Closest U.S. Senate elections in Wisconsin
The closest U.S. Senate election in Wisconsin history was in 1914, a margin of 0.31 points. Paul O. Husting beat Francis E. McGovern, 134,925 to 133,969. Next closest are 2024 (0.85 points) and 2022 (1.0 points).
Every state is ranked together on Closest U.S. Senate elections in history. For every Senate race Wisconsin has held, special elections included, see the Wisconsin U.S. Senate hub.
What is the closest Senate race in Wisconsin history?
The Wisconsin Senate election decided by the narrowest margin was in 1914, 0.31 points. Paul O. Husting beat Francis E. McGovern, 134,925 to 133,969. The next closest were 2024 (0.85 points) and 2022 (1.0 points).
How is the margin measured?
As the gap in vote share between the first and second-place finishers, from the certified general-election count. It is not adjusted for recounts, runoffs or later court rulings; the figure is the result as certified.
Does this include special elections?
No. These are the regular general elections for Wisconsin’s two Senate seats. Special elections to fill a vacancy appear on the Wisconsin Senate hub, which lists every race including specials, and in a few states one of those is closer than anything here.
Why does the list start in 1914?
Because senators were chosen by state legislatures before the Seventeenth Amendment. 1914 is the first cycle of the popular-vote era for the Senate, so it is the first Wisconsin election with a popular margin to measure.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1914 | Paul O. Husting D def. Francis E. McGovern R | 134,925 – 133,969 | 0.31 points |
| 2 | 2024 | Tammy Baldwin D def. Eric Hovde R | 1,672,777 – 1,643,996 | 0.85 points |
| 3 | 2022 | Ron Johnson R def. Mandela Barnes D | 1,337,185 – 1,310,467 | 1.0 points |
| 4 | 1980 | Robert W. Kasten Jr. R def. Gaylord A. Nelson D | 1,106,311 – 1,065,487 | 1.8 points |
| 5 | 1998 | Russell D. Feingold D def. Mark W. Neumann R | 890,059 – 852,272 | 2.1 points |
| 6 | 2016 | Ron Johnson R def. Russell D. Feingold D | 1,479,471 – 1,380,335 | 3.4 points |
| 7 | 1986 | Robert W. Kasten Jr. R def. Edward R. Garvey D | 754,573 – 702,963 | 3.5 points |
| 8 | 1940 | Robert M. Lafollette Jr. P def. Fred H. Clausen R | 605,609 – 553,692 | 3.9 points |
| 9 | 1988 | Herbert H. Kohl D def. Susan Engeleiter R | 1,128,625 – 1,030,440 | 4.5 points |
| 10 | 2010 | Ron Johnson R def. Russell D. Feingold D | 1,125,999 – 1,020,958 | 4.8 points |
| 11 | 1962 | Gaylord A. Nelson D def. Alexander Wiley R | 662,342 – 594,846 | 5.4 points |
| 12 | 2012 | Tammy Baldwin D def. Tommy G. Thompson R | 1,547,104 – 1,380,126 | 5.5 points |
| 13 | 1992 | Russell D. Feingold D def. Robert W. Kasten Jr. R | 1,290,662 – 1,129,599 | 6.6 points |
| 14 | 1964 | William Proxmire D def. Wilbur N. Renk R | 892,013 – 780,116 | 6.7 points |
| 15 | 1920 | Irvine L. Lenroot R def. James Thompson I | 281,576 – 235,029 | 6.9 points |
| 16 | 1950 | Alexander Wiley R def. Thomas E. Fairchild D | 595,283 – 515,539 | 7.2 points |
| 17 | 1944 | Alexander Wiley R def. Howard J. McMurray D | 634,513 – 537,144 | 7.8 points |
| 18 | 1952 | Joseph R. McCarthy R def. Thomas E. Fairchild D | 870,444 – 731,402 | 8.7 points |
| 19 | 2018 | Tammy Baldwin D def. Leah Vukmir R | 1,472,914 – 1,184,885 | 10.8 points |
| 20 | 2004 | Russel D. Feingold D def. Tim Michels R | 1,632,697 – 1,301,183 | 11.2 points |
| 21 | 1958 | William Proxmire D def. Roland J. Steinle R | 682,440 – 510,398 | 14.4 points |
| 22 | 1956 | Alexander Wiley R def. Henry W. Maier D | 892,473 – 627,903 | 17.4 points |
| 23 | 1994 | Herbert H. Kohl D def. Robert T. Welch R | 912,662 – 636,989 | 17.6 points |
| 24 | 1932 | F. Ryan Duffy D def. John B. Chappie R | 610,236 – 387,668 | 20.8 points |
| 25 | 1938 | Alexander Wiley R def. Herman L. Ekern P | 446,770 – 249,209 | 21.1 points |