a law degree from the University of Wyoming in 1934, and practiced law in Rawlins...
. The Republicans gained a compensating seat in 1961 when John Tower
John Tower
John Goodwin Tower was the first Republican United States senator from Texas since Reconstruction. He served from 1961 until his retirement in January 1985, after which time he was the chairman of the Reagan-appointed Tower Commission that investigated the Iran-Contra Affair. He was George H. W...
(R-TX) was elected to fill the vacant seat of newly elected Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
Lyndon Baines Johnson (D-TX).
Complete list of races
| State | Incumbent | Party | Result | Opposing Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | John Sparkman John Sparkman John Jackson Sparkman was an American politician from the state of Alabama. A conservative Southern Democrat, Sparkman served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate from 1937 until 1979. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for Vice President as Adlai Stevenson's running mate in... |
Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, 70.2 - 29.8 | Julian Elgin (Republican) |
| Alaska | Bob Bartlett Bob Bartlett Edward Lewis "Bob" Bartlett was an American politician and a member of the Democratic Party.Bartlett was born in Seattle, Washington. After graduating from the University of Alaska in 1925, Bartlett began his career in politics... |
Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, 63.4 - 36.6 | Lee L. McKinley (Republican) |
| Arkansas | John L. McClellan | Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, unopposed | |
| Colorado | Gordon Allott | Republican | Incumbent re-elected, 53.5 - 46.0 | Robert L. Knous (Democratic) |
| Delaware Delaware Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania... |
J. Allen Frear, Jr. | Democratic | Defeated, 50.7 - 49.3 | J. Caleb Boggs J. Caleb Boggs James Caleb "Cale" Boggs was an American lawyer and politician from Claymont, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a veteran of World War II, and a member of the Republican Party, who served three terms as U.S. Representative from Delaware, two terms as Governor of Delaware, and two terms as... (Republican) |
| Georgia | Richard Russell, Jr. Richard Russell, Jr. Richard Brevard Russell, Jr. was a Democratic Party politician from the southeastern state of Georgia. He served as state governor from 1931 to 1933 and United States senator from 1933 to 1971.... |
Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, unopposed | |
| Idaho | Henry C. Dworshak | Republican | Incumbent re-elected, 52.3 - 47.7 | R. F. Bob McLaughlin (Democratic) |
| Illinois | Paul Douglas Paul Douglas Paul Howard Douglas was an liberal American politician and University of Chicago economist. A war hero, he was elected as a Democratic U.S. Senator from Illinois from in the 1948 landslide, serving until his defeat in 1966... |
Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, 54.6 - 45.2 | Samuel W. Witwer (Republican) |
| Iowa | Thomas E. Martin Thomas E. Martin Thomas Ellsworth Martin was a United States Representative and Senator from Iowa. Martin, a Republican, served in Congress for 22 consecutive years, from January 1939 to January 1961.... |
Republican | Retired Republican hold, 51.9 - 48.1 |
Jack Miller (Republican) Herschel C. Loveless Herschel C. Loveless Herschel Cellel Loveless was the 34th Governor of Iowa, from 1957 to 1961. He was also mayor of Ottumwa, Iowa. He was born in 1911 in Hedrick, Iowa and died in 1989 in Winchester, Virginia.... (Democratic) |
| Kansas | Andrew F. Schoeppel | Republican | Incumbent re-elected, 54.6 - 43.8 | Frank Theis (Democratic) |
| Kentucky | John S. Cooper John S. Cooper John Sherman Cooper was a politician, jurist, and diplomat from the US state of Kentucky. He served three non-consecutive, partial terms in the United States Senate before being elected to two full terms in 1960 and 1966. He also served as U.S Ambassador to India from 1955 to 1956 and U.S.... |
Republican | Incumbent re-elected, 59.2 - 40.8 | Keen Johnson Keen Johnson Keen Johnson was the 45th Governor of Kentucky, serving from 1939 to 1943. He remains the only journalist to have served in that capacity. After serving in World War I, Johnson purchased and edited the Elizabethtown Mirror... (Democratic) |
