1954 United States Senate elections in Wyoming explained

Election Name:1954 United States Senate elections in Wyoming
Country:Wyoming
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1948 United States Senate election in Wyoming
Previous Year:1948
Next Election:1960 United States Senate election in Wyoming
Next Year:1960
Election Date:November 2, 1954
Image1:Sen. Joseph O'Mahoney, LCCN2016876768 (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:Joseph C. O'Mahoney
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:57,845
Percentage1:51.53%
Nominee2:William Henry Harrison III
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:54,407
Percentage2:48.47%
Map Size:255px
U.S. Senator
Before Election:Edward D. Crippa
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Joseph C. O'Mahoney
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 1954 United States Senate elections in Wyoming took place on November 2, 1954. Incumbent Democratic Senator Lester C. Hunt, who decided not to be a candidate for re-election, committed suicide by firearm on June 19, 1954, and Republican Governor Clifford J. Rogers appointed former state highway commissioner Edward D. Crippa to replace him. Two elections for the Senate seat were held on the same day; one as a special election to fill the remainder of Hunt's original six-year term, and another to select a Senator to serve the next six-year term. Senator Crippa did not run for re-election.

Crippa did not run for re-election; instead, Congressman William Henry Harrison III won a contested Republican primary and advanced to the general election, where he faced former Senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney, the Democratic nominee. In the midst of a largely neutral political environment—Democrats gained a handful of seats in Congress nationwide, which enabled them to flip the Senate, while Republican Milward Simpson narrowly won the gubernatorial election—O'Mahoney narrowly defeated Harrison to return to the Senate.

As of 2023, this is the last time Democrats won Wyoming's Class 2 Senate seat.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Special election

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Special election

General election

Results

Special election

Notes and References

  1. News: August 5, 1954. Hyatt Declares State Must Fight For Resources. Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo.. 2.
  2. News: March 11, 1954. Ewing T. Kerry Announces For U.S. Senate. Big Piney Examiner. Big Piney, Wyo.. 1.
  3. News: May 16, 1954. Taber Asks Retirement For Judges. Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo.. 6.