1956 United States Senate election in Georgia

The 1956 United States Senate election in Georgia took place on November 6, 1956. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Walter F. George did not run for re-election.

1956 U.S. Senate Democratic primary in Georgia

September 12, 1956

Nominee Herman Talmadge Melvin E. Thompson Party Democratic Democratic Popular vote 498,327 122,152 Percentage 80.31% 19.69%

U.S. senator before election Walter F. George Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Herman Talmadge Democratic

The open race for George's seat was the final chapter in the political rivalry between former Georgia Governor Herman Talmadge and Melvin Thompson which had begun a decade earlier with the Three Governors controversy. Talmadge soundly won the primary, ending Thompson's political career.

At this time, Georgia was a one-party state. Talmadge's victory in the September 12 primary was tantamount to election, and he was unopposed in the general election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Melvin E. Thompson, former Governor of Georgia
• Herman Talmadge, former Governor of Georgia

Results

1956 Democratic U.S. Senate primary results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Herman Talmadge	498,327	80.31%
	Democratic	Melvin E. Thompson	122,152	19.69%
	Write-in	All others	13	0.00%
Total votes			620,492	100.00%

General election

Results

1956 United States Senate election in Georgia[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Herman Talmadge	541,094	99.97%	0.03
	Write-in	All others	173	0.03%
Total votes			306,250	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• 1956 United States Senate elections

References

1. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=498744
2. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=254000