1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin
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| Elections in Wisconsin |
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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.
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
[edit]Primary elections were held on July 30, 1957.[2]
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- William Proxmire, former State Representative, Democratic nominee for Governor in 1952, 1954 and 1956
- Clement J. Zablocki, incumbent U.S. Representative
Declined
[edit]- Henry S. Reuss, incumbent U.S. Representative[3]
Results
[edit]| 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
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Glenn Robert Davis, former U.S. Representative, unsuccessful candidate for Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1956
- Henry P. Hughes, former justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court[3]
- Warren P. Knowles, incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin
- Walter J. Kohler Jr., former Governor of Wisconsin
- Gerald D. Lorge, incumbent State Senator
- Alvin E. O'Konski, incumbent U.S. Representative
- John C. Schafer, former U.S. Representative
Declined
[edit]- Howard H. Boyle, attorney,[3] unsuccessful candidate for Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1956
Results
[edit]| 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
[edit]Major party candidates
[edit]- Walter J. Kohler Jr., Republican
- William Proxmire, Democratic
Minor party candidates
[edit]- Howard H. Boyle, "Joe McCarthy Republican", attorney[9][10]
- Georgia Cozzini, Socialist Labor, housewife[10]
- Douglas J. Wheaton, steamfitter[10]
The three minor candidates all technically ran as independents.
Results
[edit]| 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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "McCarthy Services Set For Monday at Capitol". Evening star. Washington, D.C. May 3, 1957. p. A-1. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ "Two Old Foes Seek McCarthy Seat". Evening star. Washington, D.C. August 1, 1957. p. A-10. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 161.
- ^ a b America Votes, p. 457.
- ^ a b Wisconsin Blue Book 1958, pp. 666–667.
- ^ "WI US Senate, 1957 - Special D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "WI US Senate, 1957 - Special R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "Two Who Favor McCarthy to Run". Evening star. Washington, D.C. August 14, 1957. p. A-18. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 100.
- ^ America Votes, p. 445.
- ^ Wisconsin Blue Book 1958, p. 773.
- ^ "WI US Senate, 1957 - Special Election". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "Campaign files, 1957-1958". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
Bibliography
[edit]- 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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