1911 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

The 1911 United States Senate election in Massachusetts was held during January 1911. Republican incumbent Henry Cabot Lodge won election to a fourth term despite intense opposition within his own party.

1911 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

January 1911

280 members of the Massachusetts General Court
141[1] votes needed to win
 
Nominee Henry Cabot Lodge Sherman Whipple
Party Republican Democratic
Electoral vote 146 121
Percentage 51.68% 45.31%

Senator before election

Henry Cabot Lodge
Republican

Elected Senator

Henry Cabot Lodge
Republican

At the time, Massachusetts elected United States Senators by a majority vote of the combined houses of the Massachusetts General Court.

Background

Lodge faced opposition from Progressive Republicans over his alleged support of big business and trade restrictions, as well as his "bossism" and opposition to popular election of Senators. The opposition was led by U.S. Representative Butler Ames, who declared his candidacy against Lodge on June 26, 1910.[2]

Following the 1910 state election, the incoming Massachusetts Senate was composed of 25 Republicans and 15 Democrats. The Massachusetts House of Representatives was composed of 128 Republicans, 111 Democrats, and one Socialist. The overall composition of the General Court was 153 Republicans, 126 Democrats, and one Socialist.[1]

Polling

In a November 10 canvas of Republican state legislators-elect, the Daily Globe found 51 in favor of Lodge's re-election, 12 opposed, and 50 uncommitted. 40 did not respond.[1]

In a November 23 canvas of Republican state legislators-elect, the Daily Globe found 62 in favor of Lodge's re-election, 14 opposed, and 64 uncommitted. 13 did not respond.[3]

Results

1911 United States Senate election in Massachusetts[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Henry Cabot Lodge 146 52.33%
Democratic Sherman L. Whipple 121 43.37%
Republican Butler Ames 7 2.51%
Republican Abbott Lawrence Lowell 2 0.72%
Republican Curtis Guild, Jr. 1 0.36%
Socialist Sylvester McBride 1 0.36%
Democratic John R. Thayer 1 0.36%
None No vote 1 0.36%
Total votes 280 100.00%

References

  1. "MANY UNWILLING TO DECLARE FOR LODGE". The Boston Daily Globe. 10 November 1910.
  2. "AMES IS OUT FOR SENATE". Detroit Free Press. 26 June 1910.
  3. "MANY REPUBLICANS NOT YET COMMITTED TO LODGE". Boston Daily Globe. 23 Nov 1910.
  4. "MA US Senate". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
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