# 1932 United States Senate elections

The 1932 United States Senate elections coincided with Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt's landslide victory over incumbent Herbert Hoover in the presidential election. The 32 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections, and special elections were held to fill vacancies.
With the Hoover administration widely blamed for the Great Depression, Republicans lost twelve seats and control of the chamber to the Democrats, who won 28 of the 34 contested races (two Democratic incumbents, Duncan U. Fletcher of Florida and John H. Overton of Louisiana, were re-elected unopposed). Democrats gained another seat through an appointment in Nebraska, bringing their total number of seats up to 60.
Among the Republican incumbents defeated in 1932 were Senate Majority Leader James Watson and five-term Senator Reed Smoot, an author of the controversial Smoot-Hawley tariff. This was the first of four elections in which a Senate leader lost re-election, and the only time they were a Republican. This election marked the first time a woman was elected to the Senate, that being Hattie Caraway of Arkansas. As of 2024, this is the last time Democrats won a Senate election in Kansas.
This is also one of only five occasions where 10 or more Senate seats changed hands in an election, with the other occasions being in 1920, 1946, 1958, and 1980.

## Gains, losses, and holds
### Retirements

Three Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.
| State | Senator | Replaced by |
| Colorado | Walter Walker | Alva B. Adams |
| Georgia (special) | John S. Cohen | Richard Russell Jr. |
| Missouri | Harry B. Hawes | Bennett Champ Clark |

### Defeats

Eleven Republicans and three Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.
| State | Senator | Replaced by |
| California | Samuel M. Shortridge | William Gibbs McAdoo |
| Colorado (special) | Walter Walker | Karl C. Schuyler |
| Connecticut | Hiram Bingham III | Augustine Lonergan |
| Idaho | John Thomas | James P. Pope |
| Illinois | Otis F. Glenn | William H. Dieterich |
| Indiana | James E. Watson | Frederick Van Nuys |
| Iowa | Smith W. Brookhart | Louis Murphy |
| Louisiana | Edwin S. Broussard | John H. Overton |
| Nevada | Tasker Oddie | Pat McCarran |
| New Hampshire | George H. Moses | Fred H. Brown |
| North Carolina | Cameron A. Morrison | Robert R. Reynolds |
| Utah | Reed Smoot | Elbert D. Thomas |
| Washington | Wesley L. Jones | Homer Bone |
| Wisconsin | John J. Blaine | F. Ryan Duffy |

### Post-election changes

| State | Senator | Replaced by |
| Montana | Thomas J. Walsh | John E. Erickson |
| New Mexico | Sam G. Bratton | Carl Hatch |
| Vermont | Porter H. Dale | Ernest W. Gibson |
| Virginia | Claude A. Swanson | Harry F. Byrd |
| Nebraska | Robert B. Howell | William H. Thompson |
| Wyoming | John B. Kendrick | Joseph C. O'Mahoney |

## Change in composition
### After the January special election

| | | D$_1$ | D$_2$ | D$_3$ | D$_4$ | D$_5$ | D$_6$ | D$_7$ | D$_8$ |
| D$_{18}$ | D$_{17}$ | D$_{16}$ | D$_{15}$ | D$_{14}$ | D$_{13}$ | D$_{12}$ | D$_{11}$ | D$_{10}$ | D$_9$ |
| D$_{19}$ | D$_{20}$ | D$_{21}$ | D$_{22}$ | D$_{23}$ | D$_{24}$ | D$_{25}$ | D$_{26}$ | D$_{27}$ | D$_{28}$ |
| D$_{38}$ | D$_{37}$ | D$_{36}$ | D$_{35}$ | D$_{34}$ | D$_{33}$ | D$_{32}$ | D$_{31}$ | D$_{30}$ | D$_{29}$ |
| D$_{39}$ | D$_{40}$ | D$_{41}$ | D$_{42}$ | D$_{43}$ | D$_{44}$ | D$_{45}$ | D$_{46}$ | D$_{47}$ Ark. (sp) Elected | FL$_1$ |
| Plurality → | Plurality → | Plurality → | Plurality → | Plurality → | Plurality → | Plurality → | Plurality → | Plurality → | R$_{48}$ |
| R$_{39}$ | R$_{40}$ | R$_{41}$ | R$_{42}$ | R$_{43}$ | R$_{44}$ | R$_{45}$ | R$_{46}$ | R$_{47}$ | R$_{48}$ |
| R$_{38}$ | R$_{37}$ | R$_{36}$ | R$_{35}$ | R$_{34}$ | R$_{33}$ | R$_{32}$ | R$_{31}$ | R$_{30}$ | R$_{29}$ |
| R$_{19}$ | R$_{20}$ | R$_{21}$ | R$_{22}$ | R$_{23}$ | R$_{24}$ | R$_{25}$ | R$_{26}$ | R$_{27}$ | R$_{28}$ |
| R$_{18}$ | R$_{17}$ | R$_{16}$ | R$_{15}$ | R$_{14}$ | R$_{13}$ | R$_{12}$ | R$_{11}$ | R$_{10}$ | R$_9$ |
| | | R$_1$ | R$_2$ | R$_3$ | R$_4$ | R$_5$ | R$_6$ | R$_7$ | R$_8$ |

