1926 United States Senate election in Colorado

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1926 United States Senate election in Colorado
Flag of Colorado.svg
  1924 (special) November 2, 1926 1932  
  Chas. W. Waterman of Denver, Col., (1-27-25) LCCN2016849970 (cropped).jpg William Sweet.gif
Nominee Charles W. Waterman William Ellery Sweet
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote149,585138,113
Percentage50.25%46.39%

1926 United States Senate election in Colorado results map by county.svg
Results by county
Waterman:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%
Sweet:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Rice W. Means
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Charles W. Waterman
Republican

The 1926 United States Senate election in Colorado took place on November 2, 1926. Incumbent Republican Senator Rice W. Means ran for re-election, but he was defeated in the Republican primary by Charles W. Waterman, a prominent attorney and party leader. In the general election, Waterman faced former Governor William Ellery Sweet, the Democratic nominee. Despite the nationwide Democratic trend, as well as the landslide victory for Democrats in the gubernatorial election, Waterman ended up defeating Sweet by a thin margin. Waterman would not end up serving a full term in the Senate, and died in office on August 27, 1932.

Contents

Democratic primary

Candidates

Dropped out

  • Harry L. Lubers, former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives [3]

Defeated at convention

Campaign

At the Democratic convention, a crowded slate of candidates was slightly winnowed down. Paul P. Prosser, a prominent Denver attorney who had previously been elected as the Howard County, Missouri, Prosecuting Attorney, placed first with 569 1/2 votes. He was followed by former Governor William Ellery Sweet with 279 1/2, former State House Speaker Harry L. Lubers with 133, and former labor leader Frank J. Hayes with 121. Attorney H. C. Fink received only 18 votes and was eliminated. [5] Shortly after the convention, Lubers dropped out, concluding that he lacked the financial resources to compete in the primary. [6] Sweet ended up defeating Prosser and Hayes by a decisive margin, though he fell just short of winning a majority.

Results

Democratic primary results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic William E. Sweet 26,491 49.27
Democratic Paul P. Prosser19,58336.42
Democratic Frank J. Hayes7,68914.30
Total votes53,763 100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Charles W. Waterman 57,537 49.82
Republican Rice W. Means (inc.)41,72136.12
Republican George A. Luxford14,33012.41
Republican Mortimer W. Spaulding1,9061.65
Total votes115,494 100.00

General election

Results

1926 United States Senate election in Colorado [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Charles W. Waterman 149,585 50.25% +0.08%
Democratic William Ellery Sweet 138,11346.39%+2.72%
Farmer–Labor Morton Alexander5,8291.96%−3.56%
Socialist Frank H. Rice2,2180.75%+0.11%
People's Constitutional RightsJames A. Ownbey1,0910.37%
Communist James A. Ayres8590.29%
Majority11,4723.85%−2.64%
Turnout 297,695
Republican hold

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References

  1. "Paul P. Prosser Seeking Senatorship as Democrat Free from Factionalism". Longmont Daily Times. Longmont, Colorado. June 30, 1926. p. 3. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  2. "Labor Leader Wants to Be U.S. Senator". Aspen Daily Times. Aspen, Colorado. April 12, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  3. "Harry Lubers Enters Senatorial Fight". Leadville Herald Democrat. Leadville, Colorado. May 9, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  4. "H. C. Fink Out for U.S. Senate". Fort Collins Coloradoan . Fort Collins, Colorado. August 6, 1926. p. 7. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  5. "Democratic Candidates Designated". Longmont Daily Times. Longmont, Colorado. August 13, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  6. "Primary Election Costs". Eagle Valley Enterprise. Eagle, Colorado. August 27, 1926. p. 4. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 Armstrong, Charles M. (1926). State of Colorado Abstract of Votes Cast at the Primary Election Held on the Fourteenth Day of September, A. D. 1926 and at the General Election Held on the Second Day of November, A. D. 1926 (PDF). Denver, Colorado: Colorado Secretary of State.
  8. "Challenge to Governor". Telluride Daily Journal. Telluride, Colorado. August 9, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  9. "Spaulding Wants Toga!". Aspen Daily Times. Aspen, Colorado. July 30, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved July 4, 2022.