1920 United States Senate elections

The 1920 United States Senate elections were elections for the United States Senate that coincided with the presidential election of Warren G. Harding. The 32 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections, and special elections were held to fill vacancies. Democrat Woodrow Wilson's unpopularity allowed Republicans to win races across the country, winning ten seats from the Democrats and providing them with an overwhelming 59-to-37 majority. The Republican landslide was so vast that Democrats lost over half of the seats that were contested this year and failed to win a single race outside the South.

1920 United States Senate elections

← 1918 November 2, 1920 1922 →

34 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate
49 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Henry Cabot Lodge[a] Oscar Underwood
Party Republican Democratic
Leader since March 4, 1919 April 27, 1920
Leader's seat Massachusetts Alabama
Seats before 49 47
Seats after 59 37
Seat change Increase 10 Decrease 10
Seats up 15 19
Races won 25 9

Results of the elections:
     Democratic hold
     Republican gain      Republican hold
     No election

Majority Leader before election

Henry Cabot Lodge[a]
Republican

Elected Majority Leader

Henry Cabot Lodge[a]
Republican

Since the passage of the Seventeenth Amendment, these elections were the closest when the winning party in almost every Senate election mirrored the winning party for their state in the presidential election, with Kentucky being the only Senate race to not mirror their presidential result. No other Senate election cycle in a presidential year would come close to repeating this feat until 2016, in which the result of every Senate race mirrored the corresponding state's result in the presidential election. Coincidentally, that election cycle involved the same class of Senate seats, Class 3.[1]

This is one of only five occasions where 10 or more Senate seats changed party in an election, with the other occasions being in 1932, 1946, 1958, and 1980.

As of 2024, the 59 seats held after this election cycle remains the highest number of seats that the Republican Party has held as the result of an election cycle. This number rose to 60, the highest number of seats the Republicans have ever held, after Democrat senator Josiah O. Wolcott of Delaware accepted an offer from Republican governor William D. Denney to become Chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery, allowing Denney to name Republican T. Coleman du Pont to replace Wolcott, a seat du Pont held until the next election, in which both a special election was held for the remainder of the term and a regular election was held as the seat was normally up then, both of which du Pont lost narrowly to Democrat Thomas F. Bayard Jr. In addition, the 22-seat majority is the largest majority that the Republicans have achieved in any election since.

Gains, losses, and holds edit

Retirements edit

Two Republicans and three Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election. One Democrat retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term.

State Senator Replaced by
Alabama (special) B. B. Comer J. Thomas Heflin
Colorado Charles S. Thomas Samuel D. Nicholson
Illinois Lawrence Y. Sherman William B. McKinley
Louisiana Edward J. Gay Edwin S. Broussard
Ohio Warren G. Harding Frank B. Willis
South Dakota Edwin S. Johnson Peter Norbeck

Defeats edit

Ten Democrats and one Republican sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.

State Senator Replaced by
Arizona Marcus A. Smith Ralph H. Cameron
Arkansas William F. Kirby Thaddeus H. Caraway
California James D. Phelan Samuel M. Shortridge
Georgia Hoke Smith Thomas E. Watson
Idaho John F. Nugent Frank R. Gooding
Kentucky J. C. W. Beckham Richard P. Ernst
Maryland John W. Smith Ovington Weller
Nevada Charles Henderson Tasker Oddie
North Dakota Asle Gronna Edwin F. Ladd
Oklahoma Thomas Gore John W. Harreld
Oregon George E. Chamberlain Robert N. Stanfield

Post election changes edit

State Senator Replaced by
Delaware Josiah O. Wolcott T. Coleman du Pont
New Mexico Albert B. Fall Holm O. Bursum
Georgia Thomas E. Watson Rebecca L. Felton
Pennsylvania (class 1) Philander C. Knox William E. Crow
Pennsylvania (class 1) William E. Crow David A. Reed
Pennsylvania (class 3) Boies Penrose George Wharton Pepper
Iowa William S. Kenyon Charles A. Rawson
Michigan Truman H. Newberry James J. Couzens

