1956 United States Senate elections

* * *

| <- 1954 | November 6, 1956 | 1958 ->

|
|

1957 (TX, WI) ->

* * *

35 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate
49 seats needed for a majority
|  | Majority party  | Minority party

|
|

|  |
Leader  | Lyndon Johnson | William Knowland
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Leader since  | January 3, 1953  | August 4, 1953
Leader's seat  | Texas | California
Seats before  | 49 | 47
Seats after  | 49 | 47
Seat change  |  |
Popular vote  | 23,291,351[1][a] | 22,219,450[1]
Percentage  | 50.7% | 48.4%
Seats up  | 18 | 17
Races won  | 18 | 17

* * *

Results of the elections:
Democratic gain Democratic hold
Republican gain Republican hold
No election

* * *

Rectangular inset (Ky. & S. C.): both seats up for election

* * *

| Majority Leader before election

Lyndon Johnson
Democratic

| Elected Majority Leader

Lyndon Johnson
Democratic

|

The 1956 United States Senate elections were elections for the United States Senate that coincided with the re-election of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The 32 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections, and three special elections were held to fill vacancies. Although Democrats gained two seats in regular elections, the Republicans gained two seats in special elections, leaving the party balance of the chamber unchanged.

Democrats defeated incumbents Herman Welker (R-Idaho), George H. Bender (R-Ohio), and James H. Duff (R-Pennsylvania), as well as winning a Republican-held seat in Colorado. Republicans defeated incumbent Earle C. Clements (D-Kentucky) as well as winning Democratic-held seats in Kentucky, New York, and West Virginia. Thus, this election caused Kentucky's Senate delegation to flip from two Democrats to two Republicans.

During the next Congress, Republican John D. Hoblitzell Jr. was appointed to the seat of deceased Senator Matthew M. Neely (D-WV), while Democrat William Proxmire won a special election for the seat of deceased Senator Joseph McCarthy (R-Wisconsin). Also, Democrat Ralph Yarborough won a special election for the seat of Price Daniel (D-Texas), who had resigned from the Senate after being elected Governor of Texas. The net result was to leave the party balance unchanged.

## Results summary[edit]

↓  49 | 47

|

Democratic | Republican

Colored shading indicates party with largest share of that row.

Parties  |  |  |  | Total

|
|
|
|

Democratic  | Republican  | Other
Before these elections  | 49  | 47  | 0  | 96
Not up  | 31  | 30  | —  | 61
| Class 1 (1952) | 11  | 20  | —  | 31
Class 2 (1954) | 20  | 10  | —  | 30
Up  | 18  | 17  | —  | 35
| Class 3 (1950→1956) | 15  | 17  | —  | 32
Special: Class 1 | 1  | 0  | —  | 1
Special: Class 2 | 2  | 0  | —  | 2
Incumbent retired  | 5  | 1  | —  | 6
| Held by same party | 2  | 0  | —  | 2
Replaced by other party | 1 Republican replaced by 1 Democrat
3 Democrats replaced by 3 Republicans  | —  | 4
Result | 3  | 3  | 0  | 6
Incumbent ran  | 13  | 16  | —  | 29
| Won re-election | 12  | 13  | —  | 25
Lost re-election | 3 Republicans replaced by 3 Democrats
1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican  | —  | 4
Lost renomination
but held by same party | 0  | 0  | —  | 0
Result | 15  | 14  | 0  | 29
Total elected  | 18  | 17  | 0  | 35
Net change  |  |  |  | 0
Nationwide vote  | 23,291,351[a] | 22,219,450  | 406,207  | 45,917,008
| Share  | 50.72%  | 48.39%  | 0.88%  | 100%
Result  | 49  | 47  | 0  | 96

Source: Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives[1]

## Gains, losses, and holds[edit]

### Retirements[edit]

One Republican and five Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.

State  | Senator  | Replaced by

|
|

Colorado | Eugene Millikin | John A. Carroll
Georgia | Walter F. George | Herman Talmadge
Kentucky (special) | Robert Humphreys | John Sherman Cooper
New York | Herbert H. Lehman | Jacob Javits
South Carolina (special) | Thomas A. Wofford | Strom Thurmond
West Virginia | William Laird III | Chapman Revercomb

### Defeats[edit]

Three Republicans and one Democrat sought re-election but lost in the general election.

State  | Senator  | Replaced by

|
|

Idaho | Herman Welker | Frank Church
Kentucky | Earle Clements | Thruston Ballard Morton
Ohio | George H. Bender | Frank Lausche
Pennsylvania | James H. Duff | Joseph S. Clark Jr.

### Post-election changes[edit]

One Republican was appointed to the seat of a deceased Democrat. Two Democrats won special elections, one seat was previously held by a Democrat and another by a Republican. One Democrat was appointed to replace another Democrat.

State  | Senator  | Replaced by

|
|

North Carolina | W. Kerr Scott | B. Everett Jordan
Texas | Price Daniel | Ralph Yarborough
West Virginia | Matthew M. Neely | John D. Hoblitzell Jr.
Wisconsin | Joseph McCarthy | William Proxmire

