1958 United States Senate special election in West Virginia

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.

1958 United States Senate election in West Virginia
November 4, 1958
 
Nominee Jennings Randolph John D. Hoblitzell Jr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 374,167 256,510
Percentage 59.32% 39.77%
U.S. senator before election

John D. Hoblitzell Jr.
Republican

 Elected U.S. Senator

Jennings Randolph
Democratic

Democrats Randolph and Byrd both won their seats, amid a national wave election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

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.[1] Wetzel County prosecutor Jack Hawkins declined to file charges,[2] 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[3].

Results
Primary results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jennings Randolph 374,167 47.16%
Democratic William C. Marland 77,901 35.82%
Democratic Arnold Vickers 25,439 11.70%
Democratic Squibb Wilson 11,540 5.31%
Total votes 217,427 100%

Republican primary

Candidates
  • John D. Hoblitzell, Jr. of Ravenswood, interim U.S. Senator, 1958 - 1958.

Results
Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John D. Hoblitzell, Jr. 82,094 100%
Total votes 82,094 100%

General election
General election[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jennings Randolph 374,167 59.32%
Republican John D. Hoblitzell, Jr. 256,510 39.77%
Total votes 630,677 100%

References
  1. "Two Senate Aspirants in Fatal Crash". Cumberland Evening Times. 18 March 1958. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  2. "No Charges In Crash Involving Randolph, Byrd". Weirton Daily Times. 19 March 1958. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  3. "Should Voters Permit a Ruthless Push to Power?". The Register-Herald. 10 October 1958. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  4. "1958 Democratic Primary Election" (PDF). Historical Election Results and Turnout. Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  5. "1958 Republican Primary" (PDF). Historical Election Results and Turnout. Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  6. "1958 General Election" (PDF). Historical Election Results and Turnout. Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
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