# 1946 United States Senate elections

The 1946 United States Senate elections were held November 5, 1946, in the middle of Democratic President Harry S. Truman's first term after Roosevelt's passing. The 32 seats of Class 1 were contested in regular elections, and four special elections were held to fill vacancies. The Republicans took control of the Senate by picking up twelve seats, mostly from the Democrats. This was the first time since 1932 that the Republicans had held the Senate, recovering from a low of 16 seats following the 1936 Senate elections.
The vote was largely seen as a referendum on Truman, whose approval rating had sunk to 32% over the president's controversial handling of a wave of post-war labor strikes, such as a nationwide railroad strike in May, at a time when Americans depended on train service for both commuter and long-distance travel. Just as damaging was Truman's back-and-forth over whether to end unpopular wartime price controls to handle shortages, particularly in foodstuffs. For example, price controls on beef had led to a "hamburger famine," but when Truman, in a surprise move, lifted the controls on October 14—just weeks before the election—meat prices shot up to record levels.
This is only one of two occasions in U.S. history that 10 or more Senate seats changed hands in a midterm election (the other being in 1958), and also one of five occasions where 10 or more Senate seats changed hands in any election, with the other occasions being in 1920, 1932, 1958, and 1980.
The president's lack of popular support is widely seen as the reason for the Democrats' congressional defeat, the largest since they were trounced in the 1928 pro-Republican wave that brought Herbert Hoover to power. And for the first time since before the Great Depression, Republicans were seen as the party which could best handle the American economy.
However, the Republicans also benefited from what today would be called "a good map," meaning that of the one-third of Senate seats up for election, the majority were held by Democrats. Besides the Republicans being able to hold onto all of their seats, this was the party's largest senate gain since 1920.

## Results summary

| 45 | 51 |
| Democratic | Republican |
Colored shading indicates party with largest share of that row.
| Parties | Parties | | | | Total |
| Parties | Parties | Democratic | Republican | Other | Total |
| Last elections (1944) | Last elections (1944) | 57 | 38 | 1 | 96 |
| Before these elections | Before these elections | 56 | 39 | 1 | 96 |
| Not up | Not up | 32 | 28 | 0 | 60 |
| Up | Up | 24 | 11 | 1 | 36 |
| | Class 1 (1940→1946) | 21 | 10 | 1 | 32 |
| | Special: Class 2 | 3 | 1 | — | 4 |
| Incumbent retired | Incumbent retired | 4 | 4 | — | 8 |
| | Held by same party | 3 | 4 | — | 7 |
| | Replaced by other party | 1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican | 1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican | — | 1 |
| | Result | 3 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
| Incumbent ran | Incumbent ran | 20 | 7 | 1 | 28 |
| | Won re-election | 9 | 6 | 0 | 16 |
| | Lost re-election | 7 Democrats replaced by 7 Republicans | 7 Democrats replaced by 7 Republicans | — | 7 |
| | Lost renomination but held by same party | 1 | 1 | — | 2 |
| | Lost (re)nomination and party lost | 3 Democrats replaced by 3 Republicans 1 Progressive replaced by 1 Republican | 3 Democrats replaced by 3 Republicans 1 Progressive replaced by 1 Republican | 3 Democrats replaced by 3 Republicans 1 Progressive replaced by 1 Republican | 4 |
| | Result | 10 | 18 | 0 | 28 |
| Total elected | Total elected | 13 | 23 | 0 | 36 |
| Net change | Net change | 11 | 12 | 1 | 12 |
| Nationwide vote | Nationwide vote | 12,062,433 | 15,489,926 | 1,142,765 | 28,695,124 |
| | Share | 42.04% | 53.98% | 3.98% | 100% |
| Result | Result | 45 | 51 | 0 | 96 |
Source: Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives

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

Three Republicans and five Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.
| State | Senator | Replaced by |
| Alabama (special) | George R. Swift | John Sparkman |
| Connecticut | Thomas C. Hart | Raymond E. Baldwin |
| Indiana | Raymond E. Willis | William E. Jenner |
| Kentucky (special) | William A. Stanfill | John Sherman Cooper |
| New York | James M. Mead | Irving Ives |
| Ohio | James W. Huffman | John W. Bricker |
| Rhode Island | Peter G. Gerry | J. Howard McGrath |
| Virginia (special) | Thomas G. Burch | A. Willis Robertson |

