1958 United States Senate special election in West Virginia

The 1958 United States Senate special election in West Virginia was held on November 4, 1958, concurrent with a regular election. The election was called due to the death of Senator Matthew M. Neely.

1958 United States Senate special election in West Virginia

← 1954 November 4, 1958 1960 →
 
Nominee Jennings Randolph John D. Hoblitzell Jr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 374,167 256,510
Percentage 59.32% 39.77%

County results
Randolph:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Hoblitzell:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

John D. Hoblitzell Jr.
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Jennings Randolph
Democratic

Democrats Randolph and Byrd both won their seats, amid a national wave election. This would be the last time that Democrats simultaneously flipped both of a state's Senate seats until Georgia's elections in 2020 and 2021, and the last for either party until the 1978 elections in Minnesota.

This election, along with the simultaneous regular election, is the last time a Senator from West Virginia lost re-election.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Campaign

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While campaigning with Robert C. Byrd, Randolph was involved in a car accident, veering into oncoming traffic and killing another driver. According to the testimony of Byrd, Randolph fell asleep at the wheel and woke up shortly before hitting the other driver.[1] Wetzel County prosecutor Jack Hawkins declined to file charges,[2] and Byrd's insurance company settled with the victim's widow out of court, being forced to pay the full sum of Byrd's liability, $22,500.[3]

Results

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Primary results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jennings Randolph 102,547 47.16%
Democratic William C. Marland 77,901 35.82%
Democratic Arnold Vickers 25,439 11.70%
Democratic Squibb Wilson 11,540 5.31%
Total votes 217,427 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John D. Hoblitzell, Jr. (incumbent) 82,094 100.00%
Total votes 82,094 100.00%

General election

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General election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jennings Randolph 374,167 59.32%
Republican John D. Hoblitzell, Jr. (incumbent) 256,510 39.77%
Total votes 630,677 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican

References

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  1. ^ "Two Senate Aspirants in Fatal Crash". Cumberland Evening Times. March 18, 1958. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  2. ^ "No Charges In Crash Involving Randolph, Byrd". Weirton Daily Times. March 19, 1958. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  3. ^ "Should Voters Permit a Ruthless Push to Power?". The Register-Herald. October 10, 1958. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  4. ^ "1958 Democratic Primary Election" (PDF). Historical Election Results and Turnout. Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  5. ^ "1958 Republican Primary" (PDF). Historical Election Results and Turnout. Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  6. ^ "1958 General Election" (PDF). Historical Election Results and Turnout. Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved June 13, 2020.