1956 United States Senate election in Georgia

The 1956 United States Senate election in Georgia took place on November 6, 1956. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Walter F. George did not run for re-election.

1956 U.S. Senate Democratic primary in Georgia

September 12, 1956

Nominee Herman Talmadge Melvin E. Thompson Party Democratic Democratic Popular vote 498,327 122,152 Percentage 80.31% 19.69%

U.S. senator before election Walter F. George Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Herman Talmadge Democratic

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The open race for George's seat was the final chapter in the political rivalry between former Georgia Governor Herman Talmadge and Melvin Thompson which had begun a decade earlier with the Three Governors controversy. Talmadge soundly won the primary, ending Thompson's political career.

At this time, Georgia was a one-party state. Talmadge's victory in the September 12 primary was tantamount to election, and he was unopposed in the general election.