1944 United States Senate election in Colorado

The 1944 United States Senate special election in Colorado took place on November 7, 1944. Incumbent Republican senator Eugene Millikin, who was first appointed to fill Alva B. Adams's seat in 1941 and re-elected at the ensuing special election in 1942, ran for re-election to his first full term. In the general election, he faced wealthy Denver attorney Barney L. Whatley. Millikin benefited from the strong Republican performance in Colorado—Thomas E. Dewey and Governor John C. Vivian both won their respective elections by decisive margins—and cruised to a landslide victory over Whatley.

1944 United States Senate election in Colorado

← 1942 (special) November 7, 1944 1950 →
 
Nominee Eugene Millikin Barney L. Whatley
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 277,410 214,335
Percentage 56.06% 43.31%

Results by county
Millikin:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Whatley:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Eugene Millikin
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Eugene Millikin
Republican

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Campaign

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Though Colorado remained competitive for both parties in state and national politics, the state Democratic Party had few candidates interested in running against Senator Millikin. Though the party had attempted to recruit James G. Patton, the president of the National Farmers Union, to run, he declined to do so. Barney L. Whatley, a prominent Denver attorney who served as district attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit from 1913 to 1921 and more recently as chairman of the state party, initially declined to run, but ultimately accepted the nomination, saying that someone "must carry the issue of this campaign to the crossroads of the state."[2]

Results

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Democratic primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Barney L. Whatley 31,625 100.00
Total votes 31,625 100.00

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Eugene D. Millikin (inc.) 40,868 100.00
Total votes 40,868 100.00

General election

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Results

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1944 United States Senate election in Colorado[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Eugene Millikin (inc.) 277,410 56.06% −0.07%
Democratic Barney L. Whatley 214,335 43.31% +1.17%
Socialist Carle Whitehead 3,143 0.64% −0.61%
Majority 63,075 12.75% −1.23%
Turnout 494,888
Republican hold

References

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  1. ^ "FR's Peace Plan Chief Issue Between Senate Candidates". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Fort Collins, Colorado. November 3, 1944. p. 5. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  2. ^ "Democrats Nominate Whatley and Best". Steamboat Pilot. Steamboat Springs, Colorado. July 27, 1944. p. 1. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Morrison, Walter F. (1944). State of Colorado Abstract of Votes Cast at the Primary Election Held on the Twelfth Day of September, A. D. 1944 and at the General Election Held on the Seventh Day of November, A. D. 1944 (PDF). Denver, Colorado: Colorado Secretary of State.