1948 United States Senate election in Montana

1948 United States Senate election in Montana

November 2, 1948

Nominee James E. Murray Tom J. Davis Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 125,193 94,458 Percentage 56.65% 42.74%

County results Murray:      50–60%      60–70% Davis:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election James E. Murray Democratic Elected U.S. Senator James E. Murray Democratic

The 1948 United States Senate election in Montana took place on November 2, 1948. Incumbent United States Senator James E. Murray, who was first elected to the Senate in a special election in 1934 and was re-elected in 1936 and 1942, ran for re-election. After winning the Democratic primary, he faced Tom J. Davis, an attorney and the Republican nominee, in the general election. Following a narrow re-election in 1936, Murray significantly expanded his margin of victory and comfortably won re-election over Davis, resulting in him winning his fourth term and his third full term in the Senate.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• James E. Murray, incumbent United States Senator
• Harry J. McGregor

Results

Democratic Party primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James E. Murray (incumbent)	62,658	81.63%
	Democratic	Harry J. McGregor	14,104	18.37%
Total votes			76,762	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Tom J. Davis, attorney, former President of Rotary International
• Wellington D. Rankin, former United States Attorney for the District of Montana, former Attorney General of Montana

Results

Republican Primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Tom J. Davis	31,897	55.98%
	Republican	Wellington D. Rankin	25,083	44.02%
Total votes			56,980	100.00%

General election

Results

United States Senate election in Montana, 1948^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	James E. Murray (incumbent)	125,193	56.65%	+7.58%
	Republican	Tom S. Davis	94,458	42.74%	−5.62%
	Prohibition	C. S. Hanna	1,352	0.61%
Majority			30,735	13.91%	+13.20%
Turnout			221,003
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• United States Senate elections, 1948 and 1949

References

1. "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, July 20, 1948" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 28, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
2. "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 2, 1948" (PDF). Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved July 2, 2014.