### Before the November elections

| | | D$_1$ | D$_2$ | D$_3$ | D$_4$ | D$_5$ | D$_6$ | D$_7$ | D$_8$ |
| D$_{18}$ | D$_{17}$ | D$_{16}$ | D$_{15}$ | D$_{14}$ | D$_{13}$ | D$_{12}$ | D$_{11}$ | D$_{10}$ | D$_9$ |
| D$_{19}$ | D$_{20}$ | D$_{21}$ | D$_{22}$ | D$_{23}$ | D$_{24}$ | D$_{25}$ | D$_{26}$ | D$_{27}$ | D$_{28}$ |
| D$_{38}$ Ga. (sp) Retired | D$_{37}$ Ga. (reg) Ran | D$_{36}$ Fla. Ran | D$_{35}$ Colo. (reg) Retired Colo. (sp) Ran | D$_{34}$ Ark. (reg) Ran | D$_{33}$ Ariz. Ran | D$_{32}$ Ala. Ran | D$_{31}$ | D$_{30}$ | D$_{29}$ |
| D$_{39}$ Kan. Ran | D$_{40}$ Ky. Ran | D$_{41}$ La. Ran | D$_{42}$ Md. Ran | D$_{43}$ Mo. Retired | D$_{44}$ N.Y. Ran | D$_{45}$ N.C. (reg) N.C. (sp) Ran | D$_{46}$ Ohio Ran | D$_{47}$ Okla. Ran | D$_{48}$ S.C. Ran |
| D$_{48}$ S.C. Ran |||||||||
| Plurality → | Plurality → | Plurality → | Plurality → | Plurality → | Plurality → | Plurality → | Plurality → | Plurality → | FL$_1$ |
| R$_{39}$ N.J. (sp) Ran | R$_{40}$ N.D. Ran | R$_{41}$ Ore. Ran | R$_{42}$ Pa. Ran | R$_{43}$ S.D. Ran | R$_{44}$ Utah Ran | R$_{45}$ Vt. Ran | R$_{46}$ Wash. Ran | R$_{47}$ Wisc. Ran | FL$_1$ |
| R$_{38}$ N.H. Ran | R$_{37}$ Nev. Ran | R$_{36}$ Iowa Ran | R$_{35}$ Ind. Ran | R$_{34}$ Ill. Ran | R$_{33}$ Idaho Ran | R$_{32}$ Conn. Ran | R$_{31}$ Calif. Ran | R$_{30}$ | R$_{29}$ |
| R$_{19}$ | R$_{20}$ | R$_{21}$ | R$_{22}$ | R$_{23}$ | R$_{24}$ | R$_{25}$ | R$_{26}$ | R$_{27}$ | R$_{28}$ |
| R$_{18}$ | R$_{17}$ | R$_{16}$ | R$_{15}$ | R$_{14}$ | R$_{13}$ | R$_{12}$ | R$_{11}$ | R$_{10}$ | R$_9$ |
| | | R$_1$ | R$_2$ | R$_3$ | R$_4$ | R$_5$ | R$_6$ | R$_7$ | R$_8$ |

