Senate
United States elections · 1940 · held
State Senate races in this election cycle, with separate candidate results and election-era ideology attribution.
State races and results map
Each race has its own denominator. Missing counts are blank. The interactive map uses modern state outlines as navigation references.
Arizona — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ernest McFarland | Democratic | 101495 | 71.60% | Elected |
| Irving A. Jennings Sr. | Republican | 39657 | 28.00% | — |
| A. Walter Gehres | Prohibition | 579 | 0.40% | — |
Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Ernest McFarland (Democratic) 71.6%
▌I. A. Jennings (Republican) 28.0%
▌A. Walter Gehres (Prohibition) 0.4%
Sources & further reading
California — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiram Johnson | Republican | — | 82.50% | Elected |
| Fred Dyster | Prohibition | — | 13.50% | — |
| Anita Whitney | Communist | — | 3.60% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Hiram Johnson (Republican) 82.5%
▌Fred Dyster (Prohibition) 13.5%
▌Anita Whitney (Communist) 3.6%
Sources & further reading
Connecticut — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis T. Maloney | Democratic | — | 53.20% | Elected |
| Paul L. Cornell | Republican | — | 45.70% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Francis T. Maloney (Democratic) 53.2%
▌Paul L. Cornell (Republican) 45.7%
Sources & further reading
Delaware — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James M. Tunnell | Democratic | 68294 | 50.63% | Elected |
| John G. Townsend Jr. | Republican | 63799 | 47.30% | — |
| William F. Allen | Independent Democratic | 2786 | 2.07% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James M. Tunnell (Democratic) 50.6%
▌John G. Townsend Jr. (Republican) 47.3%
▌William F. Allen (Liberal Democratic) 2.1%
Sources & further reading
Florida — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles O. Andrews | Democratic | 323216 | 100.00% | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Charles O. Andrews (Democratic)
Unopposed
Sources & further reading
Idaho — Senate (Class 2) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Thomas | Republican | 124535 | 52.96% | Elected |
| Glen H. Taylor | Democratic | 110614 | 47.04% | — |
Interim appointee elected November 5, 1940. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Thomas (Republican) 53.0%
▌Glen H. Taylor (Democratic) 47.0%
Sources & further reading
Illinois — Senate (Class 2) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C. Wayland Brooks | Republican | — | 50.10% | Elected |
| James M. Slattery | Democratic | — | 49.60% | — |
Interim appointee lost election to finish term. New senator elected November 5, 1940. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y C. Wayland Brooks (Republican) 50.1%
▌James M. Slattery (Democratic) 49.6%
Sources & further reading
Indiana — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raymond E. Willis | Republican | 888070 | 50.45% | Elected |
| Sherman Minton | Democratic | 864803 | 49.13% | — |
| Carl W. Thompson | Prohibition | 5621 | 0.32% | — |
| John H. Kingsbury | Socialist | 1751 | 0.10% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Raymond E. Willis (Republican) 50.5%
▌Sherman Minton (Democratic) 49.1%
▌Carl W. Thompson (Prohibition) 0.3%
▌John H. Kingsbury (Socialist) 0.1%
Sources & further reading
Kentucky — Senate (Class 2) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happy Chandler | Democratic | 561151 | 58.27% | Elected |
| Walter B. Smith | Republican | 401812 | 41.73% | — |
Interim appointee elected November 5, 1940. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Happy Chandler (Democratic) 58.3%
▌Walter B. Smith (Republican) 41.7%
Sources & further reading
Maine — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owen Brewster | Republican | — | 58.60% | Elected |
| Louis J. Brann | Democratic | — | 41.30% | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Owen Brewster (Republican) 58.6%
▌Louis J. Brann (Democratic) 41.3%
Sources & further reading