Change in composition edit

Before the elections edit

  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
Ky.
Ran
D37
Idaho
Ran
D36
Ga.
Ran
D35
Fla.
Ran
D34
Colo.
Retired
D33
Calif.
Ran
D32
Ark.
Ran
D31
Ariz.
Ran
D30
Ala. (sp)
Retired
D29
Ala. (reg)
Ran
D39
La.
Retired
D40
Md.
Ran
D41
Nev.
Ran
D42
N.C.
Ran
D43
Okla.
Ran
D44
Ore.
Ran
D45
S.C.
Ran
D46
S.D.
Ran
D47
Va. (sp)
Ran
R49
Wisc.
Ran
Majority →
R39
Kan.
Ran
R40
Mo.
Ran
R41
N.H.
Ran
R42
N.Y.
Ran
R43
N.D.
Ran
R44
Ohio
Retired
R45
Pa.
Ran
R46
Utah
Ran
R47
Vt.
Ran
R8
Wash.
Ran
R38
Iowa
Ran
R37
Ind.
Retired
R36
Ill.
Ran
R35
Conn.
Ran
R34 R33 R32 R31 R30 R29
R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28
R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8

Elections result edit

  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
R59
S.D.
Gain
D37
Va. (sp)
Elected[b]
D36
S.C.
Re-elected
D35
N.C.
Re-elected
D34
La.
Hold
D33
Ga.
Hold
D32
Fla.
Re-elected
D31
Ark.
Hold
D30
Ala. (sp)
Hold
D29
Ala. (reg)
Re-elected
R58
Ore.
Gain
R57
Okla.
Gain
R56
Nev.
Gain
R55
Md.
Gain
R54
Ky.
Gain
R53
Idaho
Gain
R52
Colo.
Gain
R51
Calif.
Gain
R50
Ariz.
Gain
R49
Wisc.
Re-elected
Majority →
R39
Kan.
Re-elected
R40
Mo.
Re-elected
R41
N.H.
Re-elected
R42
N.Y.
Re-elected
R43
N.D.
Hold
R44
Ohio
Hold
R45
Pa.
Re-elected
R46
Utah
Re-elected
R47
Vt.
Re-elected
R48
Wash.
Re-elected
R38
Iowa
Re-elected
R37
Ind.
Re-elected
R36
Ill.
Hold
R35
Conn.
Re-elected
R34 R33 R32 R31 R30 R29
R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28
R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11 R10 R9
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8
Key
D# Democratic
R# Republican

Race summary edit

Special elections during the 66th Congress edit

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1920 or before March 4, 1921; ordered by election date.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Alabama
(Class 2)
B. B. Comer Democratic 1920 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected November 2, 1920.
Democratic hold.
Virginia
(Class 2)
Carter Glass Democratic 1920 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected November 2, 1920.