### Result of the November elections

| | | D$_1$ | D$_2$ | D$_3$ | D$_4$ | D$_5$ | D$_6$ | D$_7$ | D$_8$ |
| D$_{18}$ | D$_{17}$ | D$_{16}$ | D$_{15}$ | D$_{14}$ | D$_{13}$ | D$_{12}$ | D$_{11}$ | D$_{10}$ | D$_9$ |
| D$_{19}$ | D$_{20}$ | D$_{21}$ | D$_{22}$ | D$_{23}$ | D$_{24}$ | D$_{25}$ | D$_{26}$ | D$_{27}$ | D$_{28}$ |
| D$_{38}$ Kan. Re-elected | D$_{37}$ Ga. (sp) Hold | D$_{36}$ Ga. (reg) Re-elected | D$_{35}$ Fla. Re-elected | D$_{34}$ Colo. (reg) Hold Colo. (sp) Gain | D$_{33}$ Ark. (reg) Re-elected | D$_{32}$ Ariz. Re-elected | D$_{31}$ Ala. Re-elected | D$_{30}$ | D$_{29}$ |
| D$_{39}$ Ky. Re-elected | D$_{40}$ La. Hold | D$_{41}$ Md. Re-elected | D$_{42}$ Mo. Hold | D$_{43}$ N.Y. Re-elected | D$_{44}$ N.C. (reg) N.C. (sp) Hold | D$_{45}$ Ohio Re-elected | D$_{46}$ Okla. Re-elected | D$_{47}$ S.C. Re-elected | D$_{48}$ Calif. Gain |
| Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | D$_{49}$ Conn. Gain |
| D$_{58}$ Wisc. Gain | D$_{57}$ Wash. Gain | D$_{56}$ Utah Gain | D$_{55}$ N.H. Gain | D$_{54}$ Nev. Gain | D$_{53}$ Iowa Gain | D$_{52}$ Ind. Gain | D$_{51}$ Ill. Gain | D$_{50}$ Idaho Gain | D$_{49}$ Conn. Gain |
| FL$_1$ | R$_{37}$ Vt. Re-elected | R$_{36}$ S.D. Re-elected | R$_{35}$ Pa. Re-elected | R$_{34}$ Ore. Re-elected | R$_{33}$ N.D. Re-elected | R$_{32}$ N.J. (sp) Elected | R$_{31}$ | R$_{30}$ | R$_{29}$ |
| R$_{19}$ | R$_{20}$ | R$_{21}$ | R$_{22}$ | R$_{23}$ | R$_{24}$ | R$_{25}$ | R$_{26}$ | R$_{27}$ | R$_{28}$ |
| R$_{18}$ | R$_{17}$ | R$_{16}$ | R$_{15}$ | R$_{14}$ | R$_{13}$ | R$_{12}$ | R$_{11}$ | R$_{10}$ | R$_9$ |
| | | R$_1$ | R$_2$ | R$_3$ | R$_4$ | R$_5$ | R$_6$ | R$_7$ | R$_8$ |
| Key: | D$_#$ Democratic FL$_#$ Farmer–Labor R$_#$ Republican |

## Race summary

All races are general elections for class 3 seats, unless noted.

### Elections during the 72nd Congress

In these elections, the winners were elected and seated during 1932; ordered by election date.
| State | Incumbent | Incumbent | Incumbent | Results | Candidates |
| State | Senator | Party | Electoral history | Results | Candidates |
| Arkansas (Class 3) | Hattie Caraway | Democratic | 1931 (Appointed) | Interim appointee elected January 12, 1932. Democratic hold. Winner was subsequently re-elected in November. | ▌Y Hattie Caraway (Democratic) 91.6% ▌Rex Floyd (Independent) 5.2% ▌Sam D. Carson (Independent) 3.2% |
| Colorado (Class 3) | Walter Walker | Democratic | 1929 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost election to finish the term. New senator elected November 8, 1932. Republican gain. Winner was not elected to the next term, see below. | ▌Y Karl C. Schuyler (Republican) 48.76% ▌Walter Walker (Democratic) 48.51% ▌Carle Whitehead (Socialist) 2.73% |
| Georgia (Class 2) | John S. Cohen | Democratic | 1932 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected November 8, 1932. Democratic hold. | ▌Y Richard Russell Jr. (Democratic) Unopposed |
| New Jersey (Class 2) | W. Warren Barbour | Republican | 1931 (Appointed) | Interim appointee elected November 8, 1932. | ▌Y W. Warren Barbour (Republican) 49.6% ▌Percy Hamilton Stewart (Democratic) 48.5% |
| North Carolina (Class 3) | Cameron A. Morrison | Democratic | 1930 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost nomination to finish the term. New senator elected November 8, 1932. Democratic hold. Winner was also elected to next term, see below. | ▌Y Robert R. Reynolds (Democratic) 68.7% ▌Jake F. Newell (Republican) 31.3% |

