1940 United States Senate special election in Kentucky

The 1940 United States Senate special election in Kentucky took place on November 5, 1940, to complete the unexpired term of M. M. Logan. Interim appointee Happy Chandler was re-elected to complete the term, defeating Republican Walter B. Smith.

1940 United States Senate special election in Kentucky

← 1936 November 5, 1940 1942 →
 
Nominee Happy Chandler Walter B. Smith
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 561,151 401,812
Percentage 58.27% 41.73%

County results
Chandler:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Smith:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Happy Chandler
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Happy Chandler
Democratic

Background

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Senator M. M. Logan died on October 3, 1939. Governor of Kentucky Happy Chandler, whose term was set to expire in 1940, resigned his office so that Lieutenant Governor (and Democratic nominee for Governor) Keen Johnson could appoint him to the Senate. Johnson appointed Chandler to fill the vacant seat until a successor could be duly elected, and the special election was scheduled for November 5, 1940, concurrent with the general election.

General election

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Candidates

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  • Happy Chandler, Governor of Kentucky and candidate for Senate in 1938 (Democratic)
  • Walter B. Smith (Republican)

Results

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1940 U.S. Senate election in Kentucky[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Happy Chandler (Incumbent) 561,151 58.27%
Republican Walter B. Smith 401,812 41.73%
Total votes 962,963 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing

See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ Clerk of the United States House of Representatives (1941). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 1940" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office.