| Louisiana | Allen J. Ellender Allen J. Ellender Allen Joseph Ellender was a popular U.S. senator from Houma, Louisiana , who served from 1937 until his death. He was a Democrat who was originally allied with the legendary Huey Pierce Long, Jr.. As Senator he compiled a generally conservative record, voting 77% of the time with the Conservative... |
Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, 79.8 - 20.2 | George W. Reese, Jr. (Republican) |
| Maine | Margaret Chase Smith Margaret Chase Smith Margaret Chase Smith was a Republican Senator from Maine, and one of the most successful politicians in Maine history. She was the first woman to be elected to both the U.S. House and the Senate, and the first woman from Maine to serve in either. She was also the first woman to have her name... |
Republican | Incumbent re-elected, 61.7 - 38.4 | Lucia M. Cormier (Democratic) |
| Massachusetts United States Senate election in Massachusetts, 1960 The United States Senate election of 1960 in Massachusetts was held on November 8, 1960 with Republican Incumbent Leverett Saltonstall defeating his challengers.-Democratic:* Thomas J. O'Connor - Mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts since 1958.... |
Leverett Saltonstall Leverett Saltonstall Leverett A. Saltonstall was an American Republican politician who served as the 55th Governor of Massachusetts and as a United States Senator .-Biography:... |
Republican | Incumbent re-elected, 56.2 - 43.5 | Thomas J. O'Connor, Jr. (Democratic) |
| Michigan | Patrick V. McNamara Patrick V. McNamara Patrick Vincent McNamara was a Democratic United States Senator from the state of Michigan.McNamara was born in North Weymouth, Massachusetts and attended the public schools in nearby Weymouth and the Fore River Apprentice School in Quincy. He moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1921, and became active... |
Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, 51.7 - 48.0 | Alvin M. Bentley (Republican) |
| Minnesota | Hubert Humphrey Hubert Humphrey Hubert Horatio Humphrey, Jr. , served under President Lyndon B. Johnson as the 38th Vice President of the United States. Humphrey twice served as a United States Senator from Minnesota, and served as Democratic Majority Whip. He was a founder of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and... |
Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, 57.5 - 42.2 | P. Kenneth Peterson (Republican) |
| Mississippi | James O. Eastland | Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, 91.8 - 8.2 | Joe A. Moore (Republican) |
| Missouri Special (Class 1)1 |
Edward V. Long Edward V. Long Edward Vaughn Long was a United States Senator from Missouri and a member of the Democratic Party. He served in the United States Senate from 1960 until 1968.... |
Democratic | Incumbent appointee elected to finish term, 53.2 - 46.8 | Lon Hocker (Republican) |
| Montana | James E. Murray | Democratic | Retired Democratic hold, 50.7 - 49.3 |
Lee Metcalf Lee Metcalf Lee Warren Metcalf was an American politician of the Democratic Party and was a United States Representative, and a United States Senator from Montana.... (Democratic) Orvin B. Fjare Orvin B. Fjare Orvin Benonie Fjare was a U.S. Representative from Montana.Born on a ranch near Big Timber, Montana, Fjare attended public schools. He was employed as a clerk in a clothing store at Big Timber, Montana, and later became part owner... (Republican) |
| Nebraska | Carl T. Curtis | Republican | Incumbent re-elected, 58.9 - 41.1 | Robert B. Conrad (Democratic) |
| New Hampshire | Styles Bridges Styles Bridges Henry Styles Bridges was an American teacher, editor, and Republican Party politician from Concord, New Hampshire. He served one term as 63rd Governor of New Hampshire before a twenty-four year career in the United States Senate.Bridges was born in West Pembroke, Maine. He attended the public... |
Republican | Incumbent re-elected, 60.4 - 39.7 | Herbert W. Hill (Democratic) |
| New Jersey | Clifford P. Case Clifford P. Case Clifford Philip Case was an American lawyer and Republican Party politician who represented in the United States House of Representatives and the State of New Jersey in the United States Senate .-Biography:Clifford P. Case was born in Franklin Park in Somerset County, New Jersey... |