Elections leading to the 67th Congress edit

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1921; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Alabama Oscar Underwood Democratic 1914 Incumbent re-elected.
Arizona Marcus A. Smith Democratic 1912 (New state)
1914
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Arkansas William F. Kirby Democratic 1916 (special) Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
California James D. Phelan Democratic 1914 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Colorado Charles S. Thomas Democratic 1913 (special)
1914
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Connecticut Frank B. Brandegee Republican 1905 (special)
1909
1914
Incumbent re-elected.
  •  Y Frank B. Brandegee (Republican) 59.3%
  • Augustine Lonergan (Democratic) 36.1%
  • Martin F. Plunkett (Socialist) 2.8%
  • Emil L. G. Hohenthal (Prohibition) 0.8%
  • Josephine B. Bennett (Farmer–Labor) 0.6%
  • Charles J. Backofen (Socialist Labor) 0.4%
Florida Duncan U. Fletcher Democratic 1909 (Appointed)
1909 (special)
1914
Incumbent re-elected.
Georgia Hoke Smith Democratic 1911 (special)
1914
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
  •  Y Thomas E. Watson (Democratic) 94.9%
  • Harvey S. Edwards (Independent) 5.1%
Idaho John F. Nugent Democratic 1918 (Appointed)
1918 (special)
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Incumbent resigned January 14, 1921 to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed January 15, 1921.
Illinois Lawrence Y. Sherman Republican 1913 (special)
1914
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Indiana James E. Watson Republican 1916 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
  •  Y James E. Watson (Republican) 54.6%
  • Thomas Taggart (Democratic) 41.1%
  • Francis M. Wampler (Socialist) 1.9%
  • Francis J. Dillon (Farmer–Labor) 1.3%
  • Oulla Bayhinger (Prohibition) 1.1%
Iowa Albert B. Cummins Republican 1908 (special)
1914
Incumbent re-elected.
Kansas Charles Curtis Republican 1907 (special)
1907
1913 (Lost)
1914
Incumbent re-elected.
Kentucky J. C. W. Beckham Democratic 1914 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Louisiana Edward J. Gay Democratic 1918 (special) Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Maryland John W. Smith Democratic 1908 (special)
1908
1914
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
  •  Y Ovington Weller (Republican) 47.3%
  • John W. Smith (Democratic) 43.3%
  • G. D. Iverson Jr. (Independent) 5.4%
  • William A. Toole (Socialist) 1.7%
  • William A. Hawkins (Independent) 1.7%
  • Frank N. H. Lang (Labor) 0.6%
Missouri Selden P. Spencer Republican 1918 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Nevada Charles Henderson Democratic 1918 (Appointed)
1918 (special)
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
New Hampshire George H. Moses Republican 1918 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
New York James W. Wadsworth Jr. Republican 1914 Incumbent re-elected.
North Carolina Lee S. Overman Democratic 1903
1909
1914
Incumbent re-elected.
North Dakota Asle Gronna Republican 1911 (special)
1914
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Ohio Warren G. Harding Republican 1914 Incumbent retired to run for U.S. President.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned January 13, 1921 after having won the Presidency.
Winner appointed January 14, 1921.
Oklahoma Thomas Gore Democratic 1907 (New state)
1909
1914
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Oregon George E. Chamberlain Democratic 1909
1914
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Pennsylvania Boies Penrose Republican 1897
1903
1909
1914
Incumbent re-elected.
  •  Y Boies Penrose (Republican) 59.9%
  • John A. Farrell (Democratic) 27.2%
  • Leah C. Marion (Prohibition) 7.4%
South Carolina Ellison D. Smith Democratic 1909
1914
Incumbent re-elected.
South Dakota Edwin S. Johnson Democratic 1909
1914
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Utah Reed Smoot Republican 1903
1909
1914
Incumbent re-elected.
Vermont William P. Dillingham Republican 1900 (special)
1902
1908
1914
Incumbent re-elected.
Washington Wesley L. Jones Republican 1909
1914
Incumbent re-elected.
Wisconsin Irvine Lenroot Republican 1918 (special) Incumbent re-elected.

Closest races edit

Nine races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State Party of winner Margin
Kentucky Republican (flip) 0.6%
Maryland Republican (flip) 4.0%
Nevada Republican (flip) 4.2%
Oklahoma Republican (flip) 6.1%
Wisconsin Republican 6.9%
Oregon Republican (flip) 7.2%
Idaho Republican (flip) 8.2%
California Republican (flip) 8.3%
Missouri Republican 9.2%

The tipping point state is Colorado with a margin of 15.2%.

Alabama edit

Alabama (regular) edit

Alabama election
 
← 1914
1926 →
     
Nominee Oscar Underwood L. H. Reynolds
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 154,664 77,337
Percentage 66.10% 33.05%

U.S. senator before election

Oscar Underwood
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Oscar Underwood
Democratic

Alabama election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Oscar Underwood (Incumbent) 154,664 66.10%
Republican L. H. Reynolds 77,337 33.05%
Socialist A. M. Forsman 1,984 0.85%
Majority 77,327 33.05%
Turnout 233,985
Democratic hold

Alabama (special) edit

Alabama special election
 
← 1918
1924 →
     
Nominee J. Thomas Heflin C. P. Lunsford
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 160,680 68,460
Percentage 69.27% 29.51%

U.S. senator before election

B. B. Comer
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

J. Thomas Heflin
Democratic

Alabama special election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Thomas Heflin 160,680 69.27%
Republican C. P. Lunsford 68,460 29.51%
Socialist W. H. Chichester 2,820 1.22%
Majority 92,220 39.76%
Turnout 231,960
Democratic hold

Arizona edit

1920 United States Senate election in Arizona
 
← 1914 November 2, 1920 1926 →
     
Nominee Ralph H. Cameron Marcus A. Smith
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 35,893 29,169
Percentage 55.17% 44.83%

