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.

1940 United States Senate elections

← 1938 November 5, 1940 1942 →

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 Decrease 3 Increase 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 Decrease 1 Steady
Popular vote 310,875[1] 605,609
Percentage 2.57%[1] 1.5%
Seats up 1 1
Races won 0 1

  Fifth party
 
Party Independent
Seats before 1
Seats after 1
Seat change Steady
Seats up 0
Races won 0

1940 United States Senate special election in Idaho1940 United States Senate special election in Illinois1940 United States Senate special election in Kentucky1940 United States Senate special election in Vermont1940 United States Senate election in Arizona1940 United States Senate election in California1940 United States Senate election in Connecticut1940 United States Senate election in Delaware1940 United States Senate election in Florida1940 United States Senate election in Indiana1940 United States Senate election in Maine1940 United States Senate election in Maryland1940 United States Senate election in Massachusetts1940 United States Senate election in Michigan1940 United States Senate election in Minnesota1940 United States Senate election in Mississippi1940 United States Senate election in Missouri1940 United States Senate election in Montana1940 United States Senate election in Nebraska1940 United States Senate election in Nevada1940 United States Senate election in New Jersey1940 United States Senate election in New Mexico1940 United States Senate election in New York1940 United States Senate election in North Dakota1940 United States Senate election in Ohio1940 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania1940 United States Senate election in Rhode Island1940 United States Senate election in Tennessee1940 United States Senate election in Texas1940 United States Senate election in Utah1940 United States Senate election in Vermont1940 United States Senate election in Virginia1940 United States Senate election in Washington1940 United States Senate election in West Virginia1940 United States Senate election in Wisconsin1940 United States Senate election in Wyoming
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

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.[2] 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

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Retirements

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

State Senator Replaced by
Maine Frederick Hale Owen Brewster
Ohio Vic Donahey Harold H. Burton
Vermont (special) Ernest W. Gibson Jr. George Aiken
Washington Lewis B. Schwellenbach Monrad Wallgren

Defeats

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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.

State Senator Replaced by
Arizona Henry F. Ashurst Ernest McFarland
Delaware John G. Townsend Jr. James M. Tunnell
Illinois James M. Slattery C. Wayland Brooks
Indiana Sherman Minton Raymond E. Willis
Nebraska Edward R. Burke Hugh A. Butler
North Dakota Lynn Frazier William Langer
Utah William H. King Abe Murdock
West Virginia Rush Holt Sr. Harley M. Kilgore

Post-election changes

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State Senator Replaced by
Nevada Key Pittman Berkeley L. Bunker
Arkansas John E. Miller G. Lloyd Spencer
Colorado Alva B. Adams Eugene Donald Millikin
South Carolina James F. Byrnes Alva M. Lumpkin
South Carolina Alva M. Lumpkin Roger C. Peace
South Carolina Roger C. Peace Burnet R. Maybank
Texas Morris Sheppard Andrew Jackson Houston
Texas Andrew Jackson Houston W. Lee O'Daniel
Mississippi Pat Harrison James Eastland
Mississippi James Eastland Wall Doxey
West Virginia Matthew M. Neely Joseph Rosier

Party switches

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

State Senator Replaced by
Minnesota Henrik Shipstead Henrik Shipstead

Change in composition

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Before the elections

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  D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8
D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9
D19 D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28
D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31 D30 D29
D39 D40 D41 D42 D43 D44 D45
Ariz.
Ran
D46
Conn.
Ran
D47
Fla.
Ran
D48
Ill. (sp)
Ran
Majority → D49
Ind.
Ran
D58
N.M.
Ran
D57
Nev.
Ran
D56
Neb.
Ran
D55
Mont.
Ran
D54
Mo.
Ran
D53
Miss.
Ran
D52
Mass.
Ran
D51
Md.
Ran
D50
Ky. (sp)
Ran
D59
N.Y.
Ran
D60
Ohio
Ran
D61
Pa.
Ran
D62
R.I.
Ran
D63
Tenn.
Ran
D64
Texas
Ran
D65
Utah
Ran
D66
Va.
Ran
D67
Wash.
Retired
D68
W.Va.
Ran
R19
Maine
Retired
R20
Mich.
Ran
R21
N.J.
Ran
R22
N.D.
Ran
R23
Vt. (reg)
Ran
R24
Vt. (sp)
Retired
FL1
Minn.
Ran
P1
Wis.
Ran
I1 D69
Wyo.
Ran
R18
Idaho (sp)
Ran
R17
Del.
Ran
R16
Calif.
Ran
R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8

Election results

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  D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8
D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9
D19 D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28
D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31 D30 D29
D39 D40 D41 D42 D43 D44 D45
Ariz.
Hold
D46
Conn.
Re-elected
D47
Fla.
Re-elected
D48
Ky. (sp)
Elected[a]
Majority → D49
Md.
Re-elected
D58
R.I.
Re-elected
D57
Pa.
Re-elected
D56
N.Y.
Re-elected
D55
N.M.
Re-elected
D54
Nev.
Re-elected
D53
Mont.
Re-elected
D52
Mo.
Re-elected
D51
Miss.
Re-elected
D50
Mass.
Re-elected
D59
Tenn.
Re-elected
D60
Texas
Re-elected
D61
Utah
Hold
D62
Va.
Re-elected
D63
Wash.
Hold
D64
W.Va.
Hold
D65
Wyo.
Re-elected
D66
Del.
Gain
I1 P1
Wis.
Re-elected
R19
Mich.
Re-elected
R20
N.J.
Re-elected
R21
N.D.
Hold
R22
Vt. (reg)
Re-elected
R23
Vt. (sp)
Hold
R24
Ill. (sp)
Gain[b]
R25
Ind.
Gain
R26
Minn.
Re-elected under
different party
R27
Neb.
Gain
R28
Ohio
Gain
R18
Maine
Hold
R17
Idaho (sp)
Elected[a]
R16
Calif.
Re-elected
R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8
Key
D# Democratic
FL# Farmer–Labor
P# Progressive
R# Republican
I# Independent

Race summaries

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Special elections during the 76th Congress

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

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Idaho
(Class 2)
John Thomas Republican 1928 (appointed)
1928 (special)
1932 (lost)
1940 (appointed)
Interim appointee elected November 5, 1940.
Illinois
(Class 2)
James M. Slattery Democratic 1939 (appointed) Interim appointee lost election to finish term.
New senator elected November 5, 1940.
Republican gain.
Kentucky
(Class 2)
Happy Chandler Democratic 1939 (appointed) Interim appointee elected November 5, 1940.
  •  Y Happy Chandler (Democratic) 58.3%
  • Walter B. Smith (Republican) 41.7%
Vermont
(Class 3)
Ernest W. Gibson Jr. Republican 1940 (appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected November 5, 1940.
Republican hold.

Races leading to the 77th Congress

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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.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral
history
Arizona Henry F. Ashurst Democratic 1912
1916
1922
1928
1934
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
California Hiram Johnson Republican 1916
1922
1928
1934
Incumbent re-elected.
Connecticut Francis T. Maloney Democratic 1934 Incumbent re-elected.
Delaware John G. Townsend Jr. Republican 1928
1934
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Florida Charles O. Andrews Democratic 1936 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Indiana Sherman Minton Democratic 1934 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Maine Frederick Hale Republican 1916
1922
1928
1934
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Maryland George L. P. Radcliffe Democratic 1934 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts David I. Walsh Democratic 1918
1924 (lost)
1926 (special)
1928
1934
Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan Arthur Vandenberg Republican 1928 (appointed)
1928 (special)
1928
1934
Incumbent re-elected.
Minnesota Henrik Shipstead Farmer–Labor 1922
1928
1934
Incumbent re-elected as a Republican.
Republican gain.
Mississippi Theodore G. Bilbo Democratic 1934 Incumbent re-elected.
Missouri Harry S. Truman Democratic 1934 Incumbent re-elected.
Montana Burton K. Wheeler Democratic 1922
1928
1934
Incumbent re-elected.
Nebraska Edward R. Burke Democratic 1934 Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Nevada Key Pittman Democratic 1913 (special)
1916
1922
1928
1934
Incumbent re-elected.
Winner died November 10, 1940, and Berkeley L. Bunker (D) was appointed both to finish the term and to start the next term.
  •  Y Key Pittman (Democratic) 60.5%
  • Samuel Platt (Republican) 39.5%
New Jersey W. Warren Barbour Republican 1931 (appointed)
1932 (special)
1936 (lost)
1938 (special)
Incumbent re-elected.
New Mexico Dennis Chávez Democratic 1935 (appointed)
1936 (special)
Incumbent re-elected.
New York James M. Mead Democratic 1938 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
North Dakota Lynn Frazier Republican/
Nonpartisan League
1922
1928
1934
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Ohio Vic Donahey Democratic 1934 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Pennsylvania Joseph F. Guffey Democratic 1934 Incumbent re-elected.
Rhode Island Peter G. Gerry Democratic 1916
1922
1928 (lost)
1934
Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee Kenneth McKellar Democratic 1916
1922
1928
1934
Incumbent re-elected.
Texas Tom Connally Democratic 1928
1934
Incumbent re-elected.
Utah William H. King Democratic 1916
1922
1928 (lost)
1934
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Vermont Warren Austin Republican 1931 (special)
1934
Incumbent re-elected.
Virginia Harry F. Byrd Democratic 1933 (appointed)
1933 (special)
1934
Incumbent re-elected.
Washington Lewis B. Schwellenbach Democratic 1934 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Incumbent resigned December 16, 1940.
Winner appointed to finish the term.
  •  Y Monrad Wallgren (Democratic) 54.2%
  • Stephen F. Chadwick (Republican) 45.8%
West Virginia Rush Holt Sr. Democratic 1934 Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Wisconsin Robert M. La Follette Jr. Progressive 1925 (special)
1928
1934
Incumbent re-elected.
Wyoming Joseph C. O'Mahoney Democratic 1933 (appointed)
1934
Incumbent re-elected.

