1958 United States Senate special election in West Virginia
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 County results Randolph: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Hoblitzell: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in West Virginia |
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The 1958 United States Senate special election in West Virginia was held on November 4, 1958, concurrent with a regular election. The election was called due to the death of Senator Matthew M. Neely.
Democrats Randolph and Byrd both won their seats, amid a national wave election. This would be the last time that Democrats simultaneously flipped both of a state's Senate seats until Georgia's elections in 2020 and 2021, and the last for either party until the 1978 elections in Minnesota.
This election, along with the simultaneous regular election, is the last time a Senator from West Virginia lost re-election.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Jennings Randolph of Elkins, member of the U.S. House for the 2nd district, 1933 - 1947.
- William C. Marland of Charleston, Governor, 1953 - 1957.
- Arnold Vickers of Montgomery, W.V. Senate President, 1945 - 1949.
- W.R. "Squibb" Wilson of Fairmont, member of the W.V. House for Marion County, 1957 - 1958.
Campaign
[edit]While campaigning with Robert C. Byrd, Randolph was involved in a car accident, veering into oncoming traffic and killing another driver. According to the testimony of Byrd, Randolph fell asleep at the wheel and woke up shortly before hitting the other driver.[1] Wetzel County prosecutor Jack Hawkins declined to file charges,[2] and Byrd's insurance company settled with the victim's widow out of court, being forced to pay the full sum of Byrd's liability, $22,500.[3]
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jennings Randolph | 102,547 | 47.16% | |
| Democratic | William C. Marland | 77,901 | 35.82% | |
| Democratic | Arnold Vickers | 25,439 | 11.70% | |
| Democratic | Squibb Wilson | 11,540 | 5.31% | |
| Total votes | 217,427 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- John D. Hoblitzell, Jr. of Ravenswood, interim U.S. Senator, 1958 - 1958.
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John D. Hoblitzell, Jr. (incumbent) | 82,094 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 82,094 | 100.00% | ||
General election
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jennings Randolph | 374,167 | 59.32% | ||
| Republican | John D. Hoblitzell, Jr. (incumbent) | 256,510 | 39.77% | ||
| Total votes | 630,677 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic gain from Republican | |||||
References
[edit]- ^ "Two Senate Aspirants in Fatal Crash". Cumberland Evening Times. March 18, 1958. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
- ^ "No Charges In Crash Involving Randolph, Byrd". Weirton Daily Times. March 19, 1958. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
- ^ "Should Voters Permit a Ruthless Push to Power?". The Register-Herald. October 10, 1958. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
- ^ "1958 Democratic Primary Election" (PDF). Historical Election Results and Turnout. Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
- ^ "1958 Republican Primary" (PDF). Historical Election Results and Turnout. Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
- ^ "1958 General Election" (PDF). Historical Election Results and Turnout. Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved June 13, 2020.