1946 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

Last updated

1946 United States Senate election in Wisconsin
Flag of Wisconsin (1913-1981).svg
  1940 November 5, 1946 1952  
  JosephMcCarthyMilitary.jpg Howard J. McMurray (Wisconsin Congressman).jpg
Nominee Joseph McCarthy Howard J. McMurray
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote620,430378,772
Percentage61.28%37.41%

1946 United States Senate election in Wisconsin results map by county.svg
County results
McCarthy:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
McMurray:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Robert La Follette, Jr.
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Joseph McCarthy
Republican

The 1946 United States Senate election in Wisconsin was held on November 5, 1946.

Contents

Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Robert La Follette, Jr. (who had until 1946 been a member of the Progressive Party) narrowly lost the primary election to Joseph McCarthy. McCarthy would go on to win the general election against Rep. Howard McMurray of Milwaukee in a landslide. McCarthy became the first person other than a La Follette to hold this seat since 1906.

Republican primary

Candidates

Campaign

The Republican primary election was noted for its divisiveness and bitterness.

The incumbent senator La Follette, who had just re-joined the Republican Party after the collapse of the Wisconsin Progressive Party earlier that year, was challenged by Judge Joe McCarthy of Appleton. Disbanding the Progressive Party and seeking election on the Republican ticket that same year cost him the support of many progressive supporters that belonged to the former, while the more conservative Republicans were also suspicious of La Follette, as he had previously run against them.

La Follette ran an isolationist campaign against the United Nations and was critical of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. Confident of victory, he remained in Washington to draft and win passage of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 rather than returning to Wisconsin to campaign for re-election.

McCarthy campaigned aggressively and attacked La Follette for not enlisting during World War II, although La Follette had been 46 when Pearl Harbor was bombed and would have been too old to be accepted. McCarthy played up his own wartime service, using his wartime nickname, "Tail-Gunner Joe," and the slogan "Congress needs a tail-gunner". McCarthy also claimed that while he had been away fighting for his country, La Follette had made huge profits from investments; the suggestion that La Follette had been guilty of war profiteering was deeply damaging.

While La Follette initially started with a large lead in the polls, that lead gradually dwindled, and on the primary election day, the results of the final county to report polls tipped the scales in McCarthy's favor. La Follette sent a one-word telegram saying "Congratulations" to McCarthy.

Results

GOP Primary results by county
.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}
McCarthy 40-50%
McCarthy 50-60%
McCarthy 60-70%
La Follette 40-50%
La Follette 50-60%
La Follette 60-70%
La Follette 70-80% 1946 United States Senate GOP Primary election in Wisconsin.svg
GOP Primary results by county
  McCarthy 40–50%
  McCarthy 50–60%
  McCarthy 60–70%
  La Follette 40-50%
  La Follette 50-60%
  La Follette 60-70%
  La Follette 70-80%
1946 Republican U.S. Senate primary [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Joseph McCarthy 207,935 47.25%
Republican Robert M. La Follette, Jr. (incumbent)202,55746.03%
Republican Perry J. Stearns29,6056.73%
Total votes440,097 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

McMurray was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

General election

Candidates

Results

General election results [2] [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Joseph McCarthy 620,430 61.28% Increase2.svg19.90
Democratic Howard J. McMurray 378,77237.41%Increase2.svg24.21
Socialist Edwin Knappe 11,7501.16%Increase2.svg1.16
Socialist Labor Georgia Cozzini 1,5520.15%Increase2.svg0.07
NoneScattering2,0900.21%N/A
Majority241,65823.82%
Total votes1,014,594 100.00%
Republican hold

