The 1952 United States Senate election in Wisconsin was held on November 4, 1952.
Incumbent Senator Joseph McCarthy was elected to a second term in office over Democrat Thomas E. Fairchild. McCarthy did not complete his term; he died on May 2, 1957, and was succeeded by William Proxmire in a special election.
As of 2024, this is the last time that a Republican has won the Class 1 Senate seat in Wisconsin.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Edward J. Finan
- Andrew G. Jacobson
- Edmund Kerwer
- Joseph McCarthy, incumbent senator since 1947
- Leonard Schmitt, attorney and candidate for governor in 1950
- Perry J. Stearns, candidate for Senate in 1944 and 1946
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Thomas E. Fairchild, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, former Wisconsin attorney general, and nominee for governor in 1950
- Henry S. Reuss, Milwaukee County prosecutor and former anti-McCarthy Republican
Results
General election
Candidates
- James E. Boulton (Socialist Labor)
- Alfred L. Easterday (Honest Government)
- Thomas E. Fairchild, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin (Democratic)
- Joseph McCarthy, incumbent senator since 1947 (Republican)
Results
The 1952 race was much closer than McCarthy's 1946 victory, and he trailed Republican presidential candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower by around 100,000 votes in the state.
See also
- 1952 United States Senate elections
- McCarthyism
References
