1932 United States Senate elections in Colorado explained

Election Name:1932 United States Senate elections in Colorado
Country:Colorado
Flag Year:1909
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1926 United States Senate election in Colorado
Previous Year:1926
Next Election:1938 United States Senate election in Colorado
Next Year:1938
Election Date:November 8, 1932
Image1:Alva B. Adams cph.3b20175.jpg
Nominee1:Alva B. Adams
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:226,516
Percentage1:51.91%
Nominee2:Karl C. Schuyler
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:198,519
Percentage2:45.50%
Map Size:250px
U.S. Senator
Before Election:Walter Walker
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Alva B. Adams
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 1932 United States Senate elections in Colorado took place on November 8, 1932. Incumbent Republican Senator Charles W. Waterman announced that he would not seek re-election to a second term. Attorney Karl C. Schuyler won the Republican nomination to succeed Waterman and faced former Senator Alva B. Adams, the Democratic nominee, in the general election.

However, shortly before the primary elections took place, Waterman died in office. Governor Billy Adams appointed Walter Walker, the Chairman of the Colorado Democratic Party, to fill the vacancy.[1] A special election was called for the November 8, 1932, general election to fill the remaining months of Waterman's term. The state Republican Party named Schuyler as its nominee, but Adams declined to be a candidate in the special election, and Walker was named as the nominee.

The ensuing elections produced a split result. Schuyler narrowly won the special election over Walker by about 1,000 votes, and ended up serving for several months in the Senate. However, Adams handily defeated Schuyler for the full term.

Democratic primary

Regular election

Candidates

Special election

Adams declined to be a candidate in the special election, and the state Democratic Party named Senator Walter Walker as its nominee.[2]

Republican primary

Regular election

Candidates

Dropped out

Campaign

Senator Waterman's announcement that he would not seek re-election triggered an open Republican contest for the nomination to replace him. Nate C. Warren emerged as a leading Republican candidate, and federal judge John Foster Symes, upon the urging of the state Republican establishment,[4] also entered the race with the party's support.[5] However, at the Republican convention, Denver-area Republicans encouraged Symes to drop out of the race in favor of attorney and party leader Karl C. Schuyler in an effort to defeat Warren.[6] Both Schuyler and Warren won places on the September primary ballot, and Schuyler narrowly defeated Warren.

Results

Special election

The state Republican Party held off on naming its nominee for the special election until the primary for the regular election was settled. At that point, Schuyler was named as the nominee for the special election.[7]

General election

Results

Special election

Notes and References

  1. News: September 29, 1932. Walter Walker Is Appointed U.S. Senator by Governor. Wray Rattler. Wray, Colorado. 1. July 4, 2022.
  2. News: October 14, 1932. More Political "Strategy". Palisade Tribune. Palisade, Colorado. 2. July 4, 2022.
  3. News: May 27, 1932. Warren in Race for Senator. Ignacio Chieftain. Ignacio, Colorado. 1. July 4, 2022.
  4. News: June 10, 1932. Symes Is Candidate in U. S. Senate Race. Steamboat Pilot. Steamboat Springs, Colorado. 2. July 4, 2022.
  5. News: August 5, 1932. The Politician Reports the Gossip. Steamboat Pilot. Steamboat Springs, Colorado. 3. July 4, 2022.
  6. News: August 10, 1932. Nate Warren and Karl Schuyler to Contest for Republican Party Nomination for U. S. Senator. Craig Empire Courier. Craig, Colorado. 1. July 4, 2022.
  7. News: September 27, 1932. Schuyler Named as Senator Candidate for Vacancy Term. Walsenburg World. Walsenburg, Colorado. 1. July 4, 2022.