1934 United States Senate special election in Montana
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The 1934 United States Senate special election in Montana took place on November 6, 1934. Incumbent United States Senator John E. Erickson, who, as governor, had appointed himself to the seat in 1933 upon the death of Thomas J. Walsh, ran for re-election. However, he was defeated in the Democratic primary by James E. Murray, who was the former Silver Bow County Attorney and the Chairman of the State Advisory Board of the Public Works Administration. In the general election, Murray defeated Scott Leavitt, a former United States Congressman who had represented Montana's 2nd congressional district, and an independent candidate in a landslide to win his first term in the Senate.
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November 6, 1934
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 County results Murray: 40â50% 50â60% 60â70% 70â80% Leavitt: 50â60% No data | |||||||||||||||||
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Democratic primary
Candidates
- James E. Murray, Chairman of the State Advisory Board of the Public Works Administration, former Silver Bow County Attorney
- James F. O'Connor, former Speaker of the Montana House of Representatives
- John E. Erickson, incumbent United States Senator
- Louis P. Donovan
- John A. Lovelace
- W. W. Hamilton
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James E. Murray | 19,640 | 24.89% | |
| Democratic | James F. O'Connor | 18,194 | 23.05% | |
| Democratic | John E. Erickson (incumbent) | 17,440 | 22.10% | |
| Democratic | Louis P. Donovan | 10,212 | 12.94% | |
| Democratic | John A. Lovelace | 8,649 | 10.96% | |
| Democratic | W. W. Hamilton | 4,788 | 6.07% | |
| Total votes | 78,923 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Scott Leavitt, former United States Congressman from Montana's 2nd congressional district
- Wellington D. Rankin, former United States Attorney for the District of Montana, former Attorney General of Montana
- Leonard C. Young
- James A. Jergenson
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Scott Leavitt | 25,479 | 47.03% | |
| Republican | Wellington D. Rankin | 18,150 | 33.50% | |
| Republican | Leonard C. Young | 6,202 | 11.45% | |
| Republican | James A. Jergenson | 4,344 | 8.02% | |
| Total votes | 54,175 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James E. Murray | 116,965 | 59.66% | â0.67% | |
| Republican | Scott Leavitt | 77,307 | 39.43% | +1.56% | |
| Socialist | John F. Duffy | 1,779 | 0.91% | +0.34% | |
| Majority | 39,658 | 20.23% | â2.22% | ||
| Turnout | 196,051 | ||||
| Democratic hold | Swing | ||||