# 1934 Wisconsin Senate election

Elections in Wisconsin :
Federal government
Presidential elections
1848
1852
1856
1860
1864
1868
1872
1876
1880
1884
1888
1892
1896
1900
1904
1908
1912
1916
1920
1924
1928
1932
1936
1940
1944
1948
1952
1956
1960
1964
1968
1972
1976
1980
1984
1988
1992
1996
2000
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
Presidential primaries
Democratic
2000
2004
2008
2016
2020
2024
Republican
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
U.S. Senate elections
Class 1
1848
1851
1857
1863
1869
1875
1881
1887
1893
1899
1905
1911
1916
1922
1925 sp
1928
1934
1940
1946
1952
1957 sp
1958
1964
1970
1976
1982
1988
1994
2000
2006
2012
2018
2024
Class 3
1848
1849
1855
1861
1867
1872
1879
1881 sp
1885
1890
1891
1897
1903
1907 sp
1909
1914
1918 sp
1920
1926
1932
1938
1944
1950
1956
1962
1968
1974
1980
1982
1986
1992
1998
2004
2010
2016
2022
2028
U.S. House of Representatives elections
1848
1850
1852
1854
1856
1858
1860
1862
1863
2nd sp
1864
1866
1868
1870
2nd sp
1872
1874
1876
1878
1880
1882
1884
1886
5th sp
1887
8th sp
1888
1890
1892
1893
4th sp
1894
7th sp
1896
1898
1900
1902
1904
1906
2nd sp
1908
1910
1912
1914
1916
1918
6th sp
11th sp
1920
1922
1924
1926
1928
1930
6th sp
1931
1st sp
1932
1934
1936
1938
1940
1941
1st sp
1942
1944
1946
1947
2nd sp
1948
1950
1952
1953
9th sp
1954
1956
1958
1960
1962
1964
1966
1968
1969
7th sp
1970
1972
1974
1976
1978
1979
6th sp
1980
1982
1984
4th sp
1986
1988
1990
1992
1993
1st sp
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
7th sp
2022
2024
8th sp
2026 :
State government
General elections
1995
2000
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Gubernatorial elections
1848
1849
1851
1853
1855
1857
1859
1861
1863
1865
1867
1869
1871
1873
1875
1877
1879
1881
1884
1886
1888
1890
1892
1894
1896
1898
1900
1902
1904
1906
1908
1910
1912
1914
1916
1918
1920
1922
1924
1926
1928
1930
1932
1934
1936
1938
1940
1942
1944
1946
1948
1950
1952
1954
1956
1958
1960
1962
1964
1966
1968
1970
1974
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994
1998
2002
2006
2010
2012 (recall)
2014
2018
2022
2026
Lieutenant Gubernatorial elections
1942
1968
2012 (recall)
Secretary of State elections
1978
2014
2018
2022
2026
Attorney General elections
2014
2018
2022
Treasurer elections
2014
2022
Superintendent elections
2013
2017
2021
2025
State Senate elections
1934
1996
2008
2010
2011 (recall)
2012 (recall)
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
2026
State Assembly elections
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
2026
Supreme Court elections
2008
2009
2011
2013
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2023
2025 :
Ballot measures
2006Referendum 1
2025Question 1 :
Green Bay
Mayoral elections
1995
1999
2003
2007
2011
2015
2019
2023 :
Madison
Mayoral elections
1997 sp
1999
2003
2007
2011
2015
2019
2023 :
Milwaukee
Mayoral elections
1910
1912
1996
2000
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2022 sp
2024 :
Kenosha
Mayoral elections
1996
2000
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024 :
vte :
The 1934 Wisconsin Senate election was held on Tuesday, November 6, 1934. Seventeen of the 33 seats in the Wisconsin State Senate were up for election—the odd-numbered districts. Prior to the election 22 seats were held by Republicans, 9 were held by Democrats, one seat was held by a Socialist, and one seat was vacant.
The primary election was held on September 18, 1934.

