1928 United States Senate special election in Ohio

The 1928 United States Senate special election in Ohio was held on November 6, 1928, to elect a successor to Frank B. Willis, who died in office in March 1928. Republican U.S. Representative Theodore E. Burton, who previously held this seat from 1909 to 1915, won the open race to succeed him.

Background

Incumbent Republican Senator Frank B. Willis died in office on March 30, 1928. Governor of Ohio Vic Donahey appointed Cyrus Locher to fill the vacant seat until a successor could be duly elected. The special election to fill the seat was scheduled for November 6, 1928, concurrent with the general election for President of the United States, Governor, and Ohio's other U.S. Senate seat.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Graham P. Hunt, Cincinnati resident
Cyrus Locher, interim U.S. Senator

The primary was contested over the issue of Prohibition; Locher was an advocate of the policy, allied with the Anti-Saloon League, while Hunt was an opponent.

Republican primary

Candidates

Theodore E. Burton, U.S. Representative and former U.S. Senator (1909–1915)
H.D. Cook
Jacob S. Coxey Sr., former populist activist, welfare advocate, and perennial candidate
Charles W. F. Dick, former U.S. Senator (1904–11)
Carrington T. Marshall, Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court

General election

Candidates

Israel Amter (Workers)
Theodore E. Burton, U.S. Representative from Cleveland and former U.S. Senator (1909–1915)
Graham P. Hunt (Democratic)
Anna K. Storck (Socialist Labor)