1960 United States Senate election in Montana
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 County results Metcalf: 50–60% 60–70% Fjare: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Montana |
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The 1960 United States Senate election in Montana took place on November 8, 1960. Incumbent United States Senator James E. Murray, who was first elected to the Senate in a special election in 1934 and was re-elected in 1936, 1942, and 1948, and 1954, declined to seek re-election, creating an open seat. United States Congressman Lee Metcalf won out in a crowded Democratic primary and faced off against former United States Congressman Orvin B. Fjare, who won in a similarly-crowded Republican primary. Following a close general election, Metcalf narrowly defeated Fjare to win his first term in the Senate.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Lee Metcalf, United States Congressman from Montana's 1st congressional district
- John W. Bonner, former Governor of Montana
- LeRoy H. Anderson, United States Congressman from Montana's 2nd congressional district
- John W. Mahan, former National Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lee Metcalf | 45,339 | 35.16% | |
| Democratic | John W. Bonner | 33,246 | 25.78% | |
| Democratic | LeRoy H. Anderson | 26,152 | 20.28% | |
| Democratic | John W. Mahan | 24,208 | 18.77% | |
| Total votes | 75,798 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Orvin B. Fjare, former United States Congressman from Montana's 2nd congressional district
- Sumner Gerard, State Representative
- Wayne Montgomery, rancher
- James H. Morrow
- Fred J. Martin
- L. A. Wilson
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Orvin B. Fjare | 25,899 | 38.71% | |
| Republican | Sumner Gerard | 17,932 | 26.80% | |
| Republican | Wayne Montgomery | 13,527 | 20.22% | |
| Republican | James H. Morrow | 5,261 | 7.86% | |
| Republican | Fred J. Martin | 2,804 | 4.19% | |
| Republican | L. A. Wilson | 1,482 | 2.22% | |
| Total votes | 66,905 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lee Metcalf | 140,331 | 50.73% | +0.35% | |
| Republican | Orvin B. Fjare | 136,281 | 49.27% | −0.35% | |
| Majority | 4,050 | 1.46% | +0.70% | ||
| Turnout | 276,612 | ||||
| Democratic hold | Swing | ||||
References
- ^ a b "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, June 7, 1960". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 8, 1960" (PDF). Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved July 2, 2014.