Following the death of incumbent Republican congressman Benjamin K. Focht, Simpson successfully ran in the special election to fill the vacancy, defeating Democrat opponent Lowell H. Alexander.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=396669 PA - District 18 - Special Election Race - May 11, 1937]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved September 21, 2021.</ref> He was re-elected eleven times afterwards.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=136194 Candidate - Richard M. Simpson]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved September 21, 2021.</ref> | Following the death of incumbent Republican congressman Benjamin K. Focht, Simpson successfully ran in the special election to fill the vacancy, defeating Democrat opponent Lowell H. Alexander.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=396669 PA - District 18 - Special Election Race - May 11, 1937]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved September 21, 2021.</ref> He was re-elected eleven times afterwards.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=136194 Candidate - Richard M. Simpson]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved September 21, 2021.</ref> |