1950 United States Senate elections

1950 United States Senate elections

← 1948 November 7, 1950 1952 →
← 1949 (NY)
36 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate[a] 49 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Scott Lucas (lost re-election) Ken Wherry Party Democratic Republican Leader since January 3, 1949 January 3, 1949 Leader's seat Illinois Nebraska Seats before 54 42 Seats after 49 47 Seat change 5 5 Popular vote 16,374,996 17,023,295 Percentage 47.7% 49.6% Seats up 23 13 Races won 18 18
Results of the elections:      Democratic gain      Democratic hold      Republican gain      Republican hold      No election Rectangular inset (Conn., Id. & N. C.): both seats up for election
Majority Leader before election Scott Lucas Democratic Elected Majority Leader Ernest McFarland Democratic

The 1950 United States Senate elections occurred in the middle of Harry S. Truman's second term as president. The 32 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections, and four special elections were held to fill vacancies. As with most 20th-century second-term midterms, the party not holding the presidency made significant gains. The Republican opposition made a net gain of five seats, taking advantage of the Democratic administration's declining popularity during the Cold War and the aftermath of the Recession of 1949. The Democrats held a narrow 49-to-47-seat majority after the election. This was the first time since 1932 that the Senate majority leader lost his seat, and the only instance of the majority leader losing his seat while his party retained the majority.

↓

49	47
Democratic	Republican

Colored shading indicates party with largest share of that row.

Parties					Total
		Democratic	Republican	Other
Last elections (1948) Before these elections		54	42	0	96
Not up		31	29	—	60
Up		23	13	—	36
	Class 3 (1944→1950)	20	12	—	32
	Special: Class 1	2	0	—	2
	Special: Class 2	1	1	—	2
Incumbent retired		3[b]	1	—	4
	Held by same party	2	1	—	3
	Replaced by other party	1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican		—	1
	Result	2	2	0	4
Incumbent ran		20	12	—	32
	Won re-election	12	10	—	22
	Lost re-election	1 Republican replaced by 1 Democrat 4 Democrats replaced by 4 Republicans		—	5
	Lost renomination but held by same party	3	1	—	4
	Lost renomination and party lost	1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican		—	1
	Result	16	16	0	32
Total elected		18	18	0	36
Net change		5	5		5
Nationwide vote		16,374,996	17,023,295	946,945	34,345,236
	Share	47.68%	49.57%	2.76%	100%
Result		49	47	0	96

Source: Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives^[1]

One Republican and three Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.

State	Senator	Replaced by
California	Sheridan Downey	Richard Nixon
Kansas	Harry Darby	Frank Carlson
Kentucky	Garrett Withers	Earle Clements
Rhode Island	Edward L. Leahy	John Pastore

Two Republicans and eight Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.

State	Senator	Replaced by
Florida	Claude Pepper	George Smathers
Idaho	Glen H. Taylor	Herman Welker
Illinois	Scott Lucas	Everett Dirksen
Maryland	Millard Tydings	John Marshall Butler
Missouri	Forrest C. Donnell	Thomas C. Hennings Jr.
North Carolina (special)	Frank Porter Graham	Willis Smith
Oklahoma	Elmer Thomas	Mike Monroney
Pennsylvania	Francis J. Myers	James H. Duff
South Dakota	Chan Gurney	Francis Case
Utah	Elbert D. Thomas	Wallace F. Bennett

State	Senator	Replaced by
Connecticut	Brien McMahon	William A. Purtell
Kentucky	Virgil Chapman	Thomas R. Underwood
Michigan	Arthur Vandenberg	Blair Moody
Nebraska	Kenneth S. Wherry	Fred A. Seaton

		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 Fla. Ran	D37 Conn. (sp) Ran	D36 Conn. (reg) Ran	D35 Calif. Retired	D34 Ark. Ran	D33 Ariz. Ran	D32 Ala. Ran	D31	D30	D29
D39 Ga. Ran	D40 Ky. (reg) Ky. (sp) Resigned	D41 Idaho (reg) Ran	D42 Ill. Ran	D43 La. Ran	D44 Md. Ran	D45 Nev. Ran	D46 N.Y. Ran	D47 N.C. (reg) Ran	D48 N.C. (sp) Ran
Majority →									D49 Okla. Ran
R39 Ore. Ran	R40 S.D. Ran	R41 Vt. Ran	R42 Wisc. Ran	D54 Wash. Ran	D53 Utah Ran	D52 S.C. Ran	D51 R.I. (sp) Retired	D50 Pa. Ran
R38 Ohio Ran	R37 N.D. Ran	R36 N.H. Ran	R35 Mo. Ran	R34 Kan. (reg) Kan. (sp) Retired	R33 Iowa Ran	R32 Ind. Ran	R31 Idaho (sp) Ran	R30 Colo. Ran	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