Results by county

CountyJoseph Raymond McCarthy
Republican
Howard Johnstone McMurray
Democratic
Edwin W. Knappe
Socialist
Georgia Olive Cozzini
Socialist Labor
MarginTotal votes cast [3]
# %# %# %# %# %
Adams 1,33663.11%76936.32%90.43%30.14%56726.78%2,117
Ashland 3,14456.18%2,41643.17%230.41%130.23%72813.01%5,596
Barron 5,09364.45%2,77835.16%310.39%00.00%2,31529.30%7,902
Bayfield 2,41256.75%1,81142.61%190.45%80.19%60114.14%4,250
Brown 20,08965.25%10,66034.62%350.11%40.01%9,42930.63%30,788
Buffalo 2,87770.41%1,17728.81%210.51%110.27%1,70041.61%4,086
Burnett 1,64460.91%1,04038.53%100.37%50.19%60422.38%2,699
Calumet 4,43271.97%1,70627.70%190.31%10.02%2,72644.27%6,158
Chippewa 7,20162.55%4,23636.80%530.46%220.19%2,96525.76%11,512
Clark 5,81867.42%2,72131.53%830.96%80.09%3,09735.89%8,630
Columbia 6,58966.94%3,21232.63%400.41%20.02%3,37734.31%9,843
Crawford 3,80565.86%1,96434.00%50.09%30.05%1,84131.87%5,777
Dane 23,22247.38%25,20051.42%5571.14%300.06%-1,978-4.04%49,009
Dodge 10,55671.41%4,15128.08%720.49%30.02%6,40543.33%14,782
Door 4,75184.37%86415.34%120.21%40.07%3,88769.03%5,631
Douglas 7,38952.74%6,52246.56%720.51%260.19%8676.19%14,009
Dunn 4,54967.41%2,14931.85%350.52%150.22%2,40035.57%6,748
Eau Claire 8,61556.36%6,61043.24%570.37%50.03%2,00513.12%15,287
Florence 66863.56%37535.68%80.76%00.00%29327.88%1,051
Fond du Lac 14,02369.72%5,96729.67%880.44%340.17%8,05640.06%20,112
Forest 1,49151.65%1,38447.94%80.28%40.14%1073.71%2,887
Grant 9,11572.26%3,44027.27%400.32%200.16%5,67544.99%12,615
Green 4,07968.32%1,86431.22%270.45%00.00%2,21537.10%5,970
Green Lake 3,78980.22%92519.59%50.11%40.08%2,86460.64%4,723
Iowa 4,41867.82%2,08431.99%110.17%10.02%2,33435.83%6,514
Iron 1,68751.59%1,56147.74%160.49%60.18%1263.85%3,270
Jackson 2,66664.40%1,44034.78%240.58%100.24%1,22629.61%4,140
Jefferson 8,37966.83%4,10532.74%500.40%30.02%4,27434.09%12,537
Juneau 3,71774.64%1,23724.84%250.50%10.02%2,48049.80%4,980
Kenosha 12,91250.64%12,41148.67%1310.51%440.17%5011.96%25,498
Kewaunee 3,73771.05%1,51928.88%40.08%00.00%2,21842.17%5,260
La Crosse 11,09266.18%5,54733.09%990.59%230.14%5,54533.08%16,761
Lafayette 3,76463.05%2,17936.50%230.39%40.07%1,58526.55%5,970
Langlade 4,29960.30%2,81139.43%160.22%30.04%1,48820.87%7,129
Lincoln 4,40571.51%1,68927.42%510.83%150.24%2,71644.09%6,160
Manitowoc 12,61560.77%8,06338.84%660.32%140.07%4,55221.93%20,758
Marathon 12,23155.02%9,67643.53%3091.39%140.06%2,55511.49%22,230
Marinette 6,13268.56%2,75930.85%410.46%120.13%3,37337.71%8,944
Marquette 2,03581.47%45018.01%110.44%20.08%1,58563.45%2,498
Milwaukee 151,10454.74%117,16342.44%6,9102.50%8730.32%33,94112.30%276,050
Monroe 5,25069.08%2,30530.33%420.55%30.04%2,94538.75%7,600
Oconto 5,11672.23%1,92027.11%400.56%70.10%3,19645.12%7,083
Oneida 3,23858.20%2,28841.12%320.58%60.11%95017.07%5,564
Outagamie 16,60670.11%6,92929.25%1230.52%290.12%9,67740.85%23,687
Ozaukee 4,62769.38%2,01830.26%230.34%10.01%2,60939.12%6,669
Pepin 1,50070.49%62429.32%40.19%00.00%87641.17%2,128
Pierce 4,72673.94%1,60025.03%500.78%160.25%3,12648.90%6,392
Polk 4,07061.94%2,46437.50%360.55%10.02%1,60624.44%6,571
Portage 5,80250.40%5,68949.42%200.17%10.01%1130.98%11,512
Price 3,22963.18%1,81235.45%541.06%160.31%1,41727.72%5,111
Racine 18,17552.06%16,46147.15%2290.66%450.13%1,7144.91%34,910
Richland 4,18775.40%1,35324.37%130.23%00.00%2,83451.04%5,553
Rock 17,40965.71%8,89033.55%1780.67%170.06%8,51932.15%26,494
Rusk 3,34066.64%1,64132.74%250.50%60.12%1,69933.90%5,012
Sauk 7,46368.75%3,15129.03%2332.15%90.08%4,31239.72%10,856
Sawyer 2,55170.86%1,00227.83%310.86%160.44%1,54943.03%3,600
Shawano 6,12574.49%2,06525.11%260.32%70.09%4,06049.37%8,223
Sheboygan 13,33054.65%10,28342.16%7573.10%220.09%3,04712.49%24,392
St. Croix 4,93863.49%2,79935.99%340.44%60.08%2,13927.50%7,777
Taylor 3,15361.41%1,75034.09%2264.40%50.10%1,40327.33%5,134
Trempealeau 4,18962.82%2,44636.68%250.37%80.12%1,74326.14%6,668
Vernon 4,50966.06%2,29933.68%90.13%90.13%2,21032.38%6,826
Vilas 2,09866.99%1,01532.41%90.29%100.32%1,08334.58%3,132
Walworth 8,89679.83%2,21219.85%310.28%40.04%6,68459.98%11,143
Washburn 1,81862.09%1,09937.53%90.31%20.07%71924.56%2,928
Washington 7,78974.69%2,59724.90%390.37%40.04%5,19249.78%10,429
Waukesha 17,60673.31%6,22725.93%1620.67%200.08%11,37947.38%24,015
Waupaca 7,93079.06%2,07220.66%240.24%40.04%5,85858.40%10,030
Waushara 3,36281.25%76018.37%150.36%10.02%2,60262.88%4,138
Winnebago 16,32967.48%7,75632.05%980.40%160.07%8,57335.43%24,199
Wood 9,18966.36%4,61033.29%370.27%110.08%4,57933.07%13,847
Totals620,43061.28%378,77237.41%11,7501.16%1,5520.15%241,65823.87%1,012,504

