1918 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

The United States Senate election of 1918 in Massachusetts was held on November 5, 1918. Democrat David I. Walsh defeated incumbent Republican John W. Weeks.

1918 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

November 5, 1918

Nominee David I. Walsh John W. Weeks Thomas W. Lawson Party Democratic Republican Independent Popular vote 207,478 188,287 21,985 Percentage 49.66% 45.06% 5.26%

Senator before election John W. Weeks Republican Elected Senator David I. Walsh Democratic

Walsh became the first U.S. Senator from Massachusetts elected to a full term as a member of the modern Democratic Party. (A previous Democratic U.S. Senator, Robert Rantoul Jr., served only one month in 1851 after winning a special election.)

Republican primary

Declared

• John W. Weeks, incumbent Senator

Results

Senator Weeks was unopposed for re-nomination.

1918 Republican U.S. Senate primary[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John W. Weeks	77,659	99.90
	Write-in	All others	79	0.10
Total votes			77,738	100.00

Democratic primary

Declared

• David I. Walsh, former Governor of Massachusetts

Results

Walsh was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

1918 Democratic U.S. Senate primary[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	David I. Walsh	46,356	99.98
	Write-in	All others	10	0.02
Total votes			46,366	100.00

Independents and third parties

Independent

• Thomas W. Lawson, businessman and author

General election

Results

General election [3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	David I. Walsh	207,478	49.66%
	Republican	John W. Weeks	188,287	45.06%
	Independent	Thomas W. Lawson	21,985	5.26%
	Write-in	All others	92	0.02%
Total votes			417,842	100.00%

See also

• 1918 United States Senate elections

References

1. Office of the Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts (1918). Number of assessed polls, registered voters and persons who voted in each voting precinct in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the state, city and town elections.
2. Office of the Secretary of Commonwealth of Massachusetts (1918). Number of assessed polls, registered voters and persons who voted in each voting precinct in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the state, city and town elections.
3. Office of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts (1918). Number of assessed polls, registered voters and persons who voted in each voting precinct in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the state, city and town elections.