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1956 United States Senate special election in West Virginia 
Summary
The 1956 United States Senate special election in West Virginia took place on November 6, 1956, to elect a U.S. Senator to complete the unexpired term of Senator Harley M. Kilgore, who died on February 28. 1956. State Tax Commissioner William Laird III was appointed to fill this seat by Governor William C. Marland to fill the vacancy until a special election could be held and assumed office on March 13, 1956.[1]
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 County results Revercomb: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Marland: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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Laird did not opt to run in the special election to fill the remainder of Kilgore's term through the end of the 85th Congress on January 3, 1959. Republican candidate Chapman Revercomb defeated Governor Marland in the special election.
As of 2024[update], this is the last time the Republicans have won West Virginia's Class 1 seat. This was also the last time until 2014 that the Republicans won a U.S. Senate election in the state.
Primary elections edit
Primary elections were held on May 8, 1956.
Democratic primary edit
Candidates edit
- Joseph Arcuri, children's writer[2]
- Walter G. Crichton, Charleston councilman,[3] unsuccessful candidate for Democratic nomination for West Virginia's 6th congressional district in 1944
- John G. Fox, incumbent Attorney General of West Virginia
- William C. Marland, incumbent Governor of West Virginia
- Byron B. Randolph, former President of the West Virginia Senate[4]
Results edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William C. Marland | 118,159 | 37.25 | |
| Democratic | John G. Fox | 104,869 | 33.06 | |
| Democratic | Byron B. Randolph | 56,945 | 17.95 | |
| Democratic | Walter G. Crichton | 26,972 | 8.50 | |
| Democratic | Joseph Arcuri | 10,263 | 3.24 | |
| Total votes | 317,208 | 100.00 | ||
Republican primary edit
Candidates edit
- Chapman Revercomb, former U.S. Senator
- Thomas Sweeney, insurance agent,[4] Republican candidate for U.S. Senator in 1940, 1946 and 1954
- Philip H. Hill, attorney,[3] Republican candidate for Attorney General of West Virginia in 1936
- Al J. Carey, Kanawha County Sheriff[2][3]
- Esta C. Wilson, television dealer[2]
Results edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Chapman Revercomb | 79,106 | 41.53 | |
| Republican | Thomas Sweeney | 57,556 | 30.22 | |
| Republican | Philip H. Hill | 37,574 | 19.73 | |
| Republican | Al J. Carey | 11,268 | 5.92 | |
| Republican | Esta C. Wilson | 4,971 | 2.61 | |
| Total votes | 190,475 | 100.00 | ||
General election edit
Results edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Chapman Revercomb | 432,123 | 53.67 | ||
| Democratic | William C. Marland | 373,051 | 46.33 | ||
| Majority | 59,072 | 7.34 | |||
| Turnout | 805,174 | ||||
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "SENATORS OF THE UNITED STATES, 1789-present, A chronological list of senators since the First Congress in 1789" (PDF). United States Senate. p. 64. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
- ^ a b c "West Virginia To Certify Ten Candidates For Senate Seat". Cumberland Evening Times. Cumberland, Maryland. April 9, 1956. p. 6. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ a b c "First Aid Needed to Heal Intraparty Cuts, Bruises of Campaign". Beckley Post Herald And Raleigh Register. Beckley, West Virginia. May 6, 1956. p. 22. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ a b "Eisenhower Gets 60% Of Total Indiana Vote". Evening Star. Washington, D.C. May 9, 1956. p. A-6. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ a b Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 160.
- ^ West Virginia Blue Book 1956, p. 641.
- ^ "WV US Senate, 1956 - Special D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ West Virginia Blue Book 1956, p. 666.
- ^ "WV US Senate, 1956 - Special R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 99.
- ^ "WV US Senate, 1956 - Special Election". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ Myers, J. Howard (ed.). West Virginia Blue Book 1957 (PDF). Vol. 41. Charleston, West Virginia: Jarrett Printing Company. p. 683.
- ^ Clerk of the House of Representatives (1958). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 6, 1956" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
Bibliography edit
- Congressional Elections, 1946-1996. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-248-4.
- Myers, J. Howard (ed.). West Virginia Blue Book 1956 (PDF). Vol. 40. Charleston, West Virginia: Jarrett Printing Company.