1940 United States Senate special election in Kentucky

1940 United States Senate special election in Kentucky
	County results; Chandler: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%; Smith: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%
U.S. senator before election; Happy Chandler; Democratic	Elected U.S. Senator ; Happy Chandler; Democratic

The 1940 United States Senate special election in Kentucky took place on November 5, 1940, to complete the unexpired term of M. M. Logan. Interim appointee Happy Chandler was re-elected to complete the term, defeating Republican Walter B. Smith.

Background

Senator M. M. Logan died on October 3, 1939. Governor of Kentucky Happy Chandler, whose term was set to expire in 1940, resigned his office so that Lieutenant Governor (and Democratic nominee for Governor) Keen Johnson could appoint him to the Senate. Johnson appointed Chandler to fill the vacant seat until a successor could be duly elected, and the special election was scheduled for November 5, 1940, concurrent with the general election.

General election

Candidates

Happy Chandler, Governor of Kentucky and candidate for Senate in 1938 (Democratic)
Walter B. Smith (Republican)

Results

1940 U.S. Senate election in Kentucky^[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Happy Chandler (Incumbent)	561,151	58.27%
	Republican	Walter B. Smith	401,812	41.73%
Total votes			962,963	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing

Notes

References

^ Clerk of the United States House of Representatives (1941). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 1940" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office.

[Clerk-1] Clerk of the United States House of Representatives (1941). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 1940" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office.

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