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1940 United States Senate elections

← 1938 November 5, 1940 1942 →
1941 (MS, SC, TX) →
34 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate 49 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Alben Barkley Warren Austin (acting) Party Democratic Republican Leader since July 22, 1937 January 3, 1940 Leader's seat Kentucky Vermont Seats before 69 24 Seats after 66 28 Seat change 3 4 Popular vote 19,715,831 19,831,926 Percentage 47.5% 47.8% Seats up 25 9 Races won 22 13   Third party Fourth party   Party Farmer–Labor Progressive Seats before 1 1 Seats won 0 1 Seat change 1 Popular vote 310,875 605,609 Percentage 2.57% 1.5% Seats up 1 1 Races won 0 1   Fifth party   Party Independent Seats before 1 Seats after 1 Seat change Seats up 0 Races won 0
Results of the elections:      Democratic gain      Democratic hold      Republican gain      Republican hold      Progressive hold      No election
Majority Leader before election Alben Barkley Democratic Elected Majority Leader Alben Barkley Democratic

The 1940 United States Senate elections coincided with the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt to his third term as president. The 32 seats of Class 1 were contested in regular elections, and special elections were held to fill vacancies.

Although Roosevelt was re-elected, support for his administration had dropped somewhat after eight years, and the Republican opposition gained three seats from the Democrats. However, the New Deal Democrats regained firm control of both the House and Senate because Progressives dominated the election. The Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party also disappeared from the Senate, as Henrik Shipstead joined the Republican party and Ernest Lundeen had died during the preceding term. Senator Harry S. Truman of Missouri was elected to his final term in the Senate in 1940. Truman resigned in 1945 to serve as President Roosevelt's third Vice President.

Republicans later gained an additional seat through an appointment in Colorado.

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

One Republican and two Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election. One Republican retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term.

Defeats

Five Democrats and two Republicans sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election. One Democrat sought election to finish the unexpired term but lost in the general election.

Post-election changes

Party switches

One Farmer-Labor senator was re-elected as a Republican.

Change in composition

Before the elections

Election results

Race summaries

Special elections during the 76th Congress

In these special elections, the winner elected during 1940 and seated once qualified; ordered by election date.

Races leading to the 77th Congress

In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1941; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.

Closest races

Thirteen races had a margin of victory under 10%:

There is no tipping point state.

Arizona

1940 United States Senate election in Arizona

← 1934 November 3, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Ernest McFarland Irving A. Jennings Sr. Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 101,495 29,657 Percentage 71.61% 27.98%

County results McFarland:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Henry F. Ashurst Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Ernest McFarland Democratic

California

1940 United States Senate election in California

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 (special) →

Nominee Hiram Johnson Fred Dyster Party Republican Prohibition Alliance Democratic Progressive Popular vote 2,238,899 366,044 Percentage 82.62% 13.51%

County results Johnson:     70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. senator before election Hiram Johnson Republican Elected U.S. Senator Hiram Johnson Republican

Connecticut

1940 United States Senate election in Connecticut

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Francis T. Maloney Paul L. Cornell Party Democratic Republican Alliance Union Popular vote 416,740 358,313 Percentage 53.15% 45.70%

County results Municipality resultsMaloney:      40–50%      50–60%      60-70% Cornell:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

U.S. senator before election Francis T. Maloney Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Francis T. Maloney Democratic

Delaware

1940 United States Senate election in Delaware

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee James M. Tunnell John G. Townsend Jr. Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 68,294 63,799 Percentage 50.63% 47.30%

County results Tunnell:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election John G. Townsend Jr. Republican Elected U.S. Senator James M. Tunnell Democratic

Florida

1940 United States Senate election in Florida

← 1936 (special) November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Charles O. Andrews Party Democratic Popular vote 323,216 Percentage 100.0%

County results Andrews:      90–100%

U.S. senator before election Charles O. Andrews Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Charles O. Andrews Democratic

Idaho (special)