## Change in composition[edit]

### Before the elections[edit]

| 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
Ky. (sp)
Ran | D37
Ky. (reg)
Ran | D36
Ga.
Retired | D35
Fla.
Ran | D34
Ark.
Ran | D33
Ariz.
Ran | D32
Ala.
Ran | D31 | D30 | D29
D39
La.
Ran | D40
Mo.
Ran | D41
Nev.
Ran | D42
N.Y.
Retired | D43
N.C.
Ran | D44
Okla.
Ran | D45
Ore.
Ran | D46
S.C. (reg)
Ran | D47
S.C. (sp)
Retired | D48
Wash.
Ran
Majority → | D49
W.Va. (sp)
Retired
R39
Md.
Ran | R40
N.H.
Ran | R41
N.D.
Ran | R42
Ohio
Ran | R43
Pa.
Ran | R44
S.D.
Ran | R45
Utah
Ran | R46
Vt.
Ran | R47
Wisc.
Ran
R38
Kan.
Ran | R37
Iowa
Ran | R36
Ind.
Ran | R35
Ill.
Ran | R34
Idaho
Ran | R33
Conn.
Ran | R32
Colo.
Retired | R31
Calif.
Ran | R30 | R29
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[edit]

| 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
Mo.
Re-elected | D37
La.
Re-elected | D36
Ga.
Hold | D35
Fla.
Re-elected | D34
Ark.
Re-elected | D33
Ariz.
Re-elected | D32
Ala.
Re-elected | D31 | D30 | D29
D39
Nev.
Re-elected | D40
N.C.
Re-elected | D41
Okla.
Re-elected | D42
Ore.
Re-elected | D43
S.C. (reg)
Re-elected | D44
S.C. (sp)
Hold | D45
Wash.
Re-elected | D46
Colo.
Gain | D47
Idaho
Gain | D48
Ohio
Gain
Majority → | D49
Pa.
Gain
R39
N.D.
Re-elected | R40
S.D.
Re-elected | R41
Utah
Re-elected | R42
Vt.
Re-elected | R43
Wisc.
Re-elected | R44
Ky. (reg)
Gain | R45
Ky. (sp)
Gain | R46
N.Y.
Gain | R47
W.Va. (sp)
Gain
R38
N.H.
Re-elected | R37
Md.
Re-elected | R36
Kan.
Re-elected | R35
Iowa
Re-elected | R34
Ind.
Re-elected | R33
Ill.
Re-elected | R32
Conn.
Re-elected | R31
Calif.
Re-elected | R30 | R29
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

## Race summaries[edit]

### Special elections during the 84th Congress[edit]

In these special elections, the winners were seated during 1956 or in 1957 before January 3; ordered by election date, then state.

State  | Incumbent  | Results  | Candidates

|
|
|

Senator  | Party  | Electoral history
Kentucky
(Class 2)  | Robert Humphreys | Democratic | 1956 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected November 6, 1956.
Republican gain.  |

* ▌Y John Sherman Cooper (Republican) 53.2%
* ▌Lawrence Wetherby (Democratic) 46.8%

South Carolina
(Class 2)  | Thomas A. Wofford | Democratic | 1956 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected November 6, 1956.
Democratic hold.  |

* ▌Y Strom Thurmond (Democratic)
* Unopposed

West Virginia
(Class 1)  | William Laird III | Democratic | 1956 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected November 6, 1956.
Republican gain.  |

* ▌Y Chapman Revercomb (Republican) 53.7%
* ▌William C. Marland (Democratic) 46.3%

### Races leading to the 85th Congress[edit]

In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1957; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.

State  | Incumbent  | Results  | Candidates

|
|
|

Senator  | Party  | Electoral history
Alabama | J. Lister Hill | Democratic | 1938 (Appointed)
1938
1944
1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y J. Lister Hill (Democratic)
* Unopposed

Arizona | Carl Hayden | Democratic | 1926
1932
1938
1944
1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Carl Hayden (Democratic) 61.4%
* ▌Ross F. Jones (Republican) 38.6%

Arkansas | J. William Fulbright | Democratic | 1944
1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y J. William Fulbright (Democratic) 83.0%
* ▌Ben C. Henley (Republican) 17.0%

California | Thomas Kuchel | Republican  | 1953 (Appointed)
1954 (special) | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Thomas Kuchel (Republican) 54.0%
* ▌Richard Richards (Democratic) 45.6%
* ▌Ray Gourley (Prohibition) 0.4%

Colorado | Eugene Millikin | Republican  | 1941 (Appointed)
1942 (special)
1944
1950 | Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.  |

* ▌Y John A. Carroll (Democratic) 50.2%
* ▌Daniel I. J. Thornton (Republican) 49.8%

Connecticut | Prescott Bush | Republican  | 1952 (special) | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Prescott Bush (Republican) 54.8%
* ▌Thomas J. Dodd (Democratic) 43.1%

Florida | George Smathers | Democratic | 1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y George Smathers (Democratic)
* Unopposed

Georgia | Walter F. George | Democratic | 1922 (special)
1926
1932
1938
1944
1950 | Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.  |

* ▌Y Herman Talmadge (Democratic)
* Unopposed

Idaho | Herman Welker | Republican  | 1950 | Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.  |

* ▌Y Frank Church (Democratic) 56.2%
* ▌Herman Welker (Republican) 38.7%

Illinois | Everett Dirksen | Republican  | 1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Everett Dirksen (Republican) 54.1%
* ▌W. Richard Stengel[b] (Democratic) 45.7%

Indiana | Homer E. Capehart | Republican  | 1944
1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Homer E. Capehart (Republican) 55.2%
* ▌Claude R. Wickard (Democratic) 44.4%

Iowa | Bourke B. Hickenlooper | Republican  | 1944
1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Bourke B. Hickenlooper (Republican) 53.9%
* ▌R. M. Evans (Democratic) 46.1%

Kansas | Frank Carlson | Republican  | 1950 (special)
1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Frank Carlson (Republican) 57.9%
* ▌George Hart (Democratic) 40.5%

Kentucky | Earle Clements | Democratic | 1950 (special)
1950 | Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.  |

* ▌Y Thruston Ballard Morton (Republican) 50.4%
* ▌Earle Clements (Democratic) 49.6%

Louisiana | Russell B. Long | Democratic | 1948 (special)
1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Russell B. Long (Democratic)
* Unopposed

