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1934 United States Senate elections

←  1932 November 6, 1934 [a] 1936 →
←  1933 (VA)

36 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate
49 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Joseph Robinson Charles McNary
Party Democratic Republican
Leader since December 3, 1923 March 4, 1933
Leader's seat Arkansas Oregon
Seats before 60 35
Seats after 69 25
Seat change Increase 9 Decrease 10
Seats up 17 18
Races won 26 8

  Third party Fourth party
 
Party Farmer–Labor Progressive
Seats before 1 0
Seats after 1 1
Seat change Steady Increase 1
Seats up 1 0
Races won 1 1

1934 United States Senate special election in Montana 1934 United States Senate special election in New Mexico 1934 United States Senate special election in Tennessee 1934 United States Senate special election in Vermont 1934 United States Senate election in Arizona 1934 United States Senate election in California 1934 United States Senate election in Connecticut 1934 United States Senate election in Delaware 1934 United States Senate election in Florida 1934 United States Senate election in Indiana 1934 United States Senate election in Maine 1934 United States Senate election in Maryland 1934 United States Senate election in Massachusetts 1934 United States Senate election in Michigan 1934 United States Senate election in Minnesota 1934 United States Senate election in Mississippi 1934 United States Senate election in Missouri 1934 United States Senate election in Montana 1934 United States Senate election in Nebraska 1934 United States Senate election in Nevada 1934 United States Senate election in New Jersey 1934 United States Senate election in New Mexico 1934 United States Senate election in New York 1934 United States Senate election in North Dakota 1934 United States Senate election in Ohio 1934 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania 1934 United States Senate election in Rhode Island 1934 United States Senate election in Tennessee 1934 United States Senate election in Texas 1934 United States Senate election in Utah 1934 United States Senate election in Vermont 1934 United States Senate election in Virginia 1934 United States Senate election in Washington 1934 United States Senate election in West Virginia 1934 United States Senate election in Wisconsin 1934 United States Senate election in Wyoming
Results of the elections:
     Democratic gain      Democratic hold
     Republican hold
     Progressive gain
     Farmer–Labor hold
     No election

Majority Leader before election

Joseph Robinson
Democratic

Elected Majority Leader

Joseph Robinson
Democratic

The 1934 United States Senate elections were held in the middle of Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first term. The 32 seats of Class 1 were contested in regular elections, and special elections were held to fill vacancies. During the Great Depression, voters strongly backed Roosevelt's New Deal and his allies in the Senate, with Democrats picking up a net of nine seats, giving them a supermajority (which required 64 seats, two-thirds of the total 96 seats in 1934). [1] Republicans later lost three more seats due to mid-term vacancies (one to Farmer-Labor and two to Democrats), however, a Democratic in Iowa died and the seat remained vacant until the next election. Democrats' entered the next election with a 70-22-2-1 majority.

This marked the first time that an incumbent president's party gained seats in both houses of Congress in midterm election cycles, followed by 1998 and 2002. [2] This was also the second of three times in American history that the opposition party failed to flip any Senate seats, alongside 1914 and 2022.

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

Three Democrats and one Republican retired instead of seeking re-election.

State Senator Replaced by
Maryland Phillips Lee Goldsborough George L. P. Radcliffe
Nebraska (special) William H. Thompson Richard C. Hunter
Nebraska William H. Thompson Edward R. Burke
Washington Clarence Dill Lewis B. Schwellenbach

Defeats

Eight Republicans and two Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.

State Senator Replaced by
Connecticut Frederic C. Walcott Francis T. Maloney
Indiana Arthur Raymond Robinson Sherman Minton
Mississippi Hubert D. Stephens Theodore G. Bilbo
Missouri Roscoe C. Patterson Harry S. Truman
Montana (special) John E. Erickson James E. Murray
New Jersey Hamilton F. Kean A. Harry Moore
Ohio Simeon D. Fess Vic Donahey
Pennsylvania David A. Reed Joseph F. Guffey
Rhode Island Felix Hebert Peter G. Gerry
West Virginia Henry D. Hatfield Rush Holt Sr.

Party Switches

One Republican won re-election as a Progressive.

State Senator Replaced by
Wisconsin Robert M. La Follette Jr. Robert M. La Follette Jr.