Closest races

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Thirteen races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State Party of winner Margin
Illinois Republican (flip) 0.7%
Indiana Republican (flip) 1.4%
Missouri Democratic 2.5%
North Dakota Republican 3.0%
Connecticut Democratic (flip) 3.3%
Wisconsin Progressive 3.9%
Pennsylvania Democratic 4.4%
Ohio Republican (flip) 4.8%
Michigan Republican 5.7%
Idaho (special) Republican 5.9%
New York Democratic 6.6%
Connecticut Democratic 7.5%
Washington Democratic 8.4%

There is no tipping point state.

Arizona

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Arizona[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ernest McFarland 101,495 71.6
Republican Irving A. Jennings Sr. 39,657 28
Prohibition A. Walter Gehres 579 0.4
Majority 61,838 43.63
Turnout 141,731
Democratic hold

California

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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

United States Senate election in California of 1940[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Hiram W. Johnson (Incumbent) 2,238,899 82.50
Prohibition Fred Dyster 366,044 13.49
Communist Anita Whitney 97,478 3.59
Write-In John Anson Ford 7,415 0.27
None Scattering 4,029 0.15
Majority 1,872,855 69.01
Turnout 2,713,865
Republican hold

Connecticut

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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%

 
 
Maloney:      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

1940 United States Senate election in Connecticut[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Francis T. Maloney (Incumbent) 416,740 53.15
Republican Paul L. Cornell 358,313 45.70
Socialist Kenneth W. Thurlow 6,557 0.84
Socialist Labor James A. Hutchin 1,343 0,17
Communist Isadore Wofsy 1,114 0,14
Majority 58,427 12.45
Turnout 784,067
Democratic hold

Delaware

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Delaware[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James M. Tunnell 68,294 50.63
Republican John G. Townsend Jr. (Incumbent) 63,799 47.30
Independent Democratic William F. Allen 2,786 2.07
Majority 4,495 3.33
Turnout 134,879
Democratic gain from Republican

Florida

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Florida[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charles O. Andrews (Incumbent) 323,216 100.00
Democratic hold

Idaho (special)

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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

1940 United States Senate special election in Idaho[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Thomas 124,535 52.96
Democratic Glen H. Taylor 110,614 47.04
Majority 13,921 5.92
Turnout 235,149
Republican hold

Illinois (special)

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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

1940 United States Senate special election in Illinois[1][4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles W. Brooks 2,045,924 50.07
Democratic James M. Slattery (Incumbent) 2,025,097 49.56
Prohibition Enoch A. Holtwick 8,625 0.21
Socialist Clarence H. Mayer 6,517 0.16
None Scattering 16 0.00
Majority 20,827 0.51
Turnout 4,086,179
Republican hold

Indiana

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Indiana[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Raymond E. Willis 888,070 50.45
Democratic Sherman Minton (Incumbent) 864,803 49.13
Prohibition Carl W. Thompson 5,621 0.32
Socialist John H. Kingsbury 1,751 0.10
Majority 23,267 1.32
Turnout 1,760,245
Republican gain from Democratic

Kentucky (special)

edit
 
Senator Happy Chandler
1940 United States Senate special election in Kentucky[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Happy Chandler (Incumbent) 561,151 58.27
Republican Walter B. Smith 401,812 41.73
Majority 159,339 16.54
Turnout 962,963
Democratic hold

