1916 United States Senate special election in Indiana

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1916 United States Senate special election in Indiana
Flag of Indiana.svg
  1914 November 7, 1916 1920  
  Sen. Jas. E. Watson of Indiana (3x4 (cropped).jpg TAGGART, SENATOR FROM INDIANA LOC (3x4 cropped).tif
Nominee James E. Watson Thomas Taggart
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote335,193325,577
Percentage47.66%46.29%

1916 United States Senate special election in Indiana results map by county.svg
County results
Watson:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%
Taggart:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Thomas Taggart
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

James E. Watson
Republican

The 1916 United States Senate special election in Indiana took place on November 7, 1916, to complete the unexpired term of Benjamin F. Shively. Interim Democratic Senator Thomas Taggart was defeated in his bid to complete the term by U.S. Representative James Eli Watson.

Contents

Background

Senator Benjamin F. Shively was re-elected in 1914 and served until his death on March 14, 1916. Governor Samuel Ralston appointed Thomas Taggart to fill the vacant seat on March 20 until a successor could be duly elected. The special election to complete the term was scheduled for November 7, 1916, concurrent with the general election for presidential electors and Indiana's other United States Senate seat.

General election

Candidates

Results

1916 U.S. Senate special election in Indiana [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican James E. Watson 335,193 47.66% Increase2.svg12.56
Democratic Thomas Taggart (incumbent)325,57746.29%Increase2.svg 4.15
Socialist Edward Henry21,6263.08%Decrease2.svg 0.28
Prohibition William H. Hickman16,0952.29%Increase2.svg 0.14
Progressive Francis J. Dillon16,8040.68%Decrease2.svg16.13
Total votes703,289 100.00%
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

See also

References

  1. Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (1917). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 1916" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 16.