Post-election changes

State Senator Replaced by
New Mexico Bronson M. Cutting Dennis Chavez
Florida (class 1) Park Trammell Scott Loftin
Florida (class 1) Scott Loftin Charles O. Andrews
Florida (class 3) Duncan U. Fletcher William Luther Hill
Florida (class 3) William Luther Hill Claude Pepper
Louisiana Huey Long Rose McConnell Long
Michigan James J. Couzens Prentiss M. Brown
Minnesota Thomas D. Schall Elmer Austin Benson

Change in composition

Before the elections

At the beginning of 1934.

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8
D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9
D19 D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28
D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31 D30 D29
D39 D40 D41 D42 D43 D44
Ariz.
Ran
D45
Fla.
Ran
D46
Mass.
Ran
D47
Miss.
Ran
D48
Mont. (reg)
Ran
Majority → D49
Mont. (sp)
Ran
D58
Va.
Ran
D57
Utah
Ran
D56
Texas
Ran
D55
Tenn. (sp)
Ran
D54
Tenn. (reg)
Ran
D53
N.Y.
Ran
D52
N.M. (sp)
Ran
D51
Nev.
Ran
D50
Neb. (reg)
Neb. (sp)
Retired
D59
Wash.
Retired
D60
Wyo. (reg)
Wyo. (sp)
Ran
FL1
Minn.
Ran
R35
Wis.
Ran
R34
W.Va.
Ran
R33
Vt. (reg)
Ran
R32
R.I.
Ran
R31
Pa.
Ran
R30
Ohio
Ran
R29
N.Dak.
Ran
R19
Calif.
Ran
R20
Conn.
Ran
R21
Del.
Ran
R22
Ind.
Ran
R23
Maine
Ran
R24
Md.
Ran
R25
Mich.
Ran
R26
Mo.
Ran
R27
N.J.
Ran
R28
N.M. (reg)
Ran
R18
Vt. (sp)
Ran
R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8

Elections result

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8
D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11 D10 D9
D19 D20 D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28
D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31 D30 D29
D39 D40 D41 D42 D43 D44
Ariz.
Re-elected
D45
Fla.
Re-elected
D46
Mass.
Re-elected
D47
Miss.
Hold
D48
Mont. (reg)
Re-elected
Majority → D49
Mont. (sp)
Hold
D58
Va.
Re-elected
D57
Utah
Re-elected
D56
Texas
Re-elected
D55
Tenn. (sp)
Elected [b]
D54
Tenn. (reg)
Re-elected
D53
N.Y.
Re-elected
D52
N.M. (sp)
Elected [b]
D51
Nev.
Re-elected
D50
Neb. (reg)
Neb. (sp)
Hold
D59
Wash.
Hold
D60
Wyo. (reg)
Wyo. (sp)
Elected [b]
D61
Conn.
Gain
D62
Ind.
Gain
D63
Md.
Gain
D64
Mo.
Gain
D65
N.J.
Gain
D66
Ohio
Gain
D67
Pa.
Gain
D68
R.I.
Gain
R19
Del.
Re-elected
R20
Maine
Re-elected
R21
Mich.
Re-elected
R22
N.M. (reg)
Re-elected
R23
N.Dak.
Re-elected
R24
Vt. (reg)
Re-elected
R25
Vt. (sp)
Elected [b]
P1
Wis.
Re-elected
new party
FL1
Minn.
Re-elected
D69
W.Va.
Gain
R18
Calif.
Re-elected
R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8
Key
D# Democratic
FL# Farmer–Labor
P# Progressive
R# Republican

Race summaries

Elections during the 73rd Congress

In these special elections, the winners were seated during 1934; ordered by election date then by state.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Vermont
(Class 3)
Ernest W. Gibson Republican 1933 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected January 16, 1934.
Montana
(Class 2)
John E. Erickson Democratic 1933 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost nomination.
New senator elected November 6, 1934.
Democratic hold.
Nebraska
(Class 1)
William H. Thompson Democratic 1933 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected November 6, 1934.
Democratic hold.
Winner was not elected to the next term, see below.
New Mexico
(Class 2)
Carl Hatch Democratic 1933 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected November 6, 1934.
Tennessee
(Class 2)
Nathan L. Bachman Democratic 1933 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected November 6, 1934.
Wyoming
(Class 1)
Joseph C. O'Mahoney Democratic 1933 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected November 6, 1934.
Winner was also elected to the next term, see below.

