The 1930 United States Senate elections occurred in the middle of Republican President Herbert Hoover's term. The 32 seats of Class 2 were contested in regular elections, and special elections were held to fill vacancies. With the Great Depression beginning to take hold, Republican incumbents became unpopular, and Democrats picked up a net of eight seats, erasing the Republican gains from the previous election cycle, however, Republicans retained control of the chamber. This was the first of four consecutive Senate elections during the Depression in which Democrats made enormous gains, achieving a cumulative pick-up of 34 seats. In Louisiana, Democratic senator-elect Huey Long chose not to take his Senate seat until January 25, 1932, so he could remain as Governor of Louisiana. The Republicans therefore retained the plurality of seats at the beginning of the next Congress (with Vice President Charles Curtis (R) able to cast tie-breaking votes, the Republicans would have majority control).

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

Four Republicans retired instead of seeking re-election. Two Republicans retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term and instead of seeking election to full term. One Democrat retired instead of seeking election to a full term.

Defeats

Seven Republicans and five Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.

Post-election changes

Change in composition

Before the elections

After the elections

Race summary

Special elections during the 71st Congress

In these special elections, the winner were seated during 1930; ordered by election date (then by state).

Elections leading to the 72nd Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1931; ordered by state. All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.

Closest races

Ten races had a margin of victory under 10%:

Alabama

Arkansas

Colorado

Delaware

Interim appointee Daniel O. Hastings was elected both to finish the current term and to the next term on the same November 4 ballot.

Delaware (regular)

Delaware (special)

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois

Iowa

Kansas

Kansas (regular)

Kansas (special)

Democratic nominee George McGill defeated Republican incumbent United States Senator Henry Justin Allen by a very narrow margin. McGill was the first non-Republican to win this seat since 1896.

Kentucky

Kentucky (regular)

Kentucky (special)

Louisiana

Maine

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Montana

Nebraska

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Jersey (regular)

New Jersey (special)

New Mexico

North Carolina

Ohio (special)

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania (special)

Rhode Island

Incumbent Republican Senator Jesse H. Metcalf successfully sought reelection to a 2nd term in office. , this is the last time a Republican has won the Class 2 Senate seat in Rhode Island, and it would be the last time a Republican would win any Senate seat in the state at all until John Chafee in 1976.

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

One-term Democrat Lawrence D. Tyson died August 24, 1929, and Democrat William E. Brock was appointed September 2, 1929, to continue the term, pending a special election.

Tennessee (special)

Interim Democrat William E. Brock easily won election to finish the term.

Tennessee (regular)

William E. Brock was not a candidate to the next term, instead choosing to return to his Chattanooga candy manufacturing business. Instead, former Democratic congressman Cordell Hull was swept into the seat. Hull was appointed United States Secretary of State and served there for 11 years, and in 1945, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "co-initiating the United Nations."

Texas

Virginia

West Virginia

Wyoming

Six-term Republican Francis E. Warren had died November 24, 1929, and Republican Patrick J. Sullivan was appointed to continue the term, pending a special election in which he was not a candidate.

Wyoming (special)

Wyoming (regular)