The 1928 United States Senate elections were elections that coincided with the presidential election of Republican Herbert Hoover. The 32 seats of Class 1 were contested in regular elections, and special elections were held to fill vacancies. The strong economy helped the Republicans to gain seven seats from the Democrats.

Quick Facts 32 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate 49 seats needed for a majority, Majority party ...

1928 United States Senate elections

← 1926 November 6, 1928[1] 1930 →
32 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate 49 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Charles Curtis (retired) Joseph Robinson Party Republican Democratic Leader since November 9, 1924 December 3, 1923 Leader's seat Kansas Arkansas Seats before 49 46 Seats after 56 39 Seat change 7 7 Seats up 12 19 Races won 18 13   Third party   Party Farmer–Labor Seats before 1 Seats after 1 Seat change Seats up 1 Races won 1
Results of the elections:      Democratic hold      Republican gain      Republican hold      Farmer–Labor hold      No election
Majority Leader before election Charles Curtis Republican Elected Majority Leader James Watson Republican

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Senate Majority leader, Republican Charles Curtis of Kansas, was not up for election this cycle, but he was elected U.S. Vice President. He resigned March 3, 1929, so his seat was vacant at the beginning of the next Congress until April 1, 1929, when a Republican was appointed to continue the term.

Twelve races had a margin of victory under 10%:

New Mexico was the tipping point state with a margin of 15.4%.

First-term Democrat Woodbridge N. Ferris died March 23, 1928.

On March 31, 1928, Governor Fred W. Green appointed 44-year-old Republican Arthur H. Vandenberg to fill the vacancy, pending a special election. Green considered resigning so he could be appointed to the vacancy. He also considered several other candidates, including former governors Albert Sleeper and Chase Osborn. In addition, Green considered Representative Joseph W. Fordney, who would have been a placeholder until the election for the remainder of Ferris' term. Green finally decided upon Vandenberg, who immediately declared his intention to stand for election to both the short, unexpired term and the full six-year term. Both the special and the general elections were held the same day, November 6, 1928.

Michigan (regular)

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

1928 United States Senate election in Michigan

← 1922 November 6, 1928 1934 →

Nominee Arthur Vandenberg John W. Bailey Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 977,893 376,592 Percentage 71.79% 27.65%

County results Vandenberg:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. senator before election Arthur Vandenberg Republican Elected U.S. Senator Arthur Vandenberg Republican

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Main article: 1928 United States Senate election in Michigan

More information Party, Candidate ...

1928 United States Senate election in Michigan^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Arthur Vandenberg (Incumbent)	977,893	71.79%
	Democratic	John W. Bailey	376,592	27.65%
	Socialist	William L. Krieghoff	2,796	0.21%
	Workers	Ben A. Faulkner	2,249	0.17%
	Prohibition	Duly McCone	1,927	0.14%
	Socialist Labor	David Boyd	689	0.05%
Majority			601,301	44.14%
Turnout			1,362,146
	Republican hold

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Two-term Democrat Andrieus A. Jones died December 20, 1927. Republican Bronson M. Cutting was appointed December 29, 1927, to continue the term, pending a special election in which he was not a candidate.

There were 2 elections due to the March 30, 1928, death of Republican Frank B. Willis.