1960 United States Senate election in Wyoming

none March 2026 September 2023 1960 United States Senate election in Wyoming Wyoming presidential no 1954 United States Senate elections in Wyoming 1954 1962 United States Senate special election in Wyoming 1962 November 8, 1960 x150px Edwin Keith Thomson (Wyoming Congressman).jpg Keith Thomson Republican Party (United States) 78,103 56.37% 3x4.svg Raymond B. Whitaker Democratic Party (United States) 60,447 43.63% 1960 United States Senate special election in Wyoming results map by county.svg 250px County results Thomson: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80%Whitaker: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% U.S. Senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney Democratic Party (United States) Edwin Keith Thomson (died before taking office) Republican The 1960 United States Senate election in Wyoming was held on November 8, 1960. Incumbent Democratic Senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney was first appointed to the U.S. Senate from Wyoming's Class 1 Senate seat in 1934, and was re-elected in 1934, 1940, and 1946 before losing re-election in 1952. He was then elected to the Class 2 Senate seat in 1954. O'Mahoney, in failing health and increasingly limited in his mobility, declined to run for a fifth non-consecutive term in the Senate. The winner of this election, Keith Thomson, died before assuming his elected office. Accordingly, a competitive race for the open seat ensued. Congressman Keith Thomson won the Republican primary over former U.S. Senator and former Governor Frank A. Barrett, while 1958 Democratic congressional nominee Raymond B. Whitaker, the former Natrona County Prosecuting Attorney, beat out State Superintendent Velma Linford to win the Democratic nomination, queueing up a rematch between Thomson and Whitaker. Despite Democrats' recent history of winning competitive Senate elections in Wyoming, however, Thomson defeated Whitaker by a wide margin, closely matching Richard M. Nixon's margin over John F. Kennedy in the presidential election. However, Thomson died of a heart attack on December 9, prior to his assuming office. Democratic Governor John J. Hickey appointed himself to fill the vacancy; Hickey would serve until his defeat in the 1962 special election. A Republican gain turned into a Democratic retention of the seat following Thomson's death and Hickey's decision to have himself appointed. Democratic primary Candidates Raymond B. Whitaker, former Natrona County Prosecuting Attorney, 1958 Democratic nominee for the U.S. House of RepresentativesMarch 31, 1960 Whitaker Will Run for Senate Lusk Herald Lusk, Wyo. 12 Velma Linford, Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Carl A. Johnson, perennial candidateJuly 8, 1960 Filing Heavy at Deadline Casper Star-Tribune Casper, Wyo. 3 Charles B. Chittim, former State Senator Results Democratic primaryGage Jack R. 1961 Wyoming Official Directory and 1960 Election Returns 53–55 1961 Raymond B. Whitaker Democratic Party (United States) 18,031 40.21% Velma Linford Democratic Party (United States) 13,792 30.75% Carl A. Johnson Democratic Party (United States) 5,370 11.97% Charles B. Chittim Democratic Party (United States) 3,653 8.15% 40,846 100.00% Republican primary Candidates Keith Thomson, U.S. Congressman from Wyoming's at-large congressional district Frank A. Barrett, former U.S. Senator, former Governor of Wyoming Miff M. Butler, mining engineerApril 27, 1960 Butler Enters Senate Primary Casper Star-Tribune Casper, Wyo. 2 Results Republican primary Keith Thomson Republican Party (United States) 31,596 69.08% Frank A. Barrett Republican Party (United States) 13,380 29.25% Miff M. Butler Republican Party (United States) 765 1.67% 45,741 100.00% General election Results 1960 United States Senate election in Wyoming Republican Party (United States) Keith Thomson 78,103 56.37% +7.90% Democratic Party (United States) Raymond B. Whitaker 60,447 43.63% -7.90% 17,656 12.74% +9.68% 138,550 Republican Party (US) Democratic Party (US) Senator-elect Thomson died on December 9, 1960, and with the appointment of Governor John Hickey at the beginning of what should have been Thomson's term, the Democrats retained this seat until a special election was held in 1962. References Wyoming Category:United States Senate elections in Wyoming Category:1960 Wyoming elections