1950 United States Senate election in Missouri

The 1950 United States Senate election in Missouri took place on November 7, 1950 in Missouri. Incumbent Republican Senator Forrest C. Donnell ran for a second term in office but was defeated by Democratic nominee Thomas C. Hennings Jr.

1950 United States Senate election in Missouri

← 1944
1956 →
 
NomineeThomas C. Hennings Jr.Forrest C. Donnell
PartyDemocraticRepublican
Popular vote685,732592,922
Percentage53.60%46.34%

County results
Hennings:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Donnell:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Forrest C. Donnell
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Thomas C. Hennings Jr.
Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary August 1, 1950[4][5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticThomas C. Hennings Jr. 182,333 45.03
DemocraticEmery Allison178,20144.01
DemocraticJames W. Hopkins15,8593.92
DemocraticBen M. Johnson15,5593.84
DemocraticMarjorie Bell Hinrichs12,9863.21
Total votes404,938 100

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Gordon R. Coates, building materials dealer[6]
  • Forrest C. Donnell, incumbent Senator since 1945
  • William McKinley Thomas, furniture warehouse employee[7]

Results

Republican primary August 1, 1950[4][5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanForrest C. Donnell (incumbent) 200,792 84.85
RepublicanWilliam McKinley Thomas17,4077.36
RepublicanGordon R. Coates10,9194.61
RepublicanHiram Grosby7,5273.18
Total votes236,645 100

General election

Candidates

Results

1950 United States Senate election in Missouri[9]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticThomas C. Hennings Jr. 685,732 53.60 +3.78
RepublicanForrest C. Donnell (Incumbent)592,92246.34-3.61
Christian NationalistJohn W. Hamilton6100.05+0.05
Socialist LaborHenry W. Genck1500.01+0.00
Majority92,8107.26
Turnout1,279,414
Democratic gain from RepublicanSwing

References