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1930 United States Senate elections
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| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| election_name | 1930 United States Senate elections |
| country | United States |
| flag_year | 1912 |
| type | legislative |
| ongoing | no |
| previous_election | 1928 United States Senate elections |
| previous_year | 1928 |
| next_election | 1932 United States Senate elections |
| next_year | 1932 |
| seats_for_election | 32 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate |
| majority_seats | 49 |
| election_date | November 4, 1930 |
| previous_seat_election | 1924 United States Senate elections |
| previous_seat_year | 1924 |
| next_seat_election | 1936 United States Senate elections |
| next_seat_year | 1936 |
| seat_class | Class 2 |
| image_size | x180px |
| 1blank | Seats up |
| 2blank | Races won |
| party1 | Republican Party (US) |
| leader1 | James Watson |
| image1 | James Eli Watson.jpg |
| leader_since1 | March 4, 1929 |
| leaders_seat1 | Indiana |
| seats_before1 | 56 |
| seats_after1 | 48 |
| seat_change1 | 8 |
| 1data1 | 22 |
| 2data1 | 14 |
| party2 | Democratic Party (US) |
| leader2 | Joseph Robinson |
| leader_since2 | December 3, 1923 |
| image2 | Joseph T. Robinson cropped.jpg |
| leaders_seat2 | Arkansas |
| seats_before2 | 39 |
| seats_after2 | 47 |
| seat_change2 | 8 |
| 1data2 | 13 |
| 2data2 | 21 |
| party4 | Farmer–Labor Party |
| seats_before4 | 1 |
| seats_after4 | 1 |
| seat_change4 | |
| 1data4 | 0 |
| 2data4 | 0 |
| map_image | |
| map_size | 320px |
| map_caption | Results of the elections: |
| title | Majority Leader |
| before_election | James Watson |
| before_party | Republican Party (US) |
| after_election | James Watson |
| after_party | Republican Party (US) |
The 1930 United States Senate elections occurred in the middle of Republican President Herbert Hoover's term. The 32 seats of Class 2 were contested in regular elections, and special elections were held to fill vacancies. With the Great Depression beginning to take hold, Republican incumbents became unpopular, and Democrats picked up a net of eight seats, erasing the Republican gains from the previous election cycle, however, Republicans retained control of the chamber. This was the first of four consecutive Senate elections during the Depression in which Democrats made enormous gains, achieving a cumulative pick-up of 34 seats.
In Louisiana, Democratic senator-elect Huey Long chose not to take his Senate seat until January 25, 1932, so he could remain as Governor of Louisiana. The Republicans therefore retained the plurality of seats at the beginning of the next Congress (with Vice President Charles Curtis (R) able to cast tie-breaking votes, the Republicans would have majority control).
Gains, losses, and holds
Retirements
Four Republicans retired instead of seeking re-election. Two Republicans retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term and instead of seeking election to full term. One Democrat retired instead of seeking election to a full term.
| State | Senator | Replaced by | Colorado | Maine | Massachusetts | New Jersey | Tennessee (regular) | West Virginia | Wyoming |
|---|
Defeats
Seven Republicans and five Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.
| State | Senator | Replaced by | Alabama | Illinois | Iowa | Kansas (special) | Kentucky (special) | Kentucky | Louisiana | North Carolina | Oklahoma | Ohio | Pennsylvania | South Carolina | South Dakota |
|---|
Post-election changes
| State | Senator | Replaced by | New Jersey | Arkansas | Georgia | Georgia | Vermont | Missouri |
|---|
Change in composition
Before the elections
| R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
|---|
After the elections
| R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
|---|
| R | Republican |
|---|
|}
Race summary
Special elections during the 71st Congress
In these special elections, the winner were seated during 1930; ordered by election date (then by state).
| State | Incumbent | Results | Candidates | Senator | Party | Electoral history | Delaware | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Class 2) | Kansas | ||||||||||||
| (Class 3) | Kentucky | ||||||||||||
| (Class 2) | New Jersey | ||||||||||||
| (Class 2) | Ohio | ||||||||||||
| (Class 3) | Pennsylvania | ||||||||||||
| (Class 3) | Tennessee | ||||||||||||
| (Class 2) | Wyoming | ||||||||||||
| (Class 2) | |||||||||||||
| Daniel O. Hastings | Republican | 1928 (Appointed) | Interim appointee elected November 4, 1930. | ||||||||||
| Winner was also elected on the same ballot to the next term; see below. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||
| Henry J. Allen | Republican | 1929 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost election. | ||||||||||
| New senator elected November 4, 1930. | |||||||||||||
| Democratic gain. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||
| John M. Robsion | Republican | 1930 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost election. | ||||||||||
| New senator elected November 4, 1930. | |||||||||||||
| Democratic gain. | |||||||||||||
| Winner was not elected to the next term; see below. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||
| David Baird Jr. | Republican | 1929 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. | ||||||||||
| New senator elected November 4, 1930. | |||||||||||||
| Republican hold. | |||||||||||||
| Winner also elected to the next term, see below. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||
| Roscoe C. McCulloch | Republican | 1929 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost election. | ||||||||||
| New senator elected November 4, 1930. | |||||||||||||
| Democratic gain. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||
| Joseph R. Grundy | Republican | 1929 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost nomination. | ||||||||||
| New senator elected November 4, 1930. | |||||||||||||
| Republican hold. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||
| William E. Brock | Democratic | 1929 (Appointed) | Interim appointee elected November 4, 1930. | ||||||||||
| Winner was not elected to the next term; see below. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||
| Patrick J. Sullivan | Republican | 1929 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. | ||||||||||
| New senator elected November 4, 1930. | |||||||||||||
| Republican hold. | |||||||||||||
| Winner also elected to the next term; see below. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
Elections leading to the 72nd Congress
In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1931; ordered by state.