### Elections leading to the 73rd Congress

All elections are for Class 3 seats.
| State | Incumbent | Incumbent | Incumbent | Results | Candidates |
| State | Senator | Party | Electoral history | Results | Candidates |
| Alabama | Hugo Black | Democratic | 1926 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Hugo Black (Democratic) 86.3% ▌J. Theodore Johnson (Republican) 13.8% |
| Arizona | Carl Hayden | Democratic | 1926 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Carl Hayden (Democratic) 66.7% ▌Ralph H. Cameron (Republican) 32.1% |
| Arkansas | Hattie Caraway | Democratic | 1931 (Appointed) 1932 (special) | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Hattie Caraway (Democratic) 89.5% ▌John W. White (Republican) 10.5% |
| California | Samuel M. Shortridge | Republican | 1920 1926 | Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y William Gibbs McAdoo (Democratic) 43.4% ▌Tallant Tubbs (Republican) 30.8% ▌Robert P. Shuler (Prohibition) 25.8% |
| Colorado | Walter Walker | Democratic | 1932 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected. Democratic gain. Winner was not elected to finish the term, see above. | ▌Y Alva B. Adams (Democratic) 52.2% ▌Karl C. Schuyler (Republican) 45.8% ▌Carle Whitehead (Socialist) 2.0% |
| Connecticut | Hiram Bingham III | Republican | 1924 (special) 1926 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y Augustine Lonergan (Democratic) 48.5% ▌Hiram Bingham III (Republican) 47.7% |
| Florida | Duncan U. Fletcher | Democratic | 1909 (Appointed) 1909 (special) 1914 1920 1926 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Duncan U. Fletcher (Democratic) 99.8% |
| Georgia | Walter F. George | Democratic | 1922 (special) 1926 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Walter F. George (Democratic) 92.8% ▌James W. Arnold (Republican) 7.2% |
| Idaho | John Thomas | Republican | 1928 (Appointed) 1928 (special) | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y James P. Pope (Democratic) 55.7% ▌John Thomas (Republican) 42.3% |
| Illinois | Otis F. Glenn | Republican | 1928 (special) | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y William H. Dieterich (Democratic) 52.2% ▌Otis F. Glenn (Republican) 46.0% |
| Indiana | James E. Watson | Republican | 1916 (special) 1920 1926 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y Frederick Van Nuys (Democratic) 55.6% ▌James E. Watson (Republican) 42.3% |
| Iowa | Smith W. Brookhart | Republican | 1922 (special) 1924 1926 (Lost) 1926 | Incumbent lost renomination. Incumbent lost re-election as an Independent. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y Louis Murphy (Democratic) 54.9% ▌Henry Field (Republican) 40.8% |
| Kansas | George McGill | Democratic | 1930 (special) | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y George McGill (Democratic) 45.7% ▌Benjamin S. Paulen (Republican) 42.0% |
| Kentucky | Alben W. Barkley | Democratic | 1926 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Alben W. Barkley (Democratic) 59.2% ▌Maurice Thatcher (Republican) 40.5% |
| Louisiana | Edwin S. Broussard | Democratic | 1920 1926 | Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. | ▌Y John H. Overton (Democratic) Unopposed |
| Maryland | Millard Tydings | Democratic | 1926 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Millard Tydings (Democratic) 66.2% ▌Wallace Williams (Republican) 31.2% |
| Missouri | Harry B. Hawes | Democratic | 1926 (special) 1926 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Incumbent then resigned and winner was appointed to finish the current term. | ▌Y Bennett Champ Clark (Democratic) 63.2% ▌Henry Kiel (Republican) 35.9% |
| Nevada | Tasker Oddie | Republican | 1920 1926 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y Pat McCarran (Democratic) 52.1% ▌Tasker Oddie (Republican) 47.9% |
| New Hampshire | George H. Moses | Republican | 1918 (special) 1920 1926 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y Fred H. Brown (Democratic) 50.4% ▌George H. Moses (Republican) 49.3% |
| New York | Robert F. Wagner | Democratic | 1926 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Robert F. Wagner (Democratic) 55.8% ▌George Z. Medalie (Republican) 38.6% |
| North Carolina | Cameron A. Morrison | Democratic | 1930 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost nomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Winner was also elected to finish the current term, see above. | ▌Y Robert R. Reynolds (Democratic) 68.6% ▌Jake F. Newell (Republican) 31.4% |
| North Dakota | Gerald Nye | Republican | 1925 (Appointed) 1926 (special) 1926 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Gerald Nye (Republican) 72.3% ▌P. W. Lanier (Democratic) 27.5% |
| Ohio | Robert J. Bulkley | Democratic | 1930 (special) | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Robert J. Bulkley (Democratic) 52.5% ▌Gilbert Bettman (Republican) 45.8% |
| Oklahoma | Elmer Thomas | Democratic | 1926 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Elmer Thomas (Democratic) 65.6% ▌Wirt Franklin (Republican) 33.7% |
| Oregon | Frederick Steiwer | Republican | 1926 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Frederick Steiwer (Republican) 52.7% ▌Walter B. Gleason (Democratic) 38.9% |
| Pennsylvania | James J. Davis | Republican | 1930 (special) | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y James J. Davis (Republican) 49.3% ▌Lawrence H. Rupp (Democratic) 43.2% |
| South Carolina | Ellison D. Smith | Democratic | 1909 1914 1920 1926 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Ellison D. Smith (Democratic) Unopposed |
| South Dakota | Peter Norbeck | Republican | 1920 1926 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Peter Norbeck (Republican) 53.8% ▌U. S. G. Cherry (Democratic) 44.6% |
| Utah | Reed Smoot | Republican | 1903 1909 1914 1920 1926 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y Elbert D. Thomas (Democratic) 56.7% ▌Reed Smoot (Republican) 41.7% |
| Vermont | Porter H. Dale | Republican | 1909 (Appointed) 1923 (special) 1926 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Porter H. Dale (Republican) 55.1% ▌Fred C. Martin (Democratic) 44.9% |
| Washington | Wesley L. Jones | Republican | 1909 1914 1920 1926 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. Incumbent then died November 19, 1932, and Elijah S. Grammer (R) was appointed to finish the current term. | ▌Y Homer Bone (Democratic) 60.6% ▌Wesley L. Jones (Republican) 32.7% |
| Wisconsin | John J. Blaine | Republican | 1926 | Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y F. Ryan Duffy (Democratic) 57.0% ▌John B. Chapple (Republican) 36.2% ▌Emil Seidel (Socialist) 6.1% |

