Senators were elected over a wide range of time throughout 1898 and 1899, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock.

In North Dakota, Wisconsin, Indiana, West Virginia, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey, Republicans flipped Democratic held seats.

A large number of state legislatures failed to fill their Senators during this election cycle: in Utah, a Silver Republican failed to secure re-election; in Delaware and California, a Democrat did so; in Pennsylvania, a Republican seat was lost.

Depew had been Secretary of State of New York from 1864 to 1865, and was the frontrunning candidate to succeed Thomas C. Platt at the U.S. Senate special election in 1881 when he withdrew after the 41st ballot.

In mid-August 1898, Alfred W. McCune decided to seek office as a Democrat for the United States Senate.

[31] The Dingley bill was strongly supported by the LDS Church hierarchy, who now opposed his reelection.

[31] Other factors were his support for Free Silver; rumors about immoral acts he may have committed while living in Washington, D.C.; and that the Utah legislature was controlled by Democrats.

[30] Grant consulted with Joseph F. Smith (Apostle and sixth LDS president) and John Henry Smith (a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency of the LDS Church), both of whom supported McCune's senatorial bid.

Former Representative William H. King was also running (and backed by two Apostles), as was James Moyle (a prominent attorney and founder of the Utah Democratic Party who was backed by state legislators) and George Q. Cannon (an Apostle and member of the First Presidency).

Law (a Republican from Cache County and a Cannon supporter) claimed McCune offered him $1,500 for his vote.

[35] McCune strenuously denied the charge, and a seven-member legislative established to investigate the allegation.

[33][35] The legislature adjourned without having chosen a senator,[36] and McCune traveled in Europe for several weeks to regain his health (returning in June 1899).