Wikipedia

1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin

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.

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

Unlike most states Wisconsin law did not allow for the gubernatorial appointment of an interim Senator.[1]

Democratic nominee William Proxmire defeated Republican nominee and former Governor Walter J. Kohler Jr.

Primary elections

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

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Declined

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Results

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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

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Candidates

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Declined

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

Results

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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

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Major party candidates

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Minor party candidates

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The three minor candidates all technically ran as independents.

Results

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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

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References

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  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. 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 September 6, 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 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. 1 2 3 "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

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  • 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.


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