## Results summary

| Seats | Seats | Party(majority caucus shading) | Party(majority caucus shading) | Party(majority caucus shading) | Party(majority caucus shading) | Total |
| Seats | Seats | Democratic | Socialist | Progressive | Republican | Total |
| Last election (1932) | Last election (1932) | 7 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 16 |
| Total after last election (1932) | Total after last election (1932) | 9 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 33 |
| Total before this election | Total before this election | 9 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 33 |
| Up for election | Up for election | 2 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 17 |
| of which: | Incumbent retiring | 1 | | | 4 | 4 |
| of which: | Vacated | | | | 1 | 1 |
| This election | This election | 7 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 17 |
| Change from last election | Change from last election | | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| Total after this election | Total after this election | 14 | 0 | 13 | 6 | 33 |
| Change in total | Change in total | 5 | 1 | 13 | 17 | |
Popular vote
Democratic
33.31%
Progressive
32.53%
Republican
27.51%
Socialist
6.32%
Independent
0.32% :
Senate seats won
Progressive
47.06%
Democratic
41.17%
Republican
11.76% :

### Close races

* State Senate district 25, 1.42% (gain)
* State Senate district 13, 1.72% (gain)
* State Senate district 19, 1.91% (gain)
* State Senate district 15, 3.33% (gain)
* State Senate district 11, 7.17%
* State Senate district 9, 8.92% (gain)
* State Senate district 17, 9.30% (gain)
* State Senate district 27, 9.39% (gain)

## Outgoing incumbents
### Retiring

* Walter S. Goodland (R–Racine), representing district 21 since 1926, declined to seek re-election
* Leonard Fons (R–Milwaukee), representing District 7 since 1930, declined to seek re-election.
* William H. Edwards (R–Sussex), representing District 33 since 1930, declined to seek re-election.

### Seeking other office

* Eugene A. Clifford (D–Juneau), representing District 13 since 1930, instead ran for Congress from Wisconsin's 8th congressional district.
* Orland Steen Loomis (R–Mauston) representing District 31 since 1930, instead ran for Wisconsin Attorney General as a Progressive.

### Vacated office

* Merritt F. White (R–Winneconne), representing District 19 since 1922, died on July 28, 1934.

## Special elections

There was one special election scheduled in 1934 for the Wisconsin state Senate.
| Dist. | Previous Incumbent | Previous Incumbent | Previous Incumbent | Previous Incumbent | This Election | This Election |
| Dist. | Senator | Party | First elected | Status | Candidate(s) | Results |
| 26 | Alvin C. Reis | Rep. | 1932 | Incumbent resigned in July, 1934. New member elected on November 6, 1934. | ▌Harold Groves (Prog.) 47.72% ▌Fred T. Finn (Rep.) 32.33% ▌Frank A. Stewart (Dem.) 18.73% ▌Dalton T. Clarke (Soc.) 0.12% | New member elected Progressive gain |

