Evening star., 1940-06-08

Progressive party OF Wisconsin.
OF the Democrats who come up
for reelection, Ashurst of Arizona,
Bilbo Of Tennessee, Byrd of Virginia,
Chandler Of Kentucky, Chavez OF
New Mexico, McKellar Of Tennessee,
Pittman Of Nevada, Radcliffe OF
Maryland, Truman of Missouri,
Walsh of Massachusetts, and Wheel
er of Montana seem to have the in
side track-although one or two Of
them have strenuous opposition for
denomination Whether they are
renominated or not the Democrats
are likely to elect, in those States.
G. O. P. Claims Chances.
The Republicans, on the other
hand, insist they have hope Of de-
feating sitting Senate Democrats in
Nebraska, Ohio, Rhode Island, Con-
necticut, Pennsylvania, New York,
Indiana, Washington and Wyoming,
and also West Virginia.
The Republicans will face real
contest in New Jersey in the battle
for Senate seats, but should do well
in the other seven States, Vermont,
North Dakota, Maine, California,
Delaware, Michigan and Idaho.
The Democratic belief, now fire.
quently expressed, is that with Pres
ident Roosevelt heading their ma
tional ticket, most of their sitting
Democrats should be returned to the
Senate-and also to the House. The
demand for third-term nomination
for the President has come very
persistently from some of these
Democratic Senators. Senator Guf-
fey of Pennsylvania was one OF the
first to declare for the renomina-
ton of the President and he stuck
to it like burr, when some OF his
Democratic colleagues were neither
enthusiastic for. nor hopeful of,
third-term nomination.
Most Democrats take 1t for
granted today that Mr.. Roosevelt
will run again-and so do the Re-
publicans If the President does
not upset the applicant by declin-
ing to run, the Democratic sena-
torial nominees will run along with
him and most of them like the idea.
Wheeler May Accept.
In the list of Senators up for re-
election are Senators Vandenberg
of Michigan and Wheeler of Mon
tana, the first a candidate for the
Republican presidential nomination
and the second a candidate for the
Democratic presidential nomina-
tion-if Mr.. Roosevelt steps aside.
Both can have the senatorial nomi-
nation and probably reelection, no
matter who the presidential can
didates may be. If Mr. Vandenberg
is named on the Republican ma
tional ticket, there will be scram-
BILE among Michigan Republicans
for the right to contest for the Sem
ate seat. Senator Wheeler has been
urged by some of the New Deal
Democrats to accept a vice presi-
Dental nomination with President
Roosevelt at the head of the ticket.
While he insists he is not inter-
ested, there are those who believe
he would accept the nomination If
1t came his way and many Demo-
Gratis think that Wheeler vice
presidential nomination would
strengthen the Democratic ticket.
Wheeler is strong with railroad la
Dor and with both the American
Federation OF Labor and with the
c. I. o.
Five sitting Senators. up for re-
nomination and reelection, are al
ready out of the race. Senator
Donahey, Democrat, of Ohio and
Senator Hale of Maine, Republican.
have declined to run again. Both
could have been renominated II
they had desired to make the race.
Senator Burke of Nebraska and
Senator Holt of West Virginia, both
of whom have been thorns in the
side of the New Deal administra-
ton, failed to win denomination in
the Democratic primaries in their
respective States In other words,
without a presidential purge at
tempted this year, the New Dealers
will find two of their opponents
outside the Senate when the next
Congress meets in January. The
Republicans might, however. take
either one or both of the seats in
November. Senator Schwellenbach,
Democrat, of Washington has been
appointed to the Federal bench.
Governorship to Take Nicely.
Senator Nicely of West Virginia Is
going out of the Senate. too. No.
because Of any failure to win re-
nomination, but because he has been
nominated for Governor of the
State. Mr.. Nicely is top Democratic
dog in West Virginia. He not only
won the gubernatorial nomination
and at the same time had his can
didate nominated in place of Sem
ator Holt, but he will, when he be-
comes Governor the first of the year,
have the privilege Of naming a Sem
ator to fill the vacancy in the Senate
which will be created when he re-
signs to take the Governors chair.
The West Virginia Senator cleaned
up in big way in the Democratic
primary this year, eliminating his
enemies from high place.
Whatever happens in the presi-
Dental election. the Senate will re-
main Democratic. Mathematically
the Republicans cannot hope for a
majority of the upper house, for
enough Senators from the Soutn
are up for reelection to prevent a
Republican majority. In Ohio, how
ever, the Republicans have a good
chance Of winning a Senate seat
now held by Democratic Honest
Vic" Donahey. They have nominated
Mayor Burton of Cleveland. Bur-
fnn RonlIh1ican hoe heey, ohlo ta