The 1962 United States Senate elections was an election for the United States Senate. Held on November 6, the 34 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections. Special elections were also held to fill vacancies. They occurred in the middle of President John F. Kennedy's term. His Democratic Party made a net gain of four seats from the Republicans, increasing their control of the Senate to 68-32. However, this was reduced to 67-33 between the election and the next Congress, as on November 18, 1962, Democrat Dennis Chávez, who was not up for election that year, died. He was replaced on November 30, 1962, by Republican appointee Edwin L. Mechem. This was the first time since 1932 that Democrats gained seats in this class of Senators. This was the first time since 1914 that the president's party gained seats in the Senate and lost seats in the House, this would occur again in 1970, 2018, and 2022. This was the last time until 2022 that the Democrats would win full terms in Arizona's and Pennsylvania's Class 3 Senate seats. Results summary Source: Gains, losses, and holds Retirements Two Republicans and two Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election. Defeats Four Republicans and one Democrat sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election. Post-election changes One Democrat died on November 18, 1962, and a Republican was appointed on November 30, 1962. Change in composition Before the elections Elections results Beginning of the next Congress Race summaries Special elections during the 87th Congress In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1962 or before January 3, 1963; ordered by election date, then state. Elections leading to the next Congress In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1963; ordered by state. All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats. Alabama Alaska Incumbent Ernest Gruening defeated the Republican challenger, former U.S. Attorney, Interior Solicitor & future long-time U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, to win re-election to a full term. Arizona Incumbent Democrat Carl Hayden defeated future Governor Evan Mecham to win re-election to a seventh term. Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Idaho (regular) Idaho (special) Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kansas (regular) Kansas (special) Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts (special) John F. Kennedy, originally elected to the U.S. Senate in 1952 United States Senate election in Massachusetts, resigned in 1961 after being