1908–09 United States Senate elections
Senators were elected over a wide range of time throughout 1906 and 1907, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock.Soon after, Nebraska followed suit and laid the foundation for other states to adopt measures reflecting the people's will.[17] William Pinkney Whyte died, and John Walter Smith was elected by an unknown margin, for the Class 3 seat.President pro tempore of the State Senate John Raines lauded warmly Root's nomination, eulogized the retiring U.S.Senator Platt, and declared war on Governor Charles Evans Hughes's reforms.[22] Republican Philander C. Knox was appointed to the Senate in June 1904 after the death of Matthew Quay.[23] Following Knox's resignation, the Pennsylvania General Assembly convened on March 16, 1909, to elect a new senator to fill the vacancy.