Election Name: | 1962 United States Senate special election in Wyoming |
Country: | Wyoming |
Type: | presidential |
Ongoing: | no |
Previous Election: | 1960 United States Senate election in Wyoming |
Previous Year: | 1960 |
Next Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Wyoming |
Next Year: | 1966 |
Election Date: | November 6, 1962 |
Image1: | Milwardsimpson.jpg |
Nominee1: | Milward Simpson |
Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
Popular Vote1: | 69,043 |
Percentage1: | 57.84% |
Nominee2: | John J. Hickey |
Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
Popular Vote2: | 50,329 |
Percentage2: | 42.16% |
Map Size: | 250px |
U.S. Senator | |
Before Election: | John J. Hickey |
Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
After Election: | Milward Simpson |
After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
The 1962 United States Senate special election in Wyoming was held on November 6, 1962. Following the death of Senator-elect Keith Thomson after his election to the Senate in 1960, Democratic Governor John J. Hickey appointed himself to fill the vacancy. A special election was held to fill the remaining four years of the term in 1962, and Hickey faced a strong challenge from former Republican Governor Milward Simpson in a rematch of the 1958 gubernatorial election. Despite a political environment largely favorable to Democrats nationwide, Democratic candidates faced strong headwinds in Wyoming. Senator Hickey overwhelmingly lost re-election to Simpson as Democratic Governor Jack R. Gage lost re-election by a wide margin, as well. Hickey was the last Democratic Senator from Wyoming to serve after Gale McGee began his tenure, though McGee was the last remaining.