1964 United States Senate election in California

1964 United States Senate election in California

← 1958 November 3, 1964 1970 →
 
Nominee George Murphy Pierre Salinger
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 3,628,552 3,411,915
Percentage 51.54% 48.46%

County results

Murphy:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Salinger:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Pierre Salinger
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

George Murphy
Republican

The 1964 United States Senate election in California was held on November 3, 1964.

Incumbent Democratic Senator Clair Engle, who had been first elected in 1958, underwent surgery for a brain tumor in August 1963. Facing a primary challenge from Alan Cranston and deteriorating health, he withdrew from the race in April 1964. The primary election was won by Pierre Salinger, Press Secretary to President Lyndon Johnson. When Engle died in July, Salinger was appointed as interim senator in his place.

Salinger lost election to a full six-year term to Republican George Murphy, a retired Hollywood star. This was the only Senate seat Republicans gained in 1964.


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