1936 United States Senate elections

The 1936 United States Senate elections coincided with the reelection of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The 32 seats of Class 2 were contested in regular elections, and special elections were held to fill vacancies. The Great Depression continued and voters backed progressive candidates favoring Roosevelt's New Deal in races across the country. The Democrats gained 5 net seats during the election, and in combination with Democratic and Farmer–Labor interim appointments and the defection of George W. Norris from the Republican Party to become independent, the Republicans were reduced to 16 seats. Democrats gained a further two seats due to mid-term vacancies. The Democrats' 77 seats and their 62-seat majority remain their largest in history.

1936 United States Senate elections

November 3, 1936

32 of the 96 seats in the United States Senate
49 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Joseph Robinson Charles McNary
Party Democratic Republican
Leader since December 3, 1923 March 4, 1933
Leader's seat Arkansas Oregon
Seats before 70 22
Seats after 75 17
Seat change 5 5
Seats up 19 11
Races won 24 6

  Third party Fourth party
 
Party Farmer–Labor Progressive
Seats before 2 1
Seats after 2 1
Seat change
Seats up 1 0
Races won 1 0

  Fifth party
 
Party Independent
Seats before 0
Seats after 1
Seat change 1
Seats up 0
Races won 1

Results of the elections:
     Democratic gain      Democratic hold
     Republican gain      Republican hold
     Farmer–Labor hold
     Independent gain
     No election

Majority Leader before election

Joseph Robinson
Democratic

Elected Majority Leader

Joseph Robinson
Democratic

This was the last of four consecutive election cycles where Republicans suffered losses due to the ongoing effects of the Great Depression. This was also the last Senate election cycle until 2012 in which a Democratic candidate who won two terms also made net gains in the Senate on both occasions (although Roosevelt won a third term and fourth term, he lost Senate seats on both occasions). Additionally, this is the last time any party held three-fourths of all Senate seats.

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