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1930 United States Senate elections

← 1928 November 4, 1930 1932 →
1931 (VT) →
32 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate 49 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader James Watson Joseph Robinson Party Republican Democratic Leader since March 4, 1929 December 3, 1923 Leader's seat Indiana Arkansas Seats before 56 39 Seats after 48 47 Seat change 8 8 Seats up 22 13 Races won 14 21   Third party   Party Farmer–Labor Seats before 1 Seats after 1 Seat change Seats up 0 Races won 0
Clickable imagemap for the 1930 US Senate elections Results of the elections:      Democratic gain      Democratic hold      Republican gain      Republican hold      No election
Majority Leader before election James Watson Republican Elected Majority Leader James Watson Republican

The 1930 United States Senate elections occurred in the middle of Republican President Herbert Hoover's term. The 32 seats of Class 2 were contested in regular elections, and special elections were held to fill vacancies. With the Great Depression beginning to take hold, Republican incumbents became unpopular, and Democrats picked up a net of eight seats, erasing the Republican gains from the previous election cycle, however, Republicans retained control of the chamber. This was the first of four consecutive Senate elections during the Depression in which Democrats made enormous gains, achieving a cumulative pick-up of 34 seats.

In Louisiana, Democratic senator-elect Huey Long chose not to take his Senate seat until January 25, 1932, so he could remain as Governor of Louisiana. The Republicans therefore retained the plurality of seats at the beginning of the next Congress (with Vice President Charles Curtis (R) able to cast tie-breaking votes, the Republicans would have majority control).

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

Four Republicans retired instead of seeking re-election. Two Republicans retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term and instead of seeking election to full term. One Democrat retired instead of seeking election to a full term.

Defeats

Seven Republicans and five Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.

Post-election changes

Change in composition

Before the elections

After the elections

Race summary

Special elections during the 71st Congress

In these special elections, the winner were seated during 1930; ordered by election date (then by state).

Elections leading to the 72nd Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1931; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.

Closest races

Ten races had a margin of victory under 10%:

Alabama

1930 United States Senate election in Alabama

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Candidate John H. Bankhead II James Thomas Heflin Party Democratic Independent Democrat Popular vote 150,985 100,952 Percentage 59.93% 40.07%

County results Bankhead:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90–100% Heflin:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election James Thomas Heflin Democratic Elected U.S. Senator John H. Bankhead II Democratic

Arkansas

1930 U.S. Senate Democratic primary in Arkansas

← 1924 August 12, 1930 1936 →

Nominee Joe T. Robinson Tom W. Campbell Party Democratic Democratic Popular vote 167,167 51,085 Percentage 76.59% 23.41%

U.S. senator before election Joseph Taylor Robinson Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Joseph Taylor Robinson Democratic

Colorado

1930 United States Senate election in Colorado

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee Edward P. Costigan George H. Shaw Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 180,028 137,487 Percentage 55.85% 42.65%

County results Costigan:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Shaw:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Lawrence C. Phipps Republican Elected U.S. Senator Edward P. Costigan Democratic

Delaware

Interim appointee Daniel O. Hastings was elected both to finish the current term and to the next term on the same November 4 ballot.

Delaware (regular)

Delaware (special)

Georgia

Idaho

1930 United States Senate election in Idaho

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee William Borah Joseph M. Tyler Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 94,938 36,162 Percentage 72.42% 27.58%

County results Borah:      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

U.S. senator before election William Borah Republican Elected U.S. Senator William Borah Democratic

Illinois

1930 United States Senate election in Illinois

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee J. Hamilton Lewis Ruth Hanna McCormick Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,432,216 687,469 Percentage 64.02% 30.73%

Results by county Lewis:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Hanna McCormick:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Charles S. Deneen Republican Elected U.S. senator J. Hamilton Lewis Democratic

Iowa

1930 United States Senate election in Iowa

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee L. J. Dickinson Daniel F. Steck Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 307,613 235,186 Percentage 56.29% 43.03%

County Results Dickinson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Steck:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Daniel F. Steck Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Lester J. Dickinson Republican

Kansas

Kansas (regular)

1930 United States Senate election in Kansas

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee Arthur Capper Jonathan M. Davis Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 364,548 232,161 Percentage 61.09% 38.91%

County results Capper:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Davis:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Arthur Capper Republican Elected U.S. Senator Arthur Capper Republican

Kansas (special)

1930 United States Senate special election in Kansas

← 1926 November 4, 1930 1932 →

Nominee George McGill Henry Justin Allen Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 288,889 276,833 Percentage 50.03% 47.95%

County results McGill:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Allen:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Henry Justin Allen Republican Elected U.S. Senator George McGill Democratic

Democratic nominee George McGill defeated Republican incumbent United States Senator Henry Justin Allen by a very narrow margin. McGill was the first non-Republican to win this seat since 1896.

Kentucky

Kentucky (regular)

1930 United States Senate election in Kentucky

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee M. M. Logan John M. Robsion Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 336,718 309,180 Percentage 52.13% 47.87%

County results Logan:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Robsion:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election John M. Robsion Republican Elected U.S. Senator Ben M. Williamson (for unexpired term) M. M. Logan (for next term) Democratic

Kentucky (special)

Louisiana

1930 Democratic Senate primary election in Louisiana

← 1924 September 9, 1930 1936 →

Nominee Huey Long Joseph Ransdell Party Democratic Democratic Popular vote 149,640 111,451 Percentage 57.31% 42.69%

Parish Results Long   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90%   90–100% Ransdell   50-60%   60-70%   70-80%   80-90%

U.S. senator before election Joseph E. Ransdell Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Huey Long Democratic

Maine

1930 United States Senate election in Maine

← 1926 (special) September 8, 1930 1936 →

Nominee Wallace White Frank Haskell Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 88,262 56,559 Percentage 60.95% 39.05%

County results White:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Arthur Gould Republican Elected U.S. Senator Wallace H. White Jr. Republican

Massachusetts

1930 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee Marcus A. Coolidge William M. Butler Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 651,939 539,226 Percentage 54.01% 44.67%

County results Municipality resultsCoolidge:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Butler:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90–100%

Senator before election Frederick H. Gillett Republican Elected Senator Marcus A. Coolidge Democratic

General election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Marcus A. Coolidge	651,939	54.01	5.40
	Republican	William M. Butler	539,226	44.67	5.59
	Socialist	Sylvester J. McBride	7,244	0.60	N/A
	Socialist Labor	Oscar Kinsalas	4,640	0.38	N/A
	Communist	Max Lerner	3,962	0.34	0.80

Michigan

1930 United States Senate election in Michigan

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee James J. Couzens Thomas Weadock Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 634,577 169,757 Percentage 78.15% 20.91%

County results Couzens:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90–100%

U.S. senator before election James J. Couzens Republican Elected U.S. Senator James J. Couzens Republican

Minnesota

1930 United States Senate election in Minnesota

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 (special) →

Nominee Thomas D. Schall Einar Hoidale Ernest Lundeen Party Republican Democratic Farmer–Labor Popular vote 293,626 282,018 178,671 Percentage 37.61% 36.13% 22.89%

County results Schall:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Hoidale:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60% Lundeen:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Thomas D. Schall Republican Elected U.S. Senator Thomas D. Schall Republican

Mississippi

Montana

1930 United States Senate election in Montana

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1934 (special) →

Nominee Thomas J. Walsh Albert J. Galen Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 106,274 66,724 Percentage 60.33% 37.88%

County Results Walsh:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Galen:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Thomas J. Walsh Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Thomas J. Walsh Democratic

Nebraska

1930 United States Senate election in Nebraska

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee George W. Norris Gilbert Hitchcock Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 247,118 172,795 Percentage 56.84% 39.74%

County results Norris:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Hitchcock:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election George W. Norris Republican Elected U.S. Senator George W. Norris Republican

New Hampshire

1930 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee Henry W. Keyes Albert W. Noone Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 72,225 52,284 Percentage 57.88% 41.90%

