The 1922 United States Senate special election in Pennsylvania was held on November 7, 1922. Incumbent

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

Senator George Pepper, who had been appointed to the seat by

Governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

William Sproul following the death of

Boies Penrose Boies Penrose (November 1, 1860 – December 31, 1921) was an American lawyer and Republican politician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After serving in both houses of the Pennsylvania legislature, he represented Pennsylvania in the United ...

, was elected to fill the remaining four years on the term to which Penrose had been elected in 1920. Pepper comfortably defeated five other candidates, including Democratic nominee Fred Kerr of

Clearfield County Clearfield County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 80,562. The county seat is Clearfield, and the largest city is DuBois. The county was created in 1804 and later organized in 1822. ...

Background

Incumbent Senator

, who had been elected in 1920 for a term expiring in 1927, died on December 31, 1921. Governor of Pennsylvania

William Cameron Sproul William Cameron Sproul (September 16, 1870 – March 21, 1928) was an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1897 to 1919 and as the 27th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1919 ...

appointed George W. Pepper to fill Penrose's seat until a successor could be duly elected. The special election for the remainder of Penrose's term was scheduled for November 7, simultaneous with the general election. Primary elections were held on May 16. Pepper was a candidate to complete the term.

Republican primary

Candidates

William J. Burke William Joseph Burke (September 25, 1862 – November 7, 1925) was a British-born American politician and businessman. Biography Burke was born in London, England, of Irish people, Irish parents. He served a four-year term on the Allegheny Commo ...

, U.S. Representative from Pittsburgh (representing Pennsylvania at-large) * George W. Pepper, former

University of Pennsylvania Law School The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School (also known as Penn Law or Penn Carey Law) is the law school of the University of Pennsylvania, a private research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is among the most selective and olde ...

professor and interim U.S. Senator *Edward R. Wood, retired Philadelphia businessman

Results

After losing the Republican primary, Burke campaigned as the Progressive nominee in the regularly scheduled election for Pennsylvania's other U.S. Senate seat.

General election

Candidates

*Fred Kerr, Clearfield businessman and U.S. Army veteran (Democratic) *Frank Lewis (Prohibition) *

George Wharton Pepper George Wharton Pepper (March 16, 1867May 24, 1961) was an American lawyer, law professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Christian activist, and Republican politician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He represented Pennsylvania in ...

, former University of Pennsylvania Law School professor and interim U.S. Senator (Republican) *James Robinson (Single Tax) *Earl Thompson (Progressive) *William Van Essen (Socialist)

Results

References

{{1922 United States elections Pennsylvania special 1922 special Pennsylvania 1922 special United States Senate 1922 special United States Senate special Pennsylvania 1922