1940 United States Senate elections
elections to the United States Senate held on November 5, 1940
The 1940 United States Senate elections coincided with the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt to his third term as president. The 32 seats of Class 1 were contested in regular elections, and special elections were held to fill vacancies.
Although Roosevelt was re-elected to an unprecedented third term, support for his administration had dropped somewhat after eight years, and the Republican opposition gained three seats from the Democrats. However, the New Deal Democrats regained firm control of both the House and Senate because the Progressives dominated the election. The Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party also disappeared from the Senate, as Henrik Shipstead joined the Republican party and Ernest Lundeen had died during the preceding term. Senator Harry S. Truman of Missouri was elected to his final term in the Senate in 1940. Truman resigned in 1945 to serve as President Roosevelt's third Vice President.
Republicans later gained an additional seat through an appointment in Colorado.
Gains, losses, and holds
Retirements
One Republican and two Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election. One Republican retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term.
Begin with the source’s own compact description: “1940 United States Senate elections” is elections to the United States Senate held on November 5, 1940. The dossier treats that line as a proposition to test through United, States and Senate, not as a finished interpretation.
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