In 1948, Margaret Chase Smith achieved a significant milestone in American political history by winning the United States Senate election in Maine. This victory made her the first woman ever elected to a full term in the U.S. Senate without having been previously appointed. Her success in this election also marked her as the first woman to serve in both houses of the United States Congress, having previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Furthermore, she became the first woman to represent the state of Maine in the Senate, solidifying her place as a trailblazer in national politics.
The Path to the Republican Nomination
Smith's journey to the Senate began with a challenging Republican primary. The incumbent Republican U.S. Senator and Senate Majority Leader, Wallace White, chose not to seek a fourth term in office, opening up the seat. This created a competitive field, and Smith, then a U.S. Representative, faced formidable opponents. Among them were two former Governors of Maine: Horace Hildreth and Sumner Sewall. Despite the stature of her male rivals, Smith emerged victorious from the primary.
The Republican primary results clearly demonstrated Smith's strength. She secured 63,786 votes, which accounted for 51.90% of the total. Her closest competitor, Horace Hildreth, received 30,949 votes (25.18%), while Sumner Sewall garnered 21,763 votes (17.71%). Albion Beverage also ran, receiving 6,399 votes (5.21%). The total votes cast in the Republican primary amounted to 122,897, indicating a robust contest that Smith decisively won.
The General Election Triumph
Following her primary success, Margaret Chase Smith advanced to the general election, held on September 13, 1948. Her Democratic opponent was Adrian Scolten of Portland, who had run unopposed for the Democratic nomination, receiving 15,452 votes. The general election saw Smith achieve a resounding victory, further cementing her historic achievement.
Smith's performance in the general election was dominant. She secured 159,182 popular votes, which translated to 71.30% of the total votes cast. Adrian Scolten received 64,074 votes, or 28.70%. The margin of victory for Smith was substantial, with a difference of 95,108 votes, representing a 42.60% majority. The total turnout for the election was 223,256 votes. This decisive win underscored the broad support Smith commanded across Maine, propelling her into the U.S. Senate and into the annals of American political history as a pioneering woman in national legislative office.
