my-server
← Wiki

1907 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin

The 1907 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin was held in the 48th Wisconsin Legislature between , and . The special election was necessary to complete the unexpired term of U.S. Senator John Coit Spooner, who announced his resignation in March 1907 and left office April 30. Republican former U.S. representative Isaac Stephenson was elected on the 22nd ballot after a month of voting and negotiation.

In the 1907 term, Republicans held overwhelming majorities in both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature, so had more than enough votes to elect a Republican The main contest was in the Republican legislative caucus, where multiple progressive and conservative factions failed to reach consensus for nearly a month. Progressives ultimately coalesced around 77-year-old former U.S. representative Isaac Stephenson—who had made several previous bids for —and secured his nomination.

Major candidates

Democratic

Republican

Socialist

Results

Vote on April 17, 1907

Votes from April 18 to April 26

Vote on April 29, 1907

On April 29, by agreement between the various candidates, most legislators were allowed to be absent, with each declared candidate designating one trusted supporter to arrive and cast a placeholder vote.

Votes from April 30 to May 10

Vote on May 13, 1907

On May 13, by agreement between the various candidates, most legislators were allowed to be absent, with each declared candidate designating one trusted supporter to arrive and cast a placeholder vote.

Votes from May 14 to May 16

Republican caucus on May 16, 1907

On the evening of May 16, 1907, William H. Hatton expected to secure the nomination after coming within two votes of the caucus majority earlier that day. Lieutenant Governor William D. Connor was credited with denying Hatton the nomination after he managed to convince representatives Clifford R. Goldsworthy and Elwyn F. Nelson to withhold their support. Hatton's support collapsed during the roll call vote, with Goldsworthy, Nelson, and Duncan McGregor leading the rout. Instead Isaac Stephenson achieved a majority with 55 of 98 votes cast, and the caucus then moved to make him their unanimous nominee.

Vote on May 17, 1907

The legislature re-convened in joint session on May 17. Voting proceeded exactly along party lines, with 26 members absent. Stephenson received the support of all the Republicans present and voting and was elected U.S. senator.

Notes

References