1920 United States Senate election in Colorado

The 1920 United States Senate election in Colorado took place on November 2, 1920. Incumbent Democratic Senator Charles S. Thomas initially declined to run for re-election, and State Supreme Court Justice Tully Scott won the Democratic nomination to succeed him, facing off against former Leadville Mayor Samuel D. Nicholson, the Republican nominee. However, in October 1920, Thomas announced that he would run for re-election as an independent due to his opposition to the League of Nations.^[1] However, Thomas's decision did not ultimately affect the outcome of the election. Aided by Republican presidential nominee Warren G. Harding's strong performance in the state, as well as Republican Governor Oliver Henry Shoup's landslide re-election, Nicholson defeated Tully and Thomas in a landslide. Out of four candidates, Thomas placed fourth, winning just 3% of the vote and finishing behind Farmer–Labor nominee G. F. Stevens.

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1920 United States Senate election in Colorado

← 1914 November 2, 1920 1924 (special) â†’

Nominee Samuel D. Nicholson Tully Scott Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 157,577 112,890 Percentage 54.52% 39.31%

County results Nicholson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Scott:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election Charles S. Thomas Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Samuel D. Nicholson Republican

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Nicholson did not end up serving for the entire six-year term for which he was elected; he died in office on March 24, 1923, triggering a special election in 1924.