		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 Ga. Re-elected	D37 Fla. Hold	D36 Conn. (sp) Elected[c]	D35 Conn. (reg) Re-elected	D34 Ark. Re-elected	D33 Ariz. Re-elected	D32 Ala. Re-elected	D31	D30	D29
D39 Ky. (reg) Ky. (sp) Hold	D40 La. Re-elected	D41 Nev. Re-elected	D42 N.Y. Re-elected	D43 N.C. (reg) Re-elected	D44 N.C. (sp) Hold	D45 Okla. Hold	D46 R.I. (sp) Hold	D47 S.C. Re-elected	D48 Wash. Re-elected
Majority →									D49 Mo. Gain
R39 S.D. Hold	R40 Vt. Re-elected	R41 Wisc. Re-elected	R42 Calif. Gain	R43 Idaho (reg) Gain	R44 Ill. Gain	R45 Md. Gain	R46 Pa. Gain	R47 Utah Gain
R38 Ore. Re-elected	R37 Ohio Re-elected	R36 N.D. Re-elected	R35 N.H. Re-elected	R34 Kan. (reg) Kan. (sp) Hold	R33 Iowa Re-elected	R32 Ind. Re-elected	R31 Idaho (sp) Elected[c]	R30 Colo. Re-elected	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

In these special elections, the winners were seated during 1950 or before January 3, 1951; ordered by election date.

State (linked to summaries below)	Incumbent			Results (linked to election articles)	Candidates
	Senator	Party	Electoral history
Connecticut (Class 1)	William Benton	Democratic	1949 (Appointed)	Interim appointee elected November 7, 1950.	▌Y William Benton (Democratic) 49.2% ▌Prescott Bush (Republican) 49.1%
Idaho (Class 2)	Henry Dworshak	Republican	1946 (special) 1948 (Lost) 1949 (Appointed)	Interim appointee elected November 7, 1950.	▌Y Henry Dworshak (Republican) 51.9% ▌Claude J. Burtenshaw (Democratic) 48.1%
Kansas (Class 3)	Harry Darby	Republican	1949 (Appointed)	Interim appointee retired November 28, 1950 when successor's election was certified. Successor elected November 7, 1950. Republican hold. Winner was also elected to finish the term; see below.	▌Y Frank Carlson (Republican) 55.2% ▌Paul Aiken (Democratic) 44.8%
Kentucky (Class 3)	Garrett Withers	Democratic	1949 (Appointed)	Interim appointee resigned to trigger special election. Successor elected November 7, 1950. Democratic hold. Winner was also elected to finish the term; see below.	▌Y Earle Clements (Democratic) 54.4% ▌Charles I. Dawson (Republican) 45.6%
North Carolina (Class 2)	Frank Porter Graham	Democratic	1949 (Appointed)	Interim appointee lost nomination to finish term. Winner elected November 7, 1950. Democratic hold.	▌Y Willis Smith (Democratic) 67.0% ▌E. L. Gavin (Republican) 32.6%
Rhode Island (Class 1)	Edward L. Leahy	Democratic	1949 (Appointed)	Interim appointee retired. Winner elected November 7, 1950. Democratic hold.	▌Y John Pastore (Democratic) 61.6% ▌Austin T. Levy (Republican) 38.4%

In these regular elections, the winner was seated on January 3, 1951; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.