All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.
| State | Incumbent | Results | Candidates | Senator | Party | Electoral history | Alabama | Arkansas | Colorado | Delaware | Georgia | Idaho | Illinois | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Montana | Nebraska | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | Oklahoma | Oregon | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Virginia | West Virginia | Wyoming | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Thomas Heflin | Democratic | 1920 (special) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent lost renomination. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incumbent lost general election as an independent. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New senator elected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Democratic hold. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph T. Robinson | Democratic | 1913 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1918 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lawrence C. Phipps | Republican | 1918 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent retired. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New senator elected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Democratic gain. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daniel O. Hastings | Republican | 1928 (Appointed) | Interim appointee elected. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winner was also elected on the same ballot to finish the current term; see above. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| William J. Harris | Democratic | 1918 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| William Borah | Republican | 1907 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1913 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1918 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charles S. Deneen | Republican | 1924 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1925 (Appointed) | Incumbent lost renomination. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New senator elected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Democratic gain. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daniel F. Steck | Democratic | 1926 (Challenge) | Incumbent lost re-election. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New senator elected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Republican gain. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arthur Capper | Republican | 1918 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John M. Robsion | Republican | 1930 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost election. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New senator elected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Democratic gain. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joseph E. Ransdell | Democratic | 1912 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1918 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent lost renomination. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New senator elected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Democratic hold. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arthur R. Gould | Republican | 1926 (Appointed) | Incumbent retired. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New senator elected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Republican hold. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Frederick H. Gillett | Republican | 1924 | Incumbent retired. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New senator elected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Democratic gain. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| James Couzens | Republican | 1922 (Appointed) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 (special) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thomas D. Schall | Republican | 1924 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pat Harrison | Democratic | 1918 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thomas J. Walsh | Democratic | 1913 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1918 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| George W. Norris | Republican | 1913 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1918 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Henry W. Keyes | Republican | 1918 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David Baird Jr. | Republican | 1929 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New senator elected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Republican hold. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winner also elected to finish the term; see above. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sam G. Bratton | Democratic | 1924 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| F. M. Simmons | Democratic | 1901 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1907 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1913 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1918 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent lost renomination. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New senator elected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Democratic hold. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| William B. Pine | Republican | 1924 | Incumbent lost re-election. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New senator elected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Democratic gain. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charles L. McNary | Republican | 1917 (Appointed) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1918 (Not elected) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1918 (Appointed) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1918 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jesse H. Metcalf | Republican | 1924 (special) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cole L. Blease | Democratic | 1924 | Incumbent lost renomination. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New senator elected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Democratic hold. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| William H. McMaster | Republican | 1924 | Incumbent lost re-election. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New senator elected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Democratic gain. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| William E. Brock | Democratic | 1929 (Appointed) | Incumbent retired. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New senator elected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Democratic hold. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Morris Sheppard | Democratic | 1913 (special) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1913 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1918 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carter Glass | Democratic | 1920 (Appointed) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1920 (special) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1924 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Guy D. Goff | Republican | 1924 | Incumbent retired. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New senator elected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Democratic gain. | nowrap | {{Plainlist | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Patrick J. Sullivan | Republican | 1929 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New senator elected. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Republican hold. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Winner was also elected to finish the term; see above. | nowrap | {{Plainlist |
Closest races
Ten races had a margin of victory under 10%:
| State | Party of winner | Margin | Rhode Island | Minnesota | Kansas (special) | South Dakota | Kentucky (regular) | Kentucky (special) | Oklahoma | Delaware | Massachusetts | Ohio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 1.1% | |||||||||||
| Republican | 1.5% | |||||||||||
| Democratic (flip) | 2.0% | |||||||||||
| Democratic (flip) | 3.2% | |||||||||||
| Democratic (flip) | 4.2% | |||||||||||
| Democratic (flip) | 4.6% | |||||||||||
| Democratic (flip) | 4.8% | |||||||||||
| Republican | 9.1% | |||||||||||
| Democratic (flip) | 9.3% | |||||||||||
| Democratic (flip) | 9.6% |
Alabama
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in Alabama
Bankhead:
Heflin:
Arkansas
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in Arkansas
Colorado
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in Colorado
Costigan:
Shaw:
Delaware
Interim appointee Daniel O. Hastings was elected both to finish the current term and to the next term on the same November 4 ballot.
