1952 United States Senate election in California
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 County Results Knowland: 80–90% 90-100% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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The 1952 United States Senate election in California was held on November 4, 1952.
By cross-filing and winning the Democratic nomination, incumbent Republican Senator William F. Knowland was able to cruise to a general election victory with only nominal opposition.
Until 1988, this was the last time a nominee from either party won re-election to this seat.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Robert D. Adams
- William F. Knowland, incumbent Senator since 1945
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William F. Knowland (inc.) | 1,341,170 | 87.68% | |
| Democratic | Clinton D. McKinnon (cross-filing) | 140,571 | 9.19% | |
| Republican | Robert D. Adams | 47,969 | 3.14% | |
| Total votes | 1,529,710 | 100.00 | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Clinton D. McKinnon, U.S. Representative from San Diego
- Arthur W. Watwood
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William F. Knowland (inc.) (cross-filing) | 966,881 | 55.54% | |
| Democratic | Clinton D. McKinnon | 633,556 | 36.39% | |
| Democratic | Arthur W. Watwood | 140,406 | 8.07% | |
| Total votes | 1,740,843 | 100.00 | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William Knowland (Incumbent) | 3,982,448 | 87.79% | +33.69% | |
| Progressive | Reuben W. Borough | 542,270 | 11.95% | N/A | |
| Write-in | Helen Gahagan Douglas | 11,812 | 0.26% | N/A | |
| Total votes | 4,536,530 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican hold | Swing | ||||
