# 1916 United States Senate special election in Indiana

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The 1916 United States Senate special election in Indiana took place on November 7, 1916 to complete the unexpired term of Benjamin F. Shively. Interim Democratic Senator Thomas Taggart was defeated in his bid to complete the term by U.S. Representative James Eli Watson.

## Background

Senator Benjamin F. Shively was re-elected in 1914 and served until his death on March 14, 1916. Governor Samuel Ralston appointed Thomas Taggart to fill the vacant seat on March 20 until a successor could be duly elected. The special election to complete the term was scheduled for November 7, 1916, concurrent with the general election for presidential electors and Indiana's other United States Senate seat.

## General election
### Candidates

* John F. Clifford (Progressive)
* Edward Henry (Socialist)
* William H. Hickman (Prohibition)
* Thomas Taggart, interim U.S. Senator and former mayor of Indianapolis (Democratic)
* James E. Watson, former U.S. Representative from Rushville and nominee for Governor in 1908 (Republican)

### Results

1916 U.S. Senate special election in Indiana :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | James E. Watson | 335,193 | 47.66% | 12.56 |
| | Democratic | Thomas Taggart (incumbent) | 325,577 | 46.29% | 4.15 |
| | Socialist | Edward Henry | 21,626 | 3.08% | 0.28 |
| | Prohibition | William H. Hickman | 16,095 | 2.29% | 0.14 |
| | Progressive | Francis J. Dillon | 16,804 | 0.68% | 16.13 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 703,289 | 100.00% | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Swing | | |