Delaware (regular)
Delaware (special)
Georgia
Idaho
Borah:
Illinois
Lewis:
Hanna McCormick:
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in Illinois
Iowa
Dickinson:
Steck:
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in Iowa
Kansas
Kansas (regular)
Capper:
Davis:
Kansas (special)
McGill:
Allen:
Democratic nominee George McGill defeated Republican incumbent United States Senator Henry Justin Allen by a very narrow margin. McGill was the first non-Republican to win this seat since 1896. As of 2025, McGill was the last Democrat to be elected senator in Kansas.
Kentucky
Kentucky (regular)
Logan:
Robsion:
(for unexpired term)
M. M. Logan (for next term)
Main article: 1930 United States Senate elections in Kentucky
Kentucky (special)
Louisiana
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in Louisiana
Long Ransdell
Maine
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in Maine
White:
Massachusetts
|[[File:1930 United States Senate election in Massachusetts results map by county.svg|300px]]
|County results
|[[File:1930 United States Senate Election in Massachusetts by Municipality.svg|300px|]]
|Municipality results
Butler:
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in Massachusetts
Michigan
Couzens:
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in Michigan
Minnesota
Schall:
Hoidale:
Lundeen:
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in Minnesota
Mississippi
Montana
Walsh:
Galen: Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in Montana
Nebraska
Norris:
Hitchcock:
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in Nebraska
New Hampshire
Keyes:
Noone:
New Jersey
New Jersey (regular)
Morrow:
Simpson:
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in New Jersey
New Jersey (special)
Morrow:
Simpson:
New Mexico
Bratton:
Everly:
North Carolina
Bailey:
Pritchard:
Ohio (special)
Bulkley:
McCulloch:
Main article: 1930 United States Senate special election in Ohio
Oklahoma
Gore:
Pine:
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in Oklahoma
Oregon
McNary:
Pennsylvania (special)
Davis:
Kistler:
Main article: 1930 United States Senate special election in Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Incumbent Republican Senator Jesse H. Metcalf successfully sought reelection to a 2nd term in office. , this is the last time a Republican has won the Class 2 Senate seat in Rhode Island, and it would be the last time a Republican would win any Senate seat in the state at all until John Chafee in 1976.
South Carolina
Byrnes:
Blease:
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in South Carolina
South Dakota
Bulow:
McMaster:
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in South Dakota
Tennessee
Main article: 1930 United States Senate elections in Tennessee
One-term Democrat Lawrence D. Tyson died August 24, 1929, and Democrat William E. Brock was appointed September 2, 1929, to continue the term, pending a special election.
Tennessee (special)
Brock:
Meacham:
Interim Democrat William E. Brock easily won election to finish the term.
Tennessee (regular)
Hull:
Divine:
William E. Brock was not a candidate to the next term, instead choosing to return to his Chattanooga candy manufacturing business. Instead, former Democratic congressman Cordell Hull was swept into the seat.
Hull was appointed United States Secretary of State and served there for 11 years, and in 1945, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "co-initiating the United Nations."
Texas
Sheppard:
Haesly:
No vote: Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in Texas
Virginia
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in Virginia
Glass:
West Virginia
Neely:
Jones:
Wyoming
Six-term Republican Francis E. Warren had died November 24, 1929, and Republican Patrick J. Sullivan was appointed to continue the term, pending a special election in which he was not a candidate.
Wyoming (special)
Carey:
Schwartz:
Main article: 1930 United States Senate special election in Wyoming
Wyoming (regular)
Carey:
Schwartz:
Main article: 1930 United States Senate election in Wyoming
Notes
References
References
- (November 6, 1930). "Republicans Lay Defeat to Slump". New York Times.
- "Kentucky Senate Class II - History".
- "Tennessee Class II".
- "Wyoming Class II".
- "New Jersey Class II".
- "Our Campaigns - DE US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1930".
- "Our Campaigns - DE US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 04, 1930".
- "Our Campaigns - MA US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1930".
- "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 1930". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives.
- "PA US Senate". OurCampaigns.
- "Our Campaigns - TN US Senate - Special D Primary Race - Aug 07, 1930".
- Heard, Alexander. (1950). "Southern Primaries and Elections 1920-1949". University of Alabama Press.
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