Maine

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Maine[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ralph Owen Brewster 150,149 58.61
Democratic Louis J. Brann 105,740 41.27
Independent Lewis Gordon 305 0.12
Majority 44,409 17.34
Turnout 256,194
Republican hold

Maryland

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Maryland[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George L. P. Radcliffe (Incumbent) 394,239 64.74
Republican Harry W. Nice 203,912 33.48
Socialist Edwin B. Abbott 4,204 0.69
Independent David L. Elliott 3,423 0.56
American Labor Robert Kadish 1,848 0.30
Communist Albert E. Blumberg 1,349 0.22
Majority 190,327 31.26
Turnout 608,975
Democratic hold

Massachusetts

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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%

 
 
Walsh:      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

1940 United States Senate election in Massachusetts[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David I. Walsh (Incumbent) 1,088,838 55.64
Republican Henry Parkman Jr. 838,122 42.38
Prohibition George L. Thompson 9,632 0.49
Communist Philip Frankfeld 9,465 0.48
Socialist Lyman Paine 6,876 0.35
Socialist Labor Horace I. Hillis 4,133 0.21
Majority 250,716 12.82
Turnout 1,957,089
Democratic hold

Michigan

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Michigan[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Arthur Vandenberg (Incumbent) 1,053,104 52.65
Democratic Frank FitzGerald 939,740 46.98
Socialist Nahum Burnett 3,580 0.18
Communist Elmer Johnson 2,290 0.11
Prohibition Carroll P. Pahman 937 0.05
Socialist Labor Theos A. Grove 691 0.03
Majority 113,364 5.67
Turnout 2,000,342
Republican hold

Minnesota

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Minnesota[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Henrik Shipstead (Incumbent) 641,049 53.00
Farmer–Labor Elmer Austin Benson 310,875 25.70
Democratic John E. Regan 248,658 20.56
Trotskyist Anti-War Grace Holmes Carlson 8,761 0.72
Independent Carl Winter 256 0.02
Majority 330,174 27.30
Turnout 1,209,599
Republican gain from Farmer–Labor

Mississippi

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Mississippi[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Theodore G. Bilbo (Incumbent) 143,431 100.00
Democratic hold

Missouri

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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.

1940 Missouri United States Senate election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harry S. Truman (Incumbent) 930,775 51.17
Republican Manvel H. Davis 886,376 48.73
Socialist W.F. Rinck 1,669 0.09
Socialist Labor Theodore Baeff 196 0.01
Majority 44,499 2.44
Turnout 1,819,016
Democratic hold

Montana

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Montana[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Burton K. Wheeler (Incumbent) 176,753 73.43 +3.29%
Republican E. K. Cheadle 63,941 26.57 −2.17%
Majority 112,812 46.87 +5.47%
Turnout 240,694
Democratic hold Swing

Nebraska

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Nebraska[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Hugh A. Butler 340,250 57.00
Democratic Robert Leroy Cochran 247,659 41.49
None Albert F. Ruthven 8,982 1.50
Majority 92,591 15.51
Turnout 596,891
Republican gain from Democratic

Nevada

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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.[5] Pittman died on November 10 at the Washoe General Hospital in Reno, Nevada.[6] 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.[5]

1940 United States Senate election in Nevada[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Key Pittman (Incumbent) 31,351 60.48
Republican Samuel Platt 20,488 39.52
Majority 10,863 20.96
Turnout 51,839
Democratic hold

New Jersey

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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

1940 United States Senate election in New Jersey[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican W. Warren Barbour (Incumbent) 1,029,331 55.11
Democratic James H. R. Cromwell 823,893 44.11
Socialist McAlister Coleman 8,836 0.47
Independent James A. Tumulty Jr. 2,784 0.15
Communist Mary Ellen Dooner 1,519 0.08
Prohibition Edson R. Leach 645 0.03
Socialist Labor Harry Santhouse 464 0.02
Socialist Workers George Breitman 303 0.02
Majority 225,438 11.00
Turnout 1,867,775
Republican hold

New Mexico

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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

1940 United States Senate election in New Mexico[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dennis Chávez (Incumbent) 103,194 55.95
Republican Albert K. Mitchell 81,257 44.05
Majority 21,937 11.90
Turnout 184,451
Democratic hold

New York

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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.

