The 1936 United States Senate Special Election within the State of Iowa occurred on November 3, 1936, following the death of incumbent Senator Richard Louis Murphy in an automobile accident.[1] Representative Guy Mark Gillette (D-IA) and Editor of the Chariton Herald-Patriot, Berry F. Halden(R-IA)[2] were the two major party contenders in this election. George F. Buresh (FL-IA) and two other candidates also ran. The result of this election was Gillette beating out both other candidates, and winning with 52% of the votes cast.[3]

Republican primary

Berry F. Halden won the Republican nomination at the Republican Party's State Convention on the fifth ballot, with 1,682 votes.[4] Other candidates within the primary were James R. Rhodes, a publisher for the Newton News, and Guy Linville, a lawyer from Cedar Rapids.[4]

Democratic primary

Guy M. Gillette was named the Democratic Party's Candidate at the Democratic Party's State Convention.[5] Ray Murphy, Former National Commander of the American Legion, declined to contest the Primary.[5]

Farmer-Labor primary

While the Farmer-Labor Party initially sought out and declared Former Republican Senator Smith W. Brookhart to be their nominee,[4][5] Ernest R. Quick ran as their eventual candidate for the Special Election.

General Election

1936 U.S. Senate Special election in Iowa[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Guy M. Gillette 536,075 51.91 N/A
Republican Berry F. Halden 478,521 46.43 N/A
Farmer–Labor Ernest R. Quick 16,179 1.57 N/A
Socialist Tom Johnson 1,008 0.10 N/A
Prohibition A. U. Coates 960 0.09 N/A
Total votes 1,032,743 100

See also

References