The 1956 U.S. Senate election in North Dakota was held November 6, 1956. The incumbent, Republican Senator Milton Young, sought and received re-election to his third term, defeating North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party candidate Quentin N. Burdick, son of North Dakota congressman Usher L. Burdick.^[1]

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

1956 United States Senate election in North Dakota

← 1950 November 6, 1956 1962 →

Nominee Milton Young Quentin Burdick Party Republican Democratic–NPL Popular vote 155,305 87,919 Percentage 63.61% 36.01%

County results Young:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

U.S. senator before election Milton Young Republican Elected U.S. Senator Milton Young Republican

Close

Only Young filed as a Republican, and the endorsed Democratic candidate was Quentin Burdick, the son of well-known politician Usher Burdick, and former candidate for Governor of North Dakota. Young and Burdick won the primary elections for their respective parties.

This election served as Burdick's last electoral loss. He would later be elected to the state's House district in 1958, and then to the other Senate seat in 1960, where he would serve for 32 years until his death in 1992.

One independent candidate, Arthur C. Townley, also filed before the deadline. Townley would later seek the state's other senate seat in 1958 (see election), and was known for creating the National Non-Partisan League.