1940 United States Senate election in New York[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James M. Mead 2,893,407 47.06
American Labor James M. Mead 381,359 6.20
Total James M. Mead (Incumbent) 3,274,766 53.26
Republican Bruce Barton 2,842,942 46.66
Prohibition Stephen W. Paine 4,944 0.08
Total votes 6,148,562 100.00
Democratic hold

North Dakota

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1940 United States Senate election in North Dakota
 
← 1934
1946 →
       
Nominee William Langer William Lemke Charles V. 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

1940 United States Senate election in North Dakota[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Langer 100,647 38.11
Independent William Lemke 92,593 35.06
Democratic Charles V. Vogel 69,847 26.45
N/A Jasper Haaland 1,014 0.38
Majority 8,054 3.05
Turnout 264,101
Republican hold

Ohio

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Ohio[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Harold H. Burton 1,602,498 52.37
Democratic John McSweeney 1,457,304 47.63
Majority 145,194 4.74
Turnout 3,059,802
Republican gain from Democratic

Pennsylvania

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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

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joseph F. Guffey (Incumbent) 2,069,980 51.79 +1.01%
Republican Jay Cooke 1,893,104 47.36 −0.90%
Socialist David H.H. Felix 15,449 0.39 0.00%
Prohibition H. B. Mansell 11,113 0.28 −0.40%
Communist Carl Reeve 4,761 0.12 −0.09%
Socialist Labor Frank Knotek 2,503 0.06 −0.10%
N/A Other 110 0.00 N/A
Majority 176,876 4.43
Turnout 3,997,020
Democratic hold Swing

Rhode Island

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Senator Peter G. Gerry
1940 United States Senate election in Rhode Island[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Peter G. Gerry (Incumbent) 173,927 55.16
Republican James O. McManus 141,401 44.84
Majority 32,526 10.32
Turnout 315,328
Democratic hold

Tennessee

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Senator Kenneth McKellar
1940 United States Senate election in Tennessee[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kenneth McKellar (Incumbent) 295,440 70.80
Republican Howard Baker Sr. 121,790 29.19
Independent John Randolph Neal Jr. 35.06 0.01
Majority 173,650 41.61
Turnout 417,265
Democratic hold

Texas

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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[7]

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

1940 United States Senate election in Texas[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Connally (Incumbent) 978,095 94.24
Republican George I. Shannon 59,340 5.72
Communist Homer Brooks 408 0.04
Majority 918,755 88.52
Turnout 1,037,843
Democratic hold

Utah

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Utah[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Abe Murdock 155,499 62.85
Republican Philo Farnsworth 91,931 37.15
Majority 63,568 25.70
Turnout 247,430
Democratic hold

Vermont

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

Vermont (regular)

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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%

 
 

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.[8]

Vermont regular election[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Warren Austin (Incumbent) 93,283 66.4
Democratic Ona S. Searles 47,101 33.6
Total votes 140,384 100.0
Majority 46,182 32.9
Total votes 140,388
Republican hold

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

Vermont (special)

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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%

 
 

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.

Vermont special election[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Aiken 87,150 61.6
Democratic Herbert B. Comings 54,263 38.4
Majority 32,887 23.20
Total votes 141,413
Republican hold

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

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Virginia[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Harry F. Byrd Sr. (Incumbent) 274,260 93.32 +17.36%
Independent Hilliard Berstein 11,159 3.80
Independent Alice Burke 8,250 2.81
Write-ins 212 0.07 +0.05%
Majority 263,101 89.53 +34.50%
Turnout 293,881
Democratic hold

Washington

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Washington[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Monrad Wallgren 404,718 54.16
Republican Stephen F. Chadwick 342,589 45.84
Majority 62,129 8.32
Turnout 747,307
Democratic hold

West Virginia

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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

1940 United States Senate election in West Virginia[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harley M. Kilgore 492,413 56.33
Republican Thomas Sweeney 381,806 43.67
Majority 110,607 12.66
Turnout 874,219
Democratic hold

Wisconsin

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Wisconsin[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Progressive Robert M. La Follette Jr. (Incumbent) 605,609 45.26
Republican Fred H. Clausen 553,692 41.38
Democratic James E. Finnegan 176,688 13.20
Independent Communist Ted Furman 1,308 0.10
Socialist Labor Adolf Wiggert Jr. 838 0.06
Majority 51,917 4.88
Turnout 1,338,135
Progressive hold

Wyoming

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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

1940 United States Senate election in Wyoming[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph C. O'Mahoney (Incumbent) 65,022 58.74
Republican Milward L. Simpson 45,682 41.26
Majority 19,340 17.48
Turnout 110,704
Democratic hold

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b Appointee elected
  2. ^ Appointee defeated

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af "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. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c "VT Elections Database » Search Elections". VT Elections Database. Retrieved July 17, 2020.