1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin

1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin

←  1952 August 27, 1957 1958  →

Nominee William Proxmire Walter J. Kohler Jr. Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 435,985 312,931 Percentage 56.43% 40.50%

County results Proxmire:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% 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 Walter J. Kohler Jr.

Primary elections

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

Democratic primary

Candidates

• William Proxmire, former State Representative, Democratic nominee for Governor in 1952, 1954 and 1956
• Clement J. Zablocki, incumbent U.S. Representative

Declined

• Henry S. Reuss, incumbent U.S. Representative ^[3]

Results

Democratic primary results ^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William Proxmire	86,341	60.29
	Democratic	Clement J. Zablocki	56,817	39.67
	Scattering		62	0.04
Total votes			143,220	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Glenn Robert Davis, former U.S. Representative, unsuccessful candidate for Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1956
• Henry P. Hughes, former justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court ^[3]
• Warren P. Knowles, incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin
• Walter J. Kohler Jr., former Governor of Wisconsin
• Gerald D. Lorge, incumbent State Senator
• Alvin E. O'Konski, incumbent U.S. Representative
• John C. Schafer, former U.S. Representative

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]}

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Walter J. Kohler Jr.	109,256	34.43
	Republican	Glenn Robert Davis	100,532	31.68
	Republican	Alvin E. O'Konski	66,784	21.05
	Republican	Warren P. Knowles	23,996	7.56
	Republican	Henry P. Hughes	7,488	2.36
	Republican	Gerald D. Lorge	7,326	2.31
	Republican	John C. Schafer	1,906	0.60
	Write-in		44	0.01
Total votes			317,332	100.00

General election

Major party candidates

• Walter J. Kohler Jr., Republican
• William Proxmire, Democratic

Minor party candidates

• Howard H. Boyle, "Joe McCarthy Republican", attorney ^{[9] [10]}
• Georgia Cozzini, Socialist Labor, housewife ^[10]
• Douglas J. Wheaton, steamfitter ^[10]

The three minor candidates all technically ran as independents.

Results

1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin ^{[11] [12] [13] [14] [15]}

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William Proxmire	435,985	56.43
	Republican	Walter J. Kohler Jr.	312,931	40.50
	Protection of Constitutional Government	Howard H. Boyle	20,581	2.66
	Christianity - America First - McCarthyism	Douglas J. Wheaton	2,288	0.30
	Socialist Labor	Georgia Cozzini	704	0.09
	Scattering		131	0.02
Majority			123,054	15.93
Turnout			772,620	100.00
	Democratic gain from Republican

See also

• 1957 United States Senate elections

References

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

Bibliography

• Congressional Elections, 1946-1996. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN   1-56802-248-4.
• Scammon, Richard M., ed. (1958). America Votes: a handbook of contemporary American election statistics, 1956-57. New York: Governmental Affairs Institute.
• Toepel, M. G.; Kuehn, Hazel L. (eds.). The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1958. State of Wisconsin.