1940 United States Senate special election in Idaho

← 1936 November 5, 1940 1942 →

Nominee John Thomas Glen H. Taylor Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 124,535 110,614 Percentage 52.96% 47.04%

County results Thomas:      50-60%      60-70%      80-90% Taylor:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election John Thomas Republican Elected U.S. Senator John Thomas Republican

Illinois (special)

1940 United States Senate special election in Illinois

← 1936 November 5, 1940 1942 →

Nominee Charles W. Brooks James M. Slattery Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 2,045,924 2,025,097 Percentage 50.07% 49.56%

Results by county Brooks:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Slattery:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election James M. Slattery Democratic Elected U.S. senator Charles W. Brooks Republican

Indiana

1940 United States Senate election in Indiana

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Raymond E. Willis Sherman Minton Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 888,070 864,803 Percentage 50.45% 49.13%

County results Willis:      50–60%      60–70% Minton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Sherman Minton Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Raymond E. Willis Republican

Kentucky (special)

Maine

1940 United States Senate election in Maine

← 1934 September 9, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Owen Brewster Louis Brann Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 150,149 105,740 Percentage 58.61% 41.27%

County results Brewster:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Brann:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Frederick Hale Republican Elected U.S. Senator Owen Brewster Republican

Maryland

1940 United States Senate election in Maryland

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee George L. P. Radcliffe Harry Nice Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 394,239 203,912 Percentage 64.74% 33.48%

County results Nice:      40–50%      50–60% Radcliffe:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election George L. P. Radcliffe Democratic Elected U.S. Senator George L. P. Radcliffe Democratic

Massachusetts

1940 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee David I. Walsh Henry Parkman Jr. Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,088,838 838,122 Percentage 55.64% 42.38%

County results Municipality resultsWalsh:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Parkman:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Senator before election David I. Walsh Democratic Elected Senator David I. Walsh Democratic

Michigan

1940 United States Senate election in Michigan

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Arthur Vandenberg Frank FitzGerald Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,053,104 939,740 Percentage 52.65% 46.98%

County results Vandenberg:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% FitzGerald:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Arthur Vandenberg Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Arthur Vandenberg Republican

Minnesota

1940 United States Senate election in Minnesota

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Henrik Shipstead Elmer A. Benson John E. Regan Party Republican Farmer–Labor Democratic Popular vote 641,049 310,875 248,658 Percentage 53.01% 25.71% 20.56%

County results Shipstead:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Benson:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election Henrik Shipstead Farmer–Labor Elected U.S. Senator Henrik Shipstead Republican

Mississippi

1940 Democratic Senate primary election in Mississippi

← 1934 August 27, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Theodore Bilbo Hugh White Party Democratic Democratic Popular vote 91,334 62,641 Percentage 59.32% 40.68%

County results Bilbo:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% White:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Tie:      50%

U.S. senator before election Theodore Bilbo Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Theodore Bilbo Democratic

Missouri

1940 United States Senate election in Missouri

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Harry S. Truman Manvel H. Davis Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 930,775 886,376 Percentage 51.17% 48.73%

County results Truman:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Davis:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Harry S. Truman Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Harry S. Truman Democratic

One-term Democrat Harry S. Truman was narrowly re-elected. He would only serve until resigning January 17, 1945, to become U.S. Vice President.

Montana

1940 United States Senate election in Montana

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Burton K. Wheeler E. K. Cheadle Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 176,753 63,941 Percentage 73.43% 26.57%

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

U.S. senator before election Burton K. Wheeler Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Burton K. Wheeler Democratic

Nebraska

1940 United States Senate election in Nebraska

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Hugh A. Butler Robert Leroy Cochran Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 340,250 247,659 Percentage 57.00% 41.49%

County results Butler:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Cochran:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Edward R. Burke Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Hugh A. Butler Republican

Nevada

1944 United States Senate election in Nevada

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1942 (special) →

Nominee Key Pittman Samuel Platt Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 31,351 20,488 Percentage 60.48% 39.52%

County results Pittman:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Platt:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Key Pittman Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Key Pittman Democratic

Pittman suffered a severe heart attack just before the election on November 5, and two doctors told his aides before the election that death was imminent. To avoid affecting the election, the party told the press that the senator was hospitalized for exhaustion and that his condition was not serious. Pittman died on November 10 at the Washoe General Hospital in Reno, Nevada. Governor Edward Carville would go on to appoint Berkeley L. Bunker as his replacement.

In later years, a myth spread that Pittman had in fact died before the election, and his body had been kept on ice in the Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah so that Carville could appoint his replacement.

New Jersey

New Jersey election

← 1938 (special) November 5, 1940 1944 (special) →

Nominee W. Warren Barbour James H. R. Cromwell Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,029,331 823,893 Percentage 55.11% 44.11%

County results Barbour:      50–60%      60–70% Cromwell:      50–60%

Senator before election W. Warren Barbour Republican Elected Senator W. Warren Barbour Republican

New Mexico

1940 United States Senate election in New Mexico

← 1936 (special) November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Dennis Chavez Albert K. Mitchell Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 103,194 81,257 Percentage 55.95% 44.05%

County results Chevez:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Mitchell:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Dennis Chavez Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Dennis Chavez Democratic

New York

1940 United States Senate election in New York

← 1938 (special) November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee James M. Mead Bruce Barton Party Democratic Republican Alliance American Labor Popular vote 3,274,766 2,868,852 Percentage 53.26% 46.66%

County results Mead:      50–60%      60–70% Barton:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election James M. Mead Democratic Elected U.S. Senator James M. Mead Democratic

The whole ticket nominated by Democrats and American Laborites was elected.

North Dakota

1940 United States Senate election in North Dakota

← 19341946 →

Nominee William Langer William Lemke Charles J. Vogel Party Republican Independent Democratic Popular vote 100,647 92,593 69,847 Percentage 38.11% 35.06% 26.45%

County results Langer:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Lemke:      30–40%      40–50%      50-–% Vogel:      30–40%      40–50%

U.S. senator before election Gerald Nye Republican Elected U.S. Senator Gerald Nye Republican

Ohio

1940 United States Senate election in Ohio

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Harold Burton John McSweeney Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,602,498 1,457,304 Percentage 52.37% 47.63%

U.S. senator before election Vic Donahey Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Harold Hitz Burton Republican

Pennsylvania

1940 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Joseph F. Guffey Jay Cooke Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,069,980 1,893,104 Percentage 51.79% 47.36%

County results Guffey:      50–60%      60–70% Cooke:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Joseph F. Guffey Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Joseph F. Guffey Democratic

Rhode Island

Tennessee

1940 United States Senate election in Tennessee

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Kenneth McKellar Howard Baker Sr. Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 295,440 121,790 Percentage 70.80% 29.19%

County results McKellar:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Baker:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Kenneth McKellar Democratic Elected U.S. senator Kenneth McKellar Democratic

Texas

1940 United States Senate election in Texas

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Tom Connally George Shannon Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 978,095 59,340 Percentage 94.24% 5.72%

County results Connally:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% No vote:

U.S. senator before election Tom Connally Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Tom Connally Democratic

Utah

1940 United States Senate election in Utah

← 1934 November 5, 1940 (1940-11-05) 1946 →

Nominee Abe Murdock Philo Farnsworth Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 155,499 91,931 Percentage 62.85% 37.15%

County results Murdock:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Farnsworth:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election William H. King Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Abe Murdock Democratic

Vermont

There were 2 elections due to the June 20, 1940, death of two-term Republican Ernest Willard Gibson.

Vermont (regular)

1940 United States Senate Election in Vermont

← 1934 November 5, 1940 (1940-11-05) 1946 →

Nominee Warren Austin Ona Searles Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 93,283 47,101 Percentage 66.4% 33.6%

County results Municipality results Austin:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      90-100% Searles:      50-60%      60-70%      80-90%

U.S. senator before election Warren Austin Republican Elected U.S. Senator Warren Austin Republican

Two-term Republican Warren Austin was easily re-elected. He faced no opponents in the primary.