Maryland | John Marshall Butler | Republican  | 1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y John Marshall Butler (Republican) 53.0%
* ▌George P. Mahoney (Democratic) 47.0%

Missouri | Thomas C. Hennings Jr. | Democratic | 1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Thomas C. Hennings Jr. (Democratic) 56.4%
* ▌Herbert Douglas (Republican) 43.6%

Nevada | Alan Bible | Democratic | 1954 (special) | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Alan Bible (Democratic) 52.6%
* ▌Clarence Clifton Young (Republican) 47.4%

New Hampshire | Norris Cotton | Republican  | 1954 (special) | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Norris Cotton (Republican) 64.1%
* ▌Laurence M. Pickett (Democratic) 35.9%

New York | Herbert H. Lehman | Democratic | 1949 (special)
1950 | Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Winner delayed term until January 9, 1957, when he resigned his post as an Attorney General of New York.  |

* ▌Y Jacob Javits (Republican) 53.3%
* ▌Robert F. Wagner Jr. (Democratic) 46.7%

North Carolina | Sam Ervin | Democratic | 1954 (Appointed)
1954 (special) | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Sam Ervin (Democratic) 66.6%
* ▌Joel A. Johnson (Republican) 33.4%

North Dakota | Milton Young | Republican  | 1945 (Appointed)
1946 (special)
1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Milton Young (Republican) 63.6%
* ▌Quentin Burdick (Democratic-NPL) 36.0%

Ohio | George H. Bender | Republican  | 1954 (special) | Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.  |

* ▌Y Frank Lausche (Democratic) 52.9%
* ▌George H. Bender (Republican) 47.1%

Oklahoma | Mike Monroney | Democratic | 1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Mike Monroney (Democratic) 55.4%
* ▌Douglas McKeever (Republican) 44.7%

Oregon | Wayne Morse | Democratic | 1944[c]
1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Wayne Morse (Democratic) 54.2%
* ▌Douglas McKay (Republican) 45.8%

Pennsylvania | James H. Duff | Republican  | 1950 | Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.  |

* ▌Y Joseph S. Clark Jr. (Democratic) 50.1%
* ▌James H. Duff (Republican) 49.7%

South Carolina | Olin D. Johnston | Democratic | 1944
1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Olin D. Johnston (Democratic)
* Unopposed

South Dakota | Francis Case | Republican  | 1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Francis Case (Republican) 50.8%
* ▌Kenneth Holum (Democratic) 49.2%

Utah | Wallace F. Bennett | Republican  | 1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Wallace F. Bennett (Republican) 54.0%
* ▌Alonzo F. Hopkin (Democratic) 46.0%

Vermont | George Aiken | Republican  | 1940 (special)
1944
1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y George Aiken (Republican) 66.4%
* ▌Bernard G. O'Shea (Democratic) 33.6%

Washington | Warren Magnuson | Democratic | 1944 (Appointed)
1944
1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Warren Magnuson (Democratic) 61.1%
* ▌Arthur B. Langlie (Republican) 38.9%

Wisconsin | Alexander Wiley | Republican  | 1938
1944
1950 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Alexander Wiley (Republican) 58.6%
* ▌Henry Maier (Democratic) 41.2%

## Closest races[edit]

Fifteen races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State  | Party of winner  | Margin

|
|

Colorado | Democratic (flip)  | 0.4%[d]
Pennsylvania | Democratic (flip)  | 0.4%
Kentucky | Republican (flip)  | 0.8%
South Dakota | Republican  | 1.6%
Nevada | Democratic  | 5.2%
Ohio | Democratic  | 5.8%
Maryland | Republican  | 6.0%
Kentucky (special) | Republican (flip)  | 6.4%
New York | Republican (flip)  | 6.6%
West Virginia (special) | Republican (flip)  | 7.4%
Iowa | Republican  | 7.8%
Utah | Republican  | 8.0%
California | Republican  | 8.34%
Illinois | Republican  | 8.39%
Oregon | Democratic  | 8.4%

## Alabama[edit]

Senator J. Lister Hill

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Alabama

See also: List of United States senators from Alabama

United States Senate election in Alabama of 1956[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | J. Lister Hill (Incumbent)  | 330,182  | 100.00
| Democratic hold

## Arizona[edit]

Arizona election

* * *

<- 1950

1962 ->

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Carl Hayden | Ross F. Jones |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 170,816 | 107,447
Percentage  | 61.4% | 38.6%

* * *

County results
Hayden: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Carl Hayden
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

Carl Hayden
Democratic

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Arizona

See also: List of United States senators from Arizona

1956 United States Senate election in Arizona[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Carl Hayden (Incumbent)  | 170,816  | 61.39
| Republican | Ross F. Jones | 107,447  | 38.61
Majority  | 63,369  | 22.78
Turnout | 278,263  |
| Democratic hold

## Arkansas[edit]

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Arkansas

See also: List of United States senators from Arkansas

1956 U.S. Senate election in Arkansas

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | J. William Fulbright | Ben C. Henley |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 331,679 | 98,013
Percentage  | 82.98% | 17.02%

* * *

County results
Fulbright:  50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90%
Henley:  50–60%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

J. William Fulbright
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

J. William Fulbright
Democratic

|

1956 United States Senate election in Arkansas[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | J. William Fulbright (Incumbent)  | 331,689  | 82.98
| Republican | Ben C. Henley | 68,016  | 17.02
Majority  | 263,673  | 65.96
Turnout | 399,705  |
| Democratic hold

## California[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in California

* * *

| <- 1954 (special) | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Thomas Kuchel | Richard Richards  |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 2,892,918 | 2,445,816
Percentage  | 53.96% | 45.62%

* * *

County results
Kuchel: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70%
70–80% 80–90%
Richards: 40–50% 50–60%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Thomas Kuchel
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Thomas Kuchel
Republican

