1918 United States Senate elections

The 1918 United States Senate elections were held throughout 1918,[lower-alpha 1] the midpoint of Woodrow Wilson's second term as President of the United States. Republicans gained a slim 2-seat control after picking up a net 6 seats (4 in general elections and 2 in special elections).

1918 United States Senate elections

November 5, 1918[lower-alpha 1]

38 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate
49 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Henry Cabot Lodge
(unofficial)
Oscar Underwood
Party Republican Democratic
Leader since March 4, 1919 April 27, 1920
Leader's seat Massachusetts Alabama
Seats before 43 53
Seats after 49 47
Seat change 6 6
Seats up 17 24
Seats won 23 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 change in control meant that the Republicans could deny entry of the United States into the League of Nations. American participation in this new international institution was the centerpiece of Wilson's post-war foreign policy.

It was the first election in which all Class 2 senators were subject to direct or popular election following the enactment of the Seventeenth Amendment, making them the final class under the old system.

Gains and losses

Republicans gained seven seats:

Democrats gained one seat:

Party division

These numbers represent composition at the March 4, 1919 start of the 66th United States Congress. Composition often changes due to deaths, resignations, or party shifting.

  • Majority Party: Republican (49 seats)
  • Minority Party: Democratic (47 seats)
  • Other Parties: 0
  • Total Seats: 96

Source: United States Senate Official Website

Change in composition

Before the elections

  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
Kan.
Ran
D37
Ill.
Ran
D36
Idaho
Ran
D35
Ga.
Ran
D34
Del.
Ran
D33
Colo.
Ran
D32
Ark.
Ran
D31
Ala.
Ran
D30 D29
D39
La. (reg)
Ran
D40
La. (sp)
Ran
D41
Mo. (sp)
Ran
D42
Mont.
Ran
D43
Nev. (sp)
Ran
D44
N.H. (reg)
Retired
D45
N.C.
Ran
D46
Okla.
Ran
D47
S.C. (reg) &
S.C. (sp)
Ran
D48
Tenn.
Ran
Majority → D49
Va.
Ran
R39
N.J. (sp)
Ran
N.J. (reg)
Retired
R40
N.M.
Ran
R41
Ore. (sp)
Retired
Ore. (reg)
Ran
R42
R.I.
Ran
R43
S.D.
Ran
R44
Texas
Ran
R45
W.Va.
Retired
D51
Wyo.
Ran
D50
Wis.
Died
R38
N.H. (sp)
Retired
R37
Neb.
Ran
R36
Miss.
Ran
R35
Minn.
Ran
R34
Mich.
Retired
R33
Mass.
Ran
R32
Me.
Ran
R31
Ky.
Retired
R30
Iowa
Ran
R29
Idaho (reg)
Ran
R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28
R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8

Elections results

  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
Mass.
Gain
D37
La. (sp)
Hold
D36
La. (reg)
Re-elected
D35
Ky.
Hold
D34
Idaho
Elected[lower-alpha 2]
D33
Ga.
Hold
D32
Ark.
Re-elected
D31
Ala.
Re-elected
D30 D29
D39
Miss.
Hold
D40
Mont.
Re-elected
D41
Nev.
Elected[lower-alpha 2]
D42
N.C.
Re-elected
D43
Okla.
Re-elected
D44
S.C. (reg) &
S.C. (sp)
Hold
D45
Tenn.
Re-elected
D46
Texas
Re-elected
D47
Va.
Re-elected
R49
Wyo.
Re-elected
Majority →
R39
Neb.
Re-elected
R40
N.H. (reg)
Gain
R41
N.H. (sp)
Hold
R42
N.J. (sp)
Elected
N.J. (reg)
Hold
R43
N.M.
Re-elected
R44
Ore. (sp)
Hold
Ore. (reg)
Elected[lower-alpha 2]
R45
R.I.
Re-elected
R46
S.D.
Re-elected
R47
W.Va.
Hold
R48
Wis.
Gain
R38
Mo.
Gain
R37
Minn.
Re-elected
R36
Mich.
Hold
R35
Me.
Re-elected
R34
Kan.
Gain
R33
Iowa
Re-elected
R32
Ill.
Gain
R31
Idaho (reg)
Re-elected
R30
Del.
Gain
R29
Colo.
Gain
R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28
R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8
Key:
D# Democratic
R# Republican