Austin served only until his August 2, 1946, resignation to become U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Vermont (special)

1940 United States Senate Special Election in Vermont

← 1938 November 5, 1940 (1940-11-05) 1944 →

Nominee George Aiken Herbert Comings Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 87,150 54,263 Percentage 58.2% 38.4%

County results Municipality results Aiken:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      90-100% Comings:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

U.S. senator before election Ernest W. Gibson Jr. Republican Elected U.S. Senator George Aiken Republican

Gibson's son, Republican Ernest W. Gibson Jr. was appointed June 24, 1940, to continue his father's term, pending a special election, in which he was not a candidate.

Aiken did not take the seat until January 10, 1941, as he wanted to remain Governor of Vermont. He would be repeatedly re-elected and serve until his 1975 retirement.

Virginia

1940 United States Senate election in Virginia

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Harry F. Byrd Sr. Party Democratic Popular vote 274,260 Percentage 93.32%

County and Independent City Results Byrd:      80-90%      90-100%

U.S. senator before election Harry F. Byrd Sr. Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd Sr. Democratic

Washington

1940 United States Senate election in Washington

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Monrad Wallgren Stephen F. Chadwick Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 404,718 342,589 Percentage 54.16% 45.84%

County results Wallgren:      50–60%      60–70% Chadwick:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Lewis Schwellenbach Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Monrad Wallgren Democratic

West Virginia

1940 United States Senate election in West Virginia

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Harley M. Kilgore Thomas Sweeney Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 492,413 381,806 Percentage 56.33% 43.67%

County results Kilgore:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Sweeney:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Russ D. Holt Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Harley M. Kilgore Democratic

Wisconsin

1940 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Robert La Follette Jr. Fred H. Clausen James E. Finnegan Party Progressive Republican Democratic Popular vote 605,609 553,692 176,688 Percentage 45.26% 41.38% 13.20%

County results La Follete Jr.:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Clausen:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Robert La Follette Jr. Progressive Elected U.S. Senator Robert La Follette Jr. Progressive

Wyoming

1940 United States Senate election in Wyoming

← 1934 November 5, 1940 1946 →

Nominee Joseph C. O'Mahoney Milward Simpson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 65,022 45,682 Percentage 58.74% 41.26%

County results O'Mahoney:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Simpson:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Joseph C. O'Mahoney Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney Democratic

See also

• 1940 United States elections
  • 1940 United States presidential election
  • 1940 United States gubernatorial elections
  • 1940 United States House of Representatives elections
• 76th United States Congress
• 77th United States Congress

Notes

1. ^ Appointee elected
2. Appointee defeated

References

1. ^ "Statistics of the Congressional and Presidential election of November 5, 1940" (PDF). Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
2. "CONGRESS: New Houses". November 11, 1940. Archived from the original on October 14, 2010. Retrieved December 20, 2017 – via www.time.com.
3. ^ Brandon, Leory D. (1941). Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 5 1940. Washington, DC: United States House of Representatives. p. 1.
4. "OFFICIAL VOTE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS CAST AT THE GENERAL ELECTION, NOV. 5, 1940 JUDICIAL ELECTIONS, 1939-1940 PRIMARY ELECTION GENERAL PRIMARY, APRIL 9, 1940" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 24, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
5. ^ Nevada Yesterdays. "The Truth Of The Legend Of Key Pittman". KNPR. Las Vegas, NV. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
6. Rocha, Guy; Myers, Dennis (May 2003). "Myth #88 - Key Pittman on Ice". Sierra Sage. State Library and Archives, Department of Administration, State of Nevada. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
7. Heard, Alexander; Strong, Donald (1950). Southern Primaries and Elections 1920-1949. University of Alabama Press. pp. 177–179. ISBN 9780836955248.
8. ^ "VT Elections Database » Search Elections". VT Elections Database. Retrieved July 17, 2020.