The 1914 United States Senate election in Wisconsin was held on November 6, 1914. Incumbent Republican Senator Isaac Stephenson did not run for re-election.
Democratic State Senator Paul O. Husting narrowly defeated Republican Governor Francis E. McGovern. Socialist former mayor of Milwaukee Emil Seidel ran a strong third. This was the first United States Senate election to be held by a popular vote in Wisconsin. Uniquely for this contest, Wisconsin utilized an early form of instant-runoff voting; all other elections in the state in 1914 were conducted using traditional first-past-the-post voting and Wisconsin would discontinue using this method following this election.
As of 2026 this is the last time an incumbent senator for this seat retired. Following Husting’s death, all subsequent incumbents would be defeated for reelection, either in the primary or the general election.
Primary election Republican party Candidates Levi H. Bancroft, former Attorney General of Wisconsin Timothy Burke, member of Wisconsin Senate Charles E. Estabrook, member of Wisconsin State Assembly Francis E. McGovern, incumbent governor Thomas Morris, incumbent lieutenant governor John Strange, former lieutenant governor
Results
Democratic party Candidates Paul O. Husting, state senator from Dodge County Thomas Kearney
Results
Socialist party Candidates Emil Seidel, former mayor of Milwaukee
Results
Prohibition party Candidates Charles L. Hill, nominee for Governor of Wisconsin in 1912
Results
General election Candidates Paul O. Husting, Democratic Francis E. McGovern, Republican Emil Seidel, Socialist Charles L. Hill, Prohibition
Results Wisconsin's general election for United States Senate in 1914 utilized an early form of instant-runoff voting and it was only used for this particular election. Voters were able to make a first and second choice among the four candidates. Since no candidate received an absolute majority of the first choice votes, candidates were progressively eliminated and their second choice votes added to the remaining candidates. However, very few voters actually availed themselves of the second choice option. The final tally only netted each major party candidate about 400 votes each. Hustings' leads in the first choice votes only and after the final elimination were essentially the same, but once Seidel was eliminated, that lead was sufficient for a small majority.
1914 United States Senate election in WisconsinWisconsin Historical Society, Certificate of Board of State Canvassers for United States Senator, General Election - 1914 Party Candidate First choice Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Votes % Transfer Votes %Transfer Votes % Transfer Votes % Democratic 134,925 43.80% +0 134,925 43.82% +188 135,113 45.18% +193 135,306 50.18% Republican 133,966 43.49% +0 133,966 43.50% +158 134,124 44.85% +215 134,339 49.82% Socialist 29,774 9.67% +0 29,774 9.67% +30 29,804 9.97% −29,804 Eliminated Prohibition 9,276 3.01% +0 9,276 3.01% −9,276 Eliminated Scattering 78 0.03% -78 Eliminated Total votes308,019307,941299,041269,645 Blank or inactive ballots 78 +8,900 8,978 +29,396 38,374 Democratic gain from Republican
See also 1914 United States Senate elections
References