House

Dworshak ran for Congress in 1936 in Idaho's 2nd district,^[4] but lost to incumbent D. Worth Clark. Two years later, Clark ran for U.S. Senator and won, and Dworshak won the open House seat in 1938 and was re-elected in 1940, 1942, and 1944.^[1]

Senate

Republican Senator John Thomas died in office in November 1945, and Democratic Governor Charles C. Gossett resigned to accept an appointment (by his successor) to fill the seat. Gossett failed to secure the nomination for the special election; Dworshak defeated state senator George Donart in the November 1946 election to complete the term. Two years later, Dworshak was defeated for a full term in the 1948 general election by former state attorney general Bert H. Miller.

Miller died of a heart attack in October 1949 after only nine months in office, and Dworshak was appointed his successor by Republican Governor C. A. Robins.^[3] Dworshak won a special election in 1950, and was elected to full Senate terms in 1954 and 1960. A staunch isolationist like William Borah, Dworshak stood unwavering against overseas intervention, especially in U.S. affairs.^[1] Dworshak voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1957 and the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,^[5][6][7] but did not vote on the Civil Rights Act of 1960.^[8]

Source:^[9] ^Dworshak was appointed to the vacant seat in November 1946 and October 1949

Legacy

• Dworshak Dam on the North Fork of the Clearwater River, near Orofino in northern Idaho
• Dworshak Elementary School in Burley^[12]