## Candidates and results

| Dist. | Incumbent | Incumbent | Incumbent | Incumbent | This race |
| Dist. | Member | Party | First elected | Status | General |
| 01 | John E. Cashman | Republican | 1922 | Incumbent re-elected. Progressive gain. | ▌Y John E. Cashman (Prog.) 50.20% ▌Ray J. Scheuer (Dem.) 30.51% ▌Alvin E. O'Konski (Rep.) 19.29% |
| 03 | None (open seat) | None (open seat) | None (open seat) | No incumbent New member elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y Arthur L. Zimny (Dem.) 40.83% ▌George L. Tews (Soc.) 26.71% ▌ H. C.Schultz (Prog.) 20.92% ▌ Carl Lester (Ind.) 5.97% ▌ William B. Manning (Rep.) 5.57% |
| 05 | Bernhard Gettelman | Republican | 1922 | Incumbent lost re-election New member elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y Harold V. Schoenecker (Dem.) 35.39% ▌Bernhard Gettelman (Rep.) 23.46% ▌Carl Minkley (Soc.) 21.9% ▌Gustave A. Dick (Prog.) 19.24% |
| 07 | Leonard Fons | Republican | 1930 | Incumbent retired New member elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y Max Galasinski (Dem.) 43.59% ▌Walter Polakowski (Soc.) 27.78% ▌Edwarf R. Buer (Prog.) 16.82% ▌Herbert W. Koch (Rep.) 11.81% |
| 07 | Walter Polakowski (Redistricted from the 3rd district) | Socialist | 1922 | Incumbent defeated. Socialist loss | ▌Y Max Galasinski (Dem.) 43.59% ▌Walter Polakowski (Soc.) 27.78% ▌Edwarf R. Buer (Prog.) 16.82% ▌Herbert W. Koch (Rep.) 11.81% |
| 09 | Irving P. Mehigan | Republican | 1924 | Incumbent lost re-election New member elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y James L. Callan (Dem.) 38.76% ▌Irving P. Mehigan (Rep.) 29.84% ▌Robert McCarthy (Prog.) 16.73% ▌Gustave A. Dick (Soc.) 13.78% ▌Mary Allen (Ind.) 0.89% |
| 11 | Philip Nelson | Republican | 1930 | Incumbent re-elected | ▌Y Philip E. Nelson (Rep.) 42.79% ▌Albert N. Young (Prog.) 35.62% ▌Laverne A. Sutfin (Dem.) 20.00% ▌Carrol T. Hodsdon (Soc.) 1.59% |
| 13 | Eugene A. Clifford | Democratic | 1930 | Ran for U.S. House New member elected. Progressive gain. | ▌Y Frank E. Panzer (Prog.) 39.83% ▌Paul A. Hemmy Jr. (Dem.) 38.11% ▌Jesse M. Peters (Rep.) 20.07% ▌Alfred A. Naber (Soc.) 1.99% |
| 15 | Alexander Paul | Democratic | 1933 (special) | Incumbent lost re-election New member elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y Maurice Coakley (Rep.) 38.31% ▌Alexander Paul (Dem.) 34.98% ▌George S. Geffs (Prog.) 26.71% |
| 17 | George Engebretson | Republican | 1932 (special) | Incumbent re-elected. Progressive gain. | ▌Y George Engebretson (Prog.) 44.74% ▌Floyd E. Olson (Rep.) 35.44% ▌Leland C. White (Dem.) 19.80% |
| 19 | --Vacant-- | --Vacant-- | --Vacant-- | Previous incumbent died July 28, 1934 New member elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y Pierce A. Morrissey (Dem.) 35.00% ▌Norton J. Williams (Rep.) 33.09% ▌Charles P. Potratz (Prog.) 31.91% |
| 21 | Walter S. Goodland | Republican | 1926 | Incumbent retired New member elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y Joseph Clancy (Dem.) 40.80% ▌Thorwald M. Beck (Rep.) 28.50% ▌Peden Back (Prog.) 26.27% ▌Lars P. Christiansen (Soc.) 4.43% |
| 23 | Herman J. Severson | Republican | 1918 | Incumbent re-elected. Progressive gain. | ▌Y Herman J. Severson (Prog.) 38.33% ▌Michael J. Mersch (Dem.) 36.91% ▌John S. Hensel (Rep.) 24.72% |
| 25 | Otto Mueller | Republican | 1926 | Incumbent lost re-election New member elected. Progressive gain. | ▌Y Roland E. Kannenberg (Prog.) 35.17% ▌Otto Mueller (Rep.) 32.03% ▌Arthur J. Plowman (Dem.) 28.86% ▌Fred Pike (Soc.) 3.94% |
| 27 | Fred W. Zantow | Republican | 1930 | Incumbent re-elected. Progressive gain. | ▌Y Fred W. Zantow (Prog.) 41.42% ▌Harry Pauls (Rep.) 32.03% ▌Isaac C. Evans (Dem.) 26.55% |
| 29 | John A. Anderson | Republican | 1930 | Incumbent re-elected. Progressive gain. | ▌Y John Anderson (Prog.) 46.13% ▌Herschel Shipley (Rep.) 22.67% ▌Joseph H. Wallis (Dem.) 19.50% ▌Olaf A. Bloom (Soc.) 11.69% |
| 31 | Orland S. Loomis | Republican | 1930 | Incumbent ran for Attorney General New member elected. Progressive gain. | ▌Y J. Earl Leverich (Prog.) 49.59% ▌Kevin J. Callahan (Rep.) 25.59% ▌Timothy P. Donovan (Dem.) 23.85% ▌Glen C. Felker (Soc.) 0.96% |
| 33 | William Edwards | Republican | 1930 | Incumbent retired New member elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y Chester Dempsey (Dem.) 41.71% ▌Evan G. Davies (Rep.) 30.19% ▌John C. Schumann (Prog.) 28.09% |