State (linked to summaries below)	Incumbent			Results (linked to election articles)	Candidates
	Senator	Party	Electoral history
Alabama	J. Lister Hill	Democratic	1938 (Appointed) 1938 (special) 1938 1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y J. Lister Hill (Democratic) 76.5% ▌John G. Crommelin (Independent) 23.5%
Arizona	Carl Hayden	Democratic	1926 1932 1938 1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Carl Hayden (Democratic) 62.8% ▌Bruce Brockett (Republican) 37.2%
Arkansas	J. William Fulbright	Democratic	1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y J. William Fulbright (Democratic) Unopposed
California	Sheridan Downey	Democratic	1938 1944	Incumbent renominated, but then retired due to ill health. New senator elected. Republican gain. Winner was appointed December 1, 1950 to finish the therm.	▌Y Richard Nixon (Republican) 59.2% ▌Helen Gahagan Douglas (Democratic) 40.8%
Colorado	Eugene Millikin	Republican	1941 (Appointed) 1942 1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Eugene Millikin (Republican) 53.3% ▌John A. Carroll (Democratic) 46.8%
Connecticut	Brien McMahon	Democratic	1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Brien McMahon (Democratic) 51.7% ▌Joseph E. Talbot (Republican) 46.6%
Florida	Claude Pepper	Democratic	1936 (special) 1938 1944	Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold.[2]	▌Y George Smathers (Democratic) 76.2% ▌John P. Booth (Republican) 23.7%
Georgia	Walter F. George	Democratic	1922 (special) 1926 1932 1938 1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Walter F. George (Democratic) Unopposed
Idaho	Glen H. Taylor	Democratic	1944	Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Republican gain.	▌Y Herman Welker (Republican) 61.7% ▌D. Worth Clark (Democratic) 38.3%
Illinois	Scott W. Lucas	Democratic	1938 1944	Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain.	▌Y Everett Dirksen (Republican) 53.9% ▌Scott W. Lucas (Democratic) 45.8%
Indiana	Homer E. Capehart	Republican	1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Homer E. Capehart (Republican) 52.8% ▌Alexander M. Campbell (Democratic) 46.4%
Iowa	Bourke B. Hickenlooper	Republican	1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Bourke B. Hickenlooper (Republican) 54.8% ▌Albert J. Loveland (Democratic) 44.7%
Kansas	Harry Darby	Republican	1949 (Appointed)	Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. Winner was also elected to finish the current term; see above.	▌Y Frank Carlson (Republican) 54.3% ▌Paul Aiken (Democratic) 43.8%
Kentucky	Garrett Withers	Democratic	1949 (Appointed)	Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Incumbent resigned to trigger special election and winner was also elected to finish the current term; see above.	▌Y Earle Clements (Democratic) 54.2% ▌Charles I. Dawson (Republican) 45.1%
Louisiana	Russell B. Long	Democratic	1948 (special)	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Russell B. Long (Democratic) 87.7% ▌Charles S. Gerth (Republican) 12.3%
Maryland	Millard Tydings	Democratic	1944	Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain.	▌Y John Marshall Butler (Republican) 53.0% ▌Millard Tydings (Democratic) 46.0%
Missouri	Forrest C. Donnell	Republican	1944	Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain.	▌Y Thomas C. Hennings Jr. (Democratic) 53.6% ▌Forrest C. Donnell (Republican) 46.4%
Nevada	Pat McCarran	Democratic	1932 1938 1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Pat McCarran (Democratic) 58.0% ▌George E. Marshall (Republican) 42.0%
New Hampshire	Charles W. Tobey	Republican	1938 1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Charles W. Tobey (Republican) 55.7% ▌Emmet J. Kelley (Democratic) 38.0% ▌Wesley Powell (Independent) 6.3%
New York	Herbert H. Lehman	Democratic	1949 (special)	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Herbert H. Lehman (Democratic) 50.3% ▌Joe R. Hanley (Republican) 45.3%
North Carolina	Clyde R. Hoey	Democratic	1932 1932 (special) 1938 1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Clyde R. Hoey (Democratic) 68.7% ▌Halsey B. Leavitt (Republican) 31.3%
North Dakota	Milton Young	Republican	1945 (Appointed) 1946 (special)	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Milton Young (Republican) 67.6% ▌Harry O'Brien (Democratic) 32.4%
Ohio	Robert A. Taft	Republican	1938 1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Robert A. Taft (Republican) 57.5% ▌Joseph T. Ferguson (Democratic) 42.5%
Oklahoma	Elmer Thomas	Democratic	1926 1932 1938 1944	Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold.	▌Y Mike Monroney (Democratic) 54.8% ▌W. H. Bill Alexander (Republican) 45.2%
Oregon	Wayne Morse	Republican	1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Wayne Morse (Republican) 74.8% ▌Howard Latourette (Democratic) 23.2%
Pennsylvania	Francis J. Myers	Democratic	1944	Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain.	▌Y James H. Duff (Republican) 51.3% ▌Francis J. Myers (Democratic) 47.7%
South Carolina	Olin D. Johnston	Democratic	1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Olin D. Johnston (Democratic) Unopposed
South Dakota	Chan Gurney	Republican	1938 1944	Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Republican hold.	▌Y Francis Case (Republican) 63.9% ▌John A. Engel (Democratic) 36.1%
Utah	Elbert D. Thomas	Democratic	1932 1938 1944	Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain.	▌Y Wallace F. Bennett (Republican) 53.9% ▌Elbert D. Thomas (Democratic) 45.8%
Vermont	George Aiken	Republican	1940 (special) 1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y George Aiken (Republican) 78.0% ▌James E. Bigelow (Democratic) 22.0%
Washington	Warren Magnuson	Democratic	1944 (Appointed) 1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Warren Magnuson (Democratic) 53.4% ▌Walter Williams (Republican) 46.0%
Wisconsin	Alexander Wiley	Republican	1938 1944	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Alexander Wiley (Republican) 53.3% ▌Thomas E. Fairchild (Democratic) 46.2% ▌Edwin Knappe (Socialist) 0.4%

Fifteen races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State	Party of winner	Margin
Connecticut (special)	Democratic	0.1%
Pennsylvania	Republican (flip)	3.6%
Idaho (special)	Republican	3.8%
New York	Democratic	5.0% [d]
Connecticut	Democratic	5.1%
Indiana	Republican	6.4%
Colorado	Republican	6.5%
Maryland	Republican (flip)	7.0%
Wisconsin	Republican	7.1%
Missouri	Democratic (flip)	7.2%
Washington	Democratic	7.4%
Utah	Republican (flip)	8.03%
Illinois	Republican (flip)	8.12%
Kentucky	Democratic	9.1%
Oklahoma	Democratic	9.2%

1950 United States Senate election in Alabama

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Lister Hill John G. Crommelin Party Democratic Independent Popular vote 125,534 38,477 Percentage 76.54% 23.46%

County results Hill:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. senator before election J. Lister Hill Democratic Elected U.S. Senator J. Lister Hill Democratic

Alabama election^[1][3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	J. Lister Hill (incumbent)	125,534	76.54%	5.24
	Independent	John G. Crommelin	38,477	23.46%	N/A
Total votes			164,011	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing

1950 United States Senate election in Arizona

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Carl Hayden Bruce Brockett Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 116,246 68,846 Percentage 62.80% 37.20%

County results Hayden:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Carl Hayden Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Carl Hayden Democratic

Incumbent Democratic U.S. senator Carl Hayden ran for re-election to a fifth term, defeating Republican nominee Bruce Brockett in the general election. Brockett was formerly the Republican nominee for governor in both 1946 and 1948. Hayden first defeated Cecil H. Miller and Robert E. Miller (of the Arizona Farm Bureau), for the Democratic nomination.

