1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin

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1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin
Flag of Wisconsin (1913-1981).svg
  1952 August 27, 1957 1958  
  William Proxmire.jpg Walter Jodok Kohler, Jr. (4728499663) (cropped).jpg
Nominee William Proxmire Walter J. Kohler Jr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote435,985312,931
Percentage56.43%40.50%

1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin results by county map.svg
County results

Proxmire:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Contents

Kohler:      40–50%     50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Joseph McCarthy
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

William Proxmire
Democratic

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

Primary elections were held on July 30, 1957. [2]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declined

Results

Democratic primary results [4] [5] [6] [7]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic William Proxmire 86,341 60.29
Democratic Clement J. Zablocki 56,81739.67
Scattering 620.04
Total votes143,220 100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

Declined

  • Howard H. Boyle, attorney, [3] unsuccessful candidate for Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1956

Results

Republican primary results [4] [5] [6] [8]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Walter J. Kohler Jr. 109,256 34.43
Republican Glenn Robert Davis 100,53231.68
Republican Alvin E. O'Konski 66,78421.05
Republican Warren P. Knowles 23,9967.56
Republican Henry P. Hughes 7,4882.36
Republican Gerald D. Lorge 7,3262.31
Republican John C. Schafer 1,9060.60
Write-in 440.01
Total votes317,332 100.00

General election

Major party candidates

Minor party candidates

The three minor candidates all technically ran as independents.

Results

1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic William Proxmire 435,985 56.43
Republican Walter J. Kohler Jr. 312,93140.50
Protection of Constitutional GovernmentHoward H. Boyle20,5812.66
Christianity - America First - McCarthyismDouglas J. Wheaton2,2880.30
Socialist Labor Georgia Cozzini 7040.09
Scattering1310.02
Majority123,05415.93
Turnout 772,620100.00
Democratic gain from Republican

See also

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References

  1. "McCarthy Services Set For Monday at Capitol". Evening star. Washington, D.C. May 3, 1957. p. A-1. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  2. "Two Old Foes Seek McCarthy Seat". Evening star. Washington, D.C. August 1, 1957. p. A-10. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 "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.
  4. 1 2 Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 161.
  5. 1 2 America Votes, p. 457.
  6. 1 2 Wisconsin Blue Book 1958, pp. 666–667.
  7. "WI US Senate, 1957 - Special D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  8. "WI US Senate, 1957 - Special R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  9. "Two Who Favor McCarthy to Run". Evening star. Washington, D.C. August 14, 1957. p. A-18. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 "McCarthy's Senate Seat To Be Filled Tomorrow". Evening star. Washington, D.C. August 26, 1957. p. A-18. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  11. Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 100.
  12. America Votes, p. 445.
  13. Wisconsin Blue Book 1958, p. 773.
  14. "WI US Senate, 1957 - Special Election". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  15. "Campaign files, 1957-1958". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 6 September 2024.

Bibliography