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in California

See also: List of United States senators from California

1956 United States Senate election in California[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Thomas Kuchel (Incumbent)  | 2,892,918  | 53.96
| Democratic | Richard Richards  | 2,445,816  | 45.62
| Prohibition | Ray Gourley  | 22,410  | 0.42
| None  | Scattering  | 323  | 0.01
Majority  | 447,102  | 8.34
Turnout | 5,361,467  |
| Republican hold

## Colorado[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Colorado

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | John A. Carroll | Daniel I. J. Thornton |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 319,872 | 317,102
Percentage  | 50.22% | 49.78%

* * *

Results by county
Carroll: 50–60% 60–70%
Thornton: 50–60% 60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Eugene Millikin
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

John A. Carroll
Democratic

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Colorado

See also: List of United States senators from Colorado

1956 United States Senate election in Colorado[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | John A. Carroll | 319,872  | 50.22
| Republican | Dan Thornton | 317,102  | 49.78
Majority  | 2,770  | 0.44
Turnout | 636,974  |
| Democratic gain from Republican

## Connecticut[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Connecticut

* * *

| <- 1952 (special) | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Prescott Bush | Thomas J. Dodd |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 610,829 | 479,460
Percentage  | 54.84% | 43.05%

* * *

County results
Bush:  50-60% 60-70%
Dodd:  50–60%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Prescott Bush
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Prescott Bush
Republican

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Connecticut

See also: List of United States senators from Connecticut

1956 United States Senate election in Connecticut[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Prescott Bush (Incumbent)  | 610,829  | 54.84
| Democratic | Thomas J. Dodd | 479,460  | 43.05
| Independent Republican | Suzanne S. Stevenson  | 10,199  | 0.92
| Socialist | Jasper McLevy | 7,079  | 0.64
| Write-In  | Vivien Kellems | 6,219  | 0.56
| None  | Scattering  | 33  | 0.00
Majority  | 131,369  | 11.79
Turnout | 1,113,819  |
| Republican hold

## Florida[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Florida

* * *

| <- 1950 | May 8, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | George Smathers |  |
Party  | Democratic |
Popular vote  | 655,418 |
Percentage  | 100.0% |

* * *

County results
Smathers:  90-100%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

George Smathers
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

George Smathers
Democratic

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Florida

See also: List of United States senators from Florida

1956 United States Senate election in Florida[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | George A. Smathers (incumbent)  | 655,418  | 100.00
| Democratic hold

## Georgia[edit]

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Georgia

See also: List of United States senators from Georgia

1956 United States Senate election in Georgia[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Herman Talmadge | 541,094  | 99.97
| None  | Scattering  | 173  | 0.03
Majority  | 540,921  | 99.94
Turnout | 541,267  |
| Democratic hold

## Idaho[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Idaho

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |  |

|
|
|

Nominee  | Frank Church | Herman Welker | Glen H. Taylor (Write-in)
Party  | Democratic | Republican | Independent
Popular vote  | 149,096 | 102,781  | 13,415
Percentage  | 56.20% | 38.74%  | 5.06%

* * *

County results
Church:  40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
Welker:  40–50% 50-60%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Herman Welker
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Frank Church
Democratic

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Idaho

See also: List of United States senators from Idaho

1956 United States Senate election in Idaho[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Frank Church | 149,096  | 56.20
| Republican | Herman Welker (Incumbent)  | 102,781  | 38.74
| Write-in  | Glen Taylor | 13,415  | 5.06
Majority  | 46,315  | 17.46
Turnout | 265,292  |
| Democratic gain from Republican

## Illinois[edit]

Illinois election

* * *

<- 1950

1962 ->

Turnout| 81.74%
|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Everett M. Dirksen | Richard Stengel  |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 2,307,552 | 1,949,883
Percentage  | 54.11% | 45.72%

* * *

County results
Dirksen: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80%
Stengel: 50–60%

* * *

| Senator before election

Everett M. Dirksen
Republican

| Elected Senator

Everett M. Dirksen
Republican

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Illinois

See also: List of United States senators from Illinois

1956 United States Senate election in Illinois[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Everett Dirksen (Incumbent)  | 2,307,352  | 54.10
| Democratic | Richard Stengel  | 1,949,883  | 45.72
| Socialist Labor | Louis Fisher | 7,587  | 0.18
| None  | Scattering  | 8  | 0.00
Majority  | 357,469  | 8.38
Turnout | 4,264,830  |
| Republican hold

## Indiana[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Indiana

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Homer Capehart | Claude Wickard |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 1,084,262 | 871,781
Percentage  | 55.21% | 44.39%

* * *

County results
Capehart: 50–60% 60-70% 70-80%
Wickard: 40–50% 50–60%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Homer Capehart
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Homer Capehart
Republican

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Indiana

See also: List of United States senators from Indiana

1956 United States Senate election in Indiana[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Homer Capehart (Incumbent)  | 1,084,262  | 55.20
| Democratic | Claude R. Wickard | 871,781  | 44.39
| Prohibition | Carl W. Thompson  | 6,685  | 0.34
| Socialist Labor | Gordon A. Long  | 1,258  | 0.06
Majority  | 212,481  | 10.81
Turnout | 1,963,986  |
| Republican hold

## Iowa[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Iowa

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Bourke B. Hickenlooper | Rudolph M. Evans  |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 635,499 | 543,156
Percentage  | 53.92% | 46.08%

* * *

County results
Stanley:  50-60% 60-70% 70-80%
Evans:  50–60%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Bourke B. Hickenlooper
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Bourke B. Hickenlooper
Republican

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Iowa

See also: List of United States senators from Iowa

1956 United States Senate election in Iowa[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Bourke B. Hickenlooper (Incumbent)  | 635,499  | 53.92
| Democratic | Rudolph M. Evans  | 543,156  | 46.08
Majority  | 92,343  | 7.84
Turnout | 1,178,655  |
| Republican hold