### Defeats

One Republican, one Progressive, and ten Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.
| State | Senator | Replaced by |
| Delaware | James M. Tunnell | John J. Williams |
| Idaho (special) | Charles C. Gossett | Henry Dworshak |
| Maryland | George L. P. Radcliffe | Herbert O'Conor |
| Massachusetts | David I. Walsh | Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. |
| Minnesota | Henrik Shipstead | Edward J. Thye |
| Missouri | Frank P. Briggs | James P. Kem |
| Montana | Burton K. Wheeler | Zales Ecton |
| Nevada | Edward P. Carville | George W. Malone |
| Pennsylvania | Joseph F. Guffey | Edward Martin |
| Utah | Abe Murdock | Arthur V. Watkins |
| Washington | Hugh Mitchell | Harry P. Cain |
| Wisconsin | Robert M. La Follette Jr. | Joseph McCarthy |

### Post election changes

| State | Senator | Replaced by |
| Louisiana | John H. Overton | William C. Feazel |
| South Dakota | Harlan J. Bushfield | Vera C. Bushfield |
| Mississippi | Theodore G. Bilbo | John C. Stennis |

## Change in composition
### Before the 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$_{38}$ Md. Ran | D$_{37}$ Idaho (sp) Ran | D$_{36}$ Fla. Ran | D$_{35}$ Del. Ran | D$_{34}$ Ariz. Ran | D$_{33}$ Ala. (sp) Retired | D$_{32}$ | D$_{31}$ | D$_{30}$ | D$_{29}$ |
| D$_{39}$ Mass. Ran | D$_{40}$ Miss. Ran | D$_{41}$ Mo. Ran | D$_{42}$ Mont. Ran | D$_{43}$ Nev. Ran | D$_{44}$ N.M. Ran | D$_{45}$ N.Y. Retired | D$_{46}$ Ohio (reg) Ohio (sp) Retired | D$_{47}$ Pa. Ran | D$_{48}$ R.I. Retired |
| Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | D$_{49}$ Tenn. Ran |
| R$_{39}$ Vt. Ran | P$_1$ Wis. Ran | D$_{56}$ Wyo. Ran | D$_{55}$ W.Va. Ran | D$_{54}$ Wash. Ran | D$_{53}$ Va. (sp) Retired | D$_{52}$ Va. (reg) Ran | D$_{51}$ Utah Ran | D$_{50}$ Texas Ran | D$_{49}$ Tenn. Ran |
| R$_{38}$ N.D. (reg) Ran | R$_{37}$ N.J. Ran | R$_{36}$ Neb. Ran | R$_{35}$ Minn. Ran | R$_{34}$ Mich. Ran | R$_{33}$ Maine Ran | R$_{32}$ Ky. (sp) Retired | R$_{31}$ Ind. Retired | R$_{30}$ Conn. (reg) Conn. (sp) Retired | R$_{29}$ Calif. (reg) Calif. (sp) Ran |
| 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$_1$ N.D. (sp) Elected | R$_2$ | R$_3$ | R$_4$ | R$_5$ | R$_6$ | R$_7$ | R$_8$ |

### Election results

| | | 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$_{38}$ N.M. Re-elected | D$_{37}$ Miss. Re-elected | D$_{36}$ Md. Hold | D$_{35}$ Fla. Elected | D$_{34}$ Ariz. Re-elected | D$_{33}$ Ala. (sp) Hold | D$_{32}$ | D$_{31}$ | D$_{30}$ | D$_{29}$ |
| D$_{39}$ R.I. Hold | D$_{40}$ Tenn. Re-elected | D$_{41}$ Texas Re-elected | D$_{42}$ Va. (reg) Re-elected | D$_{43}$ Va. (sp) Hold | D$_{44}$ W.Va. Re-elected | D$_{45}$ Wyo. Re-elected | R$_{51}$ Wis. Gain | R$_{50}$ Wash. Gain | R$_{49}$ Utah Gain |
| R$_{49}$ Utah Gain |||||||||
| R$_{39}$ Vt. Elected | R$_{40}$ Del. Gain | R$_{41}$ Idaho (sp) Gain | R$_{42}$ Mass. Gain | R$_{43}$ Mo. Gain | R$_{44}$ Mont. Gain | R$_{45}$ Nev. Gain | R$_{46}$ N.Y. Gain | R$_{47}$ Ohio (reg) GainOhio (sp) Gain | R$_{48}$ Pa. Gain |
| R$_{38}$ N.D. (reg) Re-elected | R$_{37}$ N.J. Re-elected | R$_{36}$ Neb. Re-elected | R$_{35}$ Minn. Hold | R$_{34}$ Mich. Re-elected | R$_{33}$ Maine Re-elected | R$_{32}$ Ky. (sp) Hold | R$_{31}$ Ind. Hold | R$_{30}$ Conn. (reg) Conn. (sp) Hold | R$_{29}$ Calif. (reg) Calif. (sp) Elected |
| 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 P$_#$ Progressive R$_#$ Republican |

