Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-20
The Political Mil
Lineup Being Drown
In November Elections
Stulwurts in Both Parties
Foce Tough Competition
By Gould Lincoln

BY Gould Lincoln
The Democrats and Republicans are
fast getting around to the selection Of
candidates for the key races in the
senatorial elections next November On
the Democratic side of the fence sew
eral races have cropped up in the
South and Southwest. Senator Spark
man of Alabama. the party vice presi-
dental candidate in 1852, is opposed by
Representative Battle of Birmingham,
who is serving his third term in the
House. Mr.. Battle is making an in
tensive campaign. In a measure, the
attitude of Southern voters toward
Adlai Stevenson the 1852 Democratic
presidential candidate. may develop in
this contest which will be decided in
the May primary election. In Ten
nessee. Senator Kefauver, who was a
strong contender for the Democratic
presidential nomination in 1852. has
running against him Representative Pat
Sutton. Farther west. Senator Kerr Of
Oklahoma. who also made bid for
the presidential nomination two years
ago. is opposed for denomination by
former Gov. Roy j. Turner. Reports
are to the effect that race is a hot
one. The Democratic leader of the
Senate, Senator Lyndon B. johnson. has
as an opponent. in Dudley T. Dough-
erty. political unknown, son of a
wealthy cattle and oil man. johnson is
expected to win. In all four of these
States, the primary elections will settle
the elections for Senators next fall.
Saltonstall Race.
The Democrats in Massachusetts, are
temporarily up in the air over their
choice of candidate to run against
Senator Saltonstall. Republican. For
mer Representative Foster Furcolo, now
State treasurer, has announced his
candidacy. Representative Philbin Is
considering a move into the race, too.
Former Gov. Paul Dever is a possibility.
but he has not said what he intends
doing. Any Democrat is likely to have
tough time running against Salton-
stall. In Michigan, the Democratic
senatorial nomination is still waiting
final statement by Gov. G. Mennen
Williams. More recently an opinion
has gained ground the Governor will
seek reelection. If he does, former
Senator Blair Moody may toss his hat
in the ring to oppose Senator Fer
guson, chairman of the Republican
Policy Committee of the Senate. Sem
ator FerguSon's chances for reelection
have been Frightening which may be
one reason that Gov. Williams will run
for another term. That and desire to
keep himself in a likely spot for Sc
lection as presidential or vice presi-
Dental nominee in 1856.
New Jersey Selection.
The Republicans have settled their
disputes over senatorial nomination
in New Jersey much to their own salts
faction apparently. Their choice is
former Representative Case. Senator
Hendrickson decided not to seek re-
nomination, and Walter MargettS, who
had announced. has withdrawn. The
Democrats have centered on Repre-
sentative Howell In Ohio. another
battle-ground, Representative Bender is
apparently in the lead for the Sena-
torial nomination to run against Demo-
cratic Senator Thomas A. Burke, SeIv-
ing under appointment in the seat
formerly held by the late Senator Taft.
Iowa Republicans are expected to NOM
mate Representative Martin of the
fifth district to run against Senator
Gillette. Democrat. Gillette is regarded .
as the strongest Democrat in the State
and will be tough man to defeat.
Mrs. Dorothy Holton. assistant director
of the Foreign Operations Administra-
ton, was strongly urged by her friends
to get into the race for the Republican
senatorial nomination. A strong sup
porter of President Eisenhower and
widely known throughout the State,
where she has in the past been head Of
the Iowa Federation of Women'S Clubs,
she might have made a good race to
give the Midwest its first woman Sem
ator of the United States Mrs Hoton,
however, declined to enter the primary.
saying she was greatly interested in
continuing the work she is now doing.
Finally. the Republicans in Minne-
sofa have picked a candidate to run
in the primaries-for the senatorial
nomination against Democratic Sem
ator Humphrey. He is State Treasurer
Val BjornSon. Bjornson, who had q
brilliant war record in the Navy during
World War II. is of Icelandic descent.
He has been elected State treasurer
three or four times is a good speaker
and regarded as a likely candidate,
even against Senator Humphrey. The
latter, however, has shown great po-
litical strength in the past in his State
and the odds favor him. Much will
depend upon how the farmers are
feeling toward the Eisenhower admins