## Kansas[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Kansas

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Frank Carlson | George Hart  |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 477,822 | 333,939
Percentage  | 57.90% | 40.46%

* * *

County results
Carlson: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
Hart: 50–60%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Frank Carlson
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Frank Carlson
Republican

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Kansas

See also: List of United States senators from Kansas

1956 United States Senate election in Kansas[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Frank Carlson (Incumbent)  | 477,822  | 57.90
| Democratic | George Hart  | 333,939  | 40.46
| Prohibition | C. Floyd Hester  | 13,519  | 1.64
Majority  | 143,883  | 17.44
Turnout | 825,280  |
| Republican hold

## Kentucky[edit]

See also: List of United States senators from Kentucky and 1956 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky

Two elections in Kentucky converted both seats from Democratic to Republican. As a result, this marked the first time since 1916 that both Senate seats in a state flipped from one party to the other in a single election cycle.

### Kentucky (special)[edit]

1956 United States Senate special election in Kentucky

* * *

| <- 1954 | November 6, 1956 | 1960 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | John Sherman Cooper | Lawrence Wetherby |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 538,505 | 473,140
Percentage  | 53.23% | 46.77%

* * *

County results
Sherman:  50-60% 60-70% 70–80% 80–90%
Wetherby:  50–60% 60–70% 70–80%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Robert Humphreys
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

John Sherman Cooper
Republican

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate special election in Kentucky

Following the death of Alben Barkley on April 30, 1956, Robert Humphreys was appointed June 21, 1956 to continue the term, pending a special election.[2] Humphreys did not run in the special election to finish the term that would end in 1961.

Republican former-senator John Sherman Cooper, who had twice won special elections to that seat in 1946 and 1952, was again elected to finish the term.

1956 United States Senate special election in Kentucky[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | John Sherman Cooper | 538,505  | 53.23
| Democratic | Lawrence W. Wetherby | 473,140  | 46.77
Majority  | 65,365  | 6.46
Turnout | 1,011,645  |
| Republican gain from Democratic

This time, however, Cooper would be re-elected in 1960 and again in 1966, serving until his 1973 retirement.

### Kentucky (regular)[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Kentucky

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Thruston Ballard Morton | Earle Clements |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 506,903 | 499,922
Percentage  | 50.35% | 49.65%

* * *

County results
Morton: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%
Clements: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Earle Clements
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

Thruston Ballard Morton
Republican

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Kentucky

First-term Democrat Earle Clements lost re-election to Republican Thruston B. Morton, who was Eisenhower's Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs.

1956 United States Senate election in Kentucky[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Thruston B. Morton | 506,903  | 50.35
| Democratic | Earle Clements (Incumbent)  | 499,922  | 49.65
Majority  | 6,981  | 0.70
Turnout | 1,006,825  |
| Republican gain from Democratic

## Louisiana[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Louisiana

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Russell B. Long |  |
Party  | Democratic |
Popular vote  | 335,564 |
Percentage  | 100.00% |

* * *

Parish results
Long: >90%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Russell B. Long
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

Russell B. Long
Democratic

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Louisiana

See also: List of United States senators from Louisiana

1956 United States Senate election in Louisiana[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Russell Long (Incumbent)  | 335,564  | 100.00
| Democratic hold

## Maryland[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Maryland

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | John Marshall Butler | George P. Mahoney |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 473,059 | 420,108
Percentage  | 52.96% | 47.04%

* * *

County results
Butler: 50–60% 60–70%
Mahoney: 50–60%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

John Marshall Butler
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

John Marshall Butler
Republican

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Maryland

See also: List of United States senators from Maryland

1956 United States Senate election in Maryland[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | John Marshall Butler (Incumbent)  | 473,059  | 52.96
| Democratic | George P. Mahoney | 420,108  | 47.04
Majority  | 52,951  | 5.92
Turnout | 893,167  |
| Republican hold

## Missouri[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Missouri

* * *

<- 1950

1960 (special) ->

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Thomas C. Hennings Jr. | Herbert Douglas  |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 1,015,936 | 785,048
Percentage  | 56.41% | 43.59%

* * *

County results
Hennings:  50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%
Douglas:  50–60% 60–70% 70–80%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Thomas C. Hennings Jr.
Democratic

| Elected U.S. senator

Thomas C. Hennings Jr.
Democratic

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Missouri

See also: List of United States senators from Missouri

1956 United States Senate election in Missouri[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Thomas C. Hennings Jr. (Incumbent)  | 1,015,936  | 56.41
| Republican | Herbert Douglas  | 785,048  | 43.59
Majority  | 230,888  | 12.82
Turnout | 1,800,984  |
| Democratic hold

## Nevada[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Nevada

* * *

| <- 1954 (special) | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Alan Bible | Cliff Young |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 50,677 | 45,712
Percentage  | 52.58% | 47.42%

* * *

County results
Bible:  50–60% 60–70%
Young:  50–60% 60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Alan Bible
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

Alan Bible
Democratic

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Nevada

See also: List of United States senators from Nevada

1956 United States Senate election in Nevada[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Alan Bible (Incumbent)  | 50,677  | 52.58
| Republican | Cliff Young | 45,712  | 47.42
Majority  | 4,965  | 5.16
Turnout | 96,389  |
| Democratic hold

## New Hampshire[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

* * *

| <- 1954 (special) | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Norris Cotton | Laurence M. Pickett  |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 161,424 | 90,519
Percentage  | 64.07% | 35.93%

* * *

County results
Cotton: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Norris Cotton
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Norris Cotton
Republican

