Elections were held in Illinois on Tuesday, November 7, 1950. Primaries were held April 11, 1950. Election information 1950 was a midterm election year in the United States. Turnout In the primary election 1,789,787 ballots were cast (912,563 Democratic and 877,224 Republican). In the general election 3,731,618 ballots were cast. Federal elections United States Senate Incumbent Senate Majority Leader Scott W. Lucas, a two-term incumbent Democratic senator, lost reelection to Republican Everett Dirksen. United States House All 26 Illinois seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 1950. Republicans flipped four Republican-held seats, leaving the Illinois House delegation to consist of 18 Republicans and 8 Democrats. State elections Treasurer Incumbent first-term Treasurer, Democrat Ora Smith, did not seek reelection, instead running for Clerk of the Supreme Court. Republican William Stratton was elected to succeed him, earning Stratton a second non-consecutive term as Treasurer. Democratic primary Republican primary Former Illinois Treasurer and congressman William Stratton won the Republican primary. He defeated Cook County Treasurer Louis E. Nelson, former congressman James Simpson Jr., fellow former Illinois Treasurer Warren E. Wright, Chicago alderman Theron W. Merryman, among others. General election Superintendent of Public Instruction Incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction Vernon L. Nickell, a Republican, was reelected to a third term. Democratic primary Republican primary General election Clerk of the Supreme Court Incumbent Clerk of the Supreme Court Earle Benjamin Searcy, a Republican, was reelected. Democratic primary Illinois Treasurer Ora Smith won the Democratic primary, running unopposed. Republican primary Incumbent Earle Benjamin Searcy won the Republican primary, defeating three challengers. General election State Senate Seats in the Illinois Senate were up for election in 1950. Republicans flipped control of the chamber. State House of Representatives Seats in the Illinois House of Representatives were up for election in 1950. Republicans remained in control of the chamber. Trustees of University of Illinois An election was held for three of nine seats for Trustees of University of Illinois. New Republican members Harold "Red" Grange Wayne A. Johnston, and Herbert B. Megran were elected. Second-term Democrat Karl A. Meyer lost reelection. Democrat Kenney E. Williamson (serving his first full, and second overall term) also lost reelection. Incumbent first-term Democrat Walter W. McLaughlin was not nominated for reelection, with former member Harold Pogue nominated instead. Judicial elections On April 11, two special elections were held, one to fill a vacancy of the Circuit Court