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.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Wisconsin
(Class 3)
Paul O. Husting Democratic 1914 Incumbent died October 21, 1917.
New senator elected April 2, 1918.
Republican gain.

Anthony J. Benjamin (Prohibition), 0.06%[1]

Idaho
(Class 3)
John F. Nugent Democratic 1918 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected November 5, 1918.
Louisiana
(Class 3)
Walter Guion Democratic 1918 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected November 5, 1918.
Democratic hold.
Missouri
(Class 3)
Xenophon P. Wilfley Democratic 1918 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost nomination.
New senator elected November 5, 1918.
Republican gain.
Nevada
(Class 3)
Charles Henderson Democratic 1918 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected November 5, 1918.
New Hampshire
(Class 3)
Irving W. Drew Republican 1918 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected November 5, 1918.
Republican hold.
New Jersey
(Class 2)
David Baird Republican 1918 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected November 5, 1918.
Interim appointee was not a candidate for the next term, see below.
  • Y David Baird (Republican), 49.17%
  • Charles O. Hennessy (Democratic), 44.64%
  • James M. Reilly (Socialist), 3.82%
  • Grafton Day (Prohibition), 2.38%[7]
Oregon
(Class 2)
Charles L. McNary Republican 1917 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected November 5, 1918.
Republican hold.
Interim appointee was instead elected to the next term, see below.
Mulkey took the seat but subsequently resigned so McNary could be re-appointed ahead of the term.
South Carolina
(Class 2)
Christie Benet Democratic 1918 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost renomination.
New senator elected November 5, 1918.
Democratic hold.
Neither the interim appointee nor the winner were elected to the next term, see below.