Democratic primary^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Carl Hayden (incumbent)	95,544	70.97%
	Democratic	Cecil H. Miller	24,340	18.08%
	Democratic	Robert E. Miller	14,752	10.96%
Total votes			134,636	100.00%

General election^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Carl Hayden (incumbent)	116,246	62.80%
	Republican	Bruce Brockett	68,846	37.20%
Majority			47,400	25.60%
Turnout			185,092
	Democratic hold

Arkansas election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	J. William Fulbright (incumbent)	302,686	100.00%
	Democratic hold

1950 United States Senate election in California

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1954 (special) →

Nominee Richard Nixon Helen Gahagan Douglas Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 2,183,454 1,502,507 Percentage 59.23% 40.76%

County results Nixon:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Douglas:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Sheridan Downey Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Richard Nixon Republican

California election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Richard Nixon	2,183,454	59.23%
	Democratic	Helen Gahagan Douglas	1,502,507	40.76%
	None	Scattering	354	0.01%
Majority			680,947	18.47%
Turnout			3,686,315
	Republican gain from Democratic

1950 United States Senate election in Colorado

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Eugene Millikin John A. Carroll Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 239,724 210,442 Percentage 53.25% 46.75%

Results by county Millikin:      50–60%      60–70% Carroll:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Eugene Millikin Republican Elected U.S. Senator Eugene Millikin Republican

Colorado election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Eugene Millikin (incumbent)	239,724	53.25%
	Democratic	John A. Carroll	210,442	46.75%
Majority			29,282	6.50%
Turnout			450,166
	Republican hold

1950 United States Senate special election in Connecticut

← 1946 November 7, 1950 1952 →

Nominee William Benton Prescott Bush Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 431,413 430,311 Percentage 50.06% 49.94%

County results Municipality results Benton:      40–50%      50–60%      60-70% Bush:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Tie:      50%

U.S. senator before election William Benton Democratic Elected U.S. Senator William Benton Democratic

Connecticut special election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William Benton (incumbent)	431,413	50.06%
	Republican	Prescott Bush	430,311	49.94%
Majority			1,102	0.08%
Turnout			861,724
	Democratic hold

1950 United States Senate election in Connecticut

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1952 (special) →

Nominee Brien McMahon Joseph E. Talbot Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 453,646 409,053 Percentage 51.68% 46.60%

County results Municipality results McMahon:      50–60%      60-70%      70-80% Talbot:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% No Data/Vote:

U.S. senator before election Brien McMahon Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Brien McMahon Democratic

Connecticut regular election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Brien McMahon (incumbent)	453,646	52.58%
	Republican	Joseph E. Talbot	409,053	47.42%
Majority			44,593	5.16%
Turnout			862,699
	Democratic hold

1950 United States Senate election in Florida

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee George Smathers John P. Booth Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 238,987 74,228 Percentage 76.30% 23.70%

County results Smathers:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Booth:      50–60%

Senator before election Claude Pepper Democratic Elected Senator George Smathers Democratic

Democratic incumbent Senator Claude Pepper lost renomination May 2, 1950 to George A. Smathers, who easily won the general election.^[2]

The Democratic primary for the 1950 United States Senate election in Florida was described as the "most bitter and ugly campaigns in Florida political history." Ormund Powers, a Central Florida historian, noted that ABC and NBC commentator David Brinkley said that "the Pepper-Smathers campaign would always stand out in his mind as the dirtiest in the history of American politics". On January 12, 1950, U.S. Representative George A. Smathers declared his candidacy for the race in Orlando at Kemp's Coliseum, where about 3,000 supporters had gathered.^[6] In his opening speech, Smathers accused Pepper of being "the leader of the radicals and extremists", an advocate of treason, and a person against the constitutional rights of Americans.^[7] Ed Ball, a power in state politics who had broken with Pepper, financed his opponent, Smathers.^[8]

Prior to the entry of Smathers and Pepper, Orlando attorney James G. Horrell campaigned for the seat. Horrell researched Pepper's weaknesses and the state's voters. Horrell also compiled a list of communist-front groups that Pepper had communicated with. On the day that Pepper declared his candidacy, Horrell withdrew and endorsed Smathers. Horrell also sent his reports about Pepper to Smathers, which he used throughout the next few months. This would also prevent the chance of a run-off election. In late February and early March, the Jacksonville Journal conducted a poll in 11 counties important for the election. Smathers led by about 2-to-1 and dominated in Duval, Pinellas, and Volusia counties, while he was also statistically tied with Pepper in Dade, Escambia, and Hillsborough counties. However, Smathers did not trail in any of the 11 counties.^[9]

Smathers repeatedly attacked "Red Pepper" for having communist sympathies, condemning both his support for universal health care and his alleged support for the Soviet Union. Pepper had traveled to the Soviet Union in 1945 and, after meeting Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, declared he was "a man Americans could trust."^[8] Additionally, although Pepper supported universal health care, sometimes referred to as "socialized medicine", Smathers would vote for "socialized medicine" in the Senate when it was introduced as Medicare in 1965. In The Saturday Evening Post, even respected writer and notorious anti-segregation editor Ralph McGill labeled Pepper a "spell-binding pinko".^[7] Beginning on March 28 and until the day of the primary, Smathers named one communist organization each day that Pepper addressed, starting with the American Slav Congress.^[9]

