Results -- Republican holds in light red, pickups in dark red, Democratic holds in light blue, pickups in dark blue, simultaneous hold marked in light purple, Republican hold and Democratic pickup marked in dark purple.

The U.S. Senate election, 1962 was an election for the United States Senate which occurred in the middle of John F. Kennedy's term. His Democratic Party made a net gain of four seats from the Republicans, maintaining control of the Senate, with Democrats having about 2/3 of the Senate seats.

Democrats took open seats in New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Maryland and defeated Republican incumbents Joseph H. Bottum (R-SD), Homer E. Capehart (R-IN), and Alexander Wiley (R-WI). Republicans defeated incumbents John A. Carroll (D-CO) and John J. Hickey (D-WY).

The appointment of Republican Edwin L. Mechem to replace deceased Dennis Chavez (D-NM) on November 30, 1962, combined with the party switch by Strom Thurmond (D-SC) to the Republicans, reduced the Democratic gain to 3 seats.

Notable freshmen included the President's brother, Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), elected to the seat left vacant by the President, and future presidential candidate George McGovern (D-SD).

Senate contests in 1962

¹ special election held due to death of Henry C. Dworshak (R-ID)

² special election held due to death of Andrew F. Schoeppel (R-KS)

³ special election held due to election of John F. Kennedy (R-MA) to the office of President in 1960

⁴ special election held due to death of Henry Styles Bridges (R-NH)

⁵ special election held due to death of Keith Thomson (Republican Senator-elect)

See also

• U.S. Senate election, 1960
• U.S. Senate election, 1964
• U.S. House election, 1962

Senate composition before and after elections