The 1958 United States Senate special election in West Virginia was held on November 4, 1958, concurrent with
a regular election. The election was called due to the death of Senator
Matthew M. Neely.
Democrats Randolph and
Byrd Byrd commonly refers to:
* William Byrd (c. 1540 – 1623), an English composer of the Renaissance
* Richard E. Byrd (1888–1957), an American naval officer and explorer
Byrd or Byrds may also refer to:
Other people
* Byrd (surname), includin ...
both won their seats, amid a
national wave election. This would be the last time that Democrats simultaneously flipped both of a state's Senate seats until Georgia's elections in 2020 and 2021, and the last for either party until the 1978 elections in Minnesota.
Democratic primary
Candidates
*
Jennings Randolph
Jennings Randolph (March 8, 1902May 8, 1998) was an American politician from West Virginia. A Democrat, he was most notable for his service in the United States House of Representatives from 1933 to 1947 and the United States Senate from 1958 to ...
of
Elkins, member of the
U.S. House
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they ...
for the
2nd district, 1933 - 1947.
*
William C. Marland of
Charleston,
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 ...
, 1953 - 1957.
*
Arnold Vickers of
Montgomery,
W.V. Senate President, 1945 - 1949.
*
W.R. "Squibb" Wilson of
Fairmont, member of the
W.V. House for
Marion County, 1957 - 1958.
Campaign
While campaigning with
Robert C. Byrd, Randolph was involved in a car accident, veering into oncoming traffic and killing another driver. According to the testimony of Byrd, Randolph fell asleep at the wheel and woke up shortly before hitting the other driver.
Wetzel County prosecutor Jack Hawkins declined to file charges, and Byrd's insurance company settled with the victim's widow out of court, being forced to pay the full sum of Byrd's liability, $22,500.
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
*
John D. Hoblitzell, Jr. of
Ravenswood, interim U.S. Senator, 1958 - 1958.
Results
General election
References
{{1958 United States elections
West Virginia 1958
West Virginia 1958
1958 Special
West Virginia Special
United States Senate Special
United States Senate 1958