Senate
United States elections · 1948 · 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.
Alabama — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Sparkman | Democratic | 185534 | 84.00% | Elected |
| Paul G. Parsons | Republican | 35341 | 16.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Sparkman (Democratic) 84.0%
▌Paul G. Parsons (Republican) 16.0%
Sources & further reading
Arkansas — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John L. McClellan | Democratic | 216401 | 93.19% | Elected |
| R. Walter Tucker | Independent | 15821 | 6.81% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John L. McClellan (Democratic) 93.3%
▌R. Walter Tucker (Independent) 6.7%
Sources & further reading
Colorado — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edwin C. Johnson | Democratic | 340719 | 66.79% | Elected |
| Will Nicholson | Republican | 165069 | 32.36% | — |
| Joe Gurule | Progressive | 2981 | 0.58% | — |
| Carle Whithead | Socialist | 1352 | 0.27% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Edwin C. Johnson (Democratic) 66.8%
▌Will Nicholson (Republican) 32.4%
Sources & further reading
Delaware — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Allen Frear Jr. | Democratic | 71888 | 50.85% | Elected |
| C. Douglass Buck | Republican | 68246 | 48.28% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y J. Allen Frear Jr. (Democratic) 50.9%
▌C. Douglass Buck (Republican) 48.3%
Sources & further reading
Georgia — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Russell Jr. | Democratic | 362104 | 99.89% | Elected |
| Larkin Marshall | Write-In | 388 | 0.11% | — |
| Ellis Arnall | Write-In | 9 | 0.00% | — |
| Roy Harris | Write-In | 2 | 0.00% | — |
| Harry Sommers | Write-In | 1 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Richard Russell Jr. (Democratic)
Unopposed
Sources & further reading
Idaho — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bert H. Miller | Democratic | 107000 | 49.96% | Elected |
| Henry Dworshak | Republican | 103868 | 48.49% | — |
| John Derr | Progressive | 3154 | 1.47% | — |
| Paul Wengert | Socialist | 166 | 0.08% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Bert H. Miller (Democratic) 50.0%
▌Henry Dworshak (Republican) 48.5%
Sources & further reading
Illinois — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Douglas | Democratic | — | 55.10% | Elected |
| C. Wayland Brooks | Republican | — | 44.60% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Paul Douglas (Democratic) 55.1%
▌C. Wayland Brooks (Republican) 44.6%
Sources & further reading
Iowa — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guy Gillette | Democratic | 578226 | 57.80% | Elected |
| George A. Wilson | Republican | 415778 | 41.56% | — |
| Seymour Pitcher | Progressive | 3387 | 0.34% | — |
| Z. Everett Kellum | Prohibition | 2580 | 0.26% | — |
| Hugo Bockewitz | Socialist | 441 | 0.04% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Guy Gillette (Democratic) 57.8%
▌George A. Wilson (Republican) 41.6%
Sources & further reading
Kansas — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Frank Schoeppel | Republican | 393412 | 54.92% | Elected |
| George McGill | Democratic | 305987 | 42.72% | — |
| C. Floyd Hester | Prohibition | 16943 | 2.37% | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Andrew Frank Schoeppel (Republican) 54.9%
▌George McGill (Democratic) 42.7%
Sources & further reading
Kentucky — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgil Chapman | Democratic | 408256 | 51.39% | Elected |
| John Sherman Cooper | Republican | 383776 | 48.31% | — |
| W. A. Standefur | Socialist | 1232 | 0.16% | — |
| H. G. Stanfield | Progressive | 924 | 0.12% | — |
| David R. Cox | Socialist Labor | 254 | 0.03% | — |
| John Y. Brown | Write-In | 26 | 0.00% | — |
| O. G. Gaines | Write-In | 1 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Virgil Chapman (Democratic) 51.4%
▌John Sherman Cooper (Republican) 48.3%
Sources & further reading
Louisiana — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen J. Ellender | Democratic | 330115 | 100.00% | Elected |
| Maurice Eugene Clark | Independent | 9 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Allen J. Ellender (Democratic)
Unopposed
Sources & further reading
Louisiana — Senate (Class 3) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell B. Long | Democratic | 306336 | 74.96% | Elected |
| Clem S. Clarke | Republican | 102331 | 25.04% | — |
Interim appointee retired. Winner elected November 2, 1948. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Russell B. Long (Democratic) 74.9%
▌Clem S. Clarke (Republican) 25.1%
Sources & further reading
Maine — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Chase Smith | Republican | 159182 | 71.30% | Elected |
| Adrian H. Scolten | Democratic | 64074 | 28.70% | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Margaret Chase Smith (Republican) 71.3%
▌Adrian H. Scolten (Democratic) 28.7%
Sources & further reading
Massachusetts — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leverett Saltonstall | Republican | 1088475 | 52.95% | Elected |
| John I. Fitzgerald | Democratic | 954398 | 46.42% | — |
| Henning A. Blomen | Socialist Labor | 9266 | 0.45% | — |
| E. Tallmadge Root | Prohibition | 3652 | 0.18% | — |
| Scattering | None | 7 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Leverett Saltonstall (Republican) 53.0%
▌John I. Fitzgerald (Democratic) 46.4%
Sources & further reading
Michigan — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homer S. Ferguson | Republican | — | 50.70% | Elected |
| Frank Eugene Hook | Democratic | — | 48.50% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Homer S. Ferguson (Republican) 50.7%
▌Frank Eugene Hook (Democratic) 48.5%
Sources & further reading
Minnesota — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hubert Humphrey | Democratic (DFL) | 729494 | 59.78% | Elected |
| Joseph H. Ball | Republican | 485801 | 39.81% | — |
| Vincent R. Dunne | Socialist Workers | 4951 | 0.41% | — |
| Scattering | None | 41 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic–Farmer–Labor gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Hubert Humphrey (DFL) 59.9%
▌Joseph H. Ball (Republican) 39.7%
Sources & further reading
Mississippi — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Eastland | Democratic | 151478 | 100.00% | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James Eastland (Democratic)
Unopposed
Sources & further reading
Montana — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James E. Murray | Democratic | 125193 | 56.65% | Elected |
| Tom J. Davis | Republican | 94458 | 42.74% | — |
| C. S. Hanna | Prohibition | 1352 | 0.61% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James E. Murray (Democratic) 56.7%
▌Tom J. Davis (Republican) 42.7%
Sources & further reading
Nebraska — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenneth S. Wherry | Republican | 267575 | 56.67% | Elected |
| Terry Carpenter | Democratic | 204320 | 43.27% | — |
| Scattering | N/A | 261 | 0.06% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Kenneth S. Wherry (Republican) 56.7%
▌Terry Carpenter (Democratic) 43.3%
Sources & further reading
New Hampshire — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Styles Bridges | Republican | 129600 | 58.14% | Elected |
| Alfred E. Fortin | Democratic | 91760 | 41.17% | — |
| John G. Rideout | Progressive | 1538 | 0.69% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Styles Bridges (Republican) 58.1%
▌Alfred E. Fortin (Democratic) 41.2%
Sources & further reading
New Jersey — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert C. Hendrickson | Republican | 934720 | 49.99% | Elected |
| Archibald S. Alexander | Democratic | 884414 | 47.30% | — |
| James Imbrie | Progressive | 22658 | 1.21% | — |
| Rubye Smith | Socialist | 11450 | 0.61% | — |
| George Breitman | Socialist Workers | 8076 | 0.43% | — |
| George W. Rideout | Prohibition | 4656 | 0.25% | — |
| George E. Bopp | Socialist Labor | 3908 | 0.21% | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Robert C. Hendrickson (Republican) 50.0%
▌Archibald S. Alexander (Democratic) 47.3%
Sources & further reading
New Mexico — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton Anderson | Democratic | — | 57.20% | Elected |
| Patrick J. Hurley | Republican | — | 42.40% | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Clinton Anderson (Democratic) 57.2%
▌Patrick J. Hurley (Republican) 42.4%
Sources & further reading
North Carolina — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Melville Broughton | Democratic | 540762 | 70.73% | Elected |
| John A. Wilkinson | Republican | 220307 | 28.81% | — |
| William T. Brown | Progressive | 3490 | 0.46% | — |
Interim appointee lost nomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Winner also elected to finish the term, see above. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y J. Melville Broughton (Democratic) 70.7%
▌John A. Wilkinson (Republican) 28.8%
Sources & further reading
North Carolina — Senate (Class 2) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Melville Broughton | Democratic | 540762 | 70.73% | Elected |
| John A. Wilkinson | Republican | 220307 | 28.81% | — |
| William T. Brown | Progressive | 3490 | 0.46% | — |
Interim appointee lost nomination. Winner elected November 2, 1948. Democratic hold. Winner also elected to the next full term. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y J. Melville Broughton (Democratic)
Unopposed
Sources & further reading
Oklahoma — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert S. Kerr | Democratic | 441654 | 62.30% | Elected |
| Ross Rizley | Republican | 265169 | 37.40% | — |
| W. O. Pratt | Independent | 2108 | 0.30% | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Robert S. Kerr (Democratic) 62.3%
▌Ross Rizley (Republican) 37.4%
Sources & further reading
Oregon — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guy Cordon | Republican | 299295 | 60.03% | Elected |
| Manley J. Wilson | Democratic | 199275 | 39.97% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Guy Cordon (Republican) 60.0%
▌Manley J. Wilson (Democratic) 40.0%
Sources & further reading
Rhode Island — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theodore F. Green | Democratic | 190158 | 59.35% | Elected |
| Thomas P. Hazard | Republican | 130262 | 40.65% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Theodore F. Green (Democratic) 59.3%
▌Thomas P. Hazard (Republican) 40.7%
Sources & further reading
South Carolina — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burnet R. Maybank | Democratic | 135998 | 96.45% | Elected |
| J. Bates Gerald | Republican | 5008 | 3.55% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Burnet R. Maybank (Democratic)
Unopposed
Sources & further reading
South Dakota — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karl Mundt | Republican | — | 59.30% | Elected |
| John A. Engel | Democratic | — | 40.70% | — |
Interim appointee retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. Incumbent resigned December 26, 1948, and winner appointed December 31 to finish the term. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Karl Mundt (Republican) 59.3%
▌John A. Engel (Democratic) 40.7%
Sources & further reading
Tennessee — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estes Kefauver | Democratic | 326142 | 65.33% | Elected |
| B. Carroll Reece | Republican | 166947 | 33.44% | — |
| John Randolph Neal Jr. | Independent | 6103 | 1.22% | — |
| Scattering | None | 26 | 0.01% | — |
Incumbent lost re-nomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Estes Kefauver (Democratic) 65.3%
▌B. Carroll Reece (Republican) 33.5%
Sources & further reading
Texas — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyndon B. Johnson | Democratic | — | 66.20% | Elected |
| Homa J. Porter | Republican | — | 32.90% | — |
| Samuel N. Morris | Prohibition | — | 0.80% | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Lyndon B. Johnson (Democratic) 66.2%
▌Homa J. Porter (Republican) 32.9%
▌Samuel N. Morris (Prohibition) 0.8%
Sources & further reading
Virginia — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Willis Robertson | Democratic | 253865 | 65.74% | Elected |
| Robert H. Woods | Republican | 118546 | 30.70% | — |
| Howard Carwile | Independent | 6788 | 1.76% | — |
| Virginia Foster Durr | Progressive | 5347 | 1.38% | — |
| Clarke T. Robb | Socialist | 1627 | 0.42% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y A. Willis Robertson (Democratic) 65.6%
▌Robert H. Woods (Republican) 30.8%
Sources & further reading
West Virginia — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew M. Neely | Democratic | 435354 | 56.99% | Elected |
| Chapman Revercomb | Republican | 328534 | 43.01% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Matthew M. Neely (Democratic) 57.0%
▌Chapman Revercomb (Republican) 43.0%
Sources & further reading
Wyoming — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lester C. Hunt | Democratic | 57953 | 57.11% | Elected |
| Edward V. Robertson | Republican | 43527 | 42.89% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Lester C. Hunt (Democratic) 57.1%
▌Edward V. Robertson (Republican) 42.9%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Sparkman · Alabama | — | — | 1 | — |
| John L. McClellan · Arkansas | — | — | 1 | — |
| Edwin C. Johnson · Colorado | — | — | 1 | — |
| J. Allen Frear Jr. · Delaware | — | — | 1 | — |
| Richard Russell Jr. · Georgia | — | — | 1 | — |
| Bert H. Miller · Idaho | — | — | 1 | — |
| Paul Douglas · Illinois | — | — | 1 | — |
| Guy Gillette · Iowa | — | — | 1 | — |
| Andrew Frank Schoeppel · Kansas | — | — | 1 | — |
| Virgil Chapman · Kentucky | — | — | 1 | — |
| Allen J. Ellender · Louisiana | — | — | 1 | — |
| Margaret Chase Smith · Maine | — | — | 1 | — |
| Leverett Saltonstall · Massachusetts | — | — | 1 | — |
| Homer S. Ferguson · Michigan | — | — | 1 | — |
| Hubert Humphrey · Minnesota | — | — | 1 | — |
| James Eastland · Mississippi | — | — | 1 | — |
| James E. Murray · Montana | — | — | 1 | — |
| Kenneth S. Wherry · Nebraska | — | — | 1 | — |
| Styles Bridges · New Hampshire | — | — | 1 | — |
| Robert C. Hendrickson · New Jersey | — | — | 1 | — |
| Clinton Anderson · New Mexico | — | — | 1 | — |
| J. Melville Broughton · North Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| Robert S. Kerr · Oklahoma | — | — | 1 | — |
| Guy Cordon · Oregon | — | — | 1 | — |
| Theodore F. Green · Rhode Island | — | — | 1 | — |
| Burnet R. Maybank · South Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| Karl Mundt · South Dakota | — | — | 1 | — |
| Estes Kefauver · Tennessee | — | — | 1 | — |
| Lyndon B. Johnson · Texas | — | — | 1 | — |
| A. Willis Robertson · Virginia | — | — | 1 | — |
| Matthew M. Neely · West Virginia | — | — | 1 | — |
| Lester C. Hunt · 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