1958 United States Senate election in Connecticut

For related races, see 1958 United States Senate elections.

The United States Senate election of 1958 in Connecticut was held on November 4, 1958. Democratic Thomas J. Dodd defeated incumbent senator William A. Purtell who ran for a second term.

1958 United States Senate election in Connecticut

November 4, 1958

Nominee Thomas J. Dodd William A. Purtell Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 554,841 410,622 Percentage 57.29% 42.40%

Dodd:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Purtell:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Tie:      50%

U.S. senator before election William A. Purtell Republican Elected U.S. Senator Thomas J. Dodd Democratic

This was one of ten 15 Democrats gained from the Republican Party in 1958, part of a record swing.

General election

Candidates

• Thomas J. Dodd, U.S. Representative from Old Lyme (Democratic)
• Vivien Kellems, industrialist, inventor, and tax protester (Independent)
• William A. Purtell, incumbent Senator since 1953 (Republican)

Results

United States Senate election in Connecticut, 1958

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Thomas J. Dodd	554,841	57.29%
	Republican	William A. Purtell (incumbent)	410,622	42.40%
	Independent	Vivien Kellems	3,043	0.31%
Total votes			968,506	100.00%
	Democratic gain from Republican

See also

• 1958 United States Senate elections