1926 United States Senate election in Arizona

The 1926 United States Senate elections in Arizona took place on November 3, 1926. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Ralph H. Cameron ran for reelection to a second term, but was defeated by U.S. Congressman Carl T. Hayden in the general election.

1926 United States Senate election in Arizona

November 3, 1926

Nominee Carl Hayden Ralph H. Cameron Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 44,591 31,845 Percentage 58.34% 41.66%

U.S. senator before election Ralph H. Cameron Republican Elected U.S. Senator Carl Hayden Democratic

Cameron received the support of Republican leaders but only tepid support from rank and file membership.[1] In contrast, his challenger, Congressman Carl Hayden, in turn had a united party, the backing of labor, and the support of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Cameron campaigned on a message highlighting his successes during his first term.[2] Democrats countered by highlighting his inability to win a cotton tariff, showing him to be ineffective.[3]

A series of six article written by Hayden supporter Will Irwin was published by the Los Angeles Times in mid-1926. These articles examined Cameron's history with the Grand Canyon and claimed he had salted several claims in the canyon in order to control the valuable sites. Cameron condemned the articles' claims as "malicious fabrications" but the political damage had already been done.[3] Hayden won the election by a vote of 44,591 to 31,845.[4]

Republican primary

Candidates

• Ralph H. Cameron, incumbent U.S. Senator

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Carl T. Hayden, U.S. Congressman of Arizona's at-large Congressional district
• Charles H. Rutherford

Results

Democratic primary results[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Carl T. Hayden	36,745	80.33%
	Democratic	Charles H. Rutherford	8,995	19.67%
Total votes			45,740	100.00

General election

United States Senate election in Arizona, 1926[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Carl T. Hayden	44,591	58.34%
	Republican	Ralph H. Cameron	31,845	41.66%
Majority			12,746	16.68%
Turnout			76,436
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing

See also

• United States Senate elections, 1926

References

1. Lamb 1977, p. 60. sfn error: no target: CITEREFLamb1977 (help)
2. Lamb 1977, p. 61. sfn error: no target: CITEREFLamb1977 (help)
3. Lamb 1977, p. 62. sfn error: no target: CITEREFLamb1977 (help)
4. Lamb 1977, p. 63. sfn error: no target: CITEREFLamb1977 (help)
5. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=268962
6. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3302