 
County results
Cameron:      50–60%      60–70%
Smith:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Marcus A. Smith
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Ralph H. Cameron
Republican

Arizona election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ralph H. Cameron 35,893 55.17%
Democratic Marcus A. Smith (Incumbent) 29,169 44.83%
Majority 6,724 10.34%
Turnout 65,062
Republican gain from Democratic

Arkansas edit

Arkansas election
 
← 1914
1926 →
     
Nominee Thaddeus H. Caraway Charles F. Cole
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 126,477 65,381
Percentage 65.92% 34.08%

U.S. senator before election

William F. Kirby
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Thaddeus H. Caraway
Democratic

Arkansas election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thaddeus H. Caraway 126,477 65.92%
Republican Charles F. Cole 65,381 34.08%
Majority 61,096 31.84%
Turnout 191,858
Democratic hold

California edit

California election
 
← 1914
1926 →
       
Nominee Samuel M. Shortridge James Duval Phelan James S. Edwards
Party Republican Democratic Prohibition
Popular vote 447,835 371,580 57,768
Percentage 49.01% 40.67% 6.32%

 
County results
Shortridge:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      80–90%
Phelan:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

James Duval Phelan
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Samuel Morgan Shortridge
Republican

California election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Samuel M. Shortridge 447,835 49.01%
Democratic James D. Phelan (Incumbent) 371,580 40.67%
Prohibition James S. Edwards 57,768 6.32%
Socialist Elvina S. Beals 36,545 4.00%
Majority 76,255 8.34%
Turnout 913,728
Republican gain from Democratic

Colorado edit

1920 United States Senate election in Colorado
 
← 1914 November 2, 1920 1924 (special) →
   
Nominee Samuel D. Nicholson Tully Scott
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 157,577 112,890
Percentage 54.52% 39.31%

 
Results by county
Nicholson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Scott:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election

Charles S. Thomas
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Samuel D. Nicholson
Republican

Colorado election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Samuel D. Nicholson 156,577 54.52%
Democratic Tully Scott 112,890 39.31%
Farmer–Labor G. F. Stevens 9,041 3.15%
National Charles S. Thomas (incumbent) 8,665 3.02%
Majority 43,687 15.21%
Turnout 287,173
Republican hold

Connecticut edit

Connecticut election
 
← 1914
1926 →
     
Nominee Frank B. Brandegee Augustine Lonergan
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 216,792 131,824
Percentage 59.36% 36.10%

U.S. senator before election

Frank B. Brandegee
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Frank B. Brandegee
Republican

Connecticut election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Frank B. Brandegee (Incumbent) 216,792 59.36%
Democratic Augustine Lonergan 131,824 36.10%
Socialist Martin F. Plunkett 10,118 2.77%
Prohibition Emil L. G. Hohenthal 2,892 0.79%
Farmer–Labor Josephine B. Bennett 2,076 0.57%
Socialist Labor Charles J. Backofen 1,486 0.41%
Majority 84,968 23.26%
Turnout 365,188
Republican hold

Florida edit

Florida election
 
← 1914
1926 →
     
Nominee Duncan U. Fletcher John Moses Cheney
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 98,957 37,065
Percentage 69.50% 26.03%

U.S. senator before election

Duncan U. Fletcher
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Duncan U. Fletcher
Democratic

Florida election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Duncan U. Fletcher (Incumbent) 98,957 69.50%
Republican John Moses Cheney 37,065 26.03%
Socialist M. J. Martin 3,525 2.48%
White Republican G. A. Klock 2,847 2.00%
Majority 61,892 43.47%
Turnout 142,394
Democratic hold

Georgia edit

Georgia election
 
← 1914
1926 →
     
Nominee Thomas E. Watson Harry S. Edwards
Party Democratic Independent
Popular vote 124,630 6,700
Percentage 94.50% 5.10%

U.S. senator before election

M. Hoke Smith
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Thomas E. Watson
Democratic

Georgia election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thomas E. Watson 124,630 94.90%
Pro-League Independent Harry S. Edwards 6,700 5.10%
Majority 117930 89.80%
Turnout 131330
Democratic hold

Idaho edit

Idaho election
 
← 1914
1926 →
     
Nominee Frank R. Gooding John F. Nugent
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 75,985 64,513
Percentage 54.08% 45.92%

