1940 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

The 1940 United States Senate election in Wisconsin was held on November 5, 1940.

Incumbent Progressive U.S. Senator Robert La Follette Jr. was elected to a third term in office over Republican Fred H. Clausen and Democrat James E. Finnegan.

Progressive primary

Candidates

• Robert M. La Follette Jr., incumbent Senator since 1925

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• James E. Finnegan, former Wisconsin Attorney General (1933–1937)

Eliminated in primary

• William D. Carroll, former State Senator (1933–1937)
• John Cudahy, former U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Irish Free State (write-in)
• James J. Kerwin

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Fred H. Clausen, farming equipment manufacturer

Eliminated in primary

• Walter B. Chilsen, former State Assemblyman (1919–1921) and editor of the Merrill Daily Herald
• Michael G. Eberlein
• Glenn Frank, former President of the University of Wisconsin-Madison (deceased, remained on ballot)
• John P. Koehler, Health Commissioner of Milwaukee
• William C. Maas
• Reuben W. Peterson, former State Assemblyman (1937–1939)

Declined

• Frank Bateman Keefe, U.S. Representative from (1939–1951)

Results

General election

Candidates

• Fred H. Clausen, farming equipment manufacturer (Republican)
• James E. Finnegan, former Wisconsin Attorney General (Democratic)
• Ted Furman (Communist)
• Robert M. La Follette Jr., incumbent Senator since 1925 (Progressive)
• Adolf Wiggert (Socialist Labor)

Results

See also

• 1940 United States Senate elections

References