Michigan Republican Truman H. Newberry was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1918, beating out Henry Ford (yes that Henry Ford) in the general election. But to accomplish this he spent $175,000, which was far in excess of the $3,750 allowed by Michigan law and $10,000 allowed by federal law at that time. He and 134 associates were charged in the case, which got to the United States Supreme Court. The court struck down the power of federal statute to control state primaries and Newberry took office.
The Senate voted to accept him very narrowly. In the 1922 election the GOP lost seats and the math was not favorable for Newberry.
He resigned on Nov. 18, 1922. The Supreme Court would later reverse itself.
(Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Senate Historical Office)
Source: Emily Lawler, “Death, Drugs, and Skullduggery : A Brief History of Michigan Political Scandals“, MLive, August 21, 2015; updated August 24, 2015.
