in may 1952, purtell won the republican nomination to challenge democratic incumbent william benton for a seat in the united states senate. however, when connecticut's other democratic senator, brien mcmahon, died in july of that year, governor lodge appointed purtell to the senate to fill the remainder of mcmahon's term. thus, purtell was in the unusual position of filling one senate seat while running for another. fellow republican businessman prescott bush, the father of george h. w. bush and the grandfather of george w. bush, was later elected to mcmahon's seat. during his campaign against benton, purtell supported general eisenhower's campaign platform on "communism, corruption, and korea." benton accused purtell of being so conservative that he "makes bob taft look like a left-wing new dealer." still, benton was defeated by purtell by a margin of 88,788 votes, receiving 52% of the vote.