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1918 United States Senate elections

← 1916 November 5, 1918 1920 →
38 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate 49 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Henry Cabot Lodge Oscar Underwood Party Republican Democratic Leader since March 4, 1919 April 27, 1920 Leader's seat Massachusetts Alabama Seats before 44 52 Seats after 49 47 Seat change 5 5 Seats up 17 23 Seats won 22 18
Results of the elections:      Democratic gain      Democratic hold      Republican gain      Republican hold      No election
Majority Leader before election Thomas S. Martin (as Conference Chairman) Democratic Elected Majority Leader Henry Cabot Lodge (Unofficial) Republican

The 1918 United States Senate elections were held throughout 1918, the midpoint of Woodrow Wilson's second term as president. This was the first election since the ratification of the 17th Amendment that all 32 Class 2 senators were subject to direct or popular election, making them the final class under the old system of being selected by state legislatures. Special elections were also held to fill vacancies.

Republicans gained a slim 2seat control after picking a net of 6 seats up. This came after an April 1918 special election where they flipped a seat in Wisconsin.

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

Three Republicans and one Democrat retired instead of seeking re-election. Two Republicans retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired terms, one Democrat retired instead of seeking election to a full term and two Democrats retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired terms.

Defeats

Eight Democrats and one Republican sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.

Deaths

One Democrat died on October 21, 1917, and his seat remained vacant until an April 1918 election.

Post-election changes

Source: United States Senate Official Website

Change in composition

Before the elections

Elections results

Complete list of races

Special elections during the 65th Congress

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1918 or before March 4, 1919; ordered by election date.

Elections leading to the 66th Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1919; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.

Closest races

Eighteen races had a margin of victory under 10%:

Alabama

1918 United States Senate election in Alabama

← 1911 November 5, 1918 1920 (special) →

Nominee John H. Bankhead Party Democratic Popular vote 54,880 Percentage 100.00%

County results Bankhead:      90–100%

U.S. senator before election John H. Bankhead Democratic Elected U.S. senator John H. Bankhead Democratic

Arkansas

1918 United States Senate election in Arkansas

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Joseph T. Robinson Party Democratic Popular vote 78,377 Percentage 100.00%

County results Robinson:      90–100%

U.S. senator before election Joseph T. Robinson Democratic Elected U.S. senator Joseph T. Robinson Democratic

Colorado

1918 United States Senate election in Colorado

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Lawrence C. Phipps John F. Shafroth Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 107,726 104,347 Percentage 49.49% 47.94%

County results Phipps:      40–50%      50–60% Shafroth:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election John F. Shafroth Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Lawrence C. Phipps Republican

Delaware

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1918 United States Senate election in Delaware

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee L. Heisler Ball Willard Saulsbury Jr. Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 21,519 20,113 Percentage 51.17% 47.83%

U.S. senator before election Willard Saulsbury Jr. Democratic Elected U.S. senator L. Heisler Ball Republican

Georgia

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1918 United States Senate election in Georgia

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee William J. Harris G. H. Williams Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 53,731 7,078 Percentage 88.34% 11.66%

U.S. senator before election Thomas W. Hardwick Democratic Elected U.S. senator William J. Harris Democratic

Idaho

Idaho (regular)

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1918 United States Senate election in Idaho

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee William Borah Frank L. Moore Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 63,587 31,018 Percentage 67.21% 32.79%

County results Borah:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Moore:      50–60%

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

Idaho (special)

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1918 United States Senate special election in Idaho

← 1914 November 5, 1918 1920 →

Nominee John F. Nugent Frank R. Gooding Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 48,467 47,497 Percentage 50.50% 49.50%

County results Nugent:      50–60%      60–70% Gooding:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election John F. Nugent Democratic Elected U.S. senator John F. Nugent Democratic

Incumbent Democratic Senator John Frost Nugent defeated Republican nominee Frank Robert Gooding by a very narrow margin of 1.00% and by 970 votes. Upon his election, John Frost Nugent became the first Democrat ever to have been elected to the United States Senate in Idaho or from Idaho and the first non-Republican to win a United States Senate seat in Idaho or from Idaho since 1901 and the first non-Republican to win the Class 3 Senate seat in Idaho or from Idaho since 1897.

Illinois

1918 United States Senate election in Illinois

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Medill McCormick J. Hamilton Lewis Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 479,967 426,943 Percentage 50.50% 44.92%

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

U.S. senator before election J. Hamilton Lewis Democratic Elected U.S. senator Medill McCormick Republican

Iowa

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1918 United States Senate election in Iowa

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1922 (special) →

Nominee William S. Kenyon Charles R. Keyes Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 230,264 121,830 Percentage 65.4% 34.6%

Results by county Kenyon:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Keyes:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election William S. Kenyon Republican Elected U.S. Senator William S. Kenyon Republican

Kansas

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1918 United States Senate election in Kansas

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Arthur Capper William Howard Thompson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 281,931 149,300 Percentage 63.69% 33.73%

Results by county Capper:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Thompson:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election William Howard Thompson Democratic Elected U.S. senator Arthur Capper Republican

Kentucky

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1918 United States Senate election in Kentucky

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Augustus O. Stanley Ben Bruner Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 184,385 178,797 Percentage 50.77% 49.23%

County results Stanley:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Bruner:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. senator before election George Brown Martin Democratic Elected U.S. senator Augustus O. Stanley Democratic

Louisiana

Louisiana (regular)

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1918 United States Senate election in Louisiana

← 1912 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Joseph E. Ransdell Party Democratic Popular vote 44,224 Percentage 100%

Parish results Ransdell:      90–100%

U.S. senator before election Joseph E. Ransdell Democratic Elected U.S. senator Joseph E. Ransdell Democratic

Louisiana (special)

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1918 United States Senate special election in Louisiana

← 1914 September 10, 1918 1920 →

Nominee Edward James Gay Jr. Party Democratic Popular vote 44,345 Percentage 100%

Parish results Gay:      90–100%

U.S. senator before election Walter Guion Democratic Elected U.S. senator Edward James Gay Jr. Democratic

Maine

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1918 United States Senate election in Maine

← 1916 (special) September 9, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Bert Fernald Elmer Newbert Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 67,431 54,289 Percentage 55.40% 44.60%

County results Fernald:      50–60%      60–70% Newbert:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Bert Fernald Republican Elected U.S. Senator Bert Fernald Republican

Massachusetts

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1918 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee David I. Walsh John W. Weeks Thomas W. Lawson Party Democratic Republican Independent Popular vote 207,478 188,287 21,985 Percentage 49.66% 45.06% 5.26%

County results Walsh:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Weeks:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Senator before election John W. Weeks Republican Elected Senator David I. Walsh Democratic

Michigan

1918 United States Senate election in Michigan

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →
Turnout	15.60%
Nominee Truman Newberry Henry Ford Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 220,054 212,487 Percentage 50.19% 48.47%
County Results Newberry:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Ford:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%
U.S. senator before election William Alden Smith Republican Elected U.S. Senator Truman Handy Newberry Republican

Minnesota

1918 United States Senate election in Minnesota

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1923 (special) →

Nominee Knute Nelson Willis Calderwood Party Republican National Popular vote 206,428 137,334 Percentage 60.05% 39.95%

County results Nelson:      50–60%      60–70%      70-80% Calderwood:      50-60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election Knute Nelson Republican Elected U.S. senator Knute Nelson Republican

Mississippi

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1918 U.S. Senate Democratic primary in Mississippi

← 1912 August 20, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Pat Harrison James K. Vardaman Edmond Noel Party Democratic Democratic Democratic Popular vote 56,715 44,154 6,730 Percentage 52.71% 41.04% 6.26%

County results Harrison:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Vardaman:      40–50%      50–60%      60-70%      70-80% Noel:      50-60%

U.S. senator before election James K. Vardaman Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Pat Harrison Democratic

Missouri (special)

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1918 United States Senate special election in Missouri

← 1914 November 5, 1918 1920 →

Nominee Selden P. Spencer Joseph W. Folk Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 302,680 267,397 Percentage 52.39% 46.29%

County results Spencer:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Folk:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Xenophon P. Wilfley Democratic Elected U.S. senator Selden P. Spencer Republican

Montana

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1918 United States Senate election in Montana

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Thomas J. Walsh Oscar M. Lanstrum Jeannette Rankin Party Democratic Republican National Popular vote 46,160 40,229 26,013 Percentage 41.07% 35.79% 23.14%