Elections leading to the 74th Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1935; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Arizona Henry F. Ashurst Democratic 1912
1916
1922
1928
Incumbent re-elected.
California Hiram Johnson Republican 1916
1922
1928
Incumbent re-elected.
Connecticut Frederic C. Walcott Republican 1928 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Delaware John G. Townsend Jr. Republican 1928 Incumbent re-elected.
Florida Park Trammell Democratic 1916
1922
1928
Incumbent re-elected.
Indiana Arthur Raymond Robinson Republican 1925 (Appointed)
1926 (special)
1928
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Maine Frederick Hale Republican 1916
1922
1928
Incumbent re-elected.
Maryland Phillips Lee Goldsborough Republican 1928 Incumbent retired to run for Governor of Maryland.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Massachusetts David I. Walsh Democratic 1926 (special)
1928
Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan Arthur Vandenberg Republican 1928 (Appointed)
1928 (special)
1928
Incumbent re-elected.
Minnesota Henrik Shipstead Farmer–Labor 1922
1928
Incumbent re-elected.
Mississippi Hubert D. Stephens Democratic 1922
1928
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Missouri Roscoe C. Patterson Republican 1928 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Montana Burton K. Wheeler Democratic 1922
1928
Incumbent re-elected.
Nebraska William H. Thompson Democratic 1933 (Appointed) Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Winner was not elected to finish the current term; see above.
Nevada Key Pittman Democratic 1913 (special)
1916
1922
1928
Incumbent re-elected.
New Jersey Hamilton F. Kean Republican 1928 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
New Mexico Bronson M. Cutting Republican 1927 (Appointed)
1928 (Retired)
1928
Incumbent re-elected.
New York Royal S. Copeland Democratic 1922
1928
Incumbent re-elected.
North Dakota Lynn Frazier Republican 1922
1928
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Lynn Frazier (Republican) 58.2%
  • Henry Holt (Democratic) 40.2%
Ohio Simeon D. Fess Republican 1922
1928
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Pennsylvania David A. Reed Republican 1922 (Appointed)
1922 (special)
1922
1928
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Rhode Island Felix Hebert Republican 1928 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Tennessee Kenneth McKellar Democratic 1916
1922
1928
Incumbent re-elected.
Texas Tom Connally Democratic 1928 Incumbent re-elected.
Utah William H. King Democratic 1916
1922
1928
Incumbent re-elected.
Vermont Warren Austin Republican 1931 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Virginia Harry F. Byrd Democratic 1933 (Appointed)
1933 (special)
Incumbent re-elected.
Washington Clarence Dill Democratic 1922
1928
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
West Virginia Henry D. Hatfield Republican 1928 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain. Winner was seated late on June 21, 1935 when he turned 30, due to not having satisfied the constitutional requirement to serve.
Wisconsin Robert M. La Follette Jr. Republican 1925 (special)
1928
Incumbent re-elected as a Progressive.
Progressive gain.
Wyoming Joseph C. O'Mahoney Democratic 1933 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected.
Winner was also elected to finish the current term; see above.

Closest races

Ten races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State Party of winner Margin
Maine Republican 0.4%
New Mexico Republican 0.8%
Vermont Republican 2.6%
Connecticut Democratic (flip) 3.5%
Indiana Democratic (flip) 4.0%
Michigan Republican 4.3%
Pennsylvania Democratic (flip) 4.3%
Utah Democratic 7.7%
Delaware Republican 7.1%
New Mexico (special) Democratic 9.5%

Virginia was the tipping point state with a margin of 55.1%.

Arizona

1934 United States Senate election in Arizona

←  1928 November 3, 1934 1940 →
 
Nominee Henry F. Ashurst Joseph Edward Thompson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 67,648 24,075
Percentage 72.03% 25.63%

County results
Ashurst:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

United States Senator before election

Henry F. Ashurst
Democratic

Elected United States Senator

Henry F. Ashurst
Democratic

1934 United States Senate election in Arizona [4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Henry F. Ashurst (incumbent) 67,648 72.03%
Republican Joseph Edward Thompson 24,075 25.63%
Socialist Charles D. Pinkerton 1,591 1.69%
Communist Ramon Garcia 606 0.65%
Majority 43,573 46.40%
Turnout 93,920
Democratic hold

California

1934 United States Senate election in California

←  1928 November 5, 1934 1940 →
 
Nominee Hiram Johnson George Ross Kirkpatrick
Party Republican Socialist
Alliance Democratic
Popular vote 1,946,572 108,748
Percentage 94.66% 5.29%

