United States Senate elections, 1962

Infobox Election
election_name = United States Senate elections, 1962
country = United States
type = legislative
ongoing = no
previous_election = United States Senate elections, 1960
previous_year = 1960
next_election = United States Senate elections, 1964
next_year = 1964
seats_for_election = 39 seats in the United States Senate
election_date = November 6, 1962

leader1 = Mike Mansfield
party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
leaders_seat1 = Montana
last_election1 = 64 seats
seats1 = 66
seat_change1 = +2
popular_vote1 =
percentage1 =
swing1 =

leader2 = Everett Dirksen
party2 = Republican Party (United States)
leaders_seat2 = Illinois
last_election2 = 36 seats
seats2 = 34
seat_change2 = -2
popular_vote2 =
percentage2 =
swing2 =

map_

map_size = 300px
map_caption = legend|#f99|Republican holds

title = Majority Leader
before_election = Mike Mansfield
before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
after_election = Mike Mansfield
after_party = Democratic Party (United States)

The U.S. Senate election, 1962 was an election for the United States Senate which occurred in the middle of John F. Kennedy's term. His Democratic Party made a net gain of four seats from the Republicans, maintaining control of the Senate, with Democrats having about 2/3 of the Senate seats.

Democrats took open seats in New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Maryland and defeated Republican incumbents Joseph H. Bottum (R-SD), Homer E. Capehart (R-IN), and Alexander Wiley (R-WI). Republicans defeated incumbents John A. Carroll (D-CO) and John J. Hickey (D-WY).

The appointment of Republican Edwin L. Mechem to replace deceased Dennis Chavez (D-NM) on November 30, 1962, combined with the party switch by Strom Thurmond (D-SC) to the Republicans, reduced the Democratic gain to 2 seats.

Notable freshmen included the President's brother, Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), elected to the seat left vacant by the President, and future presidential candidate George McGovern (D-SD).

enate contests in 1962

See also

*United States House elections, 1962