## Closest races

Eleven races had a margin of victory under 10%:
| State | Party of winner | Margin |
| Colorado (special) | Republican (flip) | 0.25% |
| Connecticut | Democratic (flip) | 0.8% |
| New Hampshire | Democratic (flip) | 1.08% |
| New Jersey | Republican | 1.09% |
| Kansas | Democratic | 3.7% |
| Nevada | Democratic (flip) | 4.2% |
| Pennsylvania | Republican | 6.1% |
| Illinois | Democratic (flip) | 6.2% |
| Colorado (regular) | Democratic | 6.4% |
| Ohio | Democratic | 6.7% |
| South Dakota | Republican | 9.2% |
New York was the tipping point state with a margin of 17.2%.

## Alabama

Alabama election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Hugo Black (incumbent) | 209,615 | 86.25% |
| | Republican | J. Theodore Johnson | 33,425 | 13.75% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 176,189 | 72.50% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 243,039 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Arizona

1932 United States Senate election in Arizona :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Carl T. Hayden (incumbent) | 74,310 | 66.67% |
| | Republican | Ralph H. Cameron | 35,737 | 32.06% |
| | Socialist | Lester B. Woolever | 1,110 | 1.00% |
| | Communist | Edward Haustgen | 306 | 0.28% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 38,573 | 34.61% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 111,463 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | |

## Arkansas

There were two elections for the same seat, due to the November 6, 1931 death of two-term Democrat Thaddeus H. Caraway.
Caraway's widow, Democrat Hattie Wyatt Caraway, was appointed November 13, 1931 to continue his term.

### Arkansas (special)

Arkansas special election (January 12, 1932) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Hattie Wyatt Caraway (incumbent) | 31,133 | 91.62% |
| | Independent | Rex Floyd | 1,752 | 5.16% |
| | Independent | Sam D. Carson | 1,095 | 3.22% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 1.83% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### Arkansas (regular)

In May 1932, Caraway surprised Arkansas politicians by announcing that she would run for a full term in the upcoming election, joining a field already crowded with prominent candidates who had assumed she would step aside. She told reporters, "The time has passed when a woman should be placed in a position and kept there only while someone else is being groomed for the job." When she was invited by Vice President Charles Curtis to preside over the Senate she took advantage of the situation to announce that she would run for reelection. Populist former Governor and Senator Huey Long of neighboring Louisiana traveled to Arkansas on a seven-day campaign swing on her behalf. She was the first female senator to preside over the body as well as the first to chair a committee (Senate Committee on Enrolled Bills). Lacking any significant political backing, Caraway accepted the offer of help from Long, whose efforts to limit incomes of the wealthy and increase aid to the poor she had supported. Long was also motivated by sympathy for the widow and his ambition to extend his influence into the home state of his party rival, Senator Joseph Robinson, who had been Al Smith's vice-presidential candidate in 1928. Bringing his colorful and flamboyant campaign style to Arkansas, Long stumped the state with Caraway for a week just before the Democratic primary. He helped her to amass nearly twice as many votes as her closest opponent.
Long effectively used a method to quiet crying babies at campaign stops in Arkansas to encourage voter interest:
   Mrs. Caraway would never forget nor cease to laugh over the plans we made for caring for obstreperous infants in the audience so that their mothers might listen to the speeches without the crowds being disturbed. I remember when I saw her notice one of our campaigners take charge of the first baby. The child began fretting and then began to cry. One of the young men accompanying us immediately gave it a drink of water. The child quieted for a bit and resumed a whimper, whereupon the same campaign worker handed the baby an all-day sucker, which it immediately grasped and soon fell asleep. Mrs. Caraway did not understand that it was a matter of design until it had been repeated several times.
Caraway went on to win the general election in November, with the accompanying victory of Franklin D. Roosevelt as U.S. President.
Arkansas general election (November 8, 1932) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Hattie Wyatt Caraway (incumbent) | 187,994 | 89.71% |
| | Republican | John W. White | 21,558 | 10.29% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 166,436 | 79.42% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 209,552 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## California

California election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | William Gibbs McAdoo | 943,164 | 43.39% |
| | Republican | Tallant Tubbs | 669,676 | 30.81% |
| | Prohibition | Robert P. Shuler | 560,088 | 25.76% |
| | Write-In | George Ross Kirkpatrick | 466 | 0.02% |
| | None | Scattering | 440 | 0.02% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 273,488 | 12.58% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,173,834 | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## Colorado

There were two elections on November 8, 1932 for the same seat, due to the death of one-term Republican Charles W. Waterman. The primaries were held on September 13, 1932.