County results Keyes:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Noone:      50–60%

Senator before election Henry W. Keyes Republican Elected Senator Henry W. Keyes Republican

New Jersey

New Jersey (regular)

1930 United States Senate election in New Jersey

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1932 (special) →

Nominee Dwight Morrow Alexander Simpson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 601,497 401,007 Percentage 58.50% 39.00%

Results by county Morrow:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Simpson:      50–60%      60-70%

Senator before election David Baird Jr. Republican Elected Senator Dwight Morrow Republican

New Jersey (special)

1930 United States Senate special election in New Jersey

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1932 (special) →

Nominee Dwight Morrow Thelma Parkinson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 571,006 372,739 Percentage 59.14% 38.60%

Results by county Morrow:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Simpson:      50–60%      60-70%

Senator before election David Baird Jr. Republican Elected Senator Dwight Morrow Republican

New Mexico

1930 United States Senate election in New Mexico

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1934 (special) →

Nominee Sam G. Bratton Ernest W. Everly Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 69,362 48,699 Percentage 58.62% 41.16%

County results Bratton:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Everly:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Sam G. Bratton Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Sam G. Bratton Democratic

North Carolina

1930 United States Senate election in North Carolina

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee Josiah Bailey George M. Pritchard Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 324,393 210,761 Percentage 60.61% 39.38%

County results Bailey:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90-100% Pritchard:      50–60%      60–70%      80–90%

Senator before election Josiah Bailey Democratic Elected Senator Josiah Bailey Democratic

Ohio (special)

1930 United States Senate special election in Ohio

← 1928 (special) November 4, 1930 1932 →

Nominee Robert J. Bulkley Roscoe C. McCulloch Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,046,561 863,944 Percentage 54.78% 45.22%

County results Bulkley:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% McCulloch:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

United States Senator before election Roscoe C. McCulloch Republican Elected United States Senator Robert J. Bulkley Democratic

Oklahoma

1930 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee Thomas Gore William B. Pine Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 255,838 232,589 Percentage 52.29% 47.54%

County results Gore:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Pine:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election William B. Pine Republican Elected U.S. Senator Thomas Gore Democratic

Oregon

1930 United States Senate election in Oregon

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee Charles L. McNary Elton Watkins Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 137,231 66,028 Percentage 58.06% 27.93%

County results McNary:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Senator before election Charles L. McNary Republican Elected Senator Charles L. McNary Republican

Pennsylvania (special)

1930 United States Senate special election in Pennsylvania

← 1926 November 4, 1930 1932 →

Nominee James J. Davis Sedgwick Kistler Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,462,186 523,338 Percentage 71.54% 25.61%

County results Davis:      30–40%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Kistler:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Joseph R. Grundy Republican Elected U.S. Senator James J. Davis Republican

Rhode Island

Incumbent Republican Senator Jesse H. Metcalf successfully sought reelection to a 2nd term in office. As of 2023, this is the last time a Republican has won the Class 2 Senate seat in Rhode Island, and it would be the last time a Republican would win any Senate seat in the state at all until John Chafee in 1976.

South Carolina

1930 Democratic Senate primary runoff in South Carolina

← 1924 September 9, 1930 1936 →

Nominee James F. Byrnes Cole Blease Party Democratic Democratic Popular vote 120,755 116,264 Percentage 50.95% 49.05%

County results Byrnes:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Blease:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Coleman Livingston Blease Democratic Elected U.S. Senator James F. Byrnes Democratic

South Dakota

1930 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee William J. Bulow William H. McMaster Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 106,317 99,595 Percentage 51.63% 48.37%

County results Bulow:      50–60%      60–70%      >90% McMaster:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election William H. McMaster Republican Elected U.S. Senator William J. Bulow Democratic

Tennessee

One-term Democrat Lawrence D. Tyson died August 24, 1929, and Democrat William E. Brock was appointed September 2, 1929, to continue the term, pending a special election.

