1954 United States Senate elections in Wyoming
The 1954 United States Senate elections in Wyoming took place on November 2, 1954. Incumbent Democratic senator Lester C. Hunt, who decided not to be a candidate for re-election, committed suicide by firearm on June 19, 1954, and Republican Governor Clifford J. Rogers appointed former state highway commissioner Edward D. Crippa to replace him. Two elections for the Senate seat were held on the same day; one as a special election to fill the remainder of Hunt's original six-year term, and another to select a senator to serve the next six-year term. Senator Crippa did not run for re-election.
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 County results O'Mahoney: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Harrison: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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Crippa did not run for re-election; instead, Congressman William Henry Harrison III won a contested Republican primary and advanced to the general election, where he faced former senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney, the Democratic nominee. In the midst of a largely neutral political environment—Democrats gained a handful of seats in Congress nationwide, which enabled them to flip the Senate, while Republican Milward Simpson narrowly won the gubernatorial election—O'Mahoney narrowly defeated Harrison to return to the Senate.
As of 2023, this is the last time Democrats won Wyoming's Class 2 Senate seat.
Democratic primary
editCandidates
edit- Joseph C. O'Mahoney, former U.S. Senator
- Carl A. Johnson (only filed for the special election)
Results
editRegular election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph C. O'Mahoney | 29,676 | 88.16% | |
| Democratic | Carl A. Johnson | 3,985 | 11.84% | |
| Total votes | 33,661 | 100.00% | ||
Special election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph C. O'Mahoney | 31,549 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 31,549 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
editCandidates
edit- William Henry Harrison III, U.S. Congressman from Wyoming's at-large congressional district
- Sam C. Hyatt, former president of the American National Cattlemen's Association[2]
- Ewing T. Kerr, former chairman of the Republican Party of Wyoming[3]
- William J. Taber, auto dealer[4]
Results
editRegular election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William Henry Harrison III | 23,119 | 51.55% | |
| Republican | Sam C. Hyatt | 10,643 | 23.73% | |
| Republican | Ewing T. Kerr | 10,374 | 23.13% | |
| Republican | William J. Taber | 709 | 1.58% | |
| Total votes | 44,845 | 100.00% | ||
Special election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William Henry Harrison III | 22,257 | 49.98% | |
| Republican | Sam C. Hyatt | 10,832 | 24.32% | |
| Republican | Ewing T. Kerr | 10,601 | 23.81% | |
| Republican | William J. Taber | 841 | 1.89% | |
| Total votes | 44,531 | 100.00% | ||
General election
editResults
editRegular election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph C. O'Mahoney | 57,845 | 51.53% | −5.58% | |
| Republican | William Henry Harrison III | 54,407 | 48.47% | +5.58% | |
| Majority | 3,438 | 3.06% | −11.15% | ||
| Turnout | 112,252 | ||||
| Democratic gain from Republican | |||||
Special election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph C. O'Mahoney | 57,163 | 51.56% | −5.55% | |
| Republican | William Henry Harrison III | 53,705 | 48.44% | +5.55% | |
| Majority | 3,458 | 3.12% | −11.10% | ||
| Turnout | 110,868 | ||||
| Democratic gain from Republican | |||||
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Copenhaver, Everett T. (1955). 1955 Wyoming Official Directory and 1954 Election Returns. pp. 49–52.
- ^ "Hyatt Declares State Must Fight For Resources". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. August 5, 1954. p. 2.
- ^ "Ewing T. Kerry Announces For U.S. Senate". Big Piney Examiner. Big Piney, Wyo. March 11, 1954. p. 1.
- ^ "Taber Asks Retirement For Judges". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. May 16, 1954. p. 6.