1956 United States Senate election in Georgia

The 1956 United States Senate election in Georgia took place on November 6, 1956. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Walter F. George did not run for re-election.

1956 U.S. Senate Democratic primary in Georgia

September 12, 1956
 
Nominee Herman Talmadge Melvin E. Thompson
Party Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 498,327 122,152
Percentage 80.31% 19.69%

U.S. senator before election

Walter F. George
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Herman Talmadge
Democratic

The open race for George's seat was the final chapter in the political rivalry between former Georgia Governor Herman Talmadge and Melvin Thompson which had begun a decade earlier with the Three Governors controversy. Talmadge soundly won the primary, ending Thompson's political career.

At this time, Georgia was a one-party state. Talmadge's victory in the September 12 primary was tantamount to election, and he was unopposed in the general election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1956 Democratic U.S. Senate primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Herman Talmadge 498,327 80.31%
Democratic Melvin E. Thompson 122,152 19.69%
Write-in All others 13 0.00%
Total votes 620,492 100.00%

General election

Results

1956 United States Senate election in Georgia[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Herman Talmadge 541,094 99.97% 0.03
Write-in All others 173 0.03%
Total votes 306,250 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing

See also

References

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