Tennessee (special)

1930 United States Senate special election in Tennessee

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1934 →

Nominee William E. Brock F. Todd Meacham Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 144,019 49,554 Percentage 74.40% 25.60%

Results by county Brock:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Meacham:      50–60%

Senator before election William E. Brock Democratic Elected Senator William E. Brock Democratic

Interim Democrat William E. Brock easily won election to finish the term.

Tennessee (regular)

1930 United States Senate election in Tennessee

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1934 →

Nominee Cordell Hull Paul E. Divine Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 154,131 58,650 Percentage 71.30% 27.13%

Results by county Hull:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Divine:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Senator before election William E. Brock Democratic Elected Senator Cordell Hull Democratic

William E. Brock was not a candidate to the next term, instead choosing to return to his Chattanooga candy manufacturing business. Instead, former Democratic congressman Cordell Hull was swept into the seat.

Hull was appointed United States Secretary of State and served there for 11 years, and in 1945, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "co-initiating the United Nations."

Texas

1930 United States Senate election in Texas

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee Morris Sheppard Doran Haesly Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 266,550 39,047 Percentage 86.91% 12.73%

County Results Sheppard:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Haesly:      50–60%      60–70% No vote:

U.S. senator before election Morris Sheppard Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Morris Sheppard Democratic

Virginia

1930 United States Senate Election in Virginia

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee Carter Glass J. Cloyd Byars Joe C. Morgan Party Democratic Independent Democrat Socialist Popular vote 112,002 26,091 7,944 Percentage 76.67% 17.86% 5.44%

County and independent city results Glass:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90-100%

U.S. senator before election Carter Glass Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Carter Glass Democratic

West Virginia

1930 United States Senate election in West Virginia

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee Matthew M. Neely James Elwood Jones Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 342,437 209,427 Percentage 61.91% 37.86%

County results Neely:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Jones:      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Matthew M. Neely Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Matthew M. Neely Democratic

Wyoming

Six-term Republican Francis E. Warren had died November 24, 1929, and Republican Patrick J. Sullivan was appointed to continue the term, pending a special election in which he was not a candidate.

Wyoming (special)

1930 United States Senate special election in Wyoming

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee Robert D. Carey Harry Schwartz Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 42,726 29,904 Percentage 58.83% 41.17%

County results Carey:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Schwartz:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Patrick J. Sullivan Republican Elected U.S. Senator Robert D. Carey Republican

Wyoming (regular)

1930 United States Senate election in Wyoming

← 1924 November 4, 1930 1936 →

Nominee Robert D. Carey Harry Schwartz Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 43,626 30,259 Percentage 59.05% 40.95%

County results Carey:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Schwartz:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Patrick J. Sullivan Republican Elected U.S. Senator Robert D. Carey Republican

See also

• 1930 United States elections
  • 1930 United States House of Representatives elections
• 71st United States Congress
• 72nd United States Congress

Notes

1. ^ Appointee elected
2. ^ Appointee defeated
3. Appointed in February 1925, having already been elected in 1924 to begin the March term.
4. Minnesota was the "tipping point" state.

References

1. "Republicans Lay Defeat to Slump". New York Times. November 6, 1930.
2. ^ "Kentucky Senate Class II - History". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
3. ^ "New Jersey Class II". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
4. "Tennessee Class II". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
5. ^ "Wyoming Class II". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
6. ^ "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 1930" (PDF). Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
7. "Our Campaigns - DE US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1930". www.ourcampaigns.com.
8. "Our Campaigns - DE US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 04, 1930". www.ourcampaigns.com.
9. "Our Campaigns - MA US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1930". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
10. "PA US Senate". OurCampaigns. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
11. "Our Campaigns - TN US Senate - Special D Primary Race - Aug 07, 1930". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
12. "Our Campaigns - TN US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1930". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
13. "Our Campaigns - TN US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1930". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
14. Heard, Alexander; Strong, Donald (1950). Southern Primaries and Elections 1920-1949. University of Alabama Press. pp. 172–174. ISBN 9780836955248.
15. "Our Campaigns - WY US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 04, 1930". www.ourcampaigns.com.
16. "Our Campaigns - WY US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1930". www.ourcampaigns.com.