## Race summaries
### Special elections during the 79th Congress

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1946, ordered by election date, then state.
| State | Incumbent | Incumbent | Incumbent | Results | Candidates |
| State | Senator | Party | Electoral history | Results | Candidates |
| North Dakota (Class 3) | Milton Young | Republican | 1945 (Appointed) | Interim appointee elected June 25, 1946. | ▌Y Milton Young (Republican) 55.5% ▌William Lanier (Democratic) 27.4% ▌Gerald Nye (Independent) 15.2% |
| Alabama (Class 2) | George R. Swift | Democratic | 1946 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected November 5, 1946. Democratic hold. | ▌Y John Sparkman (Democratic) Unopposed |
| California (Class 1) | William Knowland | Republican | 1945 (Appointed) | Interim appointee elected November 5, 1946. Winner also elected to next term; see below. | ▌Y William Knowland (Republican) 74.3% ▌Will Rogers Jr. (Democratic) 15.9% ▌George H. McLain (Democratic) 3.12% |
| Connecticut (Class 1) | Thomas C. Hart | Republican | 1945 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected November 5, 1946. Republican hold. Winner also elected to next term; see below. | ▌Y Raymond E. Baldwin (Republican) 55.8% ▌Joseph M. Tone (Democratic) 41.0% ▌Frederic C. Smedley (Socialist) 3.2% |
| Idaho (Class 2) | Charles C. Gossett | Democratic | 1945 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost nomination. New senator elected November 5, 1946. Republican gain. | ▌Y Henry Dworshak (Republican) 58.6% ▌George E. Donart (Democratic) 41.4% |
| Kentucky (Class 2) | William A. Stanfill | Republican | 1945 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected November 5, 1946. Republican hold. | ▌Y John Sherman Cooper (Republican) 53.3% ▌John Y. Brown Sr. (Democratic) 46.5% |
| Ohio (Class 1) | James W. Huffman | Democratic | 1945 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected November 5, 1946. Republican gain. Winner was not elected to the next term; see below. | ▌Y Kingsley A. Taft (Republican) 56.2% ▌Henry P. Webber (Democratic) 43.8% |
| Virginia (Class 2) | Thomas G. Burch | Democratic | 1946 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected November 5, 1946. Democratic hold. | ▌Y A. Willis Robertson (Democratic) 68.2% ▌Robert H. Woods (Republican) 29.0% |

