The 1918 United States Senate elections were held throughout 1918, the midpoint of Woodrow Wilson's second term as President of the United States. Republicans gained a slim 2-seat control after picking up a net 6 seats (4 in general elections and 2 in special elections). The change in control meant that the Republicans could deny entry of the United States into the League of Nations. American participation in this new international institution was the centerpiece of Wilson's post-war foreign policy. It was the first election in which all Class 2 senators were subject to direct or popular election following the enactment of the Seventeenth Amendment, making them the final class under the old system.

Gains and losses

Republicans gained seven seats: *

Lawrence C. Phipps Lawrence Cowle Phipps (August 30, 1862 – March 1, 1958) was a United States Senator representing Colorado from 1919 until 1931. Biography Lawrence Cowle Phipps was born on August 30, 1862 in Amity, Pennsylvania, the son of William Henry Phi ...

(CO) *

L. Heisler Ball Lewis Heisler Ball (September 21, 1861 – October 18, 1932) was an American physician and politician from Mill Creek Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party and served as U.S. Representative from Delaware a ...

(DE) * Joseph M. McCormick (IL) * Arthur Capper (KS) * Selden P. Spencer (MO) * Henry W. Keyes (NH) * Irvine Lenroot (WI) — won in a special election Democrats gained one seat: * David I. Walsh (MA)

Party division

These numbers represent composition at the March 4, 1919 start of the 66th United States Congress. Composition often changes due to deaths, resignations, or party shifting. * Majority Party: Republican (49 seats) * Minority Party: Democratic (47 seats) * Other Parties: 0 * Total Seats: 96 Source
United States Senate Official Website

Change in composition

Before the elections

Elections results

Complete list of races

Special elections during the 65th Congress

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1918 or before March 4, 1919; ordered by election date.

Elections leading to the 66th Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1919; ordered by state. All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.

Alabama

Arkansas

Colorado

Delaware

Georgia

Idaho

Idaho (regular)

Idaho (special)

Illinois

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Louisiana (regular)

Louisiana (special)

Maine

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri (special)

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada (special)

New Hampshire

New Hampshire (regular)

New Hampshire (special)

New Jersey

New Jersey (regular)

New Jersey (special)

New Mexico

North Carolina

Oklahoma

Oregon

Oregon (Regular)

Oregon (Special)

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Carolina (regular)

South Carolina (special)

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Virginia

West Virginia

Wisconsin (Special)

Wyoming

Notes

References

{{United States Senate elections 1918 United States Senate elections, United States home front during World War I