Republican | Incumbent re-elected, 55.7 - 43.2 | Thorn Lord Thorn Lord Balfour Bowen Thorn Lord was an American lawyer and Democratic politician from New Jersey.-Biography:Lord was born in 1906 in Plainfield, New Jersey to Carroll P. Lord, a New England cotton merchant, and Frances E. Troy of Asheville, North Carolina. The family moved South two years later... (Democratic) |
| New Mexico | Clinton P. Anderson | Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, 63.4 - 36.6 | William Colwes (Republican) |
| North Carolina United States Senate election in North Carolina, 1960 The North Carolina United States Senate election of 1960 was held on 8 November 1960 as part of the nation-wide elections to the Senate. The general election was fought between the Democratic incumbent, B. Everett Jordan, and the Republican nominee, Wilkes County attorney and 1956 Republican... |
B. Everett Jordan B. Everett Jordan Benjamin Everett Jordan was a Democratic U.S. Senator from the state of North Carolina from 1958 until 1973. He lived most of his life in Alamance County, North Carolina.... |
Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, 61.4 - 38.6 | Kyle Hayes (Republican) |
| North Dakota United States Senate special election in North Dakota, 1960 The 1960 Special U.S. Senate election for the state of North Dakota was held June 28, 1960 to fill the United States Senate seat vacated by the late William Langer. Langer died in office on November 8, 1959, and Clarence Norman Brunsdale, a former Governor of North Dakota, was temporarily appointed... Special (Class 1)2 |
Clarence N. Brunsdale | Republican | Incumbent appointee retired Democratic gain, 49.7 - 49.2 |
Quentin N. Burdick Quentin N. Burdick Quentin Northrup Burdick was a United States Senator from North Dakota from August 8, 1960 until his death in 1992. Prior to that he had served in the United States House of Representatives from January 3, 1959 to August 8, 1960. He was the son of NPL North Dakota Congressman Usher L... (Democratic) John E. Davis John E. Davis (North Dakota politician) John Edward Davis was a North Dakota politician who served as the 25th Governor of North Dakota. He was elected in 1956, and served one term before losing the election to William L. Guy in 1960. Davis died in 1990 at the age of 77.-Early life:John E. Davis was born in Goodrich, North Dakota... (Republican) |
| Oklahoma | Robert S. Kerr Robert S. Kerr Robert Samuel Kerr was an American businessman from Oklahoma. Kerr formed a petroleum company before turning to politics. He served as the 12th Governor of Oklahoma and was elected three times to the United States Senate... |
Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, 54.8 - 44.6 | B. Hayden Crawford (Republican) |
| Oregon | Hall S. Lusk Hall S. Lusk Hall Stoner Lusk was an American jurist and politician in the state of Oregon. A native of the District of Columbia, he became a judge in Oregon, serving in both the Oregon circuit courts and later on the Oregon Supreme Court, including time as its Chief Justice... |
Democratic | Retired Democratic hold, 54.6 - 45.4 |
Maurine B. Neuberger (Democratic) Elmo Smith Elmo Smith Elmo Everett Smith was an American politician, a Republican, and the 27th Governor of the state of Oregon, U.S., from 1956 to 1957.-Early life:... (Republican) |
| Rhode Island | Theodore F. Green Theodore F. Green Theodore Francis Green was an American politician from the U.S. state of Rhode Island. A Democrat, Green served as the 57th Governor of Rhode Island and in the United States Senate . He was the grandnephew of Samuel G... |
Democratic | Retired Democratic hold, 68.9 - 31.1 |
Claiborne Pell Claiborne Pell Claiborne de Borda Pell was a United States Senator from Rhode Island, serving six terms from 1961 to 1997, and was best known as the sponsor of the Pell Grant, which provides financial aid funding to U.S. college students. A Democrat, he was that state's longest serving senator.-Early years:Pell... (Democratic) Raoul Archambault (Republican) |
| South Carolina United States Senate election in South Carolina, 1960 The 1960 South Carolina United States Senate election was held on November 8, 1960 to select the U.S. Senator from the state of South Carolina... |