U.S. senator before election

John F. Nugent
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Frank R. Gooding
Republican

Idaho election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Frank R. Gooding 75,985 54.08%
Democratic John F. Nugent (Incumbent) 64,513 45.92%
Majority 11,472 8.16%
Turnout 140,498
Republican gain from Democratic

Illinois edit

1920 United States Senate election in Illinois
 
← 1914 November 2, 1920 1926 →
     
Nominee William B. McKinley Peter A. Waller
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,381,384 554,372
Percentage 66.83% 26.82%

 
Results by county
McKinley:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Waller:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Lawrence Yates Sherman
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

William B. McKinley
Republican

Illinois election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William B. McKinley 1,381,384 66.83%
Democratic Peter A. Waller 554,372 26.82%
Socialist Gustave T. Fraenckel 66,463 3.22%
Farmer–Labor John Fitzpatrick 50,749 2.46%
Prohibition Frank B. Vennum 10,186 0.49%
Socialist Labor Joseph B. Moody 3,107 0.15%
Single Tax George Dodd Carrington Jr. 784 0.04%
Majority 827,012 40.01%
Turnout 2,067,045
Republican hold

Indiana edit

1920 United States Senate election in Indiana
 
← 1916 (special) November 2, 1920 1926 →
     
Nominee James E. Watson Thomas Taggart
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 681,851 514,191
Percentage 54.57% 41.15%

 
County results
Watson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Taggart:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

James E. Watson
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

James E. Watson
Republican

Indiana election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James Eli Watson (Incumbent) 681,851 54.57%
Democratic Thomas Taggart 514,191 41.15%
Socialist Francis M. Wampler 23,395 1.87%
Farmer–Labor Francis J. Dillon 16,804 1.34%
Prohibition Culla Bayhinger 13,323 1.07%
Majority 167,660 13.42%
Turnout 1,249,564
Republican hold

Iowa edit

Iowa election
 
← 1914
1926 →
     
Nominee Albert B. Cummins Claude R. Porter
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 528,499 322,015
Percentage 61.42% 37.42%

U.S. senator before election

Albert B. Cummins
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Albert B. Cummins
Republican

Iowa election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Albert B. Cummins (Incumbent) 528,499 61.42%
Democratic Claude R. Porter 322,015 37.42%
Farmer–Labor H. W. Cowles 9,020 1.05%
Socialist Labor Arthur S. Dowler 933 0.11%
Majority 206,484 24.00%
Turnout 860,467
Republican hold

Kansas edit

Kansas election
 
← 1914
1926 →
     
Nominee Charles Curtis George H. Hodges
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 327,072 170,443
Percentage 64.01% 33.36%

U.S. senator before election

Charles Curtis
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Charles Curtis
Republican

Kansas election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles Curtis (Incumbent) 327,072 64.01%
Democratic George H. Hodges 170,443 33.36%
Socialist Dan Beedy 13,417 2.63%
Majority 156,629 30.65%
Turnout 510,932
Republican hold

Kentucky edit

Kentucky election
 
← 1914
1926 →
     
Nominee Richard P. Ernst J. C. W. Beckham
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 454,226 449,244
Percentage 50.28% 49.72%

 
County results
Ernst:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Beckham:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

J. C. W. Beckham
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Richard P. Ernst
Republican

Kentucky election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard P. Ernst 454,226 50.28%
Democratic J. C. W. Beckham (Incumbent) 449,244 49.72%
Majority 4,982 0.56%
Turnout 903,470
Republican gain from Democratic

Louisiana edit

Louisiana election
 
← 1914 September 14, 1920 1926 →
       
Nominee Edwin Broussard Jared Sanders Donelson Caffery III
Party Democratic Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 49,718 43,425 15,563
Percentage 45.74% 39.95% 14.32%

U.S. senator before election

Edward J. Gay
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Edwin S. Broussard
Democratic

1920 United States Senate Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edwin S. Broussard 49,718 45.74%
Democratic Jared Y. Sanders Sr. 43,425 39.95%
Democratic Donelson Caffery III 15,563 14.32%
Total votes 108,706 100.00%
Louisiana election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edwin S. Broussard 94,944 100.00%
Democratic hold

