United States Senate election in Utah, 1958
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| United States Senate election in Utah, 1958 | |
|---|---|
| Election name | United States Senate election in Utah, 1958 |
| Country | Utah |
| Type | presidential |
| Previous election | United States Senate election in Utah, 1952 |
| Previous year | 1952 |
| Next election | United States Senate election in Utah, 1964 |
| Next year | 1964 |
| Election date | November 4, 1958 |
| Nominee1 | Frank Moss |
| Party1 | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular vote1 | 155,369 |
| Percentage1 | 56.3% |
| Nominee2 | Arthur V. Watkins |
| Party2 | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular vote2 | 120,331 |
| Percentage2 | 43.7% |
| Title | U.S. Senator |
| Before election | Arthur V. Watkins |
| Before party | Republican Party (United States) |
| After election | Frank Moss |
| After party | Democratic Party (United States) |
United States Senate election in Utah, 1958 was held on November 4, 1958, for the United States Senate seat from Utah. The election resulted in a significant political upset, with three-term incumbent Republican Arthur V. Watkins being defeated by Democratic challenger Frank Moss. The contest was heavily influenced by national political trends, local economic concerns, and Watkins's controversial role in the McCarthy censure proceedings. Moss's victory was part of a broader Democratic wave during the 1958 United States elections, which expanded their majority in the United States Congress.
Background
The political climate in Utah and nationally in 1958 was shaped by the economic recession of 1958, which created a challenging environment for incumbent politicians, particularly Republicans. Senator Arthur V. Watkins, first elected in 1946, was seeking a fourth term. He had gained national prominence as the chairman of the select committee that recommended the censure of Senator Joseph McCarthy in 1954. While this action was praised in some quarters, it alienated a segment of the conservative Republican base in Utah and made Watkins vulnerable. Furthermore, the Democratic Party, led nationally by figures like Lyndon B. Johnson, was poised to make substantial gains in the 1958 United States elections.
Candidates
* Democratic Party: The Democratic nominee was Frank Moss, the County Attorney for Salt Lake County. A former United States Army Air Forces officer and a graduate of the University of Utah College of Law, Moss was a relatively fresh face in statewide politics but had built a strong reputation as a prosecutor in Salt Lake City. * Republican Party: The incumbent, Senator Arthur V. Watkins, was renominated by the Republican Party. A former federal judge and a staunch conservative, Watkins had a long record but faced internal party divisions. Some conservative activists, still loyal to McCarthy, were dissatisfied with his leadership.
Campaign
The campaign focused heavily on Watkins's record and the state of the national economy. Frank Moss criticized Watkins as being out of touch with the needs of Utahns, particularly regarding issues like agricultural policy, water rights, and federal aid for education. Moss also capitalized on the lingering resentment from the McCarthyism era, portraying Watkins's role in the censure as an example of ineffective Washington politics. Watkins defended his record, emphasizing his seniority on important committees like the Senate Interior Committee and his advocacy for LDS Church interests. However, he struggled to overcome the national anti-Republican sentiment and his own image problems within the party.
Results
On Election Day, Frank Moss achieved a decisive victory. He carried the populous Salt Lake County and several other key counties, benefiting from strong Democratic turnout. The results were as follows:
{| class="wikitable" |- ! colspan=6 |United States Senate election in Utah, 1958 |- ! Party ! Candidate ! Votes ! % ! ±% |- | style="background-color:#3333FF" | | Democratic | Frank Moss | 155,369 | 56.3% | 12.8% |- | style="background-color:#FF3333" | | Republican | Arthur V. Watkins (incumbent) | 120,331 | 43.7% | 12.8% |- ! colspan=3 | Total votes ! 275,700 ! 100.0% ! N/A |}
Moss's win was part of a national trend, as the Democratic Party gained 15 seats in the United States Senate that November.
Aftermath
Frank Moss was sworn into the United States Senate in January 1959, beginning a distinguished 18-year career. He would later serve as Chairman of the Senate Aeronautical and Space Sciences Committee and become a leading advocate for consumer protection laws, working with colleagues like Warren Magnuson. The defeat ended the political career of Arthur V. Watkins, who returned to private law practice in Utah. The election marked a significant shift in Utah politics, demonstrating that even a senior incumbent was not immune to national political currents and local dissatisfaction. Moss would be re-elected in 1964 and 1970 before being defeated in the 1976 election by Orrin Hatch.
Category:1958 United States Senate elections Category:United States Senate elections in Utah Category:1958 elections in Utah