County results
Johnson:      90–100%

U.S. senator before election

Hiram Johnson
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Hiram Johnson
Republican

1934 United States Senate election in California [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Hiram Johnson (Incumbent) 1,946,572 94.54%
Socialist George Ross Kirkpatrick 108,748 5.28%
Write-In Pat Chambers 1,025 0.05%
None Scattering 2,595 0.13%
Majority 1,837,824 89.26%
Turnout 2,058,940
Republican hold

Connecticut

1934 United States Senate election in Connecticut [5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Francis T. Maloney 265,552 51.75%
Republican Frederic C. Walcott (Incumbent) 247,623 48.25%
Majority 17,929 3.50%
Turnout 513,175
Democratic gain from Republican

Delaware

1934 United States Senate election in Delaware [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John G. Townsend Jr. (Incumbent) 52,829 53.27%
Democratic Wilbur L. Adams 45,771 46.16%
Socialist Fred W. Whiteside 497 0.50%
Communist John T. Wlodkoski 69 0.07%
Majority 7,058 7.11%
Turnout 99,166
Republican hold

Florida

1934 United States Senate election in Florida [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Park Trammell (Incumbent) 131,780 100.00%
Democratic hold

Indiana

1934 United States Senate election in Indiana

←  1928 November 6, 1934 1940 →
 
Nominee Sherman Minton Arthur Robinson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 758,801 700,103
Percentage 51.46% 47.48%

County results
Minton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Robinson:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Arthur Raymond Robinson
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Sherman Minton
Democratic

1934 United States Senate election in Indiana [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sherman Minton 758,801 51.46%
Republican Arthur Raymond Robinson (Incumbent) 700,103 47.48%
Socialist Forrest Wallace 9,414 0.64%
Prohibition Albert Jackman 4,987 0.34%
Communist Wenzel Stocker 1,307 0.09%
Majority 58,698 3.98%
Turnout 1,474,612
Democratic gain from Republican

Maine

1934 United States Senate election in Maine [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Frederick Hale (Incumbent) 139,773 50.14%
Democratic F. Harold Dubord 138,573 49.71%
Communist Hans Nelson 422 0.15%
Majority 1,200 0.43%
Turnout 278,768
Republican hold

Maryland

1934 United States Senate election in Maryland

←  1928 November 5, 1934 1940 →
 
Nominee George L. P. Radcliffe Joseph I. France
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 264,279 197,643
Percentage 56.10% 41.95%

County results
France:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Radcliffe:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Phillips Lee Goldsborough
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

George L. P. Radcliffe
Democratic

1934 United States Senate election in Maryland [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George L. P. Radcliffe 264,279 56.10%
Republican Joseph I. France 197,643 41.95%
Socialist Elisabeth Gilman 6,067 1.29%
American Labor Ada Smith Lang 1,935 0.41%
Communist Samuel Gale 1,188 0.25%
Majority 66,636 14.15%
Turnout 471,112
Democratic gain from Republican

Massachusetts

1934 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

←  1928 November 6, 1934 1940 →
 
Nominee David I. Walsh Robert M. Washburn
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 852,776 536,692
Percentage 59.39% 37.38%

Map key
Walsh:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Washburn:      50–60%      60–70%

Senator before election

David I. Walsh
Democratic

Elected Senator

David I. Walsh
Democratic

1934 United States Senate election in Massachusetts [6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David I. Walsh (incumbent) 852,776 59.39%
Republican Robert M. Washburn 536,692 37.38%
Socialist Albert Sprague Coolidge 22,092 1.54%
Prohibition Barnard Smith 10,363 0.72%
Socialist Labor Albert L. Waterman 8,245 0.57%
Communist Paul C. Wicks 5,757 0.40%
Majority 316,084 22.01%
Turnout 1,435,932
Democratic hold

Michigan

1934 United States Senate election in Michigan

←  1928 November 6, 1934 1940 →
 
Nominee Arthur Vandenberg Frank Picard
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 626,017 573,574
Percentage 51.32% 47.03%

County results
Vandenberg:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Picard:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Arthur Vandenberg
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Arthur Vandenberg
Republican

