United States Senate elections, 1962

Retirements

Through open seats due to retirements, Democrats gained two seats.

Democratic seats held by Democrats

1. Hawaii: Oren E. Long (D) was replaced by Daniel Inouye (D).
2. Massachusetts (Class 1): Appointee Benjamin A. Smith (D) was replaced by Ted Kennedy (D)

Republicans replaced by Democrats

1. Connecticut: Prescott Bush (R) was replaced by Abraham Ribicoff (D)
2. Maryland: John M. Butler (R) was replaced by Daniel B. Brewster (D)

Losing incumbents

Democrats had a net gain of two seats in election upsets.

Democrats lost to Republicans

1. Colorado : John A. Carroll (D) lost to Peter H. Dominick (R)
2. Wyoming (Class 2): Appointee John J. Hickey (D) lost to Milward Simpson (R)

Republicans lost to Democrats

1. Indiana: Homer E. Capehart (R) lost to Birch Bayh (D)
2. New Hampshire (Class 2): Appointee Maurice J. Murphy, Jr. (R) lost renomination to Perkins Bass (R). Bass lost the general election to Thomas J. McIntyre (D).
3. South Dakota: Appointee Joseph H. Bottum (R) lost to George S. McGovern (D)
4. Wisconsin: Alexander Wiley (R) lost to Gaylord Nelson (D)

Other changes

The Democrats' four-seat net gain was reduced by one seat between the election and the next Congress.

1. New Mexico: On November 18, 1962, Democrat Dennis Chavez, who was not up for election that year, died. He was replaced on November 30, 1962 by Republican appointee Edwin L. Mechem.

Subsequent changes

Summary of all contests

Bold states indicates link to election article.

Bold candidates indicates winner.