1940 United States Senate special election in Kentucky
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County results Chandler: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Smith: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% | |||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Kentucky |
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| Government |
The 1940 United States Senate special election in Kentucky took place on November 5, 1940, to complete the unexpired term of M. M. Logan. Interim appointee Happy Chandler was re-elected to complete the term, defeating Republican Walter B. Smith.
Background
Senator M. M. Logan died on October 3, 1939. Governor of Kentucky Happy Chandler, whose term was set to expire in 1940, resigned his office so that Lieutenant Governor (and Democratic nominee for Governor) Keen Johnson could appoint him to the Senate. Johnson appointed Chandler to fill the vacant seat until a successor could be duly elected, and the special election was scheduled for November 5, 1940, concurrent with the general election.
Primary election
Candidates
- Happy Chandler, incumbent U.S. Senator
- Charles R. Farnsley, member of the Kentucky House of Representatives
- M. E. Gilbert
- Jack Harrod
- John J. Thobe
- Joseph G. Thornbury
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Happy Chandler (incumbent) | 176,520 | 79.19 | |
| Democratic | Charles R. Farnsley | 26,061 | 11.69 | |
| Democratic | M. E. Gilbert | 7,788 | 3.49 | |
| Democratic | Joseph G. Thornbury | 4,909 | 2.20 | |
| Democratic | Jack Harrod | 4,189 | 1.88 | |
| Democratic | John J. Thobe | 3,439 | 1.54 | |
| Total votes | 222,906 | 100.00 | ||
General election
Candidates
- Happy Chandler, Governor of Kentucky and candidate for Senate in 1938 (Democratic)
- Walter B. Smith (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Happy Chandler (Incumbent) | 561,151 | 58.27% | ||
| Republican | Walter B. Smith | 401,812 | 41.73% | ||
| Total votes | 962,963 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | Swing | ||||
See also
Notes
References
- ^ Jewell, Malcolm E. Kentucky Votes. Vol. 1. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 36–37. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
- ^ Clerk of the United States House of Representatives (1941). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 1940" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office.