1952 United States Senate election in Connecticut

Not to be confused with 1952 United States Senate special election in Connecticut.

For related races, see 1952 United States Senate elections.

1952 United States Senate election in Connecticut

November 4, 1952

Nominee William A. Purtell William Benton Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 573,854 485,066 Percentage 52.48% 44.36%

County results Municipality results Purtell:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Benton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election William Benton Democratic Elected U.S. Senator William A. Purtell Republican

The 1952 United States Senate election in Connecticut was held on November 4, 1952. Incumbent Democratic Senator William Benton, who won a special election to complete the term of retiring Senator Raymond Baldwin, was defeated by Republican William A. Purtell after serving only 2 years.

General election

Candidates

• William Benton, incumbent senator since 1949 (Democratic)
• Vivien Kellems, industrialist, inventor, and tax protester (Independent Republican)
• Jasper McLevy, Mayor of Bridgeport and perennial candidate for statewide office (Socialist)
• William A. Purtell, businessman and candidate for governor in 1950^[a]

Campaign

During the campaign, Brien McMahon, the Class III Senator from Connecticut, died. Governor John Davis Lodge appointed Purtell, already the Republican nominee for this Class I seat, to serve as interim Senator in McMahon's place until a special election could be held.^[b]

Purtell supported General Dwight D. Eisenhower's campaign platform against "communism, corruption, and Korea."^[1] Benton accused Purtell of being so conservative that he "makes Bob Taft look like a left-wing New Dealer."^[2]

Results

United States Senate election in Connecticut, 1952^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	William A. Purtell	573,854	52.48%	3.42
	Democratic	William Benton (incumbent)	485,066	44.36%	4.82
	Independent	Vivien Kellems	22,268	2.04%	N/A
	Socialist	Jasper McLevy	12,279	1.12%	0.64
Total votes			1,207,947	100.00%
	Republican gain from Democratic

Notes

1. As of August 29, 1952, Purtell was actually serving as Connecticut's interim Class III Senator after the death of Senator Brien McMahon. Governor John Davis Lodge appointed Purtell to succeed McMahon, but Purtell was not a candidate in the special election to succeed McMahon, which was held the same day and won by Prescott Bush.
2. The special election to succeed Purtell in the other seat was held the same day and won by Prescott Bush.

References

1. Current Biography Yearbook. H.W. Wilson Company. 1952.
2. "William Purtell, 81; Served in the Senate from 1952 to 1959". The New York Times. June 1, 1978.
3. "Our Campaigns - CT US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1952".