The 1934 Wisconsin Senate election was held on Tuesday, November 6, 1934. Seventeen of the 33 seats in the Wisconsin State Senate were up for election—the odd-numbered districts. Prior to the election 22 seats were held by Republicans, 9 were held by Democrats, one seat was held by a Socialist, and one seat was vacant.
The primary election was held on September 18, 1934.
Background
Results summary
Close races
- State Senate district 25, 1.42% (gain)
- State Senate district 13, 1.72% (gain)
- State Senate district 19, 1.91% (gain)
- State Senate district 15, 3.33% (gain)
- State Senate district 11, 7.17%
- State Senate district 9, 8.92% (gain)
- State Senate district 17, 9.30% (gain)
- State Senate district 27, 9.39% (gain)
Outgoing incumbents
Retiring
- Walter S. Goodland (R–Racine), representing district 21 since 1926, declined to seek re-election
- Leonard Fons (R–Milwaukee), representing District 7 since 1930, declined to seek re-election.
- William H. Edwards (R–Sussex), representing District 33 since 1930, declined to seek re-election.
Seeking other office
- Eugene A. Clifford (D–Juneau), representing District 13 since 1930, instead ran for Congress from Wisconsin's 8th congressional district.
- Orland Steen Loomis (R–Mauston) representing District 31 since 1930, instead ran for Wisconsin Attorney General as a Progressive.
Vacated office
- Merritt F. White (R–Winneconne), representing District 19 since 1922, died on July 28, 1934.
Special elections
There was one special election scheduled in 1934 for the Wisconsin state Senate.
Candidates and results
Detailed results
District 1
Incumbent Republican John E. Cashman ran for re-election as a Progressive. He defeated Democrat Ray J. Scheuer and Republican Alvin O'Konski in the general election.
District 3
Incumbent Socialist Walter Polakowski was moved into the 7th district due to redistricting, leaving this district open. Democrat Arthur L. Zimny defeated Socialist George L. Tews, Progressive H. C. Schultz, Independent Carl Lester, and Republican William B. Manning.
District 5
Incumbent Republican Bernhard Gettelman ran for re-election. He was defeated by Democrat Harold V. Schoenecker.
District 7
Incumbent Republican Leonard Fons declined to seek re-election, leaving the district open. Democrat Max Galasinski defeated Socialist Walter Polakowski – who had been moved into this district due to redistricting – as well as Progressive Edwarf R. Buer and Republican Herbert W. Koch.
District 9
Incumbent Republican Irving P. Mehigan ran for re-election. He was defeated by Democrat James L. Callan.
District 11
Incumbent Republican Philip Nelson ran for re-election. He defeated Progressive Albert N. Young, Democrat Laverne A. Sutfin, and Socialist Carrol T. Hodsdon.
District 13
Incumbent Democrat Eugene A. Clifford declined to seek re-election, instead unsuccessfully running for Congress from Wisconsin's 8th congressional district. Progressive Frank E. Panzer defeated Democrat Paul A. Hemmy Jr., Republican Jesse M. Peters, and Socialist Alfred A. Naber.
District 15
Incumbent Democrat Alexander Paul ran for re-election. He was defeated by Republican Maurice Coakley.
District 17
Incumbent Republican George Engebretson ran for re-election as a Progressive. He defeated Republican Floyd E. Olson and Democrat Leland C. White.
District 19
Incumbent Republican Merritt F. White died on July 28, 1934, leaving the district open. Democrat Pierce A. Morrissey defeated Republican Norton J. Williams and Progressive Charles P. Potratz.
District 21
Incumbent Republican Walter S. Goodland declined to seek re-election, leaving the district open. Democrat Joseph Clancy defeated Republican Thorwald M. Beck, Progressive Peden Back, and Socialist Lars P. Christiansen.
District 23
Incumbent Republican Herman J. Severson ran for re-election as a Progressive. He defeated Democrat Michael J. Mersch and Republican John S. Hensel.
District 25
Incumbent Republican Otto Mueller ran for re-election. He was defeated by Progressive Roland E. Kannenberg.
District 27
Incumbent Republican Fred W. Zantow ran for re-election as a Progressive. He defeated Republican Harry Pauls and Democrat Isaac C. Evans.
District 29
Republican John A. Anderson ran for re-election as a Progressive. He defeated Republican Herschel Shipley, Democrat Joseph H. Wallis, and Socialist Olaf A. Bloom.
District 31
Republican Orland S. Loomis declined to seek re-election, instead unsuccessfully running for Wisconsin Attorney General as a Progressive, leaving this district open. Progressive J. Earl Leverich defeated Republican Kevin J. Callahan, Democrat Timothy P. Donovan, and Socialist Glen C. Felker.
District 33
Incumbent Republican William Edwards declined to seek re-election, leaving this seat open. Democrat Chester Dempsey defeated Republican Evan G. Davies and Progressive John C. Schumann.
See also
- 1934 Wisconsin elections
- 1934 Wisconsin State Assembly election
- 1934 United States elections
- Elections in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Senate
Notes
References
