1960 United States Senate election in Montana

1960 United States Senate election in Montana

← 1954 November 8, 1960 1966 →
 
Nominee Lee Metcalf Orvin B. Fjare
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 140,331 136,281
Percentage 50.73% 49.27%

County results
Metcalf:      50–60%      60–70%
Fjare:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

James E. Murray
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Lee Metcalf
Democratic

The 1960 United States Senate election in Montana took place on November 8, 1960. Incumbent United States Senator James E. Murray, who was first elected to the Senate in a special election in 1934 and was re-elected in 1936, 1942, and 1948, and 1954, declined to seek re-election, creating an open seat. United States Congressman Lee Metcalf won out in a crowded Democratic primary and faced off against former United States Congressman Orvin B. Fjare, who won in a similarly-crowded Republican primary. Following a close general election, Metcalf narrowly defeated Fjare to win his first term in the Senate.