United States Senate elections, 1942

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The United States Senate elections of 1942 occurred midway through Franklin Roosevelt's third term as President. Although this election took place during World War II, the opposition Republican party made major gains, taking eight seats from the Democrats and one from an independent. Various commentators have ascribed this to anger with the administration over Pearl Harbor, general irritation with the conditions of wartime, or the defeat of weak Democratic incumbents from the 1936 election. The Democrats nonetheless retained a significant majority.

Republicans captured open seats in Delaware, South Dakota, and West Virginia, and defeated six incumbents:
* Clyde L. Herring (D-IA)
* Prentiss M. Brown (D-MI)
* George W. Norris (I-NE)
* William H. Smathers (D-NJ)
* Josh Lee (D-OK)
* Harry H. Schwartz (D-WY)

enate contests in 1942

See also

*United States House elections, 1942