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1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin

The 1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin took place on August 27, 1957, to elect a U.S. Senator to complete the unexpired term of Senator Joseph McCarthy, who died on May 2, 1957.

1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin
← 1952 August 27, 1957 1958 →
 
Nominee William Proxmire Walter J. Kohler Jr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 435,985 312,931
Percentage 56.43% 40.50%
County results

Proxmire:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Kohler:      40–50%      50–60%
U.S. senator before election

Joseph McCarthy
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

William Proxmire
Democratic

Wisconsin law did not allow for the appointment of an interim Senator until the special election could be held.[1]

Democratic nominee William Proxmire defeated Republican nominee and former Governor of Wisconsin Walter J. Kohler Jr..

Primary elections

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Primary elections were held on July 30, 1957.[2]

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Declined

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Results

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Democratic primary results[4][5][6][7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William Proxmire 86,341 60.29
Democratic Clement J. Zablocki 56,817 39.67
Scattering 62 0.04
Total votes 143,220 100.00

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Declined

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  • Howard H. Boyle, attorney,[3] unsuccessful candidate for Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1956

Results

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Republican primary results[4][5][6][8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Walter J. Kohler Jr. 109,256 34.43
Republican Glenn Robert Davis 100,532 31.68
Republican Alvin E. O'Konski 66,784 21.05
Republican Warren P. Knowles 23,996 7.56
Republican Henry P. Hughes 7,488 2.36
Republican Gerald D. Lorge 7,326 2.31
Republican John C. Schafer 1,906 0.60
Write-in 44 0.01
Total votes 317,332 100.00

General election

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Major party candidates

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Minor party candidates

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The three minor candidates all technically ran as independents.

Results

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1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin[11][12][13][14][15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William Proxmire 435,985 56.43
Republican Walter J. Kohler Jr. 312,931 40.50
Protection of Constitutional Government Howard H. Boyle 20,581 2.66
Christianity - America First - McCarthyism Douglas J. Wheaton 2,288 0.30
Socialist Labor Georgia Cozzini 704 0.09
Scattering 131 0.02
Majority 123,054 15.93
Turnout 772,620 100.00
Democratic gain from Republican

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "McCarthy Services Set For Monday at Capitol". Evening star. Washington, D.C. May 3, 1957. p. A-1. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Two Old Foes Seek McCarthy Seat". Evening star. Washington, D.C. August 1, 1957. p. A-10. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Zablocki in Race For McCarthy Seat; Reuss to Bow Out". Evening star. Washington, D.C. June 9, 1957. p. A-6. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  4. ^ a b Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 161.
  5. ^ a b America Votes, p. 457.
  6. ^ a b Wisconsin Blue Book 1958, pp. 666–667.
  7. ^ "WI US Senate, 1957 - Special D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  8. ^ "WI US Senate, 1957 - Special R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Two Who Favor McCarthy to Run". Evening star. Washington, D.C. August 14, 1957. p. A-18. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  10. ^ a b c "McCarthy's Senate Seat To Be Filled Tomorrow". Evening star. Washington, D.C. August 26, 1957. p. A-18. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  11. ^ Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 100.
  12. ^ America Votes, p. 445.
  13. ^ Wisconsin Blue Book 1958, p. 773.
  14. ^ "WI US Senate, 1957 - Special Election". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  15. ^ "Campaign files, 1957-1958". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 6 September 2024.

Bibliography

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  • Congressional Elections, 1946-1996. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-248-4.
  • Scammon, Richard M., ed. (1958). America Votes: a handbook of contemporary American election statistics, 1956-57. New York: Governmental Affairs Institute.
  • Toepel, M. G.; Kuehn, Hazel L. (eds.). The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1958. State of Wisconsin.
 

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