Katana VentraIP

1960 United States Senate elections

The 1960 United States Senate elections coincided with the election of John F. Kennedy as president on November 8, 1960. The 33 seats of Class 2 were contested in regular elections. A special election was also held on June 28, 1960, for a mid-term vacancy in North Dakota where Democrats flipped a seat to expand their majority to 66–34. As Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson was elected Vice President, Mike Mansfield became the new majority leader.

For related races, see 1960 United States elections.

The Republicans gained two seats at the expense of the Democrats. However, Republican Senator-elect Edwin Keith Thomson of Wyoming died December 9, 1960, and was replaced by appointee Democratic John J. Hickey at the beginning of the Congress, reducing Republican gains to one seat. However, this was canceled out by a 1961 special election where Republican John Tower flipped Johnson's Senate seat. The Democrats nonetheless retained a commanding lead in the Senate with 64 seats to 36.

Gains, losses, and holds[edit]

Retirements[edit]

Two Republicans and four Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.

Race summaries[edit]

Special elections during the 86th Congress[edit]

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1960 or before January 3, 1961; ordered by election date.

Turnout

84.24%

1960 United States elections

1960 United States presidential election

86th United States Congress

87th United States Congress

Congressional Elections, 1946-1996. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998.  1-56802-248-4.

ISBN

(2018). "Historical Report of the Secretary of State" (PDF). Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas Secretary of State's Office. ISBN 978-0-692-03553-5. Retrieved February 6, 2021.

Martin, Mark