1918 United States Senate election in Montana

The 1918 United States Senate election in Montana took place on November 5, 1918. Incumbent United States Senator Thomas J. Walsh, who was first elected to the Senate in 1912, ran for re-election. He won the Democratic primary uncontested, and was opposed in the general election by Oscar M. Lanstrum, a former State Representative and the Republican nominee, and Jeannette Rankin, one of two United States Representatives from Montana's at-large congressional district and the nominee of the National Party. Walsh narrowly won his second term in the Senate.

1918 United States Senate election in Montana

November 5, 1918

Nominee Thomas J. Walsh Oscar M. Lanstrum Jeannette Rankin Party Democratic Republican National Popular vote 46,160 40,229 26,013 Percentage 41.07% 35.79% 23.14%

County results

U.S. senator before election Thomas J. Walsh Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Thomas J. Walsh Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Thomas J. Walsh, incumbent United States Senator

Results

Democratic Party primary results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Thomas J. Walsh (incumbent)	28,553	100.00%
Total votes			28,553	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Oscar M. Lanstrum, former State Representative
• Jeannette Rankin, one of two Congressional representatives from Montana's at-large congressional district
• Harry H. Parsons, attorney
• Edmund Nichols

Results

Republican Primary results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Oscar M. Lanstrum	18,805	41.59%
	Republican	Jeannette Rankin	17,091	37.80%
	Republican	Harry H. Parsons	5,878	13.00%
	Republican	Edmund Nichols	3,443	7.61%
Total votes			45,217	100.00%

General election

Results

1918 United States Senate election in Montana[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Thomas J. Walsh (incumbent)	46,160	41.07%	-0.10%
	Republican	Oscar M. Lanstrum	40,229	35.79%	+9.06%
	National	Jeannette Rankin	26,013	23.14%
Majority			5,931	5.28%	-3.79%
Turnout			112,402
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, August 27, 1918". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
2. "Official Abstract of Votes Cast at the General Election Held in Montana, November 5, 1918" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 28, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2014.