1916 United States Senate election in New York

The United States Senate election of 1916 in New York was held on November 7, 1916. Incumbent Democratic Senator James O'Gorman chose not to seek re-election. Republican William M. Calder was elected to a succeed O'Gorman, defeating Democrat William F. McCombs.

1916 United States Senate election in New York

November 7, 1916

Nominee William M. Calder William F. McCombs Party Republican Democratic Alliance American Popular vote 839,314 605,933 Percentage 54.32% 39.22%

Senator before election James O'Gorman Democratic Elected Senator William M. Calder Republican

Republican primary

Declared

• Robert Bacon, former United States Secretary of State and Ambassador to France (also running as American)
• William M. Calder, former U.S. Representative and candidate for Senate in 1914 (also running as Progressive)

Results

1916 Republican Senate Primary[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William M. Calder	153,373	51.51%
	Republican	Robert Bacon	144,366	48.49%
Total votes			297,739	100.00%

Democratic primary

Declared

• Thomas F. Conway, former Lieutenant Governor of New York
• William F. McCombs, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee

Results

1916 Democratic Senate Primary[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William F. McCombs	99,307	65.31%
	Democratic	Thomas F. Conway	52,756	34.69%
Total votes			152,063	100.00%

Progressive primary

Candidates

• William M. Calder, former U.S. Representative (also running as Republican)
• Bainbridge Colby, former State Assemblyman and nominee for Senate in 1914

Results

1916 Progressive Senate Primary[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Progressive	Bainbridge Colby	7,006	50.47%
	Progressive	William M. Calder	6,875	49.53%
Total votes			13,881	100.00%

Independents and third parties

American

The American Party initially nominated Robert Bacon, but following his defeat in the Republican primary, he withdrew. In his place, the Americans substituted Democratic nominee William F. McCombs.[4]

Prohibition

• D. Leigh Colvin, attorney

Socialist

• Joseph D. Cannon, organizer for Metal Workers' Union

Socialist Labor

• August Gillhaus, nominee for U.S. President in 1908

General election

Results

1916 United States Senate election in New York[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William M. Calder	839,314	54.32%
	Democratic	William F. McCombs	605,933	39.22%
	Socialist	Joseph D. Cannon	61,167	3.96%
	Prohibition	D. Leigh Colvin	19,302	1.25%
	Progressive	Bainbridge Colby	15,339	0.99%
	Socialist Labor	August Gillhaus	4,086	0.26%
Total votes			1,545,141	100.00%

References

1. "NY US Senate - R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
2. "NY US Senate - D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
3. "NY US Senate - PRO Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
4. "NY US Senate - AMER Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
5. "NY US Senate". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 12 March 2020.