Maryland — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George L. P. Radcliffe | Democratic | — | 64.70% | Elected |
| Harry Nice | Republican | — | 33.50% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y George L. P. Radcliffe (Democratic) 64.7%
▌Harry Nice (Republican) 33.5%
Sources & further reading
Massachusetts — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David I. Walsh | Democratic | 1088838 | 55.64% | Elected |
| Henry Parkman Jr. | Republican | 838122 | 42.38% | — |
| George L. Thompson | Prohibition | 9632 | 0.49% | — |
| Philip Frankfeld | Communist | 9465 | 0.48% | — |
| Lyman Paine | Socialist | 6876 | 0.35% | — |
| Horace I. Hillis | Socialist Labor | 4133 | 0.21% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y David I. Walsh (Democratic) 55.6%
▌Henry Parkman Jr. (Republican) 42.8%
Sources & further reading
Michigan — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arthur Vandenberg | Republican | — | 52.70% | Elected |
| Frank Fitzpatrick | Democratic | — | 47.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Arthur Vandenberg (Republican) 52.7%
▌Frank Fitzpatrick (Democratic) 47.0%
Sources & further reading
Minnesota — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henrik Shipstead | Republican | 641049 | 53.00% | Elected |
| Elmer Austin Benson | Farmer–Labor | 310875 | 25.70% | — |
| John E. Regan | Democratic | 248658 | 20.56% | — |
| Grace Holmes Carlson | Trotskyist Anti-War | 8761 | 0.72% | — |
| Carl Winter | Independent | 256 | 0.02% | — |
Incumbent re-elected as a Republican. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Henrik Shipstead (Republican) 53.0%
▌Elmer A. Benson (Farmer–Labor) 25.7%
▌John E. Regan (Democratic) 20.6%
Sources & further reading
Mississippi — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theodore G. Bilbo | Democratic | 143431 | 100.00% | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Theodore G. Bilbo (Democratic)
Unopposed
Sources & further reading
Missouri — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry S. Truman | Democratic | 930775 | 51.17% | Elected |
| Manvel H. Davis | Republican | 886376 | 48.73% | — |
| W.F. Rinck | Socialist | 1669 | 0.09% | — |
| Theodore Baeff | Socialist Labor | 196 | 0.01% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Harry S. Truman (Democratic) 51.2%
▌Manvel H. Davis (Republican) 48.7%
▌W. F. Rinck (Socialist) 0.1%
▌Theodore Baeff (Socialist Labor) 0.01%
Sources & further reading
Montana — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burton K. Wheeler | Democratic | 176753 | 73.43% | Elected |
| E. K. Cheadle | Republican | 63941 | 26.57% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Burton K. Wheeler (Democratic) 73.4%
▌E. K. Cheadle (Republican) 26.6%
Sources & further reading
Nebraska — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hugh A. Butler | Republican | 340250 | 57.00% | Elected |
| Robert Leroy Cochran | Democratic | 247659 | 41.49% | — |
| Albert F. Ruthven | None | 8982 | 1.50% | — |
Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Hugh A. Butler (Republican) 57.0%
▌Robert Leroy Cochran (Democratic) 41.5%
Sources & further reading
Nevada — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key Pittman | Democratic | 31351 | 60.48% | Elected |
| Samuel Platt | Republican | 20488 | 39.52% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Winner died November 10, 1940, and Berkeley L. Bunker (D) was appointed both to finish the term and to start the next term. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Key Pittman (Democratic) 60.5%
▌Samuel Platt (Republican) 39.5%
Sources & further reading
New Jersey — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W. Warren Barbour | Republican | 1029331 | 55.11% | Elected |
| James H. R. Cromwell | Democratic | 823893 | 44.11% | — |
| McAlister Coleman | Socialist | 8836 | 0.47% | — |
| James A. Tumulty Jr. | Independent | 2784 | 0.15% | — |
| Mary Ellen Dooner | Communist | 1519 | 0.08% | — |
| Edson R. Leach | Prohibition | 645 | 0.03% | — |
| Harry Santhouse | Socialist Labor | 464 | 0.02% | — |
| George Breitman | Socialist Workers | 303 | 0.02% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y W. Warren Barbour (Republican) 55.1%
▌James H. R. Cromwell (Democratic) 44.1%
Sources & further reading
New Mexico — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Chávez | Democratic | 103194 | 55.95% | Elected |
| Albert K. Mitchell | Republican | 81257 | 44.05% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Dennis Chávez (Democratic) 56.0%
▌Albert K. Mitchell (Republican) 44.1%
Sources & further reading
New York — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James M. Mead | Democratic | — | 53.30% | Elected |
| Bruce Fairchild Barton | Republican | — | 46.70% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James M. Mead (Democratic) 53.3%
▌Bruce Fairchild Barton (Republican) 46.7%
Sources & further reading
North Dakota — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Langer | Republican | 100647 | 38.11% | Elected |
| William Lemke | Independent | 92593 | 35.06% | — |
| Charles J. Vogel | Democratic | 69847 | 26.45% | — |
| Jasper Haaland | Independent | 11014 | 0.38% | — |
Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William Langer (Republican-NPL) 38.1%
▌William Lemke (Independent) 35.1%
▌Charles V. Vogel (Democratic) 26.5%
Sources & further reading
Ohio — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harold H. Burton | Republican | 1602498 | 52.37% | Elected |
| John McSweeney | Democratic | 1457304 | 47.63% | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Harold H. Burton (Republican) 52.4%
▌John McSweeney (Democratic) 47.6%
Sources & further reading
Pennsylvania — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph F. Guffey | Democratic | 2069980 | 51.79% | Elected |
| Jay Cooke | Republican | 1893104 | 47.36% | — |
| David H.H. Felix | Socialist | 15449 | 0.39% | — |
| H. B. Mansell | Prohibition | 11113 | 0.28% | — |
| Carl Reeve | Communist | 4761 | 0.12% | — |
| Frank Knotek | Socialist Labor | 2503 | 0.06% | — |
| Other | N/A | 110 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Joseph F. Guffey (Democratic) 51.8%
▌Jay Cooke (Republican) 47.4%
Sources & further reading
Rhode Island — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter G. Gerry | Democratic | 173927 | 55.16% | Elected |
| James O. McManus | Republican | 141401 | 44.84% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Peter G. Gerry (Democratic) 55.2%
▌James O. McManus (Republican) 44.8%
Sources & further reading
Tennessee — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenneth McKellar | Democratic | 295440 | 70.80% | Elected |
| Howard Baker Sr. | Republican | 121790 | 29.19% | — |
| John Randolph Neal Jr. | Independent | 35 | 0.01% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Kenneth McKellar (Democratic) 70.8%
▌Howard Baker Sr. (Republican) 29.2%
Sources & further reading
Texas — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Connally | Democratic | 978095 | 94.24% | Elected |
| George I. Shannon | Republican | 59340 | 5.72% | — |
| Homer Brooks | Communist | 408 | 0.04% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Tom Connally (Democratic) 94.3%
▌George I. Shannon (Republican) 5.7%
Sources & further reading
Utah — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abe Murdock | Democratic | 155499 | 62.85% | Elected |
| Philo Farnsworth | Republican | 91931 | 37.15% | — |
Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Abe Murdock (Democratic) 62.9%
▌Philo Farnsworth (Republican) 37.2%
Sources & further reading
Vermont — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warren Austin | Republican | 93283 | 66.40% | Elected |
| Ona S. Searles | Democratic | 47101 | 33.60% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Warren Austin (Republican) 66.5%
▌Ona S. Searles (Democratic) 33.6%
Sources & further reading
Vermont — Senate (Class 3) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Aiken | Republican | 87150 | 61.60% | Elected |
| Herbert B. Comings | Democratic | 54263 | 38.40% | — |
Interim appointee retired. New senator elected November 5, 1940. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y George Aiken (Republican) 61.6%
▌Herbert B. Comings (Democratic) 38.4%
Sources & further reading
Virginia — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry F. Byrd | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Harry F. Byrd (Democratic) 93.3
Sources & further reading
Washington — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monrad Wallgren | Democratic | 404718 | 54.16% | Elected |
| Stephen F. Chadwick | Republican | 342589 | 45.84% | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Incumbent resigned December 16, 1940. Winner appointed to finish the term. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Monrad Wallgren (Democratic) 54.2%
▌Stephen F. Chadwick (Republican) 45.8%
Sources & further reading
West Virginia — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harley M. Kilgore | Democratic | 492413 | 56.33% | Elected |
| Thomas Sweeney | Republican | 381806 | 43.67% | — |
Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Harley M. Kilgore (Democratic) 56.3%
▌Thomas Sweeney (Republican) 43.7%
Sources & further reading
Wisconsin — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert M. La Follette Jr. | Progressive | 605609 | 45.26% | Elected |
| Fred H. Clausen | Republican | 553692 | 41.38% | — |
| James E. Finnegan | Democratic | 176688 | 13.20% | — |
| Ted Furman | Independent Communist | 1308 | 0.10% | — |
| Adolf Wiggert Jr. | Socialist Labor | 838 | 0.06% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Robert M. La Follette Jr. (Progressive) 45.3%
▌Fred H. Clausen (Republican) 41.4%
▌James E. Finnegan (Democratic) 13.2%
Sources & further reading
Wyoming — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph C. O'Mahoney | Democratic | — | 58.70% | Elected |
| Milward Simpson | Republican | — | 41.30% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Joseph C. O'Mahoney (Democratic) 58.7%
▌Milward Simpson (Republican) 41.3%
Sources & further reading
Results: final · partial coverage · Elected candidates in regular races; continuing senators are not included
| Party / candidate | Votes | Vote share | Seats | Electoral votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ernest McFarland · Arizona | — | — | 1 | — |
| Hiram Johnson · California | — | — | 1 | — |
| Francis T. Maloney · Connecticut | — | — | 1 | — |
| James M. Tunnell · Delaware | — | — | 1 | — |
| Charles O. Andrews · Florida | — | — | 1 | — |
| Raymond E. Willis · Indiana | — | — | 1 | — |
| Owen Brewster · Maine | — | — | 1 | — |
| George L. P. Radcliffe · Maryland | — | — | 1 | — |
| David I. Walsh · Massachusetts | — | — | 1 | — |
| Arthur Vandenberg · Michigan | — | — | 1 | — |
| Henrik Shipstead · Minnesota | — | — | 1 | — |
| Theodore G. Bilbo · Mississippi | — | — | 1 | — |
| Harry S. Truman · Missouri | — | — | 1 | — |
| Burton K. Wheeler · Montana | — | — | 1 | — |
| Hugh A. Butler · Nebraska | — | — | 1 | — |
| Key Pittman · Nevada | — | — | 1 | — |
| W. Warren Barbour · New Jersey | — | — | 1 | — |
| Dennis Chávez · New Mexico | — | — | 1 | — |
| James M. Mead · New York | — | — | 1 | — |
| William Langer · North Dakota | — | — | 1 | — |
| Harold H. Burton · Ohio | — | — | 1 | — |
| Joseph F. Guffey · Pennsylvania | — | — | 1 | — |
| Peter G. Gerry · Rhode Island | — | — | 1 | — |
| Kenneth McKellar · Tennessee | — | — | 1 | — |
| Tom Connally · Texas | — | — | 1 | — |
| Abe Murdock · Utah | — | — | 1 | — |
| Warren Austin · Vermont | — | — | 1 | — |
| Harry F. Byrd · Virginia | — | — | 1 | — |
| Monrad Wallgren · Washington | — | — | 1 | — |
| Harley M. Kilgore · West Virginia | — | — | 1 | — |
| Robert M. La Follette Jr. · Wisconsin | — | — | 1 | — |
| Joseph C. O'Mahoney · Wyoming | — | — | 1 | — |
The seat diagram shows only regular seats contested in this cycle, not the full Senate. Special races remain available in the state selector. Early cycles span two years and use legislative selection; missing or non-comparable vote totals are left blank. Candidate ideology is used where sourced; otherwise the broad election-era party tradition is used. Unassessed candidates are not assigned an ideology.
Sources & further reading
U.S. Senate historical party divisions