Pepper's opponents circulated widely a 49-page booklet titled The Red Record of Senator Claude Pepper. It contained photographs and headlines from several communist publications such as the Daily Worker.^[7] In April the Daily Worker endorsed Pepper, with Communist Party of Florida leader George Nelson warning that a Smathers victory would "strengthen the Dixiecrat-KKK forces in Florida as well as throughout the South."^[9] The booklet also made it seem as if Pepper desired to give Russia nuclear bomb-making instructions, billions of dollars, and the United States' natural resources. There was also a double-page montage of Pepper in 1946 at New York City's Madison Square Garden with progressive Henry A. Wallace and civil rights activist Paul Robeson, and quoted Pepper speaking favorably of both of them.^[7] Throughout the campaign, Pepper denied sympathizing with communism.^[10]

Simultaneous to this election, then-U.S. House Representative Richard Nixon was running for the Senate seat in California. In a letter from Senator Karl E. Mundt of South Dakota, he told Nixon that "It occurs to me that if Helen is your opponent in the fall, something of a similar nature might well be produced", in reference to The Red Record of Senator Claude Pepper and a similar Democratic primary between Manchester Boddy and Helen Gahagan Douglas.^[11]

Race also played a role in the election. Labor unions began a voter registration drive, which mostly added African Americans to the voter rolls. Smathers accused the "Northern labor bosses" of paying black people to register and vote for Pepper. Shortly after Smathers declared his candidacy, he indicated to the Florida Peace Officers Association that he would defend law enforcement officers for free if they were found guilty of civil rights violations.^[7] With the election occurring during the era of racial segregation, Pepper was portrayed as favoring integration and interracial marriage. He was also labeled a "nigger lover" and accused by Orlando Sentinel publisher Martin Andersen of shaking hands with a black woman in Sanford. In Dade County, which had a significant black and Jewish population, doctored photographs depicting Smathers in a Ku Klux Klan hood were distributed.^[12]

In the Groveland Case, four young African American men – Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepherd, and Ernest Thomas – known as the Groveland Four, were accused of raping a 17-year old white women in Groveland on July 16, 1949. Thomas fled the area but was later shot and killed by police. Greenlee, Irvin, and Shepherd were convicted by an all-white jury. After the St. Petersburg Times questioned the verdict in April 1950, Lake County State Attorney J. W. Hunter, a supporter of Pepper, demanded that Pepper repudiate the news articles. However, Pepper refused. Hunter then denounced Pepper and endorsed Smathers. In addition to the racial violence, cross burning was also common at the time, with five in Jacksonville, ten in Orlando and Winter Park, and seventeen in the Tallahassee area.^[9]

With the accusation of "Northern labor bosses" sending "the carpetbaggers of 1950" to Florida on his behalf, Pepper reminded voters that Smathers was born in New Jersey and sometimes referred to him as a "damn Yankee intruder". In response, Smathers decorated speaking platform in the colors of his alma mater at the University of Florida, orange and blue, while informing his supporters that Pepper graduated from Harvard Law School.^[7]

Powers noted that throughout the campaign, "scarcely a day passed" without Andersen writing a news story, column, or editorial that was very positive of Smathers or highly critical of Pepper.^[6] Thirty-eight daily newspapers in Florida endorsed Smathers, while only the St. Petersburg Times and The Daytona Beach News-Journal endorsed Pepper. Among the newspapers that supported Smathers were the Miami Herald, owned by John S. Knight, and the Miami Daily News, published by James M. Cox, a former Governor of Ohio and the Democratic Party nominee for the 1920 presidential election. However, Pepper's aides compared this situation to when Alf Landon was endorsed by more editors and newspapers than Franklin Roosevelt in 1936, but received far fewer votes than him.^[13]

Smathers performed generally well across many areas of the state, with the exception of Miami, Tampa, and the Florida Panhandle. On the morning after the election, Andersen wrote on the front-page headline of the Orlando Sentinel, "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow ... We Have Won from Hell to Breakfast And From Dan to Beersheba ... And Staved Off Socialism", which was inspired by a headline in The New York Times celebrating Lawrence of Arabia's victory over the Turks in 1917.^[6]

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	George Smathers	387,315	54.78%
	Democratic	Claude Pepper	319,754	45.22%
Total votes			707,069	100%

Smathers defeated Republican John P. Booth in a landslide in the general election on November 7. Results indicated that Smathers received 76.3% of the vote compared to just 23.7% for Booth. In the popular vote, Smathers garnered 238,987 votes versus 74,228 for Booth.^[14] Smathers fared well throughout the state and won all but Pinellas County.^[15]

Florida election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	George A. Smathers	238,987	76.30%
	Republican	John P. Booth	74,228	23.70%
Majority			164,759	52.60%
Turnout			313,215
	Democratic hold

1950 U.S. Senate Democratic primary in Georgia

← 1944 June 28, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Walter F. George Alex McLennan Party Democratic Democratic Electoral vote 410 0 Popular vote 470,156 79,886 Percentage 82.50% 14.02%

U.S. senator before election Walter F. George Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Walter F. George Democratic

Five-term Democratic Senator Walter F. George was re-elected without opposition.

Georgia election^[1][16]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Walter F. George (incumbent)	261,290	100.00%
	Democratic hold

George would retire after this term.

There were two elections on the same day due to the October 8, 1949 death of one-term Democrat Bert H. Miller.