## Detailed results
### District 1

Incumbent Republican John E. Cashman ran for re-election as a Progressive. He defeated Democrat Ray J. Scheuer and Republican Alvin O'Konski in the general election.
District 1 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Progressive | John E. Cashman (incumbent) | 14,072 | 50.20 |
| | Democratic | Ray J. Scheuer | 8,552 | 30.51 |
| | Republican | Alvin O'Konski | 5,410 | 19.29 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,034 | 100.0 |

### District 3

Incumbent Socialist Walter Polakowski was moved into the 7th district due to redistricting, leaving this district open. Democrat Arthur L. Zimny defeated Socialist George L. Tews, Progressive H. C. Schultz, Independent Carl Lester, and Republican William B. Manning.
District 3 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Arthur L. Zimny | 8,277 | 40.83 |
| | Socialist | George L. Tews | 5,415 | 26.71 |
| | Progressive | H. C.Schultz | 4,241 | 20.92 |
| | Independent | Carl Lester | 1,210 | 5.97 |
| | Republican | William B. Manning | 1,130 | 5.57 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,273 | 100.0 |

### District 5

Incumbent Republican Bernhard Gettelman ran for re-election. He was defeated by Democrat Harold V. Schoenecker.
District 5 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harold V. Schoenecker | 10,435 | 35.39 |
| | Republican | Bernhard Gettelman (incumbent) | 6,916 | 23.46 |
| | Socialist | Carl Minkley | 6,458 | 21.91 |
| | Progressive | Gustave A. Dick | 5,674 | 19.24 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,483 | 100.0 |

### District 7

Incumbent Republican Leonard Fons declined to seek re-election, leaving the district open. Democrat Max Galasinski defeated Socialist Walter Polakowski – who had been moved into this district due to redistricting – as well as Progressive Edwarf R. Buer and Republican Herbert W. Koch.
District 7 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Max Galasinski | 11,444 | 43.59 |
| | Socialist | Walter Polakowski | 7,292 | 27.78 |
| | Progressive | Edwarf R. Buer | 4,416 | 16.82 |
| | Republican | Herbert W. Koch | 3,100 | 11.81 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,252 | 100.0 |

### District 9

Incumbent Republican Irving P. Mehigan ran for re-election. He was defeated by Democrat James L. Callan.
District 9 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | James L. Callan | 6,501 | 38.76 |
| | Republican | Irving P. Mehigan (incumbent) | 5,005 | 29.84 |
| | Progressive | Robert McCarthy | 2,805 | 16.73 |
| | Socialist | Gustave A. Dick | 2,311 | 13.78 |
| | Independent | Mary Allen | 149 | 0.89 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,771 | 100.0 |

### District 11

Incumbent Republican Philip Nelson ran for re-election. He defeated Progressive Albert N. Young, Democrat Laverne A. Sutfin, and Socialist Carrol T. Hodsdon.
District 11 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Philip Nelson (incumbent) | 12,125 | 42.79 |
| | Progressive | Albert N. Young | 10,094 | 35.62 |
| | Democratic | Laverne A. Sutfin | 5,667 | 20.00 |
| | Socialist | Carrol T. Hodsdon | 449 | 1.59 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,335 | 100.0 |

