Wiley was the Republican candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in 1936 but his bid failed. Philip F. La Follette and new Progressive Party, which split from the Republicans in 1934, won the election. In 1938 Wiley was elected to the United States Senate by defeating incumbent United States Senator F. Ryan Duffy. In 1944, he was challenged by Marine Captain Joseph McCarthy in the Republican Party Primary. He defeated McCarthy and went on to win the general election. Wiley was re-elected two more times in 1950 and 1956. In 1962, Wiley lost his bid for a fifth-term to Governor Gaylord Nelson.
Wiley had a distinguished Senate career that included the Chairmanship of both the Foreign Relations and Judiciary Committees.
AlexanderWiley (May 26, 1884 – May 26, 1967) was a member of the Republican Party who served four terms in the United States Senate for the state of Wisconsin from 1939 to 1963.