1950 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

The 1950 United States Senate election in Oklahoma took place on November 7, 1950. Incumbent Democratic Senator Elmer Thomas ran for re-election to a fifth term. However, though he had successfully beat back primary challengers in past elections, he was ultimately defeated by Congressman Mike Monroney. Monroney advanced to the general election, where he faced Reverend Bill Alexander, the Republican nominee. Despite the national Republican landslide, Monroney defeated Alexander by a wide margin, holding the seat for the Democratic Party.

1950 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Mike Monroney Bill Alexander Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 345,953 285,224 Percentage 54.81% 45.19%

County results Monroney:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Alexander:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Elmer Thomas Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Mike Monroney Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• J.R. Champ Clarke
• Bill Edwards
• C. A. Gentry
• Mike Monroney, U.S. Representative from Oklahoma City
• Robert Teeter
• Elmer Thomas, incumbent U.S. Senator since 1927
• Joe B. Thompson

Results

Democratic primary^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mike Monroney	210,557	46.54%
	Democratic	Elmer Thomas (inc.)	195,904	43.30%
	Democratic	Joe B. Thompson	16,094	3.56%
	Democratic	Bill Edwards	10,571	2.34%
	Democratic	C. A. Gentry	8,318	1.84%
	Democratic	J. R. Champ Clarke	6,462	1.43%
	Democratic	Robert Teeter	4,509	1.00%
Total votes			452,415	100.00%

Runoff election results

Democratic primary runoff^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mike Monroney	240,432	52.95%
	Democratic	Elmer Thomas (inc.)	213,665	47.05%
Total votes			454,097	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Bill Alexander, pastor of First Christian Church of Oklahoma^[2]
• Raymond H. Fields, newspaperman^[3]
• George T. Balch
• Forrest Van Pelt

Results

Republican primary^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bill Alexander	37,655	64.90%
	Republican	Raymond H. Fields	13,398	23.09%
	Republican	George T. Balch	4,746	8.18%
	Republican	Forrest Van Pelt	2,220	3.83%
Total votes			58,079	100.00%

General election

Results

1950 United States Senate election in Oklahoma^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Mike Monroney	345,953	54.81%	−0.83%
	Republican	Bill Alexander	285,224	45.19%	+1.17%
Majority			60,729	9.62%	−2.00%
Turnout			631,177
	Democratic hold

References

1. "1946-1950 Election Results" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
2. "Rev. Bill Alexander Ponders Decision In Senate Campaign". Sapulpa Daily Herald. Sapulpa, Okla. January 6, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
3. "Raymond Fields May Enter GOP Race for Senate". Norman Transcript. Norman, Okla. April 9, 1950. p. 5. Retrieved June 14, 2021.