1950 United States Senate special election in Idaho

← 1948 November 7, 1950 1954 →

Nominee Henry Dworshak Claude J. Burtenshaw Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 104,608 97,092 Percentage 51.86% 48.14%

County results Dworshak:      50–60%      60–70% Burtenshaw:      50–60%      60–70%

Senator before election Henry Dworshak Republican Elected Senator Henry Dworshak Republican

Republican former-senator Henry Dworshak — who had lost re-election to Miller in 1948 — was appointed to continue the term pending a special election to the class 2 seat, which he then won.

Idaho special election^[1][17]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Henry Dworshak (incumbent)	104,608	51.86%
	Democratic	Claude J. Burtenshaw	97,092	48.14%
Majority			7,516	3.72%
Turnout			201,700	34.27%
	Republican hold

1950 United States Senate election in Idaho

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Herman Welker D. Worth Clark Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 124,237 77,180 Percentage 61.68% 38.32%

County results Welker:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Clark:      50–60%      60–70%

Senator before election Glen H. Taylor Democratic Elected Senator Herman Welker Republican

One-term Democrat Glen H. Taylor lost renomination to the class 3 seat to his predecessor D. Worth Clark.^[18] Taylor had beaten Clark for the Democratic nomination in 1944, and this year Clark did the same to him. However, in the general election, Clark was easily beaten by Republican State senator Herman Welker.

Idaho election^[1][19]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Herman Welker	124,237	61.68%
	Democratic	D. Worth Clark	77,180	38.32%
Majority			47,057	23.36%
Turnout			201,417	34.22%
	Republican gain from Democratic

1950 United States Senate election in Illinois

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Everett M. Dirksen Scott W. Lucas Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,951,984 1,657,630 Percentage 53.88% 45.76%

County results Dirksen:      40–50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Lucas:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Senator before election Scott W. Lucas Democratic Elected Senator Everett M. Dirksen Republican

Illinois election^[1][20]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Everett Dirksen	1,951,984	53.88%
	Democratic	Scott W. Lucas (incumbent)	1,657,630	45.76%
	Prohibition	Enoch A. Holtwick	13,050	0.36%
	Write-in	Others	9	0.00
Majority			294,354	8.12%
Turnout			3,622,673
	Republican gain from Democratic

1950 United States Senate election in Indiana

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Homer Capehart Alexander M. Campbell Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 844,303 741,025 Percentage 52.81% 46.35%

County results Capehart:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70% Campbell:      40-50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Homer Capehart Republican Elected U.S. Senator Homer Capehart Republican

First-term Republican Homer E. Capehart was re-elected.

Indiana election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Homer E. Capehart (incumbent)	844,303	52.81%
	Democratic	Alexander M. Campbell	741,025	46.35%
	Prohibition	Lester N. Abel	13,396	0.84%
Majority			103,278	6.46%
Turnout			1,598,724	40.64%
	Republican hold

Capehart would win re-election again in 1956, but lose his seat in 1962.

1950 United States Senate election in Iowa

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Bourke B. Hickenlooper Albert J. Loveland Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 470,613 383,766 Percentage 54.82% 44.70%

Hickenlooper:      50–60%      60–70% Loveland:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Bourke B. Hickenlooper Republican Elected U.S. Senator Bourke B. Hickenlooper Republican

One-term Republican Bourke B. Hickenlooper was re-elected.

Iowa election^[1][21]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bourke B. Hickenlooper (incumbent)	470,613	54.82%
	Democratic	Albert J. Loveland	383,766	44.70%
	Prohibition	Z. Everett Kellum	3,273	0.38%
	States' Rights	Ernest J. Seemann	571	0.07%
	Socialist Labor	Leslie O. Ludwig	300	0.03%
Majority			86,847	10.12%
Turnout			858,523	32.75%
	Republican hold

Hickenlooper would continue serving in the Senate until his retirement in 1969.

There were two elections to the same seat on the same day due to the November 8, 1949 death of two-term Republican Clyde M. Reed. Governor of Kansas Frank Carlson appointed fellow Republican Harry Darby December 2, 1949 to continue the term, pending a special election. Carlson won both elections and was seated November 29, 1950.

1950 United States Senate special election in Kansas

← 1950 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Frank Carlson Paul Aiken Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 321,718 261,405 Percentage 55.17% 44.83%

County results Carlson:      50-60%      60-70% Aiken:      50–60%

Senator before election Harry Darby Republican Elected Senator Frank Carlson Republican

Kansas special election^[1][22]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Frank Carlson	321,718	55.17%
	Democratic	Paul Aiken	261,405	44.83%
Majority			60,313	10.34%
Turnout			583,123	30.61%
	Republican hold

1950 United States Senate special election in Kansas

← 1950 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Frank Carlson Paul Aiken Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 335,880 271,365 Percentage 54.25% 43.83%

County results Carlson:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70% Aiken:      40–50%      50–60%

Senator before election Harry Darby Republican Elected Senator Frank Carlson Republican

Kansas regular election^[1][23]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Frank Carlson	335,880	54.25%
	Democratic	Paul Aiken	271,365	43.83%
	Prohibition	Verne L. Damon	11,859	1.92%
Majority			64,515	10.42%
Turnout			619,104	32.49%
	Republican hold