Maryland edit

1920 United States Senate election in Maryland
 
← 1914 November 2, 1920 1926 →
       
Nominee Ovington Weller John Walter Smith George Iverson Jr.
Party Republican Democratic Independent
Popular vote 184,999 169,200 21,345
Percentage 47.29% 43.25% 5.46%

 
County results
Weller:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Smith:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

John Walter Smith
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Ovington Weller
Republican

Maryland election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ovington Weller 184,999 47.29%
Democratic John Walter Smith (Incumbent) 169,200 43.25%
Independent G. D. Iverson Jr. 21,345 5.46%
Socialist William A. Toole 6,559 1.68%
Independent William A. Hawkins 6,538 1.67%
Labor Frank N. H. Lang 2,569 0.66%
Majority 15,799 4.04%
Turnout 391,210
Republican gain from Democratic

Missouri edit

1920 United States Senate election in Missouri
 
     
Nominee Selden P. Spencer Breckinridge Long
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 711,161 589,498
Percentage 53.65% 44.47%

 
County results
Spencer:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Long:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Selden P. Spencer
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Selden P. Spencer
Republican

Missouri election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Selden P. Spencer (Incumbent) 711,161 53.65%
Democratic Breckinridge Long 589,498 44.47%
Socialist Elias F. Hodges 20,002 1.51%
Farmer–Worker W. J. Mallett 3,158 0.24%
Socialist Labor Andrew Trudell 1,675 0.13%
Majority 121,663 9.18%
Turnout 1,325,494
Republican hold

Nevada edit

Nevada election
 
← 1914
1926 →
       
Nominee Tasker Oddie Charles Henderson Anne Henrietta Martin
Party Republican Democratic Independent
Popular vote 11,550 10,402 4,981
Percentage 42.11% 37.93% 18.16%

U.S. senator before election

Charles Henderson
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Tasker Oddie
Republican

Nevada election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tasker Oddie 11,550 42.11%
Democratic Charles B. Henderson (Incumbent) 10,402 37.93%
Independent Anne Henrietta Martin 4,981 18.16%
Socialist James Jepson 494 1.80%
Majority 1148 5.18%
Turnout 27,427
Republican gain from Democratic

New Hampshire edit

New Hampshire election
 
     
Nominee George H. Moses Raymond Bartlett Stevens
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 90,173 65,038
Percentage 57.72% 41.63%

U.S. senator before election

George H. Moses
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

George H. Moses
Republican

New Hampshire election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George H. Moses (Incumbent) 90,173 57.72%
Democratic Raymond Bartlett Stevens 65,038 41.63%
Socialist William H. Wilkins 1,004 0.64%
Majority 25135 16.09%
Turnout 156,215
Republican hold

New York edit

1920 United States Senate election in New York
 
← 1914 November 2, 1920 1926 →
     
Nominee James W. Wadsworth Harry C. Walker
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,434,393 901,310
Percentage 52.37% 32.90%

     
Nominee Jacob Panken Ella A. Boole
Party Socialist Prohibition
Popular vote 208,155 159,623
Percentage 7.60% 5.83%

 
County Results
Wadsworth:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Senator before election

James W. Wadsworth
Republican

Elected Senator

James W. Wadsworth
Republican

New York election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James Wolcott Wadsworth Jr. (Incumbent) 1,434,393 52.36%
Democratic Harry C. Walker 901,310 32.90%
Socialist Jacob Panken 208,155 7.60%
Prohibition Ella A. Boole 159,623 5.83%
Farmer–Labor Rose Schneiderman 27,934 1.02%
Socialist Labor Harry Carlson 7,822 0.29%
Majority 533,083 19.46%
Turnout 2,739,237
Republican hold

North Carolina edit

North Carolina election
 
← 1914
1926 →
     
Nominee Lee Slater Overman A. E. Holton
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 310,504 229,343
Percentage 57.52% 42.48%

U.S. senator before election

Lee Slater Overman
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Lee Slater Overman
Democratic

North Carolina election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lee Slater Overman (Incumbent) 310,504 57.52%
Republican A. E. Holton 229,343 42.48%
Majority 81,161 15.04%
Turnout 539,847
Democratic hold

North Dakota edit

North Dakota election
 
← 1914
1926 →
     
Nominee Edwin F. Ladd H. H. Perry
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 130,614 88,495
Percentage 59.61% 40.39%

