1954 United States Senate election in Illinois explained
| Election Name: | 1954 United States Senate election in Illinois |
| Country: | Illinois |
| Flag Year: | 1915 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1948 United States Senate election in Illinois |
| Previous Year: | 1948 |
| Next Election: | 1960 United States Senate election in Illinois |
| Next Year: | 1960 |
| Election Date: | November 2, 1954 |
| Turnout: | 63.69% |
| Image1: | Senator Paul Douglas.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Paul Douglas |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,804,338 |
| Percentage1: | 53.57% |
| Nominee2: | Joseph T. Meek |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,563,683 |
| Percentage2: | 46.43% |
| Map Size: | 300x300px |
| U.S. Senator |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
The United States Senate election in Illinois of 1954 took place on November 2, 1954.[1] Incumbent Democratic United States Senator Paul Douglas was reelected to a second term.
Background
The primary (held on April 13) and general election coincided with those for House and those for state elections.[1]
Turnout in the primaries was 27.07%, with a total of 1,431,554 votes cast.[1] [2] Despite a crowded field for the Republican nomination, the primaries experienced what The New York Times reporter Richard J. H. Johnston referred to as, "one of the lightest primary votes of recent years," in Illinois.[3]
Turnout during the general election was 63.69%, with 3,368,021 votes cast.[1] [4] This election saw fewer votes cast than were cast in either of the two coinciding races for statewide executive offices in Illinois.[1]
Democratic primary
Incumbent Paul Douglas was renominated, running unopposed.
Candidates
•Paul Douglas, incumbent U.S. Senator
Results
Republican primary
Joseph T. Meek won a crowded Republican primary.
Candidates
- John B. Crane
- Edgar M. Elbert, businessman and President of Lions Club International[5]
- Lawrence Daly, perennial candidate
- Herbert F. Geisler, Chicago alderman[6]
- Edward A. Hayes, former Commander of The American Legion
- Julius Klein, business executive, journalist, former spy and former United States Army general
- Park Livingston, Trustee of University of Illinois and 1952 Illinois gubernatorial candidate
- Joseph T. Meek, President of the Illinois Federation of Retail Associations[3]
- Deneen A. Watson
- Austin L. Wyman, attorney[7]
Results
General election
Results
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: OFFICIAL VOTE of the STATE OF ILLINOIS Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 2, 1954 JUDICIAL ELECTION, 1953, 1954 SPECIAL ELECTION, 1953 • PRIMARY ELECTION GENERAL PRIMARY, APRIL, 13, 1954 . Illinois State Board of Elections . 7 July 2020 .
- Web site: OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the PRIMARY ELECTION MARCH 16, 1982 . www.elections.il.gov . Illinois State Board of Elections . 4 July 2020 .
- Web site: Johnston . Richard J. H. . G. O. P. PICKS MEEK IN ILLINOIS RACE; He Will Oppose Douglas for Senate -- Velde, Chiperfield Are Primary Victors . The New York Times . 7 July 2020 . en . 14 April 1954.
- Web site: OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 2, 1982 . www.elections.il.gov . Illinois State Board of Elections . 4 July 2020 .
- Web site: EDGAR M. ELBERT . chicagotribune.com . Chicago Tribune . 7 July 2020 . 26 January 1999.
- Web site: Senatorial Candidates-4 . Freeport Journal-Standard . 7 July 2020 . 8 . 22 March 1954.
- Web site: AUSTIN L. WYMAN JR. . chicagotribune.com . Chicago Tribune . 7 July 2020 . 5 January 2001.
