1941 United States Senate special election in South Carolina explained

Election Name:	1941 U.S. Senate Democratic primary runoff in South Carolina
Country:	South Carolina
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	1936 United States Senate election in South Carolina
Previous Year:	1936
Next Election:	1942 United States Senate election in South Carolina
Next Year:	1942
Election Date:	September 16, 1941
Image1:	Burnet R. Maybank.jpg
Nominee1:	Burnet R. Maybank
Party1:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	92,100
Percentage1:	56.58%
Nominee2:	Olin D. Johnston
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	70,687
Percentage2:	43.42%
Map Size:	250px
U.S. Senator
Before Election:	Roger C. Peace
Before Party:	Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:	Burnet R. Maybank
After Party:	Democratic Party (United States)

The 1941 United States Senate special election in South Carolina was held on September 30, 1941^[1] to complete the unexpired term of Senator James F. Byrnes, who resigned on July 8. Interim Senator Alva Lumpkin died on August 1 and in turn was succeeded by Roger C. Peace, who did not run for re-election.

The election was won by Governor Burnet R. Maybank who defeated former Governor Olin D. Johnston after a run-off in the primary. He was unopposed in the general election.

Background

In 1937, Senator James F. Byrnes began a six-year term ending in 1943. On June 12, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt nominated Byrnes as an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, and he was confirmed that same day.^[2] He resigned from the Senate on July 8, 1941.^[3]

To fill the vacancy until a successor could be duly elected, Governor of South Carolina Burnet R. Maybank appointed Judge Alva Lumpkin on July 22, 1941, but Lumpkin died on August 1, 1941. Maybank then appointed Roger C. Peace on August 5, 1941, to succeed Lumpkin. Peace did not run in the special election to complete the term.

Democratic primary

The Democratic primary election was held on September 2, 1941.^[4] As no candidate won a majority of votes, a run-off was held between the top two candidates on September 16, 1941.^[5]

Candidates

• Joseph R. Bryson, incumbent U.S. Representative
• Olin D. Johnston, former Governor of South Carolina
• Burnet R. Maybank, incumbent Governor of South Carolina

Results

Democratic Primary^[6] ^[7]
Candidate	Votes	%
Burnet R. Maybank	59,017	47.4
	40,296	32.3
	25,257	20.3

Runoff

Democratic Primary Runoff^[8]
Candidate	Votes	%	±%
Burnet R. Maybank	92,100	56.6	+9.2
Olin D. Johnston	70,687	43.4	+11.1

General election

Results

See also

• List of United States senators from South Carolina
• 1941 United States Senate elections

Notes and References

1. News: . August 2, 1941 . Too Early to Consider Successor, Governor Says . Evening star . Washington, D.C. . A-4 . 6 July 2024.
2. McMillion. Barry J.. January 28, 2022. Supreme Court Nominations, 1789 to 2020: Actions by the Senate, the Judiciary Committee, and the President. Congressional Research Service. Washington, D.C.. February 15, 2022.
3. Web site: BYRNES, James Francis, (1882 - 1972) . Biographical Directory of the United States Congress . United States Congress . 6 July 2024.
4. News: . September 2, 1941 . South Carolina Primary Today . The Wilmington morning star . Wilmington, N.C. . 1 . 6 July 2024.
5. News: . September 16, 1941 . Maybank and Johnston In Runoff Election Today . Evening star . Washington, D.C. . A-4 . 6 July 2024.
6. Book: . Guide to U.S. Elections . II . Washington, D.C. . CQ Press . 2005 . 1420 . 9781568029818 .
7. Web site: SC US Senate, 1941 – Special D Primary . Our Campaigns . 6 July 2024.
8. Web site: SC US Senate, 1941 – Special D Runoff. Our Campaigns . 6 July 2024.