1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin explained

Election Name:	1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin
Country:	Wisconsin
Flag Year:	1913
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	1952 United States Senate election in Wisconsin
Previous Year:	1952
Next Election:	1958 United States Senate election in Wisconsin
Next Year:	1958
Election Date:	August 27, 1957
Image1:	File:William Proxmire.jpg
Nominee1:	William Proxmire
Party1:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	435,985
Percentage1:	56.43%
Nominee2:	Walter J. Kohler Jr.
Party2:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	312,931
Percentage2:	40.50%
Map Size:	250px
U.S. Senator
Before Election:	Joseph McCarthy
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
After Election:	William Proxmire
After Party:	Democratic Party (United States)

The 1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin took place on August 27, 1957, to elect a U.S. Senator to complete the unexpired term of Senator Joseph McCarthy, who died on May 2, 1957. Wisconsin law did not allow for the appointment of an interim Senator until the special election could be held.^[1] Democratic nominee William Proxmire defeated Republican nominee and former Governor of Wisconsin Walter J. Kohler Jr..

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on July 30, 1957.^[2]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• William Proxmire, former State Representative, Democratic nominee for Governor in 1952, 1954 and 1956
• Clement J. Zablocki, incumbent U.S. Representative

Declined

• Henry S. Reuss, incumbent U.S. Representative^[3]

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Glenn Robert Davis, former U.S. Representative, unsuccessful candidate for Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1956
• Henry P. Hughes, former justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court^[3]
• Warren P. Knowles, incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin
• Walter J. Kohler Jr., former Governor of Wisconsin
• Gerald D. Lorge, incumbent State Senator
• Alvin E. O'Konski, incumbent U.S. Representative
• John C. Schafer, former U.S. Representative

Declined

• Howard H. Boyle, attorney,^[3] unsuccessful candidate for Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1956

Results

General election

Major party candidates

• Walter J. Kohler Jr., Republican
• William Proxmire, Democratic

Minor party candidates

• Howard H. Boyle, "Joe McCarthy Republican", attorney^{[4] [5]}
• Georgia Cozzini, Socialist Labor, housewife^[5]
• Douglas J. Wheaton, steamfitter^[5]

The three minor candidates all technically ran as independents.

Results

See also

• 1957 United States Senate elections

Bibliography

• Book: Congressional Elections, 1946-1996 . 1998 . Washington, D.C. . Congressional Quarterly Inc. . 1998 . 1-56802-248-4 . .
• Book: Scammon . Richard M. . America Votes: a handbook of contemporary American election statistics, 1956-57 . 1958 . New York . Governmental Affairs Institute . 1958 . .
• Book: Toepel . M. G. . Kuehn . Hazel L. . The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1958 . State of Wisconsin . .

Notes and References

1. News: . May 3, 1957 . McCarthy Services Set For Monday at Capitol . Evening star . Washington, D.C. . A-1 . 6 September 2022.
2. News: . August 1, 1957 . Two Old Foes Seek McCarthy Seat . Evening star . Washington, D.C. . A-10 . 6 September 2024.
3. News: . June 9, 1957 . Zablocki in Race For McCarthy Seat; Reuss to Bow Out . Evening star . Washington, D.C. . A-6 . 6 September 2024.
4. News: . August 14, 1957 . Two Who Favor McCarthy to Run . Evening star . Washington, D.C. . A-18 . 6 September 2024.
5. News: . August 26, 1957 . McCarthy's Senate Seat To Be Filled Tomorrow . Evening star . Washington, D.C. . A-18 . 6 September 2024.