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

See also: List of United States senators from New Hampshire

1956 United States Senate election in New Hampshire[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Norris Cotton (Incumbent)  | 161,424  | 64.07
| Democratic | Laurence M. Pickett  | 90,519  | 35.93
Majority  | 70,905  | 28.14
Turnout | 251,943  |
| Republican hold

## New York[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in New York

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Jacob Javits | Robert F. Wagner Jr. |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Alliance  |  | Liberal
Popular vote  | 3,723,933 | 3,265,159
Percentage  | 53.27% | 46.71%

* * *

County results
Javits: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
Wagner: 50–60% 60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Herbert H. Lehman
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

Jacob Javits
Republican

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in New York

See also: List of United States senators from New York

In New York, the Republican state convention met on September 10 at Albany, New York, and nominated New York State Attorney General Jacob K. Javits.[3] The Democratic state convention met on September 10 at Albany, New York, and nominated Mayor of New York City Robert F. Wagner Jr., for the U.S. Senate.[4] The Liberal Party endorsed the Democratic nominee, Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr., for the U.S. Senate.[5] On October 1, a movement was launched to vote for General of the Army Douglas MacArthur as a write-in candidate for the U.S. Senate.[6] On October 2, MacArthur disavowed the campaign, and stated that he was not a candidate.[7]

The Republican candidate was elected.

1956 United States Senate election in New York[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Jacob Javits | 3,723,933  | 53.26
| Democratic | Robert F. Wagner Jr. | 3,265,159  | 46.70
| None  | Scattering  | 1,390  | 0.02
| None  | Miscellaneous  | 654  | 0.01
Majority  | 458,774  | 6.56
Turnout | 6,991,136  |
| Republican gain from Democratic

## North Carolina[edit]

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in North Carolina

See also: List of United States senators from North Carolina

1956 United States Senate election in North Carolina[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Samuel J. Ervin Jr. (Incumbent)  | 731,433  | 66.56
| Republican | Joel A. Johnson  | 367,475  | 33.44
Majority  | 363,958  | 33.12
Turnout | 1,098,908  |
| Democratic hold

## North Dakota[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in North Dakota

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Milton Young | Quentin Burdick |
Party  | Republican | Democratic–NPL
Popular vote  | 155,305 | 87,919
Percentage  | 63.61% | 36.01%

* * *

County results
Young: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80-90%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Milton Young
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Milton Young
Republican

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in North Dakota

See also: List of United States senators from North Dakota

In North Dakota, the incumbent, Republican Milton Young, sought and received re-election to his third term, defeating North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party candidate Quentin N. Burdick, son of North Dakota congressman Usher L. Burdick.[8]

Only Young filed as a Republican, and the endorsed Democratic candidate was Quentin Burdick, the son of well-known politician Usher Burdick, and former candidate for Governor of North Dakota. Young and Burdick won the primary elections for their respective parties.

One independent candidate, Arthur C. Townley, also filed before the deadline. Townley would later seek the state's other senate seat in 1958, and was known for creating the National Non-Partisan League.

1956 United States Senate election in North Dakota[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Milton R. Young (incumbent)  | 155,305  | 63.61
| Democratic–NPL | Quentin N. Burdick | 87,919  | 36.01
| Independent | Arthur C. Townley | 937  | 0.38
Majority  | 67,386  | 27.60
Turnout | 244,161  |
| Republican hold

## Ohio[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Ohio

* * *

| <- 1954 (special) | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Frank Lausche | George H. Bender |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 1,864,589 | 1,660,910
Percentage  | 52.89% | 47.11%

* * *

County results
Lausche: 50–60% 60–70%
Bender: 50–60% 60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

George H. Bender
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Frank J. Lausche
Democratic

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Ohio

See also: List of United States senators from Ohio

1956 United States Senate election in Ohio[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Frank J. Lausche | 1,864,589  | 52.89
| Republican | George H. Bender (Incumbent)  | 1,660,910  | 47.11
Majority  | 203,679  | 5.78
Turnout | 3,525,499  |
| Democratic gain from Republican

## Oklahoma[edit]

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

See also: List of United States senators from Oklahoma

1956 United States Senate election in Oklahoma[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Mike Monroney (Incumbent)  | 459,996  | 55.35
| Republican | Douglas McKeever  | 371,146  | 44.65
Majority  | 88,850  | 10.70
Turnout | 831,142  |
| Democratic hold

## Oregon[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Oregon

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 7, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Wayne Morse | Douglas McKay |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 396,849 | 335,405
Percentage  | 54.20% | 45.80%

* * *

County results
Morse:  50–60% 60–70%
McKay:  50-60%

* * *

| Senator before election

Wayne Morse
Democratic

| Elected Senator

Wayne Morse
Democratic

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Oregon

See also: List of United States senators from Oregon

In Oregon, Republican-turned-Independent-turned-Democrat Wayne Morse decided to seek re-election for his first full term as a Democrat. Morse defeated Republican candidate Douglas McKay in the hotly contested general election.[9]

1956 Oregon United States Senate election[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Wayne Morse,
Incumbent Senator since 1945; Democratic party since 1955  | 396,849  | 54.20
| Republican | Douglas McKay,
former Governor of Oregon (1949–1952) and United States Secretary of the Interior (1953–1956)  | 335,405  | 45.80
Majority  | 61,444  | 8.39
Turnout | 732,254  |
| Democratic hold

## Pennsylvania[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Joseph S. Clark Jr. | James H. Duff |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 2,268,641 | 2,250,671
Percentage  | 50.08% | 49.69%

* * *

County results
Clark Jr.: 50–60% 60–70%
Duff: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

James H. Duff
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Joseph S. Clark, Jr.
Democratic

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania

See also: List of United States senators from Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, incumbent Republican U.S. senator James H. Duff sought re-election to another term, but was defeated by the Democratic nominee, Joseph S. Clark Jr.

