The 1962 United States Senate elections was an election for the United States Senate. Held on November 6, the 34 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections. Special elections were also held to fill vacancies. They occurred in the middle of President John F. Kennedy's term. His Democratic Party made a net gain of four seats from the Republicans, increasing their control of the Senate to 68–32. However, this was reduced to 67–33 between the election and the next Congress, as on November 18, 1962, Democrat Dennis Chávez, who was not up for election that year, died. He was replaced on November 30, 1962, by Republican appointee Edwin L. Mechem. Additionally, Democrat Strom Thurmond became a Republican in 1964, further reducing Democrats to 66–34. This was the first time since 1932 that Democrats gained seats in this class of Senators.

Quick Facts 39 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate 51 seats needed for a majority, Majority party ...

1962 United States Senate elections

← 1960 November 6, 1962 1964 →
← 1961 (TX)
39 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate 51 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Mike Mansfield Everett Dirksen Party Democratic Republican Leader since January 3, 1961 January 3, 1959 Leader's seat Montana Illinois Seats before 64 36 Seats after 68 32 Seat change 4 4 Popular vote 21,387,598[1] 20,897,719[1] Percentage 50.3% 49.1% Seats up 21 18 Races won 25 14
Results of the elections:      Democratic gain      Democratic hold      Republican gain      Republican hold      No election Rectangular inset (Id., Kan. & N. H.): both seats up for election
Majority Leader before election Mike Mansfield Democratic Elected Majority Leader Mike Mansfield Democratic

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This was the first time since 1914 that the president's party gained seats in the Senate and lost seats in the House, this would occur again in 1970, 2018, and 2022. This was the last time until 2022 that the Democrats would win full terms in Arizona's and Pennsylvania's Class 3 Senate seats.

More information Parties, Total ...

Parties					Total
		Democratic	Republican	Other
Last elections (1960) Before these elections		64	36	0	100
Not up		43	18	0	61
Up		21	18	—	39
	Class 3 (1956→1962)	19	15	—	34
	Special: Class 1	1	0	—	1
	Special: Class 2	1	3	—	4
Incumbent retired		2	2	—	4
	Held by same party	2	0	—	2
	Replaced by other party	2 Republicans replaced by 2 Democrats		—	2
	Result	4	0	0	4
Incumbent ran		19	16[lower-alpha 1]	—	35
	Won re-election	17	12	—	29
	Lost re-election	3 Republicans replaced by 3 Democrats 2 Democrats replaced by 2 Republicans		—	5
	Lost renomination, but held by same party	0	0	—	0
	Lost renomination, and party lost	1 Republican replaced by 1 Democrat		—	1
	Result	21	14	0	35
Total elected		25	14	0	39
Net gain/loss		4	4		4
Nationwide vote		21,387,598	20,897,719	258,084	42,543,401
	Share	50.27%	49.12%	0.61%	100%
Result		68	32	0	100

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Source:^[1]

Nineteen races had a margin of victory under 10%:

Nevada was the tipping point state with a margin of 30.6%.

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

1962 United States Senate election in Alaska

← 1958 November 6, 1962 1968 →

Nominee Ernest Gruening Ted Stevens Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 33,827 24,354 Percentage 58.14% 41.86%

Results by state house district Gruening:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Ernest Gruening Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Ernest Gruening Democratic

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Incumbent Ernest Gruening defeated the Republican challenger, former U.S. Attorney, Interior Solicitor & future long-time U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, to win re-election to a full term.

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

1962 United States Senate election in Arizona

← 1956 November 6, 1962 1968 →

Nominee Carl Hayden Evan Mecham Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 199,217 163,338 Percentage 54.94% 45.06%

County results Hayden:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Mecham:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Carl Hayden Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Carl Hayden Democratic

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Incumbent Democrat Carl Hayden defeated future Governor Evan Mecham to win re-election to a seventh term.

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

1962 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts

← 1958 November 6, 1962 1964 →

Nominee Ted Kennedy George C. Lodge Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,162,611 877,668 Percentage 55.44% 41.85%

County results Municipality results Kennedy:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Lodge:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Benjamin A. Smith II Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy Democratic

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John F. Kennedy, originally elected to the U.S. Senate in 1952 United States Senate election in Massachusetts, resigned in 1961 after being elected in the 1960 United States presidential election. Incumbent Benjamin A. Smith II chose not to run for re-election. Ted Kennedy, brother of John and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, defeated Edward J. McCormack, Jr. by a wide margin in the Democratic primary. In the Republican primary, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for International Affairs George C. Lodge defeated U.S. representative Laurence Curtis in a close race.

A battle between two candidates from influential political families, H. Stuart Hughes ran as an independent. Kennedy defeated Lodge with 55% of the vote to 42% for Lodge, with 2% to Hughes. Kennedy would serve until 2009.