The 1957 United States Senate special election in Wisconsin took place on August 27, 1957, to elect a U.S. Senator to complete the unexpired term of Senator Joseph McCarthy, who died on May 2, 1957.
Unlike most states Wisconsin law did not allow for the gubernatorial appointment of an interim Senator.
Democratic nominee William Proxmire defeated Republican nominee and former Governor Walter J. Kohler Jr.
Primary elections Primary elections were held on July 30, 1957.
Democratic primary Candidates William Proxmire, former State Representative, Democratic nominee for Governor in 1952, 1954 and 1956 Clement J. Zablocki, incumbent U.S. Representative
Declined Henry S. Reuss, incumbent U.S. Representative
Results
Republican primary Candidates Glenn Robert Davis, former U.S. Representative, unsuccessful candidate for Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1956 Henry P. Hughes, former justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court Warren P. Knowles, incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin Walter J. Kohler Jr., former Governor of Wisconsin Gerald D. Lorge, incumbent State Senator Alvin E. O'Konski, incumbent U.S. Representative John C. Schafer, former U.S. Representative
Declined Howard H. Boyle, attorney, unsuccessful candidate for Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1956
Results
General election Major party candidates Walter J. Kohler Jr., Republican William Proxmire, Democratic
Minor party candidates Howard H. Boyle, "Joe McCarthy Republican", attorney Georgia Cozzini, Socialist Labor, housewife Douglas J. Wheaton, steamfitter
The three minor candidates all technically ran as independents.
Results
See also 1957 United States Senate elections
References
Bibliography