1934 United States Senate election in Michigan [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Arthur Vandenberg (Incumbent) 626,017 51.32%
Democratic Frank Albert Picard 573,574 47.02%
Socialist John Monarch 10,644 0.87%
Communist Philip Raymond 5,634 0.46%
Farmer–Labor W. Ralph Jones 2,042 0.17%
Socialist Labor John Vonica 939 0.08%
Commonwealth Land Jay W. Slaughter 735 0.06%
National Chester A. Shewalter 147 0.01%
None Scattering 2 0.00%
Majority 52,443 4.30%
Turnout 1,219,734
Republican hold

Minnesota

1934 United States Senate election in Minnesota

←  1928 November 6, 1934 1940 →
 
Nominee Henrik Shipstead Einar Hoidale N. J. Holmberg
Party Farmer–Labor Democratic Republican
Popular vote 503,379 294,757 200,083
Percentage 49.87% 29.20% 19.82%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Henrik Shipstead
Farmer–Labor

Elected U.S. Senator

Henrik Shipstead
Farmer–Labor

1934 United States Senate election in Minnesota [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Farmer–Labor Henrik Shipstead (Incumbent) 503,379 49.87%
Democratic Einar Hoidale 294,757 29.20%
Republican N. J. Holmberg 200,083 19.82%
Communist Aldred Tiala 5,620 0.56%
Socialist Morris Kaplan 5,618 0.56%
Majority 409,622 20.67%
Turnout 1,009,457
Farmer–Labor hold

Mississippi

1934 United States Senate election in Mississippi [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Theodore G. Bilbo (Incumbent) 51,609 100.00%
Democratic hold

Missouri

1934 United States Senate election in Missouri

←  1928 November 6, 1934 1940 →
 
Nominee Harry S. Truman Roscoe C. Patterson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 787,110 524,954
Percentage 59.55% 39.71%

County Results
Truman:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
     70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Patterson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Roscoe C. Patterson
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Harry S. Truman
Democratic

1934 Missouri United States Senate election [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harry S. Truman 787,110 59.54%
Republican Roscoe C. Patterson (Incumbent) 524,954 39.71%
Socialist W. C. Meyer 9,010 0.68%
Communist Frank Brown 418 0.03%
Socialist Labor William Wesley Cox 384 0.03%
Majority 262,156 19.83%
Turnout 1,321,876
Democratic gain from Republican

Montana

Montana (regular)

1934 United States Senate election in Montana

←  1928 November 6, 1934 1940 →
 
Nominee Burton K. Wheeler George Bourquin
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 142,823 58,519
Percentage 70.14% 28.74%

County results
Wheeler:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
     No data

U.S. senator before election

Burton K. Wheeler
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Burton K. Wheeler
Democratic

1934 United States Senate election in Montana [5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Burton K. Wheeler (Incumbent) 142,823 70.14% +16.94%
Republican George M. Bourquin 58,519 28.74% -18.06%
Socialist William F. Held 1,381 0.68%
Communist Raymond F. Gray 903 0.44%
Majority 84,304 41.40% +35.00%
Turnout 203,626
Democratic hold

Montana (special)

1934 United States Senate special election in Montana

←  1930 November 6, 1934 1936 →
 
Nominee James E. Murray Scott Leavitt
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 116,965 77,307
Percentage 59.66% 39.43%

County results
Murray:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Leavitt:      50–60%
     No data

U.S. senator before election

John E. Erickson
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

James E. Murray
Democratic

1934 United States Senate special election in Montana [5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic James E. Murray 116,965 59.66% -0.67%
Republican Scott Leavitt 77,307 39.43% +1.56%
Socialist John F. Duffy 1,779 0.91% +0.34%
Majority 39,658 20.23% -2.22%
Turnout 196,051
Democratic hold

Nebraska

Nebraska (regular)

1934 United States Senate election in Nebraska

←  1934 (special) November 6, 1934 1940 →
 
Nominee Edward R. Burke Robert G. Simmons
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 305,958 237,126
Percentage 55.30% 42.86%

County results
Burke:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Simmons:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Richard C. Hunter
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Edward R. Burke
Democratic

1934 United States Senate election in Nebraska [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edward R. Burke 305,958 55.30%
Republican Robert G. Simmons 237,126 42.86%
By Petition Henry Hoffman 7,670 1.39%
Write-In E. D. O’Sullivan 2,501 0.45%
N/A Scattering 44 0.01%
Majority 68,832 12.44%
Turnout 553,299
Democratic hold