Strom Thurmond Strom Thurmond James Strom Thurmond was an American politician who served as a United States Senator. He also ran for the Presidency of the United States in 1948 as the segregationist States Rights Democratic Party candidate, receiving 2.4% of the popular vote and 39 electoral votes... |
Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, unopposed | |
| South Dakota | Karl E. Mundt | Republican | Incumbent re-elected, 52.4 - 47.6 | George S. McGovern (Democratic) |
| Tennessee | Estes Kefauver Estes Kefauver Carey Estes Kefauver July 26, 1903 – August 10, 1963) was an American politician from Tennessee. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the U.S... |
Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, 71.8 - 28.3 | A. Bradley Frazier (Republican) |
| Texas | Lyndon B. Johnson Lyndon B. Johnson Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States... |
Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, 58.0 - 41.1 - 0.9 | John G. Tower (Republican) Bard A. Logan (Constitution) |
| Virginia | A. Willis Robertson | Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, 81.3 - 14.2 | Stuart D. Baker (Independent) |
| West Virginia | Jennings Randolph Jennings Randolph Jennings Randolph was an American politician from West Virginia. He was a member of the Democratic Party and was the last surviving member of the United States Congress to have served during the first 100 days of Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration.-Early life and career:Randolph was born in... |
Democratic | Incumbent re-elected, 55.3 - 44.7 | Cecil H. Underwood Cecil H. Underwood Cecil Harland Underwood was an American Republican Party politician from West Virginia, known for the length of his career. He was the 25th and 32nd Governor of West Virginia from 1957 until 1961 and from 1997 until 2001. He ran for reelection in 2000 but was defeated by Bob Wise... (Republican) |
| Wyoming Wyoming Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High... |
Joseph C. O'Mahoney Joseph C. O'Mahoney Joseph Christopher O'Mahoney was a Democratic United States Senator from Wyoming.O'Mahoney was born in Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, November 5, 1884. He attended the parochial and public schools and Columbia University, New York City... |
Democratic | Retired Republican gain, 56.4 - 43.6 |
Edwin Keith Thomson Edwin Keith Thomson Edwin Keith Thomson was a United States Representative from Wyoming. Born in Newcastle, Wyoming, he attended the public schools in Beulah, Wyoming and Spearfish, South Dakota... (Republican) Raymond B. Whitaker (Democratic) |
1Special election held due to death of Thomas C. Hennings, Jr.
Thomas C. Hennings, Jr.
Thomas Carey Hennings, Jr. was an American political figure from Missouri, and a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives , and the United States Senate ....
(D)
2Special election held due to death of William Langer
William Langer
William "Wild Bill" Langer was a prominent US politician from North Dakota. Langer is one of the most colorful characters in North Dakota history, most famously bouncing back from a scandal that forced him out of the governor's office and into prison. He served as the 17th and 21st Governor of...
(R)
Senate composition before and after elections
| 86th Congress 86th United States Congress The Eighty-sixth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1959 to January 3, 1961, during the last two years... Senate Composition |
87th Congress 87th United States Congress -House of Representatives :-Senate:* President: Richard Nixon , until January 20, 1961** Lyndon Johnson , from January 20, 1961* President pro tempore: Carl Hayden -House of Representatives:... Senate Composition |
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See also
- United States presidential election, 1960United States presidential election, 1960The United States presidential election of 1960 was the 44th American presidential election, held on November 8, 1960, for the term beginning January 20, 1961, and ending January 20, 1965. The incumbent president, Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower, was not eligible to run again. The Republican Party...
- United States House elections, 1960