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph McCarthy</span> American anticommunist politician (1908–1957)

Joseph Raymond McCarthy was an American politician who served as a Republican U.S. Senator from the state of Wisconsin from 1947 until his death at age 48 in 1957. Beginning in 1950, McCarthy became the most visible public face of a period in the United States in which Cold War tensions fueled fears of widespread communist subversion. He alleged that numerous communists and Soviet spies and sympathizers had infiltrated the United States federal government, universities, film industry, and elsewhere. Ultimately, he was censured for refusing to cooperate with, and abusing members of, the committee established to investigate whether or not he should be censured. The term "McCarthyism", coined in 1950 in reference to McCarthy's practices, was soon applied to similar anti-communist activities. Today, the term is used more broadly to mean demagogic, reckless, and unsubstantiated accusations, as well as public attacks on the character or patriotism of political opponents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert M. La Follette</span> American lawyer and politician (1855–1925)

Robert Marion "Fighting Bob" La Follette Sr., was an American lawyer and politician. He represented Wisconsin in both chambers of Congress and served as the governor of Wisconsin from 1901 to 1906. A Republican for most of his life, he ran for president of the United States as the nominee of his own Progressive Party in the 1924 presidential election. Historian John D. Buenker describes La Follette as "the most celebrated figure in Wisconsin history".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert M. La Follette Jr.</span> American politician (1895–1953)

Robert Marion La Follette Jr. was an American politician who served as United States senator from Wisconsin from 1925 to 1947. A member of the La Follette family, he was often referred to by the nickname "Young Bob" to distinguish him from his father, Robert M. "Fighting Bob" La Follette, who had served as a U.S. senator and governor of Wisconsin. Robert Jr., along with his brother Philip La Follette, carried on their father's legacy of progressive politics and founded the Wisconsin Progressive Party. Robert Jr. was the last major Progressive Party politician in the U.S. Senate, ending in 1946 when the party disbanded. La Follette was defeated in the 1946 Republican Senate primary by Joseph McCarthy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1946 United States Senate elections</span>

