First-term Democrat Richard L. Neuberger had been diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1958 that became terminal by 1960 — but was kept from the public. Neuberger remained at home in early 1960, reportedly battling the flu. Though still publicly seeking re-election, he told his campaign chair, attorney Jack Beatty, "Remember, there's always another Neuberger," referring to his wife. The comment, combined with Neuberger's reluctance to meet in public and weak voice on the phone, led Beatty to believe that Neuberger's condition was grave, a suspicion confirmed by the Senator's physician shortly before Neuberger died at Good Samaritan Hospital on March 9, 1960.[1][2]
Hatfield stated that he intended to have appointed Neuberger, but that he wanted to appoint someone who would be focused on completing the remaining eight months of the term and not running in the regular-term Senate election as Neuberger had announced she would.[5] Some observers noted that Hatfield, a Republican, though required by state law to appoint someone of the same political party as the late Senator Neuberger, did not want to give the other party the political advantage of incumbency.[5][6]
Two elections for the Class 2 Senate seat were held on the same day; one as a special election to fill the remainder of Neuberger's original six-year term, and another to select a Senator to serve the next six-year term. Senator Lusk did not run for election.
Neuberger's widow Maurine Brown Neuberger was elected on November 8, 1960, both to finish the term and to the next term. Democrats would not win this seat again until 2008.
Maurine Neuberger was the only candidate for the special election to finish Richard Neuberger's term. Cox was ineligible for the nomination as he had not properly registered in time as a voter.[8]
