1949 United States Senate special election in New York

The United States Senate special election of 1949 in New York was held on November 8, 1949. On June 28, 1949, incumbent senator Robert F. Wagner resigned due to ill health. On July 7, John Foster Dulles was appointed by Governor Thomas Dewey to fill the vacancy temporarily.[1]

1949 United States Senate special election in New York

November 8, 1949

Nominee Herbert H. Lehman John Foster Dulles Party Democratic Republican Alliance Liberal Popular vote 2,582,438 2,384,381 Percentage 51.99% 48.01%

Senator before election John Foster Dulles Republican Elected Senator Herbert H. Lehman Democratic

The Republican State Committee nominated Dulles to succeed himself. The Democratic State Committee nominated former Governor Herbert H. Lehman. The Liberal Party endorsed Lehman. The American Labor Party made no nominations and urged its members not to vote for any candidate. The Democratic/Liberal ticket was elected and Dulles was defeated.[2]

Candidates

Democratic

• Herbert H. Lehman, former Governor of New York

Republican

• John Foster Dulles, incumbent Senator (appointed by Governor Dewey) and diplomat

General election

Results

1949 U.S. Senate special election in New York[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Herbert H. Lehman	2,155,763	43.40%
	Liberal	Herbert H. Lehman	426,675	8.59%
	Total	Herbert H. Lehman	2,582,438	51.99%
	Republican	John Foster Dulles (incumbent)	2,384,381	48.01%
Total votes			4,966,819	100.00%

References

1. "Dulles Appointed Senator". The New York Times. July 8, 1949.
2. "THE OFFICIAL COUNT: LEHMAN BY 198,057". The New York Times. December 15, 1949.
3. "NY US Senate Special". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 11 March 2020.