1930 United States Senate special election in Kansas

1930 United States Senate special election in Kansas

←  1926 November 4, 1930 1932  →

Nominee George McGill Henry J. Allen Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 288,889 276,833 Percentage 50.03% 47.95%

County results McGill:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70% Allen:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. senator before election Henry Justin Allen Republican Elected U.S. Senator George McGill Democratic

The 1930 United States Senate special election in Kansas was held on November 4, 1930. After Republican Senator Charles Curtis was re-elected in 1926, he was elected Vice President on a ticket with Herbert Hoover in 1928 and resigned his seat in the Senate. Governor Clyde M. Reed, a Republican, appointed former Governor Henry J. Allen to the seat. At the ensuing special election, Allen won a contested Republican primary and then faced former Sedgwick County Attorney George McGill, the Democratic nominee, in the general election. In a nationwide Democratic landslide, McGill narrowly defeated Allen.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• George McGill, former Sedgwick County Attorney, 1926 Democratic candidate for Senate
• Charles Stephens, Columbus attorney, 1926 Democratic nominee for Senate

Results

Democratic primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	George McGill	32,931	58.94%
	Democratic	Charles Stephens	22,942	41.06%
Total votes			55,873	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Henry J. Allen, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Ralph Snyder, President of the Kansas Farm Bureau ^[2]
• William H. Sproul, U.S. Representative from Kansas's 3rd congressional district
• James F. Getty, State Senator ^[3]

Results

Republican primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Henry J. Allen (inc.)	122,651	45.70%
	Republican	Ralph Snyder	60,904	22.69%
	Republican	William H. Sproul	44,750	16.67%
	Republican	James F. Getty	40,070	14.93%
Total votes			268,375	100.00%

Socialist primary

Candidates

• H. M. Perkins, Kansas City attorney ^[4]

Results

Socialist primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Socialist	H. M. Perkins	102	100.00%
Total votes			102	100.00%

General election

Results

1930 United States Senate special election in Kansas ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	George McGill	288,889	50.03%	+15.29%
	Republican	Henry J. Allen (inc.)	276,833	47.95%	−15.62%
	Socialist	H. M. Perkins	11,659	2.02%	+0.33%
Majority			12,056	2.09%	+26.74%
Total votes			577,381	100.00%
	Democratic gain from Republican

See also

• 1930 United States Senate elections

References

1. Cornell, E. A. (1930). Twenty-Seventh Biennial Report of the Secretary of State of the State of Kansas 1929-1930. Topeka, Kansas: Kansas State Printing Plant. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
2. "Kansas Politics Brewing: Ralph Snyder Has About Decided to Be Candidate for Senator". The Wichita Eagle . Wichita, Kansas. January 7, 1930. p. 1. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
3. "Getty Gives Platform: Senatorial Candidate Opposed to World Court Idea". The Wichita Eagle . Wichita, Kansas. May 12, 1930. p. 3. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
4. "Kansas Citian Against Allen: Embezzlement Suspect Is Entering Race As Socialist". The Iola Register. Iola, Kansas. March 27, 1930. p. 6. Retrieved March 3, 2025.