### Races leading to the 80th Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1947; ordered by state.
All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.
| State | Incumbent | Incumbent | Incumbent | Results | Candidates |
| State | Senator | Party | Electoral history | Results | Candidates |
| Arizona | Ernest McFarland | Democratic | 1940 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Ernest McFarland (Democratic) 69.2% ▌Ward S. Powers 30.1% |
| California | William Knowland | Republican | 1945 (Appointed) | Interim appointee elected. Winner also elected to finish term; see above. | ▌Y William Knowland (Republican) 54.1% ▌Will Rogers Jr. (Democratic) 44.2% ▌Douglas Corrigan (Prohibition) 1.62% |
| Connecticut | Thomas C. Hart | Republican | 1945 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. Winner also elected to finish term; see above. | ▌Y Raymond E. Baldwin (Republican) 55.8% ▌Wilbur Lucius Cross (Democratic) 40.5% ▌Frederic C. Smedley (Socialist) 3.3% |
| Delaware | James M. Tunnell | Democratic | 1940 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y John J. Williams (Republican) 55.2% ▌James M. Tunnell (Democratic) 44.9% |
| Florida | Spessard Holland | Democratic | 1946 (Appointed) | Interim appointee elected. | ▌Y Spessard Holland (Democratic) 78.7% ▌J. Harry Schad (Republican) 21.4% |
| Indiana | Raymond E. Willis | Republican | 1940 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. | ▌Y William E. Jenner (Republican) 54.9% ▌M. Clifford Townsend (Democratic) 43.4% |
| Maine | Owen Brewster | Republican | 1940 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Owen Brewster (Republican) 63.6% ▌Peter M. MacDonald (Democratic) 36.5% |
| Maryland | George L. P. Radcliffe | Democratic | 1934 1940 | Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. | ▌Y Herbert O'Conor (Democratic) 50.2% ▌D. John Markey (Republican) 49.8% |
| Massachusetts | David I. Walsh | Democratic | 1918 1924 (Lost) 1926 (special) 1928 1934 1940 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. (Republican) 59.6% ▌David I. Walsh (Democratic) 39.7% |
| Michigan | Arthur Vandenberg | Republican | 1928 (special) 1928 1934 1940 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Arthur Vandenberg (Republican) 67.1% ▌James H. Lee (Democratic) 32.0% |
| Minnesota | Henrik Shipstead | Republican | 1922 1928 1934 1940 | Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Republican hold. | ▌Y Edward J. Thye (Republican) 58.9% ▌Theodore Jorgenson (DFL) 39.8% |
| Mississippi | Theodore G. Bilbo | Democratic | 1934 1940 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Theodore G. Bilbo (Democratic) Unopposed |
| Missouri | Frank P. Briggs | Democratic | 1945 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost election. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y James P. Kem (Republican) 52.7% ▌Frank P. Briggs (Democratic) 47.1% |
| Montana | Burton K. Wheeler | Democratic | 1922 1928 1934 1940 | Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y Zales Ecton (Republican) 53.5% ▌Leif Erickson (Democratic) 45.4% |
| Nebraska | Hugh A. Butler | Republican | 1940 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Hugh A. Butler (Republican) 70.8% ▌John E. Mekota (Democratic) 29.2% |
| Nevada | Edward P. Carville | Democratic | 1945 (Appointed) | Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y George W. Malone (Republican) 55.2% ▌Berkeley L. Bunker (Democratic) 44.8% |
| New Jersey | H. Alexander Smith | Republican | 1944 (special) | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y H. Alexander Smith (Republican) 58.5% ▌George E. Brunner (Democratic) 40.1% |
| New Mexico | Dennis Chávez | Democratic | 1935 (Appointed) 1936 (special) 1940 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Dennis Chávez (Democratic) 51.5% ▌Patrick J. Hurley (Republican) 48.5% |
| New York | James M. Mead | Democratic | 1940 | Incumbent retired to run for New York Governor. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y Irving Ives (Republican) 52.6% ▌Herbert H. Lehman (Democratic) 47.6% |
| North Dakota | William Langer | Republican | 1940 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y William Langer (Republican) 53.3% ▌Arthur E. Thompson (Independent) 23.5% ▌Abner B. Larson (Democratic) 23.2% |
| Ohio | James W. Huffman | Democratic | 1945 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected. Republican gain. Winner was not elected to finish the term; see above. | ▌Y John W. Bricker (Republican) 57.0% ▌James W. Huffman (Democratic) 42.4% |
| Pennsylvania | Joseph F. Guffey | Democratic | 1934 1940 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y Edward Martin (Republican) 59.3% ▌Joseph F. Guffey (Democratic) 39.8% |
| Rhode Island | Peter G. Gerry | Democratic | 1934 1940 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. | ▌Y J. Howard McGrath (Democratic) 55.1% ▌W. Gurnee Dwyer (Republican) 44.9% |
| Tennessee | Kenneth McKellar | Democratic | 1916 1922 1928 1934 1940 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Kenneth McKellar (Democratic) 66.6% ▌William B. Ladd (Republican) 26.2% |
| Texas | Tom Connally | Democratic | 1928 1934 1940 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Tom Connally (Democratic) 88.5% ▌Murray C. Sells (Republican) 11.5% |
| Utah | Abe Murdock | Democratic | 1940 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y Arthur V. Watkins (Republican) 51.2% ▌Abe Murdock (Democratic) 48.8% |
| Vermont | Ralph Flanders | Republican | 1946 (Appointed) | Interim appointee elected. | ▌Y Ralph Flanders (Republican) 74.6% ▌Charles P. McDevitt (Democratic) 25.4% |
| Virginia | Harry F. Byrd | Democratic | 1933 (Appointed) 1933 (special) 1934 1940 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Harry F. Byrd (Democratic) 64.9% ▌Lester S. Parsons (Republican) 30.5% |
| Washington | Hugh Mitchell | Democratic | 1945 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost election. New senator elected. Republican gain. Incumbent resigned December 25, 1946. Winner appointed December 26, 1946, to finish term. | ▌Y Harry P. Cain (Republican) 54.3% ▌Hugh Mitchell (Democratic) 45.2% |
| West Virginia | Harley M. Kilgore | Democratic | 1940 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Harley M. Kilgore (Democratic) 50.3% ▌Thomas Sweeney (Republican) 49.7% |
| Wisconsin | Robert M. La Follette Jr. | Progressive | 1925 (special) 1928 1934 1940 | Incumbent lost renomination as a Republican. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y Joseph McCarthy (Republican) 61.3% ▌Howard J. McMurray (Democratic) 37.4% ▌Edwin Knappe (Socialist) 1.2% |
| Wyoming | Joseph C. O'Mahoney | Democratic | 1933 (Appointed) 1934 1940 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Joseph C. O'Mahoney (Democratic) 56.2% ▌Harry B. Henderson (Republican) 43.8% |