The 1946 United States Senate elections were held November 5, 1946, in the middle of Democratic President Harry S. Truman's first term after Roosevelt's passing. The 32 seats of Class 1 were contested in regular elections, and four special elections were held to fill vacancies. The Republicans took control of the Senate by picking up twelve seats, mostly from the Democrats. This was the first time since 1932 that the Republicans had held the Senate, recovering from a low of 16 seats following the 1936 Senate elections.

<i>Wisconsin State Journal</i> Daily newspaper in Madison, Wisconsin

The Wisconsin State Journal is a daily newspaper published in Madison, Wisconsin by Lee Enterprises. The newspaper, the second largest in Wisconsin, is primarily distributed in a 19 county region in south-central Wisconsin. As of September 2018, the Wisconsin State Journal had an average weekday circulation of 51,303 and an average Sunday circulation of 64,820. The State Journal is the state's official newspaper of record, and statutes and laws passed are regarded as official seven days after the publication of a state legal notice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Republican Party of Wisconsin</span> Wisconsin affiliate of the Republican Party

The Republican Party of Wisconsin is a conservative political party in Wisconsin and is the Wisconsin affiliate of the United States Republican Party (GOP). The state party chair is Brian Schimming. The state party is divided into 72 county parties for each of the state's counties, as well as organizations for the state's eight congressional districts.

The Wisconsin Progressive Party (1934–1946) was a political party that briefly held a dominant role in Wisconsin politics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1944 United States Senate election in Wisconsin</span>

The 1944 United States Senate election in Wisconsin was held on November 7, 1944. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Alexander Wiley was re-elected to a second term in office over Howard J. McMurray and Harry Sauthoff. Future Senator Joseph McCarthy challenged Wiley in the Republican primary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1918 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin</span>

The 1918 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin was held on April 2, 1918. Incumbent Democrat Senator Paul O. Husting was killed in a hunting accident the previous year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1934 United States Senate election in Wisconsin</span>

The 1934 United States Senate election in Wisconsin was held on November 6, 1934.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1914 Wisconsin gubernatorial election</span> Election

The 1914 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1914.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1946 Wisconsin gubernatorial election</span> Election

The 1946 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1946.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Wisconsin elections</span> Elections in the state of Wisconsin in 2022

The 2022 Wisconsin fall general election was held in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on November 8, 2022. All of Wisconsin's partisan executive and administrative offices were up for election, as well as one of Wisconsin's U.S. Senate seats, Wisconsin's eight seats in the United States House of Representatives, the seventeen odd-numbered seats in the Wisconsin State Senate, and all 99 seats in the Wisconsin State Assembly. The 2022 Wisconsin fall primary was held on August 9, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1944 Wisconsin gubernatorial election</span> Election

The 1944 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1944.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1942 Wisconsin gubernatorial election</span> Election

The 1942 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1942.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1938 Wisconsin gubernatorial election</span> Election

The 1938 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1938.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1936 Wisconsin gubernatorial election</span> Election

The 1936 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1936.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1932 Wisconsin gubernatorial election</span> Election

The 1932 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1932. Incumbent Republican Governor Philip La Follette was defeated in the Republican primary, and in the midst of the Great Depression and nationwide voter dissatisfaction with the Republican Party, Democratic nominee Albert G. Schmedeman defeated Republican nominee Walter J. Kohler Sr. and Socialist nominee Frank Metcalfe with 52.48% of the vote. Schmedeman became the first Democrat to win a gubernatorial election in Wisconsin since George Wilbur Peck in 1892. 2 years later, in 1934, La Follette would run for governor again and defeated Schmedeman, this time running with the Progressive Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1934 Wisconsin gubernatorial election</span> Election

The 1934 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1934.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1902 Wisconsin gubernatorial election</span> Election

The 1902 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1902.

References

  1. "WI US Senate - R Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  2. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 1946" (PDF). Clerk.house.gov. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  3. 1 2 "WI US Senate". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 16, 2019.