1954 United States Senate election in Oklahoma
|
|
| | | Nominee | Robert S. Kerr | Fred M. Mock | | Party | Democratic | Republican | Popular vote | 335,127 | 262,013 | Percentage | 55.84% | 43.66% | |
U.S. senator before election Robert S. Kerr Democratic | Elected U.S. Senator Robert S. Kerr Democratic | |
Elections in Oklahoma |
---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government |
|
The 1954 United States Senate election in Oklahoma took place on November 2, 1954. Incumbent Democratic Senator Robert S. Kerr ran for re-election to a second term. He faced strong competition in the Democratic primary from former Governor Roy J. Turner, and though he won a sizable victory over Turner in the primary, he fell shy of an outright majority. Turner, however, withdrew from the race before a runoff election could be held. On the Republican side, U.S. Attorney Fred Mock won the nomination following a runoff against newspaper publisher Raymond Fields. In the general election, Kerr ended up easily defeating Mock, but with a significantly reduced victory from 1948.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Democratic primary[2] Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Robert S. Kerr (inc.) | 238,543 | 49.00% |
| Democratic | Roy J. Turner | 205,241 | 42.16% |
| Democratic | David C. Shapard | 11,071 | 2.27% |
| Democratic | George H. Hunt | 10,014 | 2.06% |
| Democratic | Jess L. Pullen | 6,267 | 1.29% |
| Democratic | Henry Harding | 6,154 | 1.26% |
| Democratic | A. B. McDonald | 3,745 | 0.77% |
| Democratic | Jeff McHenry | 2,934 | 0.60% |
| Democratic | Sooner Singleton | 2,896 | 0.59% |
Total votes | 486,865 | 100.00% |
Following the Democratic primary, Kerr had a sizable lead over Turner, but fell just short of a majority, thereby triggering a runoff election. However, several weeks after the primary, Turner withdrew from the runoff, announcing that he would not be able to adequately finance his campaign.[3] After Turner's withdrawal, David C. Shapard, who placed a distant third in the primary, announced that he would attempt to force a runoff with Kerr.[1] The State Election Board denied Kerr's request, and he appealed to the state Supreme Court,[4] which quickly denied his appeal, concluding that his claim had no "apparent merit."[5]
Runoff election results
Democratic primary runoff[2] Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Robert S. Kerr (inc.) | 318,862 | 100.00% |
Total votes | 318,862 | 100.00% |
Republican primary
Candidates
- Fred M. Mock, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma[6]
- Raymond H. Fields, newspaper publisher, 1950 Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate[7]
- Ernest G. Albright
- Frank A. Anderson
Results
Republican primary[2] Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Raymond H. Fields | 23,339 | 41.53% |
| Republican | Fred M. Mock | 17,062 | 30.36% |
| Republican | Ernest G. Albright | 11,521 | 20.50% |
| Republican | Frank A. Anderson | 4,270 | 7.60% |
Total votes | 56,192 | 100.00% |
Runoff election results
Republican primary runoff[2] Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Fred M. Mock | 22,340 | 53.43% |
| Republican | Raymond H. Fields | 19,471 | 46.57% |
Total votes | 41,811 | 100.00% |
General election
Results
1954 United States Senate election in Oklahoma[2] Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Democratic | Robert S. Kerr (inc.) | 335,127 | 55.84% | -6.46% |
| Republican | Fred M. Mock | 262,013 | 43.66% | +6.26% |
| Independent | George V. Fried | 1,563 | 0.26% | — |
| Independent | George H. Brasier | 1,417 | 0.24% | — |
Majority | 73,114 | 12.18% | -12.71% |
Turnout | 600,120 | | |
| Democratic hold |
References
- ^ a b "Shapard Wants Chance to Meet Kerr in Run-Off". Seminole Producer. Seminole, Okla. July 13, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "1952-1956 Election Results" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ "Turner Withdraws From Senate Race Against Bob Kerr". Rogers County News. Claremore, Okla. July 13, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ "Shapard To Take Request Before Supreme Court". Okmulgee Daily Times. Okmulgee, Okla. July 14, 1954. p. 5. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ "Shapard Is Denied A Place on Ballot". Miami News-Record. Miami, Okla. July 19, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Attorney In Senate Race". Daily Oklahoman. Oklahoma City, Okla. April 22, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ "Raymond Fields Is Inclined Run For U. S. Senator". Alva Review-Courier. Alva, Okla. March 15, 1954. p. 2. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
|
---|
U.S. Senate | |
---|
U.S. House | |
---|
State governors | |
---|
State legislatures | |
---|