## Closest races

Ten races had a margin of victory under 10%:
| State | Party of winner | Margin |
| Maryland | Democratic | 0.4% |
| West Virginia | Democratic | 0.6% |
| Utah | Republican (flip) | 2.4% |
| New Mexico | Democratic | 3.0% |
| New York | Republican (flip) | 5.0% |
| Missouri | Republican (flip) | 5.6% |
| Kentucky | Republican | 6.8% |
| Montana | Republican (flip) | 8.1% |
| Washington | Republican (flip) | 9.1% |
| California | Republican | 9.9% |

## Alabama (special)

1946 Democratic U.S. Senate primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John Sparkman | 85,049 | 50.14% |
| | Democratic | James A. Simpson | 46,762 | 27.57% |
| | Democratic | Frank W. Boykin | 35,982 | 21.21% |
| | Democratic | Ted Allen | 1,260 | 0.74% |
| | Democratic | Thomas H. Maxwell | 585 | 0.35% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 169,638 | 100.00% |
1946 United States Senate special election in Alabama :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John Sparkman | 163,217 | 100.00% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Arizona

Incumbent Democrat Ernest McFarland ran for re-election to a second term, easily defeating Republican Ward S. Powers in the general election.
1946 United States Senate election in Arizona :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ernest McFarland (incumbent) | 80,415 | 69.18% |
| | Republican | Ward S. Powers | 35,022 | 30.13% |
| | Communist | Morris Graham | 802 | 0.69% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 45,393 | 39.05% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 116,239 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## California
### Results

1946 U.S. Senate special election in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Write-in | William F. Knowland (inc.) | 425,273 | 74.31% |
| | Write-in | Will Rogers Jr. | 90,723 | 15.85% |
| | Write-in | George H. McLain | 17,883 | 3.13% |
| | Write-in | Ellis E. Patterson | 3,889 | 0.68% |
| | Write-in | Douglas Corrigan | 2,464 | 0.43% |
| | Write-in | Vic Paulsen | 1,616 | 0.28% |
| | Write-in | Moody Staten | 1,494 | 0.26% |
| | Write-in | Hartley F. Peart | 1,383 | 0.24% |
| | Write-in | George C. Highley | 1,268 | 0.22% |
| | Write-in | James Moran | 918 | 0.16% |
| | Write-in | Ben Rinaldo | 765 | 0.13% |
| | Write-in | Aubrey D. Lewis | 519 | 0.09% |
| | Write-in | Frank Merriam | 507 | 0.09% |
| | Write-in | All others | 23,619 | 4.13% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 572,321 | 100.00% |

### California (regular)

1946 United States Senate election in California :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | William Knowland (Incumbent) | 1,428,067 | 54.10% |
| | Democratic | Will Rogers Jr. | 1,167,161 | 44.22% |
| | Prohibition | Douglas Corrigan | 42,683 | 1.62% |
| | Write-In | Herbert Steiner | 156 | 0.01% |
| | None | Scattering | 1,398 | 0.05% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 260,906 | 9.88% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,639,465 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Connecticut

There were 2 elections for the same seat due to the January 16, 1945, death of Democrat Francis T. Maloney. Republican Thomas C. Hart was appointed February 15, 1945, to continue the term, pending a special election. Republican Governor of Connecticut Raymond E. Baldwin won both elections, but resigned only three years after the election to become a state judge.

### Connecticut (regular)

1946 United States Senate election in Connecticut :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Raymond E. Baldwin | 381,328 | 55.84% |
| | Democratic | Joseph M. Tone | 276,424 | 40.48% |
| | Socialist | Frederick C. Smedley | 22,012 | 3.22% |
| | Socialist Labor | John W. Aiken | 3,156 | 0,46% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 104,904 | 29.32% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 682,920 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### Connecticut (special)

1946 United States Senate special election in Connecticut :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Raymond E. Baldwin | 378,707 | 55.77% |
| | Democratic | Wilbur Lucius Cross | 278,188 | 40.97% |
| | Socialist | Frederic C. Smedly | 22,164 | 3.26% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 100,519 | 14.80% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 679,059 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Delaware

1946 United States Senate election in Delaware :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John J. Williams | 62,603 | 55.15% |
| | Democratic | James M. Tunnell (Incumbent) | 50,910 | 44.85% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,693 | 10.30% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 113,513 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## Florida

1946 United States Senate election in Florida :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Spessard Holland (Incumbent) | 156,232 | 78.65% |
| | Republican | J. Harry Schad | 42,408 | 21.35% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 113,824 | 57.30% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 198,640 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Idaho (special)

