1918 United States Senate election in Kentucky

The 1918 United States Senate election in Kentucky took place on November 7, 1918. Incumbent Senator Ollie M. James sought a second term in office but died on August 18. He was replaced on the Democratic ticket by Governor Augustus Owsley Stanley, who defeated Republican Ben Bruner.

1918 United States Senate election in Kentucky

← 1912 November 5, 1918 1924 →

Nominee Augustus O. Stanley[a] Ben Bruner Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 184,385 178,797 Percentage 50.77% 49.23%

County results Stanley:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Bruner:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. senator before election George Brown Martin Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Augustus Owsley Stanley Democratic

General election

Candidates

• Ben Bruner, doctor (Republican)
• Augustus Owsley Stanley, Governor of Kentucky (Democratic)

Campaign

After Senator James died, Governor Stanley appointed George B. Martin to complete his unexpired term, set to end on March 3. Stanley was then nominated by the Democratic State Committee for the full term in office. He enjoyed the unified support of the Democratic Party, including Senator J. C. W. Beckham, who worried Stanley would challenge him for his own seat again in 1920 as he had in 1914, and President Woodrow Wilson. Bruner, a relative unknown, ran a campaign opposed to the prohibition of alcohol and in favor of a bill banning the German language, which Stanley had vetoed as Governor.^[1]

Results

1918 U.S. Senate election in Kentucky^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Augustus Owsley Stanley	184,385	50.77%
	Republican	Frederic M. Sackett	178,797	49.23%
Total votes			363,182	100.00%
	Democratic hold

See also

• 1918 United States Senate elections

Notes

1. Incumbent Senator Ollie M. James was initially nominated for a second term in office but died on August 18.