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U.S. Senate election, 1952


The U.S. Senate election, 1952 was an election for the United States Senate which coincided with the election of Dwight D. Eisenhower to the presidency by a large margin. The Republicans managed to make a net gain of two seats, which was reduced to one when Wayne L. Morse (R-OR) became an independent after his pro-New Deal positions and support for Adlai Stevenson alienated Republican leaders.

Republicans defeated incumbents Ernest W. McFarland (D-AZ and the Majority Leader), William Benton (D-CT), Thomas R. Underwood (D-KY), Blair Moody (D-MI), and Joseph C. O'Mahoney (D-WY), as well as taking the open seat in Maryland. Democrats defeated incumbents Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. (R-MA), James P. Kem (R-MO), Zales N. Ecton (R-MT), and Harry P. Cain (R-WA).

Senate contests in 1952

State Incumbent Party Status Opposing Candidates
Arizona Ernest W. McFarland Democrat Defeated, 51.3 - 48.7 Barry Goldwater (Republican)
California William F. Knowland Republican Re-elected, 87.7 - 11.9 Reuben W. Borough (Independent)
Connecticut William Benton Democrat Defeated, 52.5 - 44.4 William A. Purtell (Republican)
Connecticut1 William A. Purtell Republican Retired: Republican victory, 51.2 - 48.5 Prescott S. Bush (Republican)
Abraham A. Ribicoff (Democrat)
Delaware John J. Williams Republican Re-elected, 54.5 - 45.5 A. I. du Pont Bayard (Democrat)
Florida Spessard L. Holland Democrat Re-elected, 99.8
Indiana William E. Jenner Republican Re-elected, 52.4 - 46.8 Henry F. Schrecker (Democrat)
Kentucky2 Thomas R. Underwood Democrat Defeated, 51.5 - 48.5 John S. Cooper (Republican)
Maine Ralph O. Brewster Republican Retired: Republican victory, 58.7 - 34.9 - 6.4 Frederick G. Payne (Republican)
Roger P. Dube (Democrat)
Earl S. Grant (Independent)
Maryland Herbert R. O'Conor Democrat Retired: Republican victory, 52.5 - 47.5 James Glenn Beall (Republican)
George P. Mahoney (Democrat)
Massachusetts Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. Republican Defeated, 51.4 - 48.4 John F. Kennedy (Democrat)
Michigan Blair Moody Democrat Defeated, 50.6 - 49.0 Charles E. Potter (Republican)
Minnesota Edward J. Thye Republican Re-elected, 56.6 - 42.5 William E. Carlson (Democrat)
Mississippi John C. Stennis Democrat Re-elected, unopposed
Missouri James P. Kem Republican Defeated, 54.0 - 45.9 Stuart Symington (Democrat)
Montana Zales N. Ecton Republican Defeated, 50.8 - 48.6 Mike Mansfield (Democrat)
Nebraska Hugh Butler Republican Re-elected, 69.1 - 27.8 Stanley D. Long (Democrat)
Nebraska3 Fred Andrew Seaton Republican Retired: Republican victory, 63.6 - 36.4 Dwight Griswold (Republican)
William Ritchie (Democrat)
Nevada George W. Malone Republican Re-elected, 51.7 - 48.3 Thomas B. Mechling (Democrat)
New Jersey H. Alexander Smith Republican Re-elected, 55.5 - 43.6 Archibald S. Alexander (Democrat)
New Mexico Dennis Chavez Democrat Re-elected, 51.1 - 48.9 Patrick J. Hurley (Republican)
New York Irving M. Ives Republican Re-elected, 55.2 - 36.1 - 7.0 John Cashmore (Democrat)
George S. Counts (Liberal)
North Dakota William Langer Republican Re-elected, 66.4 - 23.3 - 10.4 Harold A. Morrison (Democrat)
Fred G. Aandahl (Independent)
Ohio John W. Bricker Republican Re-elected, 54.6 - 45.4 Michael V. DiSalle (Democrat)
Pennsylvania Edward Martin Republican Re-elected, 51.6 - 48.0 Guy K. Bard (Democrat)
Rhode Island John O. Pastore Democrat Re-elected, 54.8 - 45.2 Bayard Ewing (Republican)
Tennessee Kenneth D. McKellar Democrat Defeated in primary: Democrat victory, 74.2 - 20.9 Albert Gore, Sr. (Democrat)
Hobart F. Atkins (Republican)
Texas Tom Connally Democrat Retired: Democrat victory, unopposed Price Daniel (Democrat)
Utah Arthur V. Watkins Republican Re-elected, 54.3 - 45.7 Walter K. Granger (Democrat)
Vermont Ralph E. Flanders Republican Re-elected, 72.3 - 27.7 Allan R. Johnston (Democrat)
Virginia Harry F. Byrd Democrat Re-elected, 73.4 - 12.7 - 12.4 H. M. Vise, Sr. (Independent)
Clarke T. Robb (Independent)
Washington Harry P. Cain Republican Defeated, 56.2 - 43.5 Henry M. Jackson (Democrat)
West Virginia Harley M. Kilgore Democrat Re-elected, 53.6 - 46.4 Chapman Revercomb (Republican)
Wisconsin Joseph R. McCarthy Republican Re-elected, 54.2 - 45.6 Thomas E. Fairchild (Democrat)
Wyoming Joseph C. O'Mahoney Democrat Defeated, 51.6 - 48.4 Frank A. Barrett (Republican)

1 special election held due to death of Brien McMahon (D-CT). Interim Senator William A. Purtell was successfully elected to Connecticut's other Senate seat, and did not for re-election in the special election.

2 special election held due to death of Virgil M. Chapman (D-KY)

3 special election held due to death of Kenneth S. Wherry (R-NE)

See also

Senate composition before and after elections

82nd Congress Senate Composition   83rd Congress Senate Composition
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
                                                                                                 
Color Key: Republicans Democrats Independent
Last updated: 05-22-2005 00:30:21