County results Walsh:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60% Lanstrum:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60% Rankin:      30–40%      40–50% No Data/Vote:

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

Nebraska

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1918 United States Senate election in Nebraska

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee George W. Norris John H. Morehead Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 119,486 99,696 Percentage 54.51% 45.49%

County results Norris:      50–60%      60–70% Morehead:      50–60%      60–70%

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

Nevada (special)

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1918 United States Senate special election in Nevada

← 1914 November 5, 1918 1920 →

Nominee Charles Henderson Edwin E. Roberts Anne Henrietta Martin Party Democratic Republican Independent Popular vote 12,197 8,053 4,603 Percentage 47.71% 31.50% 18.01%

Results by county Henderson:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Roberts:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Charles Henderson Democratic Elected U.S. senator Charles Henderson Democratic

New Hampshire

New Hampshire (regular)

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1918 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Henry W. Keyes Eugene Elliott Reed Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 37,783 32,783 Percentage 53.54% 46.46%

Results by countyResults by municipalityKeyes:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Reed:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Tie:      50%

U.S. senator before election Henry F. Hollis Republican Elected U.S. senator Henry W. Keyes Republican

New Hampshire (special)

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1918 United States Senate special election in New Hampshire

← 1914 November 5, 1918 1920 →

Nominee George H. Moses John B. Jameson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 35,528 34,458 Percentage 50.76% 49.24%

Results by countyResults by municipalityMoses:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Jameson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Tied:      50%

U.S. senator before election Irving W. Drew Republican Elected U.S. senator George H. Moses Republican

New Jersey

New Jersey (regular)

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1918 United States Senate election in New Jersey

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Walter E. Edge George M. La Monte Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 179,022 153,743 Percentage 50.34% 43.23%

Results by county Edge:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Monte:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%

Senator before election David Baird Sr. Republican Elected Senator Walter E. Edge Republican

New Jersey (special)

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1918 United States Senate special election in New Jersey

← 1913 November 7, 1918 1918 →

Nominee David Baird Sr. Charles O'Connor Hennessy Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 170,414 154,734 Percentage 49.17% 44.64%

Results by county Baird:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Hennessy:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election David Baird Sr. Republican Elected U.S. senator David Baird Sr. Republican

New Mexico

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1918 United States Senate election in New Mexico

← 1912 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Albert B. Fall William B. Walton Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 24,322 22,470 Percentage 51.40% 47.48%

Results by county Fall:      50-60%      60-70%      80-90% Walton:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      90-100%

U.S. senator before election Albert B. Fall Republican Elected U.S. senator Albert B. Fall Republican

North Carolina

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1918 United States Senate election in North Carolina

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee F. M. Simmons John Motley Morehead II Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 143,519 93,707 Percentage 60.50% 39.50%

Results by county Simmons:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      90-100% Morehead II:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

U.S. senator before election F. M. Simmons Democratic Elected U.S. senator F. M. Simmons Democratic

Oklahoma

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1918 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Robert L. Owen W. B. Johnson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 105,009 77,043 Percentage 55.47% 40.69%

County results Owen:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Johnson:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Robert L. Owen Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Robert L. Owen Democratic

Oregon

Oregon (regular)

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1918 United States Senate election in Oregon

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Charles L. McNary Oswald West Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 82,360 64,303 Percentage 54.17% 42.30%

Results by county McNary:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70% West:      40-50%      50-60%

U.S. senator before election Frederick W. Mulkey Republican Elected U.S. senator Charles L. McNary Republican

Oregon (special)

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1918 United States Senate special election in Oregon

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1918 →

Nominee Frederick W. Mulkey Martha Bean Party Republican Socialist Popular vote 103,913 19,014 Percentage 84.53% 15.47%

Results by county Mulkey:      70-80%      80-90%      90-100%

U.S. senator before election Charles L. McNary Republican Elected U.S. senator Frederick W. Mulkey Republican

Rhode Island

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1918 United States Senate election in Rhode Island

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee LeBaron B. Colt George F. O'Shaunessy Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 42,055 37,573 Percentage 51.76% 46.24%

U.S. senator before election LeBaron B. Colt Republican Elected U.S. senator LeBaron B. Colt Republican