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.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Alabama John H. Bankhead Democratic 1907 (Appointed)
1907 (Special)
1911 (Early)
Incumbent re-elected.
Arkansas Joseph Robinson Democratic 1913 Incumbent re-elected.
Colorado John F. Shafroth Democratic 1913 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Delaware Willard Saulsbury, Jr. Democratic 1913 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Georgia Thomas W. Hardwick Democratic 1914 (Special) Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Idaho William Borah Republican 1907
1913
Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois J. Hamilton Lewis Democratic 1913 (Late) Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Iowa William S. Kenyon Republican 1911 (Special)
1913
Incumbent re-elected.
Kansas William Thompson Democratic 1913 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Kentucky George B. Martin Democratic 1918 (Appointed) Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Louisiana Joseph E. Ransdell Democratic 1912 Incumbent re-elected.
Maine Bert M. Fernald Republican 1916 (Special) Incumbent re-elected September 9, 1918.
Massachusetts John W. Weeks Republican 1913 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Michigan William Alden Smith Republican 1911
1913
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Minnesota Knute Nelson Republican 1895
1901
1907
1913
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Y Knute Nelson (Republican), 60.05%
  • Willis Calderwood (Nationalist), 39.95%[24]
Mississippi James K. Vardaman Democratic 1912 Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.[25]
Democratic hold.[26]
  • Y Pat Harrison (Democratic), 95.04%
  • Summer W. Rose (Socialist), 4.96%
Montana Thomas J. Walsh Democratic 1913 Incumbent re-elected.
Nebraska George W. Norris Republican 1913 Incumbent re-elected.
New Hampshire Henry F. Hollis Democratic 1913 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
New Jersey David Baird Republican 1918 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Interim appointee, however, was elected to finish the current term, see above.
  • Y Walter Evans Edge (Republican), 50.34%
  • George M. La Monte (Democratic), 43.23%
  • James M. Reilly (Socialist), 4.14%
  • Grafton Day (Prohibition), 1.62%
  • William J. Wallace (Single Tax), 0.66%[30]
New Mexico Albert B. Fall Republican 1912 (New state)
1912 (Invalidated)
1913
Incumbent re-elected.
North Carolina Furnifold Simmons Democratic 1901
1907
1913
Incumbent re-elected.
Oklahoma Robert L. Owen Democratic 1907
1913
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Y Robert Latham Owen (Democratic), 55.44%
  • W. B. Johnson (Republican), 40.73%
  • C. M. Greenland (Socialist), 3.83%[33]
Oregon Charles L. McNary Republican 1917 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected to the next term but not to finish the term.
Winner subsequently appointed to begin next term early when winner of the special election, see above, resigned.
Rhode Island LeBaron B. Colt Republican 1913 Incumbent re-elected.
South Carolina Christie Benet Democratic 1918 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Neither the interim appointee nor the winner were elected to finish the current term, see above.
South Dakota Thomas Sterling Republican 1913 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Y Thomas Sterling (Republican), 55.07%
  • W. T. Rinehart (Democratic), 38.95%
  • Orville Rafferty (Independent), 5.98%[36]
Tennessee John K. Shields Democratic 1913 Incumbent re-elected.
Texas Morris Sheppard Democratic 1913 (Special) Incumbent re-elected.
  • Y Morris Sheppard (Democratic), 86.69%
  • J. Webster Flanagan (Republican), 12.41%
  • M. A. Smith (Socialist), 0.9%[38]
Virginia Thomas S. Martin Democratic 1893 (Early)
1899 (Early)
1906
1912
Incumbent re-elected.
West Virginia Nathan Goff, Jr. Republican 1913 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Wyoming Francis E. Warren Republican 1890
1893 (Lost)
1895
1901
1907
1913
Incumbent re-elected.

Alabama

Alabama election

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

U.S. senator before election

John H. Bankhead
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

John H. Bankhead
Democratic

Alabama election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John H. Bankhead (incumbent) 54,880 100.00
Total votes 54,880 100.00
Democratic hold

Arkansas

Arkansas election

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

U.S. senator before election

Joseph T. Robinson
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Joseph T. Robinson
Democratic

Arkansas election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph T. Robinson (incumbent) 78,377 100.00
Total votes 78,377 100.00
Democratic hold

Colorado

Colorado election

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

U.S. senator before election

John F. Shafroth
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Lawrence C. Phipps
Republican

Colorado election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lawrence C. Phipps 107,726 49.49
Democratic John F. Shafroth (incumbent) 104,347 47.94
Prohibition P. A. Richardson 5,606 2.58
Majority 3,379 1.55
Total votes 217,679 100.00
Republican gain from Democratic

Delaware

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois

Illinois election[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Medill McCormick 479,967 50.50
Democratic James Hamilton Lewis (incumbent) 426,943 44.92
Socialist William Bross Lloyd 37,167 3.91
Socialist Labor John M. Francis 3,268 0.34
Prohibition Frank B. Vennum 3,151 0.33
Majority 53,024 5.58
Turnout 950,496
Republican gain from Democratic

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Massachusetts

Michigan

1918 United States Senate election in Michigan

 
Nominee Truman Handy Newberry Henry Ford
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 220,054 212,487
Percentage 50.19% 48.47%

U.S. senator before election

William Alden Smith
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Truman Handy Newberry
Republican

1918 United States Senate election in Michigan[43]
Republican Truman Handy Newberry 220,054 50.19%
Democratic Henry Ford 212,487 48.47%
Socialist Edward O. Foss 4,763 1.09%
Prohibition William J. Faull 1,133 0.26%
Party Candidate Votes %
Majority 7,567 1.72
Total votes 438,437 100.00
Republican hold

