1952 United States Senate special election in Kentucky

The 1952 United States Senate special election in Kentucky was held on November 4, 1952, to complete the unexpired term of the late Senator Virgil Chapman. Interim Senator Thomas R. Underwood ran to complete the term but was defeated by Republican former Senator John Sherman Cooper.

1952 United States Senate special election in Kentucky

← 1948 November 4, 1952 1954 →

Nominee John Sherman Cooper Thomas R. Underwood Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 494,576 465,652 Percentage 51.51% 48.49%

County results Cooper:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Underwood:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Thomas R. Underwood Democratic Elected U.S. Senator John Sherman Cooper Republican

Background

Incumbent Senator Virgil Chapman died on March 8, 1951. Governor Lawrence Wetherby appointed Thomas R. Underwood to fill the vacant seat until a successor could be duly elected. The special election was scheduled for November 4, 1952, concurrent with the general election for president and United States House of Representatives.

General election

Candidates

• John Sherman Cooper, U.S. State Department official and former Senator (1946–1949)
• Thomas R. Underwood, interim U.S. Senator since 1951

Results

1952 U.S. Senate special election in Kentucky^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Sherman Cooper	494,576	51.51%
	Democratic	Thomas R. Underwood (incumbent)	465,652	48.49%
Total votes			960,228	100.00%

See also

• 1952 United States Senate elections

Notes