1960 United States Senate election in Montana

The 1960 United States Senate election in Montana took place on November 8, 1960. Incumbent United States Senator James E. Murray, who was first elected to the Senate in a special election in 1934 and was re-elected in 1936, 1942, and 1948, and 1954, declined to seek re-election, creating an open seat. United States Congressman Lee Metcalf won out in a crowded Democratic primary and faced off against former United States Congressman Orvin B. Fjare, who won in a similarly-crowded Republican primary. Following a close general election, Metcalf narrowly defeated Fjare to win his first term in the Senate.

1960 United States Senate election in Montana

November 8, 1960

Nominee Lee Metcalf Orvin B. Fjare Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 140,331 136,281 Percentage 50.73% 49.27%

County results Metcalf:      50–60%      60–70% Fjare:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election James E. Murray Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Lee Metcalf Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Lee Metcalf, United States Congressman from Montana's 1st congressional district
• John W. Bonner, former Governor of Montana
• LeRoy H. Anderson, United States Congressman from Montana's 2nd congressional district
• John W. Mahan, former National Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars

Results

Democratic Party primary results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Lee Metcalf	45,339	35.16%
	Democratic	John W. Bonner	33,246	25.78%
	Democratic	LeRoy H. Anderson	26,152	20.28%
	Democratic	John W. Mahan	24,208	18.77%
Total votes			75,798	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Orvin B. Fjare, former United States Congressman from Montana's 2nd congressional district
• Sumner Gerard, State Representative
• Wayne Montgomery, rancher
• James H. Morrow
• Fred J. Martin
• L. A. Wilson

Results

Republican Primary results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Orvin B. Fjare	25,899	38.71%
	Republican	Sumner Gerard	17,932	26.80%
	Republican	Wayne Montgomery	13,527	20.22%
	Republican	James H. Morrow	5,261	7.86%
	Republican	Fred J. Martin	2,804	4.19%
	Republican	L. A. Wilson	1,482	2.22%
Total votes			66,905	100.00%

General election

Results

United States Senate election in Montana, 1960[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Lee Metcalf	140,331	50.73%	+0.35%
	Republican	Orvin B. Fjare	136,281	49.27%	-0.35%
Majority			4,050	1.46%	+0.70%
Turnout			276,612
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, June 7, 1960". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
2. "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 8, 1960" (PDF). Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved July 2, 2014.