There were two elections to the same seat on the same day, due to the January 19, 1949 resignation of Democrat Alben W. Barkley to become U.S. vice president. Governor of Kentucky Earle Clements appointed fellow Democrat Garrett L. Withers to continue the term, pending a special election. The winner of the special election would complete the current term, from November until the start of the next Congress on January 3, while the regular election was for the full term from 1951 to 1957. Clements, himself, won both elections and was sworn in on November 27, 1950. Withers later served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Kentucky special election^[1][24]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Earle Clements	317,320	54.40%
	Republican	Charles I. Dawson	265,994	45.60%
Majority			51,326	8.80%
Turnout			583,314	19.82%
	Democratic hold

Kentucky election

← 1944 1956 →

Nominee Earle Clements Charles I. Dawson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 334,249 278,368 Percentage 54.16% 45.11%

County results Clements:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Dawson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Garrett L. Withers Democratic Elected U.S. senator Earle Clements Democratic

Kentucky regular election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Earle Clements	334,249	54.16%
	Republican	Charles I. Dawson	278,368	45.11%
	Independent	James E. Olson	4,496	0.73%
Majority			55,881	9.05%
Turnout			617,113
	Democratic hold

1950 United States Senate election in Louisiana

← 1948 (special) November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Russell B. Long Charles S. Gerth Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 220,907 30,931 Percentage 87.72% 12.28%

Parish results Long:      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. senator before election Russell B. Long Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Russell B. Long Democratic

Louisiana election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Russell Long (incumbent)	220,907	87.72%
	Republican	Charles S. Gerth	30,931	12.28%
Majority			189,976	75.44%
Turnout			251,838
	Democratic hold

1950 United States Senate election in Maryland

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee John Marshall Butler Millard Tydings Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 326,291 283,180 Percentage 53.00% 46.00%

County results Butler:      50–60%      60–70% Tydings:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Millard Tydings Democratic Elected U.S. Senator John Marshall Butler Republican

Maryland election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Marshall Butler	326,921	53.00%
	Democratic	Millard E. Tydings (incumbent)	283,180	46.00%
	Progressive	Sam Fox	6,143	1.00%
Majority			43,741	7.00%
Turnout			615,614
	Republican gain from Democratic

Missouri election

← 1944 1956 →

Nominee Thomas C. Hennings Jr. Forrest C. Donnell Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 685,732 592,922 Percentage 53.60% 46.34%

County results Hennings:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Donnell:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Edward V. Long Democratic Elected U.S. senator Edward V. Long Democratic

Missouri election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Thomas C. Hennings Jr.	685,732	53.60%
	Republican	Forrest C. Donnell (incumbent)	592,922	46.34%
	Christian Nationalist	John W. Hamilton	610	0.05%
	Socialist Labor	Henry W. Genck	150	0.01%
Majority			92,810	7.26%
Turnout			1,279,414
	Democratic gain from Republican

1950 United States Senate election in Nevada

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1954 (special) →

Nominee Pat McCarran George E. Marshall Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 35,829 25,993 Percentage 58.01% 41.99%

County results McCarran:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Marshall:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Pat McCarran Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Pat McCarran Democratic

Nevada election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Pat McCarran (incumbent)	35,829	58.01%
	Republican	George E. Marshall	25,933	41.99%
Majority			9,896	16.02%
Turnout			61,762
	Democratic hold

1950 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1954 (special) →

Nominee Charles W. Tobey Emmet J. Kelley Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 106,142 72,473 Percentage 55.99% 38.23%

County results Tobey:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Kelley:      60–70%

Senator before election Charles W. Tobey Republican Elected Senator Charles W. Tobey Republican

New Hampshire election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Charles W. Tobey (incumbent)	106,142	55.99%
	Democratic	Emmet J. Kelley	72,473	38.23%
	Write-In	Wesley Powell	10,943	5.77%
Majority			33,669	17.76%
Turnout			189,558
	Republican hold

1950 United States Senate election in New York

← 1949 (special) November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Herbert H. Lehman Joe Hanley Party Democratic Republican Alliance Liberal Popular vote 2,632,313 2,367,353 Percentage 50.35% 45.28%

County results Lehman:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Hanley:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70–80%

Senator before election Herbert H. Lehman Democratic Elected Senator Herbert H. Lehman Democratic

The Socialist Workers state convention met on July 9, and nominated Joseph Hansen for the U.S. Senate.^[25]

The American Labor state convention met on September 6 and nominated W.E.B. DuBois for the U.S. Senate.^[26]

The Republican state convention met on September 7 at Saratoga Springs, New York. They re-nominated Lieutenant Governor Joe R. Hanley for the U.S. Senate.^[27]

The Democratic state convention met on September 7 at Rochester, New York, and re-nominated the incumbent U.S. senator Herbert H. Lehman.^[28]

The Liberal state convention met on September 6 and 7 at the Statler Hotel in New York City, and endorsed Democratic nominee Lehman.^[29]

Nearly the whole Republican statewide ticket was elected in a landslide, with only the Democratic incumbent U.S. senator, Ex-Governor Herbert H. Lehman, managing to stay in office.

New York election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Herbert H. Lehman (incumbent)	2,319,719	44.37%
	Republican	Joe R. Hanley	2,367,353	45.28%
	Liberal	Herbert H. Lehman (incumbent)	312,594	5.98%
	American Labor	W. E. B. Du Bois	205,729	3.93%
	Socialist Workers	Joseph Hansen	13,340	0.29%
	Industrial Government	Stephen Emery	7,559	0.15%
Majority			264,960	5.07%
Turnout			5,228,394
	Democratic hold

There were two elections in North Carolina.