### District 13

Incumbent Democrat Eugene A. Clifford declined to seek re-election, instead unsuccessfully running for Congress from Wisconsin's 8th congressional district. Progressive Frank E. Panzer defeated Democrat Paul A. Hemmy Jr., Republican Jesse M. Peters, and Socialist Alfred A. Naber.
District 13 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Progressive | Frank E. Panzer | 10,545 | 39.83 |
| | Democratic | Paul A. Hemmy Jr. | 10,089 | 38.11 |
| | Republican | Jesse M. Peters | 5,313 | 20.07 |
| | Socialist | Alfred A. Naber | 528 | 1.99 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,475 | 100.0 |

### District 15

Incumbent Democrat Alexander Paul ran for re-election. He was defeated by Republican Maurice Coakley.
District 15 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Maurice Coakley | 8,847 | 38.31 |
| | Democratic | Alexander Paul (incumbent) | 8,076 | 34.98 |
| | Progressive | George S. Geffs | 6,168 | 26.71 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,091 | 100.0 |

### District 17

Incumbent Republican George Engebretson ran for re-election as a Progressive. He defeated Republican Floyd E. Olson and Democrat Leland C. White.
District 2 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Progressive | George Engebretson (incumbent) | 9,292 | 44.74 |
| | Republican | Floyd E. Olson | 7,360 | 35.44 |
| | Democratic | Leland C. White | 4,111 | 19.80 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 4 | 0.02 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,767 | 100.0 |

### District 19

Incumbent Republican Merritt F. White died on July 28, 1934, leaving the district open. Democrat Pierce A. Morrissey defeated Republican Norton J. Williams and Progressive Charles P. Potratz.

### District 21

Incumbent Republican Walter S. Goodland declined to seek re-election, leaving the district open. Democrat Joseph Clancy defeated Republican Thorwald M. Beck, Progressive Peden Back, and Socialist Lars P. Christiansen.

### District 23

Incumbent Republican Herman J. Severson ran for re-election as a Progressive. He defeated Democrat Michael J. Mersch and Republican John S. Hensel.
District 23 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Progressive | Herman J. Severson (incumbent) | 8,583 | 38.33 |
| | Democratic | Michael J. Mersch | 8,267 | 36.91 |
| | Republican | John S. Hensel | 5,537 | 24.72 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 10 | 0.04 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,397 | 100.0 |

### District 25

Incumbent Republican Otto Mueller ran for re-election. He was defeated by Progressive Roland E. Kannenberg.

### District 27

Incumbent Republican Fred W. Zantow ran for re-election as a Progressive. He defeated Republican Harry Pauls and Democrat Isaac C. Evans.

### District 29

Republican John A. Anderson ran for re-election as a Progressive. He defeated Republican Herschel Shipley, Democrat Joseph H. Wallis, and Socialist Olaf A. Bloom.
District 29 general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Progressive | John Anderson (incumbent) | 11,431 | 46.13 |
| | Republican | Herschel Shipley | 5,617 | 22.67 |
| | Democratic | Joseph H. Wallis | 4,832 | 19.50 |
| | Socialist | Olaf A. Bloom | 2,898 | 11.69 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 2 | 0.01 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,780 | 100.0 |

### District 31

Republican Orland S. Loomis declined to seek re-election, instead unsuccessfully running for Wisconsin Attorney General as a Progressive, leaving this district open. Progressive J. Earl Leverich defeated Republican Kevin J. Callahan, Democrat Timothy P. Donovan, and Socialist Glen C. Felker.

### District 33

Incumbent Republican William Edwards declined to seek re-election, leaving this seat open. Democrat Chester Dempsey defeated Republican Evan G. Davies and Progressive John C. Schumann.