1954 United States Senate special election in Ohio

1954 American election March 2026 September 2023 1954 United States Senate special election in Ohio Ohio presidential no 1950 United States Senate election in Ohio 1950 1956 United States Senate election in Ohio 1956 November 6, 1954 George Bender (3x4a).jpg George H. Bender Republican Party (United States) 1,257,874 50.06% ThomasBurke (2).jpg Thomas A. Burke Democratic Party (United States) 1,254,904 49.94% 1954 United States Senate special election in Ohio results map by county.svg 211px County resultsBender: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80%Burke: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% U.S. Senator Thomas A. Burke Democratic Party (United States) George H. Bender Republican Party (United States) The United States Senate special election in Ohio of 1954 was held on November 2, 1954, to complete the unexpired term of late Senator Robert A. Taft, who died in office on July 31, 1953. Senator Thomas A. Burke (who was appointed as Taft's successor) ran to complete the term in office but was narrowly defeated by U.S. Representative George Bender. The next special election for the senate in Ohio would occur in 2026 for this seat. This was also the last time until 2024 that a Republican defeated an incumbent Democratic senator in Ohio. Background On July 31, 1953, incumbent Republican Senator Robert A. Taft died in office. His term was scheduled to expire in 1957. Governor Frank Lausche appointed Thomas A. Burke, the Democratic Mayor of Cleveland, to fill his seat until a successor could be duly elected. The special election was scheduled for November 2, 1954, concurrent with the regularly scheduled state and federal elections. Burke ran to complete the term. This was the last U.S. Senate special election in Ohio until the one to this seat in 2026. Republican primary Candidates George H. Bender, U.S. Representative from Chagrin Falls William B. Saxbe, State Representative from Mechanicsburg Results 1954 Republican Senate special primaryhttps://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/election-results-and-data/1950-1959-official-election-results/republican-primary-may-4-1954/ Republican Primary: May 4, 1954 - Ohio Secretary of State www.sos.state.oh.us George H. Bender Republican Party (United States) 254,390 57.40% William B. Saxbe Republican Party (United States) 188,783 42.60% 443,173 100.00% General election 1954 United States Senate special election in OhioStatistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 6, 1954 http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1954election.pdf U.S. Government Printing Office 31 Dec 2020https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=27814 Our Campaigns - OH US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 02, 1954 www.ourcampaigns.com Republican Party (United States) George Bender 1,257,874 50.06% 7.48 Democratic Party (United States) Thomas A. Burke (incumbent) 1,254,904 49.94% 7.48 2,512,778 100.0% See also 1954 United States Senate elections References 1954 Ohio United States Senate Ohio 1954 Ohio 1954 United States Senate 1954