1950 United States Senate special election in North Carolina

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Willis Smith E. L. Galvin Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 364,912 177,753 Percentage 66.97% 32.62%

County results Smith:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90-100% Galvin:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Senator before election Frank P. Graham Democratic Elected Senator Willis Smith Democratic

North Carolina special election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Willis Smith	364,912	66.97%
	Republican	E. L. Galvin	177,753	32.62%
	Write-In	Frank P. Graham (incumbent)	2,259	0.41%
Majority			187,159	34.35%
Turnout			544,924
	Democratic hold

1950 United States Senate election in North Carolina

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1954 (special) →

Nominee Clyde R. Hoey Halsey B. Leavitt Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 376,472 171,804 Percentage 68.67% 31.34%

County results Hoey:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90-100% Leavitt:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Senator before election Clyde R. Hoey Democratic Elected Senator Clyde R. Hoey Democratic

North Carolina election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Clyde R. Hoey (incumbent)	376,472	68.66%
	Republican	Halsey B. Leavitt	171,804	31.34%
Majority			204,668	37.32%
Turnout			548,276
	Democratic hold

1950 United States Senate election in North Dakota

← 1946 (special) November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Milton Young Harry O'Brien Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 126,209 126,209 Percentage 67.59% 32.41%

County results Young:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% O'Brien:      50-60%

U.S. senator before election Milton Young Republican Elected U.S. Senator Milton Young Republican

North Dakota election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Milton R. Young (incumbent)	126,209	67.59%
	Democratic	Harry O’Brien	60,507	32.41%
Majority			65,702	35.18%
Turnout			186,716
	Republican hold

1950 United States Senate election in Ohio

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1954 (special) →

Nominee Robert A. Taft Joe Ferguson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,645,643 1,214,459 Percentage 57.54% 42.46%

County results Taft:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Ferguson:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Robert A. Taft Republican Elected U.S. Senator Robert A. Taft Republican

Ohio election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Robert A. Taft (incumbent)	1,645,643	57.54%
	Democratic	Joseph T. Ferguson	1,214,459	42.46%
Majority			431,184	15.08%
Turnout			2,860,102
	Republican hold

1950 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Mike Monroney Bill Alexander Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 345,953 285,224 Percentage 54.81% 45.19%

County results Monroney:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Alexander:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Elmer Thomas Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Mike Monroney Democratic

Oklahoma election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mike Monroney	345,953	54.81%
	Republican	W. H. ‘Bill’ Alexander	285,224	45.19%
Majority			60,729	8.62%
Turnout			631,177
	Democratic hold

1950 United States Senate election in Oregon

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Wayne Morse Howard LaTourette Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 376,510 116,780 Percentage 74.79% 23.20%

County results Morse:      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

U.S. senator before election Wayne Morse Republican Elected U.S. Senator Wayne Morse Republican

Oregon election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Wayne Morse (incumbent)	376,510	74.79%
	Democratic	Howard LaTourette	116,780	23.20%
	Progressive	Harlin Talbert	10,165	2.02%
Majority			259,730	51.59%
Turnout			503,455
	Republican hold

1950 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee James H. Duff Francis J. Myers Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,820,400 1,694,076 Percentage 51.30% 47.74%

County results Duff:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Myers:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Francis J. Myers Democratic Elected U.S. Senator James H. Duff Republican

Pennsylvania election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	James H. Duff	1,820,400	51.30%
	Democratic	Francis J. Myers (incumbent)	1,694,076	47.74%
	Prohibition	Earl N. Bergerstock	12,618	0.36%
	G.I.’s Against Communism	Jack Sill	8,353	0.24%
	Progressive	Lillian R. Narins	5,516	0.16%
	Socialist	William J. Van Essen	4,864	0.14%
	Industrial Government	Frank Knotek	1,596	0.04%
	Militant Workers	Clyde A. Turner	1,219	0.03%
Majority			126,324	3.56%
Turnout			3,548,642
	Republican gain from Democratic

1950 United States Senate special election in Rhode Island

← 1946 November 7, 1950 1952 →

Nominee John Pastore Austin T. Levy Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 183,725 144,184 Percentage 56.03% 43.97%

County results Pastore:      50–60%      60–70% Levy:      50-60%

U.S. senator before election John Pastore Democratic Elected U.S. Senator John Pastore Democratic

Rhode Island special election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John O. Pastore	183,725	56.03%
	Republican	Austin T. Levy	144,184	43.97%
Majority			39,541	12.06%
Turnout			327,909
	Democratic hold

1950 Democratic Senate primary election in South Carolina

← 1944 July 11, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Olin D. Johnston Strom Thurmond Party Democratic Democratic Popular vote 186,180 158,904 Percentage 53.95% 46.05%

County results Johnston:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Thurmond:      50-60%      60-70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Olin D. Johnston Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Olin D. Johnston Democratic

South Carolina Democratic primary election^{[citation needed]}

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Olin D. Johnston (incumbent)	186,180	54.0%
	Democratic	Strom Thurmond	158,904	46.0%

South Carolina election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Olin D. Johnston (incumbent)	50,458	100.00%
	Democratic hold

1950 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Francis H. Case John A. Engel Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 160,670 90,692 Percentage 63.92% 36.08%

County results Case:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Engel:      50–60%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Chan Gurney Republican Elected U.S. Senator Francis H. Case Republican