DBWI: Barry Goldwater is elected to Senate in 1952

In 1952, Phoenix City Councilor Barry Goldwater came very close to an upset victory of incumbent US Senator Ernest McFarland (who was Senate Majority Leader at the time).

Goldwater would bounce back in 1954 and win election as Governor of Arizona. By the time he left office, his approval ratings were as high as 75 percent.

Had Goldwater been elected to the Senate in 1952, would his political career have gone a similar path that he had IOTL?
 
In 1952, Phoenix City Councilor Barry Goldwater came very close to an upset victory of incumbent US Senator Ernest McFarland (who was Senate Majority Leader at the time).

Goldwater would bounce back in 1954 and win election as Governor of Arizona. By the time he left office, his approval ratings were as high as 75 percent.

Had Goldwater been elected to the Senate in 1952, would his political career have gone a similar path that he had IOTL?

Well, he would not been a presidential contender had he been a senator.
 

bguy

Donor
Well, he would not been a presidential contender had he been a senator.

Agreed. Given the drubbing the Republicans took in the '58 Congressional elections, he almost certainly gets beat that year which would effectively end his political career.
 
Agreed. Given the drubbing the Republicans took in the '58 Congressional elections, he almost certainly gets beat that year which would effectively end his political career.

True. Although, I should note that he was reelected governor that year
 
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