1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin

The 1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin took place on August 27, 1957, to elect a U.S. Senator to complete the unexpired term of Senator Joseph McCarthy, who died on May 2, 1957.

Unlike most states Wisconsin law did not allow for the gubernatorial appointment of an interim Senator.

Democratic nominee William Proxmire defeated Republican nominee and former Governor Walter J. Kohler Jr.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on July 30, 1957.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• William Proxmire, former State Representative, Democratic nominee for Governor in 1952, 1954 and 1956
• Clement J. Zablocki, incumbent U.S. Representative

Declined

• Henry S. Reuss, incumbent U.S. Representative

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Glenn Robert Davis, former U.S. Representative, unsuccessful candidate for Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1956
• Henry P. Hughes, former justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
• Warren P. Knowles, incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin
• Walter J. Kohler Jr., former Governor of Wisconsin
• Gerald D. Lorge, incumbent State Senator
• Alvin E. O'Konski, incumbent U.S. Representative
• John C. Schafer, former U.S. Representative

Declined

• Howard H. Boyle, attorney, unsuccessful candidate for Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1956

Results

General election

Major party candidates

• Walter J. Kohler Jr., Republican
• William Proxmire, Democratic

Minor party candidates

• Howard H. Boyle, "Joe McCarthy Republican", attorney
• Georgia Cozzini, Socialist Labor, housewife
• Douglas J. Wheaton, steamfitter

The three minor candidates all technically ran as independents.

Results

See also

• 1957 United States Senate elections

References

Bibliography