South Carolina

South Carolina (regular)

1918 United States Senate election in South Carolina

← 1918 (special) August 27, 1918 1924 →

Candidate Nathaniel B. Dial Cole L. Blease Party Democratic Democratic Popular vote 65,064 40,456 Percentage 58.70% 36.50%

U.S. senator before election William P. Pollock Democratic Elected U.S. senator Nathaniel B. Dial Democratic

South Carolina (special)

1918 United States Senate special election in South Carolina

← 1913 September 10, 1918 1918 →

Nominee William P. Pollock Thomas H. Peeples Party Democratic Democratic Popular vote 49,920 30,044 Percentage 62.43% 37.57%

U.S. senator before election Christie Benet Democratic Elected U.S. senator William P. Pollock Democratic

South Dakota

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1918 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1913 September 10, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Thomas Sterling Orville V. Rinehart W. T. Rafferty Party Republican Democratic Independent Popular vote 51,198 36,210 5,560 Percentage 55.07% 38.95% 5.98%

County results Sterling:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Rinehart:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% No Vote:

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

Tennessee

1918 United States Senate election in Tennessee

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee John K. Shields Henry Clay Evans Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 98,605 59,989 Percentage 62.17% 37.83%

U.S. senator before election John K. Shields Democratic Elected U.S. senator John K. Shields Democratic

Texas

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1918 United States Senate election in Texas

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Morris Sheppard Webster Flanagan Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 155,178 22,214 Percentage 86.69% 12.41%

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

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

Virginia

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1918 United States Senate election in Virginia

← 1912 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Thomas S. Martin Party Democratic Popular vote 40,403 Percentage 100%

U.S. senator before election Thomas S. Martin Democratic Elected U.S. senator Thomas S. Martin Democratic

West Virginia

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1918 United States Senate election in West Virginia

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Davis Elkins Clarence W. Watson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 115,216 97,715 Percentage 53.53% 45.40%

County results Elkins:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Watson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Nathan Goff Jr. Republican Elected U.S. senator Davis Elkins Republican

Wisconsin (special)

1918 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin

← 1914 April 2, 1918 1920 →

Nominee Irvine Lenroot Joseph E. Davies Victor L. Berger Party Republican Democratic Socialist Popular vote 163,983 148,923 110,487 Percentage 38.73% 35.12% 26.09%

Results by county Lenroot:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Davies:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60% Berger:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Paul O. Husting Democratic Elected U.S. senator Irvine Lenroot Republican

Wyoming

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1918 United States Senate election in Wyoming

← 1913 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Francis E. Warren John Eugene Osborne Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 115,216 97,715 Percentage 53.53% 45.40%

County results Warren:      50–60%      60–70% Osborne:      50–60% No Data/Vote:

U.S. senator before election Francis E. Warren Republican Elected U.S. senator Francis E. Warren Republican

See also

• 1918 United States elections
  • 1918 United States House of Representatives elections
• 65th United States Congress
• 66th United States Congress

Notes

1. ^ There was a general election September 9, 1918, in Maine, and special elections in April and November 1918.
2. as Republican Conference Chairman
3. ^ Appointee elected
4. New Hampshire (special) was the "tipping-point state".

References

1. ^ The Wisconsin Blue Book. 1919. Madison: Democrat Printing Co. 1919. p. 46.
2. ^ Kalb, Deborah, ed. (2010). Guide to U.S. Elections. Washington, DC: CQ Press. ISBN 978-1-60426-536-1.
3. ^ Dubin, Michael J. (1998). United States Congressional Elections, 1788-1997: The Official Results. Jefferson: McFarland & Company. ISBN 0-7864-0283-0.
4. 1919 Official Directory of Wyoming and Election Returns For 1918. Wyoming official directory and election returns. W. E. Chaplin, Wyoming Secretary of State. pp. 36–37. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
5. ^ Jordan, Frank E. (1966). The Primary State: A History of the Democratic Party in South Carolina, 1876-1962. Columbia. pp. 64–66.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
6. "Our Campaigns - TN US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
7. Howard, George F. (1919). Supplemental Biennial Report of the Secretary of State. Austin, Texas: A. C. Baldwin & Stone Printers. pp. 27–28.

• 1918 United States Senate elections
• United States home front during World War I