Although this election took place during World War II, the opposition Republican party made major gains, taking eight seats from the Democrats and one from an independent.

[3] The paper's editorial board welcomed a return to normal political alignments after the unbalanced majorities of the previous decade.

Republican Joseph H. Ball was appointed October 14, 1940 to continue the term, pending the special election.

Democrat Joseph Rosier was appointed January 13, 1941 to continue the term, pending the special election.

Joseph Rosier Democratic Hugh Ike Shott Republican Interim Democrat Joseph Rosier easily won the primary,[13] but lost the special election to finish the term that would end in January 1943 to former congressman and 1936 Senate nominee Hugh Ike Shott.

Matthew M. Neely Democratic Chapman Revercomb Republican Neither Shott nor Rosier were candidates in the regular election.