1926 United States Senate election in Colorado explained

Election Name:1926 United States Senate election in Colorado
Country:Colorado
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1924 United States Senate special election in Colorado
Previous Year:1924 (special)
Next Election:1932 United States Senate election in Colorado
Next Year:1932
Election Date:November 2, 1926
Image1:File:Chas. W. Waterman of Denver, Col., (1-27-25) LCCN2016849970 (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:Charles W. Waterman
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:149,585
Percentage1:50.25%
Nominee2:William Ellery Sweet
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:138,113
Percentage2:46.39%
Map Size:250px
U.S. Senator
Before Election:Rice W. Means
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Charles W. Waterman
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 1926 United States Senate election in Colorado took place on November 2, 1926. Incumbent Republican Senator Rice W. Means ran for re-election, but he was defeated in the Republican primary by Charles W. Waterman, a prominent attorney and party leader. In the general election, Waterman faced former Governor William Ellery Sweet, the Democratic nominee. Despite the nationwide Democratic trend, as well as the landslide victory for Democrats in the gubernatorial election, Waterman ended up defeating Sweet by a thin margin. Waterman would not end up serving a full term in the Senate, and died in office on August 27, 1932.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Dropped out

Defeated at convention

Campaign

At the Democratic convention, a crowded slate of candidates was slightly winnowed down. Paul P. Prosser, a prominent Denver attorney who had previously been elected as the Howard County, Missouri, Prosecuting Attorney, placed first with 569 1/2 votes. He was followed by former Governor William Ellery Sweet with 279 1/2, former State House Speaker Harry L. Lubers with 133, and former labor leader Frank J. Hayes with 121. Attorney H. C. Fink received only 18 votes and was eliminated.[5] Shortly after the convention, Lubers dropped out, concluding that he lacked the financial resources to compete in the primary.[6] Sweet ended up defeating Prosser and Hayes by a decisive margin, though he fell just short of winning a majority.

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Results

Notes and References

  1. News: June 30, 1926. Paul P. Prosser Seeking Senatorship as Democrat Free from Factionalism. Longmont Daily Times. Longmont, Colorado. 3. July 4, 2022.
  2. News: April 12, 1926. Labor Leader Wants to Be U.S. Senator. Aspen Daily Times. Aspen, Colorado. 1. July 4, 2022.
  3. News: May 9, 1926. Harry Lubers Enters Senatorial Fight. Leadville Herald Democrat. Leadville, Colorado. 1. July 4, 2022.
  4. News: August 6, 1926. H. C. Fink Out for U.S. Senate. Fort Collins Coloradoan. Fort Collins, Colorado. 7. July 4, 2022.
  5. News: August 13, 1926. Democratic Candidates Designated. Longmont Daily Times. Longmont, Colorado. 1. July 4, 2022.
  6. News: August 27, 1926. Primary Election Costs. Eagle Valley Enterprise. Eagle, Colorado. 4. July 4, 2022.
  7. News: August 9, 1926. Challenge to Governor. Telluride Daily Journal. Telluride, Colorado. 1. July 4, 2022.
  8. News: July 30, 1926. Spaulding Wants Toga!. Aspen Daily Times. Aspen, Colorado. 1. July 4, 2022.