U.S. senator before election

Gerald Nye
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Edwin F. Ladd
Republican

North Dakota election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Edwin F. Ladd 130,614 59.61%
Democratic H. H. Perry 88,495 40.39%
Majority 42,109 19.22%
Turnout 219,109
Republican hold

Ohio edit

Ohio election
 
← 1914
1926 →
     
Nominee Frank B. Willis William Alexander Julian
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,134,953 782,650
Percentage 59.10% 40.76%

U.S. senator before election

Warren G. Harding
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Frank B. Willis
Republican

Ohio election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Frank B. Willis 1,134,953 59.10%
Democratic William Alexander Julian 782,650 40.76%
Independent Henry B. Strong 2,647 0.14%
Majority 352,303 18.34%
Turnout 1,920,250
Republican hold

Oklahoma edit

Oklahoma election
 
← 1914
1926 →
     
Nominee John W. Harreld Scott Ferris
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 247,719 217,783
Percentage 50.64% 44.52%

U.S. senator before election

Thomas Gore
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

John W. Harreld
Republican

Oklahoma election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John W. Harreld 247,719 50.64%
Democratic Scott Ferris 217,783 44.52%
Socialist A. A. Bagwell 23,664 4.84%
Majority 29,936 6.12%
Turnout 489,166
Republican gain from Democratic

Oregon edit

Oregon election
 
← 1914
1926 →
     
Nominee Robert N. Stanfield George Earle Chamberlain
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 116,696 100,133
Percentage 50.73% 43.53%

U.S. senator before election

George Earle Chamberlain
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Robert N. Stanfield
Republican

Oregon election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert N. Stanfield 116,696 50.73%
Democratic George Earle Chamberlain (Incumbent) 100,133 43.53%
Socialist Albert Slaughter 6,949 3.02%
Independent Thomas A. Hayes 4,456 1.94%
Industrial Labor C. H. Svenson 1,782 0.77%
Majority 16,563 7.20%
Turnout 230,016
Republican gain from Democratic

Pennsylvania edit

1920 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania
 
← 1914 November 2, 1920 1922 (special) →
       
Nominee Boies Penrose John A. Farrell Leah C. Marion
Party Republican Democratic Prohibition
Popular vote 1,067,989 484,362 132,610
Percentage 59.94% 27.18% 7.44%

 
County results
Penrose:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Farrell:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Boies Penrose
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Boies Penrose
Republican

General election results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Boies Penrose (Incumbent) 1,067,989 59.94%
Democratic John A. Farrell 484,362 27.18%
Prohibition Leah Cobb Marion 132,610 7.44%
Socialist Birch Wilson 67,316 3.78%
Labor Robert J. Wheeler 27,401 1.54%
Single Tax Joseph E. Jennings 2,110 0.12%
None Scattering 55 0.00%
Majority 583,627 32.76%
Turnout 1,781,843
Republican hold

South Carolina edit

South Carolina election
 
← 1914
1926 →
     
Nominee Ellison D. Smith George Warren
Party Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 65,880 42,735
Percentage 60.7% 39.3%

U.S. senator before election

Ellison D. Smith
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Ellison D. Smith
Democratic

Democratic Primary Runoff
Candidate Votes % ±%
Ellison D. Smith 65,880 60.7 +12.0
George Warren 42,735 39.3 +8.5
South Carolina U.S. Senate Election, 1920
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ellison D. Smith (Incumbent) 64,388 100.00%
Independent George Warren 1 0.00%
Majority 64387 100.00%
Turnout 64389
Democratic hold

South Dakota edit

1920 United States Senate election in South Dakota
 
← 1914 November 2, 1920 1926 →
     
Nominee Peter Norbeck Tom Ayres
Party Republican Nonpartisan League
Popular vote 92,267 44,309
Percentage 50.10% 24.06%

 
Nominee U. S. G. Cherry R. O. Richards
Party Democratic Independent
Popular vote 36,833 10,032
Percentage 20.00% 5.45%

 
County results
Norbeck:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Ayres:      30-40%      40–50%      50–60%
Richards:      30–40%
No Vote:      

U.S. senator before election

Edwin S. Johnson
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Peter Norbeck
Republican

