The1902 United States Senate election in Kentucky was held on January 21, 1902, after an initial election on January 14, 1902. Democratic candidateJames B. McCreary was elected by theKentucky General Assembly to theUnited States Senate, defeating incumbent Republican senatorWilliam J. Deboe. The election was held twice due to ambiguity in the law setting the election date.
The Democratic Party chose to select its candidate by legislative caucus. Former governor and congressmanJames B. McCreary was nominated on January 9, 1902, defeating judgeJames E. Cantrill. CongressmenDavid Highbaugh Smith andCharles K. Wheeler, who had been campaigning for the nomination, withdrew from the contest the afternoon before the caucus was held.
The Republican Party chose to select its candidate by legislative caucus, with incumbent senatorWilliam J. Deboe winning the nomination unanimously on January 8, 1902. GovernorWilliam O. Bradley and congressmanVincent Boreing, who had been suggested as alternatives, were not put forth as alternative candidates.[2]
Senate ballot
House ballot
