# 1960 United States Senate election in Montana

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The 1960 United States Senate election in Montana took place on November 8, 1960. Incumbent United States Senator James E. Murray, who was first elected to the Senate in a special election in 1934 and was re-elected in 1936, 1942, and 1948, and 1954, declined to seek re-election, creating an open seat. United States Congressman Lee Metcalf won out in a crowded Democratic primary and faced off against former United States Congressman Orvin B. Fjare, who won in a similarly-crowded Republican primary. Following a close general election, Metcalf narrowly defeated Fjare to win his first term in the Senate.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates

* Lee Metcalf, United States Congressman from Montana's 1st congressional district
* John W. Bonner, former Governor of Montana
* LeRoy H. Anderson, United States Congressman from Montana's 2nd congressional district
* John W. Mahan, former National Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars

### Results

Democratic Party primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Lee Metcalf | 45,339 | 35.16% |
| | Democratic | John W. Bonner | 33,246 | 25.78% |
| | Democratic | LeRoy H. Anderson | 26,152 | 20.28% |
| | Democratic | John W. Mahan | 24,208 | 18.77% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 75,798 | 100.00% |

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* Orvin B. Fjare, former United States Congressman from Montana's 2nd congressional district
* Sumner Gerard, State Representative
* Wayne Montgomery, rancher
* James H. Morrow
* Fred J. Martin
* L. A. Wilson

### Results

Republican Primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Orvin B. Fjare | 25,899 | 38.71% |
| | Republican | Sumner Gerard | 17,932 | 26.80% |
| | Republican | Wayne Montgomery | 13,527 | 20.22% |
| | Republican | James H. Morrow | 5,261 | 7.86% |
| | Republican | Fred J. Martin | 2,804 | 4.19% |
| | Republican | L. A. Wilson | 1,482 | 2.22% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 66,905 | 100.00% |

## General election
### Results

United States Senate election in Montana, 1960 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Lee Metcalf | 140,331 | 50.73% | +0.35% |
| | Republican | Orvin B. Fjare | 136,281 | 49.27% | −0.35% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,050 | 1.46% | +0.70% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 276,612 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | | |