1934 Wisconsin Senate election

The 1934 Wisconsin Senate election was held on Tuesday, November 6, 1934. Seventeen of the 33 seats in the Wisconsin State Senate were up for election—the odd-numbered districts. Prior to the election 22 seats were held by Republicans, 9 were held by Democrats, one seat was held by a Socialist, and one seat was vacant.

The primary election was held on September 18, 1934.

Results summary SeatsParty(majority caucus shading)TotalDemocraticSocialistProgressiveRepublicanLast election (1932)710916Total after last election (1932)91933Total before this election9102333Up for election2101417of which:Incumbent retiring144Vacated11This election708217Change from last election 1 8 1 1Total after this election14013633Change in total 5 1 13 17

Close races

(gain) (gain) (gain) (gain)

(gain) (gain) (gain)

Outgoing incumbents

Retiring

Walter S. Goodland (R–Racine), representing district 21 since 1926, declined to seek re-election Leonard Fons (R–Milwaukee), representing District 7 since 1930, declined to seek re-election. William H. Edwards (R–Sussex), representing District 33 since 1930, declined to seek re-election.

Seeking other office

Eugene A. Clifford (D–Juneau), representing District 13 since 1930, instead ran for Congress from Wisconsin's 8th congressional district. Orland Steen Loomis (R–Mauston) representing District 31 since 1930, instead ran for Wisconsin Attorney General as a Progressive.

Vacated office

Merritt F. White (R–Winneconne), representing District 19 since 1922, died on July 28, 1934.

Special elections There was one special election scheduled in 1934 for the Wisconsin state Senate. Dist.Previous IncumbentThis ElectionSenatorPartyFirst electedStatusCandidate(s)Results26Alvin C. ReisRep.1932Incumbent resigned in July, 1934. New member elected on November 6, 1934.New member electedProgressive gain

Candidates and results Dist.IncumbentThis raceMemberPartyFirst electedStatusGeneral01Republican1922Incumbent re-elected.Progressive gain.03None No incumbentNew member elected.Democratic gain.05Republican1922Incumbent lost re-electionNew member elected.Democratic gain.07Republican1930Incumbent retiredNew member elected.Democratic gain. Socialist1922Incumbent defeated. Socialist loss09Republican1924Incumbent lost re-electionNew member elected.Democratic gain.11Republican1930Incumbent re-elected13Democratic1930Ran for U.S. HouseNew member elected.Progressive gain.15Democratic1933 Incumbent lost re-electionNew member elected. Republican gain.17Republican1932 Incumbent re-elected.Progressive gain.19 --Vacant--Previous incumbent died July 28, 1934New member elected.Democratic gain.21Republican1926Incumbent retiredNew member elected.Democratic gain.23Republican1918Incumbent re-elected.Progressive gain.25Republican1926Incumbent lost re-electionNew member elected.Progressive gain.27Republican1930Incumbent re-elected.Progressive gain.29Republican1930Incumbent re-elected.Progressive gain.31Republican1930Incumbent ran for Attorney GeneralNew member elected.Progressive gain.33Republican1930Incumbent retiredNew member elected.Democratic gain.

Detailed results

District 1 Incumbent Republican John E. Cashman ran for re-election as a Progressive. He defeated Democrat Ray J. Scheuer and Republican Alvin O'Konski in the general election.

District 3 Incumbent Socialist Walter Polakowski was moved into the 7th district due to redistricting, leaving this district open. Democrat Arthur L. Zimny defeated Socialist George L. Tews, Progressive H. C. Schultz, Independent Carl Lester, and Republican William B. Manning.

District 5 Incumbent Republican Bernhard Gettelman ran for re-election. He was defeated by Democrat Harold V. Schoenecker.

District 7 Incumbent Republican Leonard Fons declined to seek re-election, leaving the district open. Democrat Max Galasinski defeated Socialist Walter Polakowski – who had been moved into this district due to redistricting – as well as Progressive Edwarf R. Buer and Republican Herbert W. Koch.

District 9 Incumbent Republican Irving P. Mehigan ran for re-election. He was defeated by Democrat James L. Callan.

District 11 Incumbent Republican Philip Nelson ran for re-election. He defeated Progressive Albert N. Young, Democrat Laverne A. Sutfin, and Socialist Carrol T. Hodsdon.

District 13 Incumbent Democrat Eugene A. Clifford declined to seek re-election, instead unsuccessfully running for Congress from Wisconsin's 8th congressional district. Progressive Frank E. Panzer defeated Democrat Paul A. Hemmy Jr., Republican Jesse M. Peters, and Socialist Alfred A. Naber.

District 15 Incumbent Democrat Alexander Paul ran for re-election. He was defeated by Republican Maurice Coakley.

District 17 Incumbent Republican George Engebretson ran for re-election as a Progressive. He defeated Republican Floyd E. Olson and Democrat Leland C. White.

District 19 Incumbent Republican Merritt F. White died on July 28, 1934, leaving the district open. Democrat Pierce A. Morrissey defeated Republican Norton J. Williams and Progressive Charles P. Potratz.

District 21 Incumbent Republican Walter S. Goodland declined to seek re-election, leaving the district open. Democrat Joseph Clancy defeated Republican Thorwald M. Beck, Progressive Peden Back, and Socialist Lars P. Christiansen.

District 23 Incumbent Republican Herman J. Severson ran for re-election as a Progressive. He defeated Democrat Michael J. Mersch and Republican John S. Hensel.

District 25 Incumbent Republican Otto Mueller ran for re-election. He was defeated by Progressive Roland E. Kannenberg.

District 27 Incumbent Republican Fred W. Zantow ran for re-election as a Progressive. He defeated Republican Harry Pauls and Democrat Isaac C. Evans.

District 29 Republican John A. Anderson ran for re-election as a Progressive. He defeated Republican Herschel Shipley, Democrat Joseph H. Wallis, and Socialist Olaf A. Bloom.

District 31 Republican Orland S. Loomis declined to seek re-election, instead unsuccessfully running for Wisconsin Attorney General as a Progressive, leaving this district open. Progressive J. Earl Leverich defeated Republican Kevin J. Callahan, Democrat Timothy P. Donovan, and Socialist Glen C. Felker.

District 33 Incumbent Republican William Edwards declined to seek re-election, leaving this seat open. Democrat Chester Dempsey defeated Republican Evan G. Davies and Progressive John C. Schumann.

1934 Wisconsin Senate election

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