1946 United States Senate special election in Idaho :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Henry Dworshak | 105,523 | 58.57% |
| | Democratic | George E. Donart | 74,629 | 41.43% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 30,894 | 17.14% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 180,152 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## Indiana

1946 United States Senate election in Indiana :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | William E. Jenner | 739,809 | 54.91% |
| | Democratic | M. Clifford Townsend | 584,288 | 43.36% |
| | Prohibition | Elmer D. Riggs | 21,008 | 1.56% |
| | Socialist Labor | John Marion Morris | 1,523 | 0.11% |
| | Communist | Elmer G. Johnson | 806 | 0.06% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 155,521 | 15.55% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,347,434 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Kentucky (special)

1946 United States Senate special election in Kentucky :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Sherman Cooper | 327,652 | 53.27% |
| | Democratic | John Young Brown | 285,829 | 46.47% |
| | Socialist | W. E. Sandefur | 1,638 | 0.27% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 41,823 | 6.80% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 615,119 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Maine

1946 United States Senate election in Maine :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ralph Owen Brewster (Incumbent) | 111,215 | 63.55% |
| | Democratic | Peter M. MacDonald | 63,799 | 36.45% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 47,416 | 27.10% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 175,014 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Maryland

1946 United States Senate election in Maryland :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Herbert O'Conor | 237,232 | 50.24% |
| | Republican | D. John Markey | 235,000 | 49.76% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,232 | 0.48% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 472,232 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Massachusetts

Republican Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. defeated incumbent David I. Walsh.
1946 United States Senate election in Massachusetts :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. | 989,736 | 59.55 |
| | Democratic | David I. Walsh (Incumbent) | 660,200 | 39.72 |
| | Socialist Labor | Henning A. Blomen | 9,221 | 0.56 |
| | Prohibition | Mark R. Shaw | 2,898 | 0.17 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 329,536 | 19.83% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,662,055 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## Michigan

1946 United States Senate election in Michigan :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Arthur Vandenberg (Incumbent) | 1,985,570 | 67.06% |
| | Democratic | James H. Lee | 517,923 | 32.00% |
| | Prohibition | Lawrence A. Ruble | 8,109 | 0.50% |
| | Socialist Labor | Theos A. Grove | 4,572 | 0.28% |
| | Communist | Hugo Beiswenger | 2,546 | 0.16% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,467,647 | 35.06% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,618,720 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Minnesota

1946 United States Senate election in Minnesota :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Edward John Thye | 517,775 | 58.92% |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Theodore Jorgenson | 349,520 | 39.78% |
| | Revolutionary Workers | Grace Carlson | 11,421 | 1.30% |
| | Write-In | Henrik Shipstead (Incumbent) | 15 | 0.00% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 168,255 | 19.14% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 878,731 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Mississippi

1946 United States Senate election in Mississippi :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Theodore G. Bilbo (Incumbent) | 46,747 | 100.00% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Missouri

1946 United States Senate election in Missouri :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | James P. Kem | 572,556 | 52.71% |
| | Democratic | Frank P. Briggs (Incumbent) | 411,544 | 47.09% |
| | Prohibition | Jackson | 979 | 0.09% |
| | Socialist | W. F. Rinck | 887 | 0.08% |
| | Socialist Labor | Baeff | 275 | 0.03% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 61,012 | 5.62% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,086,241 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## Montana

1946 United States Senate election in Montana :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Zales Ecton | 101,901 | 53.47% |
| | Democratic | Leif Erickson | 86,476 | 45.38% |
| | Socialist | Floyd P. Jones | 2,189 | 1.15% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15,425 | 8.09% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 190,566 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## Nebraska

1946 United States Senate election in Nebraska :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Hugh Butler (Incumbent) | 271,208 | 70.82% |
| | Democratic | John E. Mekota | 111,751 | 29.18% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 159,457 | 41.64% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 382,958 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Nevada

1946 United States Senate election in Nevada :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | George W. Malone | 27,801 | 55.21% |
| | Democratic | Berkeley L. Bunker | 22,553 | 44.79% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,248 | 10.42% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,354 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## New Jersey

1946 United States Senate election in New Jersey :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | H. Alexander Smith (Incumbent) | 799,808 | 58.50% |
| | Democratic | George E. Brunner | 548,458 | 40.12% |
| | Socialist Labor | John C. Butterworth | 7,675 | 0.56% |
| | Socialist Workers | George Breitman | 4,976 | 0.36% |
| | Socialist | Arthur Riley | 2,226 | 0.16% |
| | Prohibition | George W. Ridout | 1,711 | 0.13% |
| | Anti-Medical Trust Federation | Frederick W. Collins | 1,676 | 0.12% |
| | Independent American | Mark M. Jones | 625 | 0.05% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 251,350 | 18.38% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,367,155 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## New Mexico

1946 United States Senate election in New Mexico :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dennis Chávez (Incumbent) | 68,650 | 51.51% |
| | Republican | Patrick J. Hurley | 64,632 | 48.49% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,018 | 3.02% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 133,282 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## New York

The New York state election was held on November 5, 1946.
The Socialist Labor state convention met on April 7 and nominated Eric Hass for the U.S.Senate. The party filed a petition to nominate candidates under the name "Industrial Government Party."
The Liberal Party gathered 51,015 signatures and filed a petition to nominate candidates with the Secretary of State on September 2.
The Republican state convention met on September 4 at Saratoga Springs, New York. They nominated Assembly Majority Leader Irving M. Ives.
The Democratic state convention met on September 4 at Albany, New York, and nominated Ex-Governor Herbert H. Lehman (in office 1933–1942) for the U.S. Senate.
The American Labor state convention met on September 3 and endorsed Lehman. Fielding, Chapman and Abt were withdrawn from the ticket on September 5, and Democrats Corning, Young and Epstein substituted on the ticket.
The Socialist Workers Party filed a petition to nominate candidates headed by Farrell Dobbs for Governor.
The Industrial Government, Socialist and Socialist Workers tickets were not allowed on the ballot because of "defective nominating petitions." The Court of Appeals upheld the decisions of the lower courts.
The whole Republican ticket was elected in a landslide.
New York general election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Irving M. Ives | 2,559,365 | 52.58% | 5.92% |
| | Total | Herbert Lehman | 2,308,112 | 47.42% | 5.16% |
| | Democratic | Herbert Lehman | 1,688,887 | 34.70% | |
| | American Labor | Herbert Lehman | 435,846 | 8.95% | |
| | Liberal | Herbert Lehman | 183,379 | 3.77% | |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,867,477 | 36.14% | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |
Obs.:
* "Blank, void and scattering" votes: 178,694

## North Dakota
### North Dakota (regular)

First-term Republican William Langer was re-elected to a second term. Langer would be re-elected twice more, serving until his 1959 death.
1946 United States Senate election in North Dakota :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | William Langer (inc.) | 88,210 | 53.34% | +15.23% |
| | Independent | Arthur E. Thompson | 38,804 | 23.46% | — |
| | Democratic | Abner B. Larson | 38,368 | 23.20% | −3.25% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 49,406 | 29.87% | +26.82% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 165,382 | | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### North Dakota (special)

Newly-elected Democrat John Moses had died March 3, 1945, and Republican state senator Milton Young was appointed March 12, 1945, to continue the term, pending a special election. Young was elected June 25, 1946, to finish the term that would end in 1951. Young would go on to be elected 5 more times, serving until his 1981 retirement.
1946 United States Senate special election in North Dakota :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Milton Young (Incumbent) | 75,998 | 55.53 |
| | Democratic | Bill Lanier | 37,507 | 27.41 |
| | Independent | Gerald P. Nye | 20,848 | 15.23 |
| | Independent | E.A. Johansson | 2,473 | 1.81 |
| | None | Scattering | 26 | 0.02 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 38,491 | 28.13 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 136,852 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Ohio

There were 2 elections to the same seat due to the September 30, 1945, resignation of Republican Harold H. Burton.
Democrat James W. Huffman was appointed to continue the term, pending a special election in which Huffman was not a candidate. Huffman was, however, nominated to the regular election, which he lost.

### Ohio (special)

Ohio special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Kingsley A. Taft | 1,193,852 | 56.22% |
| | Democratic | Henry P. Webber | 929,584 | 43.78% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 264,268 | 12.44% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,123,436 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### Ohio (regular)

Ohio regular election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John W. Bricker | 1,275,774 | 57.02% |
| | Democratic | James W. Huffman (Incumbent) | 947,610 | 42.36% |
| | Socialist Labor | William Farkas | 13,885 | 0.62% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 328,164 | 14.66% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,237,269 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## Pennsylvania

Incumbent Democrat Joseph F. Guffey lost re-election to Republican Edward Martin.
General election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Edward Martin | 1,853,458 | 59.26% | +11.90% |
| | Democratic | Joseph F. Guffey (Incumbent) | 1,245,338 | 39.81% | −11.98% |
| | Prohibition | Dale H. Learn | 17,451 | 0.56% | +0.28% |
| | Socialist Labor | Frank Knotek | 11,613 | 0.37% | +0.31% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 608,120 | 19.45% | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,127,860 | | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## Rhode Island

1946 United States Senate election in Rhode Island :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | J. Howard McGrath | 150,748 | 55.11% |
| | Republican | W. Gurnee Dwyer | 122,780 | 44.89% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 27,968 | 10.22% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 273,528 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Tennessee

