1960 United States Senate election in Illinois

The 1960 United States Senate election in Illinois took place on November 8, 1960.^[1] Incumbent Democratic United States Senator Paul Douglas was reelected to a third term.

1960 United States Senate election in Illinois

← 1954 November 8, 1960 1966 →
Turnout	84.24%
Nominee Paul Douglas Samuel W. Witwer Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,530,945 2,093,846 Percentage 54.63% 45.20%
County results Douglas:      50–60%      60–70% Witwer:      50–60%      60–70%
U.S. senator before election Paul Douglas Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Paul Douglas Democratic

Background

The primary (held on April 12) and general election coincided with those for other federal offices (President and House) and those for state elections.^[1]

Turnout in the primaries was 32.98%, with a total of 1,678,954 votes cast.^[1][2]

Turnout during the general election was 84.24%, with 4,632,796 votes cast.^[1][2]

Democratic primary

Incumbent Paul Douglas was renominated, running unopposed.

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Paul H. Douglas (Incumbent)	916,951	100
	Write-in	Others	8	0.00
Total votes			916,959	100

Republican primary

Samuel W. Witwer won a crowded Republican primary. Witwer was an attorney known for his work on both state and federal constitutional reforms.^[3]

Candidates

• John R. Harrell
• John W. Lewis Jr., Illinois State Senator
• William H. Rentschler, newspaper publisher^[4]
• Samuel W. Witwer, attorney^[3]
• Warren E. Wright, former Illinois Treasurer

Results

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Samuel W. Witwer	249,849	32.79
	Republican	Warren E. Wright	226,449	29.72
	Republican	William H. Rentschler	202,600	26.59
	Republican	John W. Lewis, Jr.	48,989	6.43
	Republican	John R. Harrell	34,106	4.48
	Write-in	Others	2	0.00
Total votes			761,995	100

Socialist Labor nomination

The Socialist Labor Party of America nominated Louis Fisher.

General election

Results

United States Senate election in Illinois, 1966^[1][5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Paul H. Douglas (Incumbent)	2,530,943	54.63%
	Republican	Samuel W. Witwer	2,093,846	45.20%
	Socialist Labor	Louis Fisher	8,007	0.17%
Majority			437,097	9.43%
Turnout			4,632,796
	Democratic hold

See also

• 1960 United States Senate elections