Appointed U.S. senator from California in 1964 after the death of
Senator Clair Engle on July 30, 1964. In the November 1964 election, Salinger was soundly defeated by
George Murphy. A major issue was the fact that Salinger had only recently moved to California after many years living on the East Coast. Salinger took his seat on August 5, 1964 and resigned on December 31, 1964.