United States Senate election in South Carolina, 1948

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The 1948 South Carolina United States Senate election was held on November 2, 1948 to select the U.S. Senator from the state of South Carolina. Incumbent Democratic Senator Burnet R. Maybank won the Democratic primary and defeated Republican challenger J. Bates Gerald in the general election to win another six year term.

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[edit] Democratic primary

Senator Burnet R. Maybank was opposed in the Democratic primary by William Jennings Bryan Dorn and three other candidates. Maybank obtained over 50% in the primary election on August 10 to avoid a runoff election.

Democratic Primary
Candidate Votes %
Burnet R. Maybank 161,608 51.5
W.J. Bryan Dorn 76,749 24.4
Neville Bennett 43,068 13.7
Alan Johnstone 17,689 5.6
Marcus A. Stone 14,904 4.8


[edit] General election campaign

Since the end of Reconstruction in 1877, the Democratic Party dominated the politics of South Carolina and its statewide candidates were never seriously challenged. Maybank did not campaign for the general election as there was no chance of defeat.

[edit] General election results

South Carolina U.S. Senate Election, 1948
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Burnet R. Maybank (incumbent) 135,998 96.4 -3.6
Republican J. Bates Gerald 5,008 3.6 +3.6
Majority 130,990 92.8 -7.2
Turnout 141,006
  Democratic hold
1948 South Carolina U.S. Senate county map      65+% won by Maybank
1948 South Carolina U.S. Senate county map      65+% won by Maybank

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Jordan, Frank E. The Primary State: A History of the Democratic Party in South Carolina, 1876-1962, p. 79. 
  • "Supplemental Report of the Secretary of State to the General Assembly of South Carolina." Reports and Resolutions of South Carolina to the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina. Volume I. Columbia, SC: 1949, p. 11.