General election results[8] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Joseph S. Clark Jr.
Former Mayor of Philadelphia | 2,268,641  | 50.08
| Republican | James H. Duff
Incumbent U.S. senator  | 2,250,671  | 49.69
| Socialist Labor | George S. Taylor  | 7,447  | 0.16
| Militant Workers  | Herbert G. Lewin | 2,035  | 0.05
Majority  | 17,970  | 0.39
Turnout | 4,529,874  |
| Democratic gain from Republican

## South Carolina[edit]

See also: List of United States senators from South Carolina and 1956 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

In South Carolina the regular election was held simultaneously with the special election.

### South Carolina (regular)[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in South Carolina

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Olin D. Johnston | Leon P. Crawford |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 230,150 | 49,695
Percentage  | 82.21% | 17.75%

* * *

County results
Johnston:  50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Olin D. Johnston
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

Olin D. Johnston
Democratic

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in South Carolina

Incumbent Democrat Olin D. Johnston handily defeated Republican mayor of Clemson Leon P. Crawford. Olin D. Johnston, the incumbent Senator, faced no opposition from South Carolina Democrats and avoided a primary election. Leon P. Crawford, the mayor of the town of Clemson in the Upstate, faced no opposition from South Carolina Republicans and avoided a primary election. Crawford campaigned as a defender of states' rights and denounced Johnston for backing the New Deal and the Fair Deal. The state Republican Party believed that Crawford could have a chance in the election if he galvanized the 128,000 registered black voters, although they were weary of being labeled as the black party. In the end, Johnston remained highly popular with the voters who were still leery of the Republican party and he easily defeated Crawford in the general election.

South Carolina U.S. Senate Election, 1956  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic | Olin D. Johnston (Incumbent)  | 230,150  | 82.21  | -17.69%
| Republican | Leon P. Crawford | 49,695  | 17.75  | +17.75%
| Write-in  | Write-Ins | 124  | 0.04  | -0.1%
Majority  | 180,455  | 64.46  | -35.34%
Turnout | 279,969  | 36.8  |
| Democratic hold | Swing |  |

### South Carolina (special)[edit]

Senator Strom Thurmond

Main article: 1956 United States Senate special election in South Carolina

The special election resulted from the resignation of Senator Strom Thurmond on April 4, 1956, who was keeping a campaign pledge he had made in the 1954 election. Thurmond was unopposed in his bid to complete the remaining four years of the term. Senator Strom Thurmond faced no opposition from South Carolina Democrats and avoided a primary election. There was a possibility that Governor George Bell Timmerman Jr. might enter the race, but Thurmond was held in such high regard by the voters that there would have been no chance of defeating Thurmond. With no challenge to the remainder of the term, Thurmond did not conduct a campaign and rejoined his old law firm in Aiken until he returned to the Senate after the general election.

South Carolina U.S. Senate Special Election, 1956[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic | Strom Thurmond | 245,371  | 100.0  | +36.9%
Majority  | 245,371  | 100.0  | +73.7%
Turnout | 245,371  | 32.2  | +5.9%
| Democratic hold | Swing |  |

## South Dakota[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in South Dakota

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Francis H. Case | Kenneth Holum  |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 147,621 | 143,001
Percentage  | 50.79% | 49.21%

* * *

County results
Case: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
Holum: 50–60% 60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Francis H. Case
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Francis H. Case
Republican

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in South Dakota

See also: List of United States senators from South Dakota

1956 United States Senate election in South Dakota[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Francis Case (Incumbent)  | 147,621  | 50.79
| Democratic | Kenneth Holum  | 143,001  | 49.21
Majority  | 4,620  | 1.58
Turnout | 290,622  |
| Republican hold

## Utah[edit]

See also: List of United States senators from Utah

1956 United States Senate election in Utah[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Wallace F. Bennett (Incumbent)  | 178,261  | 53.96
| Democratic | Alonzo F. Hopkin  | 152,120  | 46.04
Majority  | 26,141  | 7.92
Turnout | 330,381  |
| Republican hold

## Vermont[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Vermont

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 (1956-11-06) | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | George Aiken | Bernard O'Shea  |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 103,101 | 52,184
Percentage  | 66.39% | 33.61%

* * *

County results
Aiken: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

George Aiken
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

George Aiken
Republican

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Vermont

See also: List of United States senators from Vermont

In Vermont, incumbent Republican George Aiken ran successfully for re-election to another term in the United States Senate, defeating Democratic challenger Bernard G. O'Shea.

Republican primary results[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | George Aiken (Incumbent)  | 49,454  | 99.9
| Republican | Other  | 27  | 0.1
Total votes  | 49,481  | 100

Democratic primary results[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Bernard G. O'Shea | 7,997  | 99.8
| Democratic | Other  | 19  | 0.2
Total votes  | 801  | 100

1956 United States Senate election in Vermont[11] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | George Aiken (Incumbent)  | 103,101  | 66.39
| Democratic | Bernard G. O'Shea | 52,184  | 33.60
| None  | Scattering  | 4  | 0.00
Majority  | 50,917  | 32.79
Turnout | 155,289  |
| Republican hold

## Washington[edit]

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Washington

1956 United States Senate election in Washington

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Warren Magnuson | Arthur B. Langlie |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 685,565 | 436,652
Percentage  | 61.09% | 38.91%

* * *

County results
Magnuson:  50–60% 60–70% 70–80%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Warren Magnuson
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

Warren Magnuson
Democratic

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Washington

See also: List of United States senators from Washington

1956 United States Senate election in Washington[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Warren G. Magnuson (Incumbent)  | 685,565  | 61.09
| Republican | Arthur B. Langlie | 436,652  | 38.91
Majority  | 248,913  | 22.18
Turnout | 1,122,217  |
| Democratic hold

