| Elections in Wisconsin |
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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
- 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
References
- ^ "McCarthy Services Set For Monday at Capitol". Evening star. Washington, D.C. May 3, 1957. p. A-1. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
- ^ "Two Old Foes Seek McCarthy Seat". Evening star. Washington, D.C. August 1, 1957. p. A-10. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ a b Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 161.
- ^ a b America Votes, p. 457.
- ^ a b Wisconsin Blue Book 1958, pp. 666–667.
- ^ "WI US Senate, 1957 - Special D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ "WI US Senate, 1957 - Special R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ "Two Who Favor McCarthy to Run". Evening star. Washington, D.C. August 14, 1957. p. A-18. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c "McCarthy's Senate Seat To Be Filled Tomorrow". Evening star. Washington, D.C. August 26, 1957. p. A-18. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 100.
- ^ America Votes, p. 445.
- ^ Wisconsin Blue Book 1958, p. 773.
- ^ "WI US Senate, 1957 - Special Election". Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ "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.