### Colorado (special)

Democrat Walter Walker was appointed to continue the term, pending the special election, which he then lost.
Republican attorney Karl C. Schuyler was elected to finish the term, but he lost the contemporaneous election to the next term. He died in 1933.
Colorado special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Karl C. Schuyler | 207,540 | 48.76% |
| | Democratic | Walter Walker (incumbent) | 206,475 | 48.51% |
| | Socialist | Carle Whitehead | 11,619 | 2.73% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,065 | 0.25% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 41.09% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### Colorado (regular)

Democratic former senator Alva B. Adams was elected to start the new term that would begin in March 1933.
Colorado regular election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Alva B. Adams | 226,516 | 52.23% |
| | Republican | Karl C. Schuyler | 198,519 | 45.78% |
| | Socialist | Carle Whitehead | 8,636 | 1.99% |
| | Farmer–Labor | Huston Hugh Marrs | 1,814 | 0.42% |
| | Communist | Raymond D. D. Richardson | 858 | 0.20% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 27,997 | 6.42% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 433,671 | 42.13% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
Adams would be re-elected once and serve until his December 1, 1941 death.

## Connecticut

Connecticut election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Augustine Lonergan | 282,327 | 47.50% |
| | Republican | Hiram Bingham III (incumbent) | 278,061 | 46.78% |
| | Socialist | Devere Allen | 19,774 | 3.33% |
| | Independent Republican | Milton Conover | 10,621 | 1.79% |
| | Socialist Labor | John L. Grennan | 2,243 | 0.38% |
| | Communist | William Secker | 1,376 | 0.23% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,266 | 0.72% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 594,402 | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## Florida

Florida election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Duncan U. Fletcher (incumbent) | 204,651 | 100% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 204,651 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Georgia

There were two elections due to the death of William J. Harris. It was only the second time that both of Georgia's Senate seats have been up for election at the same time, following double-barrel elections in 1914.

### Georgia (regular)

Georgia regular election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Walter F. George (incumbent) | 234,490 | 92.82% |
| | Republican | James W. Arnold | 18,151 | 7.18% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 216,339 | 85.64% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 252,641 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### Georgia (special)

Democratic incumbent William J. Harris died April 18, 1932. Richard Russell Jr., the Democratic Governor of Georgia, appointed fellow-Democrat John S. Cohen April 25, 1932 to continue the term but Cohen was not a candidate for election.
Russell then won the September 14, 1932 Democratic primary over Representative Charles R. Crisp (nicknamed by Russell as "kilowatt Charlie" due to his links to the unpopular Georgia Power Company), 57.72% to 42.28%. Russell was then unopposed in the November 8, 1932 special election.
Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Richard Russell Jr. | 162,745 | 57.72 |
| | Democratic | Charles R. Crisp | 119,193 | 42.28 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 281,938 | 100.00 |
United States Senate special election in Georgia, 1932 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Richard Russell Jr. | 244,031 | 100.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 244,031 | 100.00 |

## Idaho

Idaho election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | James P. Pope | 103,020 | 55.64% |
| | Republican | John Thomas (incumbent) | 78,325 | 42.30% |
| | Liberty | Earl A. Oliason | 3,801 | 2.05% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 24,695 | 13.34% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 185,146 | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## Illinois

Illinois election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | William H. Dieterich | 1,670,466 | 52.23% |
| | Republican | Otis F. Glenn (incumbent) | 1,471,841 | 46.02% |
| | Socialist | Charles Pogorelec | 37,922 | 1.19% |
| | Communist | William E. Browder | 13,318 | 0.42% |
| | Socialist Labor | G. A. Jenning | 3,379 | 0.11% |
| | Independent | William. J. Baker | 1,209 | 0.04% |
| | None | Scattering | 16 | 0.00% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 198,625 | 6.21% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,198,151 | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## Indiana

Indiana election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Frederick Van Nuys | 870,053 | 56.80% |
| | Republican | James Eli Watson (incumbent) | 661,750 | 43.20% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 208,303 | 13.60% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,531,803 | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## Iowa

Primaries were held on June 6, 1932.
Iowa election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Richard L. Murphy | 538,422 | 54.15% |
| | Republican | Henry Field | 399,929 | 40.22% |
| | Progressive Party (United States, 1924–34) | Smith W. Brookhart (incumbent) | 43,174 | 4.34% |
| | Socialist | T. S. McCrill | 11,076 | 1.11% |
| | Farmer–Labor | Roy M. Harrop | 1,228 | 0.12% |
| | Communist | Peter Hunter | 467 | 0.05% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 138,493 | 13.93% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 994,296 | 40.24% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |
Murphy served only 3 years until his July 16, 1936 death.