## West Virginia (special)[edit]

1956 United States Senate special election in West Virginia

* * *

| <- 1952 | November 6, 1956 | 1958 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Chapman Revercomb | William C. Marland |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 432,123 | 373,051
Percentage  | 53.67% | 46.33%

* * *

County results
Revercomb:  50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%
Marland:  50–60% 60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

William Laird III
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

Chapman Revercomb
Republican

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate special election in West Virginia

See also: List of United States senators from West Virginia

Following the death of Harley M. Kilgore on February 28, 1956, William Laird III was appointed to fill this seat and assumed office on March 13, 1956.[2] Laird did not opt to run in the special election to fill the remainder of Kilgore's term through the end of the 85th Congress on January 3, 1959. As of 2024[update], this is the last time the Republicans have won West Virginia's Class 1 seat. This was also the last time until 2014 that the Republicans won a U.S. Senate election in the state.

1956 United States Senate election in West Virginia[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | William Chapman Revercomb | 432,123  | 53.67
| Democratic | William C. Marland | 373,051  | 46.33
Majority  | 59,072  | 7.34
Turnout | 805,174  |
| Republican gain from Democratic

## Wisconsin[edit]

1956 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

* * *

| <- 1950 | November 6, 1956 | 1962 ->

|
|

|  |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Alexander Wiley | Henry Maier |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 892,473 | 627,903
Percentage  | 58.59% | 41.22%

* * *

County results
Wiley:  50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
Maier:  50–60%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Alexander Wiley
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Alexander Wiley
Republican

|

Main article: 1956 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

See also: List of United States senators from Wisconsin

Incumbent Republican Senator Alexander Wiley easily won reelection to a fourth and final term, defeating the Democratic candidate, Henry W. Maier, by a margin of 17.4%. This would be the last time a Republican would win a Senate race in Wisconsin until Bob Kasten in 1980, and the last time a Republican would win more than 2 terms until Ron Johnson's victory in 2022.

1956 United States Senate election in Wisconsin[1] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Alexander Wiley (Incumbent)  | 892,473  | 58.59
| Democratic | Henry W. Maier | 627,903  | 41.22
| Independent | Walter Semrau  | 2,745  | 0.18
| None  | Scattering  | 235  | 0.02
Majority  | 264,570  | 17.37
Turnout | 1,523,356  |
| Republican hold

## See also[edit]

* 1956 United States elections
* 1956 United States presidential election
* 1956 United States House of Representatives elections
* 1956 United States gubernatorial elections
* 84th United States Congress
* 85th United States Congress

## Notes[edit]

1. ^ a b The Liberal Party in New York endorsed Robert F. Wagner Jr., a Democrat, but the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives did not tabulate their votes, totaling 300,648, into the national Democratic total.[1]
2. ^ W. (William) Richard Stengel was an Illinois lawyer, state legislator and (after his loss to Dirksen) Rock Island County State's attorney and an Illinois judge. He died in 1994.
3. ^ Morse was first elected in 1944 and re-elected in 1950 as a Republican. He became an independent in 1952 and joined the Democratic Party in 1955.
4. ^ Colorado was the "tipping-point state".

## References[edit]

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 ag ah ai aj Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (September 15, 1958). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 6, 1956" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 17, 40, 46, 53.
2. ^ a b "SENATORS OF THE UNITED STATES, 1789-present, A chronological list of senators since the First Congress in 1789" (PDF). United States Senate. p. 64. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
3. ^ Times, Leo Egan Special To the New York (September 11, 1956). "G.O.P. UNANIMOUS; Attorney General Hails Party Stand Against Political 'Smears' Effect of Rumors Feared JAVITS IS NAMED FOR SENATE RACE Nominated by McGovern MacArthur Plea Presented Dewey Declines A Heck-Sprague Victory". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
4. ^ "Wagner's Address Accepting Democratic Senatorial Nomination; The Problems Involved 'These Are Serious Times'". The New York Times. September 11, 1956. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
5. ^ WALKER), Douglas Dalesthe New York Times (BY ROBERT (September 12, 1956). "STEVENSON PUTS RACIAL 'CLIMATE' UP TO PRESIDENT; Assails Eisenhower Stand-- Wins Liberal Nomination, With Mayor Wagner Party Nominates Slate STEVENSON BACKS ANTI-BIAS RULING". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
6. ^ "Write-in State Vote for M'arthur Urged". The New York Times. October 2, 1956. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
7. ^ "M'ARTHUR DISAVOWS BID; General Repeats He Is Not Candidate for Senate". The New York Times. October 3, 1956. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
8. ^ a b "Statistics of the Congressional and Presidential Election of November 6, 1956" (PDF). Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
9. ^ "Our Campaigns - OR US Senate Race - Nov 06, 1956". www.ourcampaigns.com.
10. ^ a b "Primary Election Results" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
11. ^ "General Election Results - U.S. Senator - 1914-2014" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2015.

## Sources[edit]

* 1956 U.S. Senate Election results
* Times, Warren Weaver Jr Special To the New York (December 11, 1956). "STATE ELECTORS TO VOTE MONDAY; But Harriman Will Not Hold Reception for Republicans --Final Tally Listed Dewey Held Receptions 4.3 Million for Eisenhower". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
* Supplemental Report of the Secretary of State to the General Assembly of South Carolina. Reports and Resolutions of South Carolina to the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina. Vol. I. Columbia, South Carolina. 1957. pp. 8–9.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
* Kalk, Bruce H. (2001). The Origins of the Southern Strategy: Two-Party Competition in South. Lexington Books. pp. 30, 33.
* Bass, Jack; Thompson, Marilyn W. (1998). Ol' Strom: An Unauthorized Biography of Strom Thurmond. Longstreet. p. 155.

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