Minnesota

Minnesota election

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

U.S. senator before election

Knute Nelson
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Knute Nelson
Republican

Minnesota election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Knute Nelson (incumbent) 206,428 60.05
National Willis Calderwood 137,334 39.95
Majority 69,094 20.10
Total votes 343,762 100.00
Republican hold

Mississippi

Missouri (special)

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada (special)

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Jersey (regular)

New Mexico

North Carolina

Oklahoma

Oregon

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Carolina (regular)

South Carolina election

August 27, 1918
 
Candidate Nathaniel B. Dial Coleman 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 Democratic primary[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nathaniel B. Dial 65,064 58.70
Democratic Coleman L. Blease 40,456 36.50
Democratic James F. Rice 5,317 4.80
Majority 24,608 22.20
Total votes 110,837 100.00
Democratic hold

South Carolina (special)

South Carolina election

September 10, 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 Carolina special Democratic primary[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William P. Pollock 38,816 34.91
Democratic Thomas H. Peeples 37,567 33.79
Democratic Christie Benet (incumbent) 34,807 31.30
Total votes 111,190 100.00
South Carolina special Democratic primary runoff[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William P. Pollock 49,920 62.43
Democratic Thomas H. Peeples 30,044 37.57
Majority 19,876 24.86
Total votes 79,964 100.00
Democratic hold

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Virginia

West Virginia

Wisconsin (Special)

Wisconsin election

 
Nominee Irvine Lenroot Joseph E. Davies Victor L. Berger
Party Republican Democratic Socialist
Popular vote 163,978 148,711 110,477
Percentage 38.73% 35.12% 26.09%

U.S. senator before election

Paul O. Husting
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Irvine Lenroot
Republican

Wisconsin election[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Irvine Lenroot 163,978 38.73
Democratic Paul O. Husting 148,711 35.12
Socialist Victor L. Berger 110,477 26.09
Prohibition Anthony J. Benjamin 233 0.06
Majority 15,267 3.61
Total votes 423,399 100.00
Republican gain from Democratic

Wyoming

See also

Notes

  1. There was a general election September 9, 1918 in Maine, and special elections in April and November 1918.
  2. Appointee elected

References

  1. "WI US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  2. "ID US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  3. "LA US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  4. "MO US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  5. "NV US Senate - Special Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  6. "NH US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  7. "NJ US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  8. "OR US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  9. "Our Campaigns - SC US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 05, 1918". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  10. "AL Senate Race - Nov 03, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  11. "AR US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  12. "CO US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  13. "DE US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  14. "GA US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  15. "ID US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  16. "IL US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  17. "IA US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  18. "KS US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  19. "KY US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  20. "LA US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  21. "ME US Senate Race - Sep 09, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  22. "MA US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  23. "MI US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  24. "MN US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  25. Street, William B. (March 21, 1965). "The Man Who Invented The Redneck". The Commercial Appeal.
  26. "MS US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  27. "MT US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  28. "NE US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  29. "NH US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  30. "NJ US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  31. "NM US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  32. "NC US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  33. "OK US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  34. "OR US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  35. "RI US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  36. "SD US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  37. "TN US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  38. "TX US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  39. "VA US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  40. "WV US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1918". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  41. 1919 Official Directory of Wyoming and Election Returns For 1918. W.E. Chaplin, Wyoming Secretary of State. pp. 36–37. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  42. "OFFICIAL VOTE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS CAST AT THE General Election, November 5, 1918 Judicial Elections, 1917-1918, Primary Election, September 11, 1918" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  43. "1918 Michigan general election results". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  44. "Our Campaigns - SC US Senate - D Primary Race - Aug 27, 1918". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  45. "Our Campaigns - SC US Senate - Special D Primary Race - Aug 27, 1918". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  46. "Our Campaigns - SC US Senate - Special D Runoff Race - Sep 10, 1918". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  47. https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=46931
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.