Democrat Wall Doxey won the September 29, 1941, special election, but would later lose renomination to Eastland for the next term in 1942.

Governor Burnet R. Maybank took the most votes in the September 2, 1941, Democratic primary over Governor Olin Johnston and Representative Joseph R.

[3] Maybank then won the September 16, 1941, primary runoff.

Houston died, however, June 26, 1941, before the August 4, 1941, special election.

In a 14-candidate race, "Pappy" W. Lee O'Daniel (Democratic) won a slim plurality over Representative Lyndon Baines Johnson (Democratic), which was sufficient for the election.