1946 United States Senate election in Tennessee :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Kenneth D. McKellar (Incumbent) | 145,654 | 66.60% |
| | Republican | William B. Ladd | 57,238 | 26.17% |
| | Independent | John Randolph Neal Jr. | 11,516 | 5.27% |
| | Independent | Herman H. Ross | 4,303 | 1.97% |
| | None | Scattering | 3 | 0.00% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 88,416 | 40.43% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 218,714 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Texas

1946 United States Senate election in Texas :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Tom Connally (Incumbent) | 336,931 | 88.51% |
| | Republican | Murray C. Sells | 43,750 | 11.49% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 293,181 | 77.02% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 380,681 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Utah

1946 United States Senate election in Utah :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Arthur Vivian Watkins | 101,142 | 51.24% |
| | Democratic | Abe Murdock (incumbent) | 96,257 | 48.76% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,885 | 2.48% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 197,399 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## Vermont

Incumbent Republican Ralph Flanders successfully ran for re-election to a full term in the United States Senate, defeating Democratic candidate Charles P. McDevitt.
1946 United States Senate election in Vermont :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ralph Flanders (inc.) | 54,729 | 74.62% |
| | Democratic | Charles P. McDevitt | 18,594 | 25.35% |
| | None | Scattering | 17 | 0.02% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 36,135 | 49.27% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 73,340 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Virginia
### Virginia (regular)

Incumbent Harry F. Byrd Sr. was re-elected to a fourth term after defeating Republican Lester S. Parsons.
1946 United States Senate election in Virginia :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Harry F. Byrd Sr. (Incumbent) | 163,960 | 64.84% | −28.48% |
| | Republican | Lester S. Parsons | 77,005 | 30.45% | +30.45% |
| | Independent | Howard Carwile | 5,189 | 2.05% | |
| | Communist | Alice Burke | 3,318 | 1.31% | −1.50% |
| | Prohibition | Thomas E. Boorde | 1,764 | 0.70% | +0.70% |
| | Socialist | Clarke T. Robb | 1,592 | 0.63% | +0.63% |
| | Write-ins | | 35 | 0.01% | −0.06% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 86,955 | 34.39% | −55.14% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 252,863 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### Virginia (special)

Appointed Democrat Thomas G. Burch retired after filling the vacancy caused by the May 28, 1946, death of Democrat Carter Glass. Democrat Absalom Willis Robertson defeated Republican Robert H. Woods and was elected to finish Glass's term.
1946 United States Senate special election in Virginia :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Absalom Willis Robertson | 169,680 | 68.15% | −22.93% |
| | Republican | Robert H. Woods | 72,253 | 29.02% | +29.02% |
| | Socialist | Lawrence S. Wilkes | 7,024 | 2.82% | −3.71% |
| | Write-ins | | 5 | <0.01% | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 97,427 | 39.13% | −45.42% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 248,962 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Washington

1946 United States Senate election in Washington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Harry P. Cain | 358,847 | 54.34% |
| | Democratic | Hugh B. Mitchell (Incumbent) | 298,683 | 45.23% |
| | Socialist Labor | Harry Morton | 2,297 | 0.35% |
| | Socialist Workers | Charles R. Swett | 515 | 0.08% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 60,164 | 9.11% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 660,342 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## West Virginia

1946 United States Senate election in West Virginia :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harley M. Kilgore (Incumbent) | 273,151 | 50.33% |
| | Republican | Thomas Sweeney | 269,617 | 49.67% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,534 | 0.66% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 542,768 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Wisconsin

Three-term incumbent Republican Robert La Follette Jr. lost renomination to Joseph McCarthy, who then won the general election.
Wisconsin Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joseph McCarthy | 207,935 | 47.25% |
| | Republican | Robert M. La Follette Jr. (Incumbent) | 202,557 | 46.03% |
| | Republican | Perry J. Stearns | 29,605 | 6.73% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 440,097 | |
1946 United States Senate election in Wisconsin :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joseph McCarthy | 620,430 | 61.15% |
| | Democratic | Howard J. McMurray | 378,772 | 37.33% |
| | Socialist | Edwin Knappe | 11,750 | 1.16% |
| | Socialist Labor | Georgia Cozzini | 1,552 | 0.15% |
| | None | Scattering | 2,090 | 0.21% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 241,658 | 23.82% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,014,594 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Wyoming

1946 United States Senate election in Wyoming :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Joseph C. O'Mahoney (Incumbent) | 45,843 | 56.21% |
| | Republican | Harry B. Henderson | 35,714 | 43.79% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 10,129 | 12.42% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 81,557 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |