1942 United States Senate election in Iowa

The 1942 United States Senate election in Iowa took place on November 3, 1942. Incumbent Democratic Senator Clyde Herring ran for re-election to a second term but was defeated by Republican Governor George A. Wilson.

1942 United States Senate election in Iowa

← 1936 November 3, 1942 1948 →

Nominee George A. Wilson Clyde Herring Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 410,383 295,194 Percentage 57.98% 41.70%

County results Wilson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Herring:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Clyde Herring Democratic Elected U.S. Senator George A. Wilson Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Clyde Herring, incumbent Senator since 1937 and former Governor
• Ernest J. Seemann, perennial candidate

Results

1942 Democratic U.S. Senate primary^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Clyde Herring (incumbent)	62,176	78.34%
	Democratic	Ernest Seemann	17,190	21.66%
Total votes			79,366	100.00%

After losing the primary, Seemann entered the general election on the "Progressive New Dealer" ticket.

Republican primary

Candidates

• G. Scott Davies
• James I. Dolliver, member of the Fort Dodge Board of Education, former County Attorney for Webster County, and nephew of former Senator Jonathan P. Dolliver
• Mark G. Thornburg, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture since 1939
• George A. Wilson, Governor of Iowa since 1939

Results

1942 Republican U.S. Senate primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	George A. Wilson	121,565	51.69%
	Republican	Mark G. Thornburg	76,818	32.66%
	Republican	James I. Dolliver	29,874	12.70%
	Republican	G. Scott Davies	6,919	2.94%
Total votes			235,176	100.00%

General election

Results

1942 U.S. Senate election in Iowa^[3][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	George A. Wilson	410,383	57.98%	10.99
	Democratic	Clyde Herring (incumbent)	295,194	41.70%	8.65
	Prohibition	M. M. Heptonstall	1,461	0.21%	0.05
	Prog. New Deal	Ernest J. Seemann	821	0.12%	N/A
Total votes			707,859	100.00%

See also

• 1942 United States Senate elections