## Kansas

Kansas election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | George McGill (incumbent) | 328,992 | 45.67% |
| | Republican | Ben S. Paulsen | 302,809 | 42.03% |
| | Independent | George A. Brown | 65,583 | 9.10% |
| | Independent | J. F. W. Renker | 14,550 | 2.02% |
| | Socialist | E. Haldeman-Julius | 8,474 | 1.18% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 26,183 | 3.64% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 720,408 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Kentucky

Kentucky election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Alben W. Barkley (incumbent) | 575,077 | 59.15% |
| | Republican | Maurice H. Thatcher | 393,865 | 40.51% |
| | Socialist | W. E. Sandefur | 3,291 | 0.34% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 181,212 | 18.64% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 972,233 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Louisiana

Louisiana election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John H. Overton (incumbent) | 249,189 | 100.00% |
| | None | Scattering | 3 | 0.00% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 249,186 | 100.00% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 249,192 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Maryland

Maryland election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Millard Tydings (incumbent) | 293,389 | 66.18% |
| | Republican | Wallace Williams | 138,536 | 31.25% |
| | Socialist | William A. Toole | 8,105 | 1.83% |
| | Socialist Labor | Noah S. Twigg | 1,859 | 0.42% |
| | Communist | Carl Bradley | 1,449 | 0.33% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 154,843 | 34.93% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 443,338 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Missouri

Missouri election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bennett Champ Clark | 1,017,046 | 63.26% |
| | Republican | Henry Kiel | 575,174 | 35.77% |
| | Socialist | J. G. Hodges | 11,441 | 0.71% |
| | Prohibition | Herman P. Faris | 3,147 | 0.20% |
| | Communist | Julius Pollack | 533 | 0.03% |
| | Socialist Labor | Karl L. Oberhue | 417 | 0.03% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 441,872 | 27.49% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,607,758 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Nevada

Nevada election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Pat McCarran | 21,398 | 52.06% |
| | Republican | Tasker Oddie (incumbent) | 19,706 | 47.94% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,692 | 4.12% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,104 | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## New Hampshire

New Hampshire election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Fred H. Brown | 98,766 | 50.35% |
| | Republican | George H. Moses (incumbent) | 96,649 | 49.27% |
| | Independent | Charles W. Greene | 533 | 0.27% |
| | Independent | Fred B. Chase | 228 | 0.12% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,117 | 1.08% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 196,176 | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## New Jersey (special)

New Jersey special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | W. Warren Barbour (incumbent) | 741,734 | 49.61% |
| | Democratic | Percy Hamilton Stewart | 725,511 | 48.52% |
| | Socialist | Herman F. Niessner | 19,060 | 1.27% |
| | Prohibition | Esther Hill Elfeth | 2,966 | 0.20% |
| | Communist | James L. Creekmur | 2,256 | 0.15% |
| | Personal Choice | Russell Y. Page | 2,110 | 0.14% |
| | Socialist Labor | John C. Butterworth | 1,601 | 0.11% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16,223 | 1.09% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,495,238 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## New York

1932 United States Senate election in New York :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert F. Wagner (incumbent) | 2,532,905 | 55.77% |
| | Republican | George Z. Medalie | 1,751,186 | 38.56% |
| | Socialist | Charles Solomon | 143,282 | 3.16% |
| | Prohibition | D. Leigh Colvin | 74,611 | 1.64% |
| | Communist | William Weinstone | 29,052 | 0.64% |
| | Socialist Labor | Jeremiah D. Crowley | 10,328 | 0.23% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,541,364 | 100.00% |

## North Carolina
### North Carolina (special)

Democratic former-Governor of North Carolina Cameron A. Morrison was appointed on December 13, 1930 to continue Overman's term, pending a special election. Primaries for both parties were held on June 4, 1932. Morrison lost the primary run-off election.
North Carolina special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert Rice Reynolds | 485,048 | 68.66% |
| | Republican | Jake F. Newell | 221,392 | 31.34% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 263,656 | 37.32% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 22.28% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
Reynolds was seated December 5, 1932.