Nebraska (special)

1934 United States Senate special election in Nebraska

←  1928 November 6, 1934 1934 (regular) →
 
Nominee Richard C. Hunter J. H. Kemp
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 281,421 217,106
Percentage 56.45% 43.55%

County results
Hunter:      50–60%      60–70%
Kemp:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

William Henry Thompson
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Richard C. Hunter
Democratic

1934 United States Senate special election in Nebraska [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard C. Hunter (Incumbent) 281,421 56.45%
Republican J. H. Kemp 217,106 43.55%
N/A Scattering 24 <0.01%
Majority 64,315 12.90%
Turnout 498,551
Democratic hold

Nevada

1934 United States Senate election in Nevada

←  1928
1940 →
 
Nominee Key Pittman George W. Malone
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 27,581 14,273
Percentage 64.51% 33.38%

County results
Pittman:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Malone:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Key Pittman
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Key Pittman
Democratic

1934 United States Senate election in Nevada [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Key Pittman (Incumbent) 27,581 64.51%
Republican George W. Malone 14,273 33.38%
Independent John P. Reynolds 901 2.11%
Majority 13,308 31.13%
Turnout 42,755
Democratic hold

New Jersey

New Jersey election

←  1928
 
Nominee A. Harry Moore Hamilton Fish Kean
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 785,971 554,483
Percentage 57.90% 40.85%

County Results
Moore:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Kean:      50-60%

U.S. senator before election

Hamilton Fish Kean
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

A. Harry Moore
Democratic

1934 United States Senate election in New Jersey [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic A. Harry Moore 785,971 57.90%
Republican Hamilton Fish Kean (Incumbent) 554,483 40.85%
Socialist John S. Martin 9,721 0.72%
Communist Rebecca Grecht 2,874 0.21%
Prohibition Elwood Hollingshead 2,072 0.15%
Socialist Labor John C. Butterworth 1,640 0.12%
Independent Veteran William L. Detmering 648 0.05%
Majority 231,488 17.05%
Turnout 1,357,409
Democratic gain from Republican

New Mexico

New Mexico (regular)

1934 United States Senate election in New Mexico [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bronson M. Cutting (Incumbent) 76,228 50.20%
Democratic Dennis Chávez 74,944 49.35%
Socialist W. C. Thorp 568 0.37%
Communist Alphonso Ray 122 0.08%
Majority 1,284 0.85%
Turnout 151,862
Republican hold

New Mexico (special)

1934 United States Senate special election in New Mexico [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carl Hatch (Incumbent) 81,934 54.76%
Republican Richard C. Dillon 66,956 44.75%
Socialist T. N. Hotchinson 613 0.41%
Communist C. G. Plater 134 0.09%
Majority 14,978 10.01%
Turnout 149,637
Democratic hold

New York

1934 United States Senate election in New York

←  1928 November 6, 1934 1938 (special) →
 
Nominee Royal S. Copeland E. Harold Cluett Norman Thomas
Party Democratic Republican Socialist
Popular vote 2,046,377 1,363,440 194,952
Percentage 55.34% 36.87% 5.27%

County Results
Copeland:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Cluett:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Royal S. Copeland
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Royal S. Copeland
Democratic

In New York, the whole Democratic ticket was elected in the third landslide in a row.

1934 United States Senate election [7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Royal S. Copeland (incumbent) 2,046,377 55.21% +6.13%
Republican E. Harold Cluett 1,363,440 36.87% -11.02%
Socialist Norman Thomas 194,952 5.27% +2.65%
Communist Max Bedacht 45,396 1.23% +0.95%
Constitutional Henry Skillman Breckinridge 24,241 0.66% N/A
Prohibition Michael Bartell 16,769 0.45% +0.45%
Socialist Labor Olive Johnson 6,622 0.18% +0.05%
Total votes 3,727,797 100.00%

North Dakota

1934 United States Senate election in North Dakota [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lynn Frazier (Incumbent) 151,205 58.24%
Democratic Henry Holt 104,477 40.24%
Farmer–Labor Alfred S. Dale 3,269 1.26%
Communist-Workers-Farmers’ Government Arvo F. Husa 656 0.25%
Majority 46,728 18.00%
Turnout 259,607
Republican hold

Ohio

1934 United States Senate election in Ohio [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic A. Victor Donahey 1,276,206 59.95%
Republican Simeon D. Fess (Incumbent) 839,068 39.41%
Communist W. C. Sandberg 13,546 0.64%
None Scattering 23 0.00%
Majority 437,138 20.54%
Turnout 2,128,843
Democratic gain from Republican

Pennsylvania

1934 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania

←  1928 November 6, 1934 1940 →
 
Nominee Joseph F. Guffey David A. Reed
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,494,010 1,366,872
Percentage 50.78% 46.46%

County results

Guffey:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Martin:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

David A. Reed
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Joseph F. Guffey
Democratic

General election [5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joseph F. Guffey 1,494,010 50.78% +16.78%
Republican David A. Reed (Incumbent) 1,366,872 46.46% -17.92%
Socialist James H. Maurer 50,444 0.39% -0.37%
Prohibition Edwin J. Fithian 19,985 0.68% +0.19%
Communist Harry M. Wicks 6,170 0.21% +0.21%
Socialist Labor George W. Ohls 4,665 0.16% +0.12%
N/A Other 129 0.00% N/A
Majority 127,948 4.32%
Turnout 2,942,275
Democratic gain from Republican

Rhode Island

1934 United States Senate election in Rhode Island [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Peter G. Gerry 140,700 57.12%
Republican Felix Hebert (Incumbent) 105,545 42.85%
None Scattering 68 0.03%
Majority 35,155 14.27%
Turnout 246,313
Democratic gain from Republican

Tennessee

There were two elections due to a resignation.

Tennessee (regular)

Senator Kenneth D. McKellar

Three-term Democrat Kenneth D. McKellar was easily re-elected.

1934 United States Senate election in Tennessee [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kenneth D. McKellar (Incumbent) 195,430 63.39%
Republican Ben W. Hooper 110,401 35.81%
Independent C. W. Holsington 2,443 0.79%
Majority 85,029 27.58%
Turnout
Democratic hold

Tennessee (special)

Senator Nathan L. Bachman

One-term Democrat Cordell Hull resigned March 3, 1933 to become U.S. Secretary of State.

Democrat Nathan L. Bachman was appointed to continue Hull's term, pending a special election which Bachman easily won.

1934 United States Senate special election in Tennessee [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nathan L. Bachman (incumbent) 200,249 80.09%
Independent John Randolph Neal Jr. 49,773 19.91%
Majority 150,476 60.18%
Turnout 250,022
Democratic hold

Texas

Texas election

←  1928 November 6, 1934 1940 →
 
Nominee Tom Connally
Party Democratic
Alliance Republican
Popular vote 439,375
Percentage 96.69%

County results
Daniel:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90–100%

U.S. senator before election

Tom Connally
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Tom Connally
Democratic

1934 United States Senate election in Texas [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Connally (Incumbent) 439,375 96.69
Republican Ulysses S. Goen 12,895 2.84
Socialist W. B. Starr 1,828 0.40
Communist L. C. Keel 310 0.07
Majority 426,480 93.85
Turnout 454,408
Democratic hold

Utah

1934 United States Senate election in Utah [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William H. King (Incumbent) 95,931 53.06%
Republican Don B. Colton 82,154 45.44%
Socialist John O. Waters 1,497 0.83%
Communist Cornelia B. Johnson 1,207 0.67%
Majority 13,777 7.92%
Turnout 180,792
Democratic hold

Vermont

Vermont (regular)

1934 United States Senate election in Vermont [8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Warren Austin (Incumbent) 67,146 51.0%
Democratic Fred C. Martin 63,632 48.4%
Socialist Charles R. Butler 771 0.0%
N/A Other 3 0.0%
Total votes 131,552 100

Vermont (special)

1934 United States Senate special election in Vermont [8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ernest W. Gibson (incumbent) 28,436 58.2%
Democratic Harry W. Witters 20,382 41.7%
N/A Other 12 0.1%
Total votes 48,830 100.0%

Virginia

1934 United States Senate election in Virginia [5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Harry F. Byrd Sr. (Incumbent) 109,963 75.96% +4.65%
Republican Lawrence C. Page 30,289 20.92% -5.75%
Independent J. L. Litz 1,503 1.04%
Socialist Herman R. Ansell 1,127 0.78% +0.10%
Independent John G. Bowman 1,046 0.72%
Communist Alexander Wright 431 0.30% +0.30%
Prohibition Hewman H. Raymond 391 0.27% -0.15%
Write-ins 22 0.02% +0.02%
Majority 79,674 55.03% +10.39%
Turnout 144,772
Democratic hold

Washington

1934 United States Senate election in Washington

←  1928 November 6, 1934 1940 →
 
Nominee Lewis Schwellenbach Reno Odlin
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 302,606 168,994
Percentage 60.93% 34.02%

County results
Schwellenbach:      50–60%      60–70%
Tie:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election

Clarence Dill
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Lewis Schwellenbach
Democratic

1934 United States Senate election in Washington [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lewis B. Schwellenbach 302,606 60.92%
Republican Reno Odlin 168,994 34.02%
Cincinnatus Nonpartisan Movement William J. Wilkins 11,866 2.39%
Socialist John F. McKay 7,192 1.45%
Communist George Edward Bradley 3,470 0.70%
Prohibition Chester H. Thompson 1,551 0.31%
Socialist Labor Edward Kriz 556 0.11%
Washington State American Liberty League Glen S. Corkery 453 0.09%
Majority 133,612 26.90%
Turnout 496,688
Democratic hold

West Virginia

1934 United States Senate election in West Virginia [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rush Holt Sr. 349,882 55.14%
Republican Henry D. Hatfield (Incumbent) 281,756 44.40%
Prohibition John Wesley McDonald 2,931 0.46%
Majority 68,126 10.74%
Turnout 634,569
Democratic gain from Republican

Wisconsin

1934 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

←  1928 November 6, 1934 1940 →
 
Nominee Robert La Follette Jr. John M. Callahan John B. Chapple
Party Progressive Democratic Republican
Popular vote 440,513 223,438 210,569
Percentage 47.78% 24.24% 22.84%

County results
La Follete Jr.:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Callahan:      30–40%      40–50%
Chapple:      30–40%      40–50%

U.S. senator before election

Robert La Follette Jr.
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Robert La Follette Jr.
Progressive

1934 United States Senate election in Wisconsin [5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Progressive Robert M. La Follette Jr. (Incumbent) 440,513 47.78%
Democratic John M. Callahan 223,438 24.24%
Republican John B. Chapple 210,569 22.84%
Socialist James P. Sheehan 44,453 4.82%
Independent Communist Fern Dobbins 2,127 0.23%
Independent Prohibition Theodore Lee 826 0.09%
None Scattering 23 0.00%
Majority 217,075 23.54%
Turnout 921,949
Progressive gain from Republican

Wyoming

Senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney

There were two elections to the same seat due to the November 3, 1933 death of Democrat John B. Kendrick. Democrat Joseph C. O'Mahoney was appointed to continue the term, pending a special election. O'Mahoney won both the special election and the regular election to the next term.

Wyoming (regular)

1934 United States Senate election in Wyoming [9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joseph C. O'Mahoney ( inc.) 53,806 56.62% +3.13%
Republican Vincent Carter 40,819 42.96% -3.14%
Socialist Joseph N. Lunn 401 0.42% +0.01%
Majority 12,987 13.67% +6.26%
Turnout 95,026
Democratic hold

Wyoming (special)

1934 United States Senate special election in Wyoming [9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joseph C. O'Mahoney ( inc.) 53,859 56.88% +3.39%
Republican Vincent Carter 40,825 43.12% -2.97%
Majority 13,034 13.77% +6.36%
Turnout 94,684
Democratic hold

O'Mahoney would be re-elected twice and serve until his 1952 defeat.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ There was a regular election September 10 in Maine and a January 16 special election in Vermont.
  2. ^ a b c d Appointee elected

References

  1. ^ Arthur Krock (November 7, 1934). "Tide Sweeps Nation". New York Times. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  2. ^ "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 1934" (PDF). U.S. House of Reps, Office of the Clerk. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  3. ^ Kestenbaum, Lawrence. "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Monacelli to Monro". politicalgraveyard.com.
  4. ^ "Our Campaigns - AZ US Senate Race - Nov 03, 1934". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 1934" (PDF). Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  6. ^ "Our Campaigns - MA US Senate Race - Nov 06, 1934". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  7. ^ "NY US Senate". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "General Election Results - U.S. Senator - 1914-2014" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  9. ^ a b Hunt, Lester C. (1935). 1935 Official Directory of Wyoming and Election Returns for 1934. Sheridan, Wyo.: The Mills Company. pp. 49–55.