South Dakota election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Peter Norbeck 92,267 50.10%
Independent Tom Ayres 44,309 24.06%
Democratic U. S. G. Cherry 36,833 20.00%
Independent Richard Olsen Richards 10,032 5.45%
Independent L. J. Manbeck 738 0.40%
Majority 47,958 26.04%
Turnout 184,179
Republican hold

Utah edit

Utah election
 
← 1914
1926 →
     
Nominee Reed Smoot Milton H. Welling
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 82,566 56,280
Percentage 56.57% 38.56%

U.S. senator before election

Reed Smoot
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Reed Smoot
Republican

Utah election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Reed Smoot (Incumbent) 82,566 56.57%
Democratic Milton H. Welling 56,280 38.56%
Socialist J. Alex Beven 7,112 4.87%
Majority 26,286 18.01%
Turnout 145,958
Republican hold

Vermont edit

Vermont election
 
← 1914
1923 →
     
Nominee William P. Dillingham Howard Shaw
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 69,650 19,580
Percentage 78.1% 21.9%

U.S. senator before election

William P. Dillingham
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

William P. Dillingham
Republican

1920 United States Senate election in Vermont[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William P. Dillingham (Incumbent) 69,650 78.02%
Democratic Howard E. Shaw 19,580 21.93%
None Scattering 41 0.05%
Majority 50,070 56.09%
Total votes 89,271
Republican hold

Virginia (special) edit

Virginia election
 
← 1918
1924 →
     
Nominee Carter Glass J. R. Pollard
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 184,646 17,576
Percentage 91.3% 8.7%

U.S. senator before election

Carter Glass
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Carter Glass
Democratic

Virginia special election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carter Glass (Incumbent) 184,646 91.31%
Republican J. R. Pollard 17,576 8.69%
Majority 167070 82.62%
Total votes 202,222
Democratic hold

Washington edit

1920 United States Senate election in Washington
 
← 1914 November 2, 1920 1926 →
       
Nominee Wesley L. Jones Clemens J. France George F. Cotterill
Party Republican Farmer–Labor Democratic
Popular vote 164,130 99,309 68,488
Percentage 56.40% 25.80% 17.80%

 
Results by county
Jones:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Wesley Livsey Jones
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Wesley Livsey Jones
Republican

Washington election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Wesley Livsey Jones (Incumbent) 217,069 56.40%
Farmer–Labor Clemens J. France 99,309 25.80%
Democratic George F. Cotterill 68,488 17.80%
Majority 117,760 30.60%
Turnout 384,866
Republican hold

Wisconsin edit

1920 United States Senate election in Wisconsin
 
← 1918 (special) November 2, 1920 1926 →
     
Nominee Irvine Lenroot James Thompson [no]
Party Republican Independent Republican
Popular vote 281,576 235,029
Percentage 41.58% 34.71%

     
Nominee Paul S. Reinsch Frank J. Weber
Party Democratic Socialist
Popular vote 89,265 66,172
Percentage 13.18% 9.77%

 
County results
Lenroot:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Thompson:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Weber:      20–30%

U.S. senator before election

Irvine Lenroot
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Irvine Lenroot
Republican

Wisconsin election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Irvine Lenroot (Incumbent) 281,576 41.58%
Independent James Thompson 235,029 34.71%
Democratic Paul Samuel Reinsch 89,265 13.18%
Socialist Frank J. Weber 66,172 9.77%
Prohibition Clyde D. Mead 5,107 0.75%
None Scattering 3 0.00%
Majority 46,547 6.87%
Turnout 677,152
Republican hold

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c as Republican Conference Chairman and unofficial majority leader
  2. ^ Appointee elected

References edit

  1. ^ Enten, Harry (November 10, 2016). "There Were No Purple* States On Tuesday". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  2. ^ Johnson, Willis Fletcher; Brown, Roscoe Conkling Ensign; Spooner, Walter Whipple; Holly, Willis (1922). History of the State of New York, Political and Governmental. The Syracuse Press. pp. 347–348, 350.
  3. ^ 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 af ag "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 1920" (PDF). Clerk.house.gov. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  4. ^ Compilation of Primary Election Returns of the Democratic Party. Baton Rouge: Hamires-Jones Printing Company. 1920. pp. 88–89. Retrieved June 19, 2022 – via HathiTrust.