### North Carolina (regular)

Primaries for both parties were held on June 4, 1932 and a Democratic run-off primary was held on July 2, 1932. Interim appointee Cameron A. Morrison lost the primary run-off election.
North Carolina election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert Rice Reynolds | 482,133 | 68.62% |
| | Republican | Jake F. Newell | 220,524 | 31.38% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 261,609 | 37.24% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 702,657 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
Reynolds would be re-elected once and serve until his 1945 retirement.

## North Dakota

44.85%
North Dakota election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gerald Nye (incumbent) | 172,796 | 72.30% |
| | Democratic | P. W. Lanier | 65,612 | 27.45% |
| | Independent | Frank Witty | 589 | 0.25% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | 107184% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 238,997 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Ohio

Ohio election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert J. Bulkley (incumbent) | 1,293,175 | 52.53% |
| | Republican | Gilbert Bettman | 1,126,832 | 45.77% |
| | Prohibition | Frank M. Mecartney | 34,760 | 1.41% |
| | Communist | I. O. Ford | 7,227 | 0.29% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 166,343 | 6.76% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,461,994 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Oklahoma

Oklahoma election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Elmer Thomas (incumbent) | 426,130 | 65.61% |
| | Republican | Wirt Franklin | 218,854 | 33.70% |
| | Independent | James I. Whidden | 1,395 | 0.21% |
| | Independent | J. W. Houchin | 1,245 | 0.19% |
| | Independent | John Franing | 1,061 | 0.16% |
| | Independent | Thomas P. Hopley | 819 | 0.13% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 207,276 | 31.91% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 649,504 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Oregon

Oregon election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Frederick Steiwer (incumbent) | 186,210 | 52.72% |
| | Democratic | Walter B. Gleason | 137,237 | 38.86% |
| | Socialist | Joe A. Thomas | 12,266 | 3.47% |
| | Independent | F. E. Coulter | 11,859 | 3.36% |
| | Socialist Labor | Sverre Jacobson | 3,067 | 0.87% |
| | Communist | A. G. Krueger | 2,555 | 0.72% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 48,973 | 13.86% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 353,194 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Pennsylvania

General election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | James J. Davis (incumbent) | 1,375,489 | 49.46% | |
| | Democratic | Lawrence H. Rupp | 1,200,760 | 43.18% | |
| | Prohibition | Edwin J. Fithian | 106,602 | 3.83% | |
| | Socialist | William J. Van Essen | 91,456 | 3.29% | |
| | Communist | Harry M. Wicks | 6,426 | 0.23% | |
| | N/A | Others | 145 | 0.01% | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 174,729 | 6.28% | {{{change}}} |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,780,878 | | {{{change}}} |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | | |

## South Carolina

South Carolina U.S. Senate Election, 1932 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Ellison D. Smith (incumbent) | 104,472 | 98.1% | −1.9% |
| | Republican | Clara Harrigal | 1,976 | 1.9% | +1.9% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 102,496 | 96.2% | −3.8% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 106,448 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## South Dakota

South Dakota election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Peter Norbeck (incumbent) | 151,845 | 53.83% |
| | Democratic | U. S. G. Cherry | 125,731 | 44.57% |
| | Liberty | Howard Platt | 3,873 | 1.37% |
| | Independent | Oscar Luttio | 405 | 0.14% |
| | Independent | L. J. Manbeck | 238 | 0.08% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 26,114 | 9.26% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 282,092 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Utah

Utah election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Elbert D. Thomas | 116,889 | 56.66% |
| | Republican | Reed Smoot (incumbent) | 86,046 | 41.71% |
| | Socialist | John O. Watters | 2,464 | 1.19% |
| | Communist | Joseph E. Watts | 883 | 0.43% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 30,843 | 14.94% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 206,282 | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## Vermont

1932 United States Senate election in Vermont :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Porter H. Dale (incumbent) | 74,319 | 55.1% |
| | Democratic | Fred C. Martin | 60,455 | 44.9% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 134,774 | 100.0% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 13,864 | 10.2% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Washington

Washington election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Homer Bone | 365,939 | 60.61% |
| | Republican | Wesley Livsey Jones (incumbent) | 197,450 | 32.70% |
| | Liberty | Frederick R. Burch | 28,859 | 4.78% |
| | Socialist | Andrew T. Hunter | 9,364 | 1.55% |
| | Communist | Alex Noral | 2,183 | 0.36% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 168,489 | 27.91% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 603,795 | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## Wisconsin

Wisconsin election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | F. Ryan Duffy | 610,236 | 56.97% |
| | Republican | John B. Chapple | 387,668 | 36.19% |
| | Socialist | Emil Seidel | 65,807 | 6.14% |
| | Prohibition | Harvey A. Knapp | 4,364 | 0.41% |
| | Independent Communist | Ray Hansborough | 2,921 | 0.27% |
| | None | Scattering | 69 | 0.00% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 222,568 | 20.78% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,071,065 | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |