1954 United States Senate elections in Wyoming

November 2, 1954
 
Nominee Joseph C. O'Mahoney William Henry Harrison III
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 57,845 54,407
Percentage 51.53% 48.47%

U.S. senator before election

Edward D. Crippa
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Joseph C. O'Mahoney
Democratic

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.

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

Candidates

  • Joseph C. O'Mahoney, incumbent U.S. Senator
  • Carl A. Johnson (only filed for the special election)

Results

Regular election

Democratic primary[1]
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

Special Democratic primary[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph C. O'Mahoney 31,549 100.00%
Total votes 31,549 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Regular election

Republican primary[1]
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

Republican primary[1]
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

Results

Regular election

1954 United States Senate election in Wyoming[1]
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

1954 United States Senate special election in Wyoming[1]
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

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Copenhaver, Everett T. (1955). 1955 Wyoming Official Directory and 1954 Election Returns. pp. 49–52.
  2. "Hyatt Declares State Must Fight For Resources". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. August 5, 1954. p. 2.
  3. "Ewing T. Kerry Announces For U.S. Senate". Big Piney Examiner. Big Piney, Wyo. March 11, 1954. p. 1.
  4. "Taber Asks Retirement For Judges". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. May 16, 1954. p. 6.
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