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1976 United States Senate elections

The 1976 United States Senate elections was an election for the United States Senate. Held on November 2, the 33 seats of Class 1 were contested in regular elections. They coincided with Democrat Jimmy Carter's presidential election and the United States Bicentennial celebration. Although almost half of the seats decided in this election changed parties, Carter's narrow victory did not provide coattails for the Democratic Party. Each party flipped seven Senate seats, although, one of the seats flipped by Democrats was previously held by a Conservative.

1976 United States Senate elections

← 1974 November 2, 1976 1978 →

33 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate
51 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Mike Mansfield
(retired)
Hugh Scott
(retired)
Party Democratic Republican
Leader since January 3, 1961 September 24, 1969
Leader's seat Montana Pennsylvania
Seats before 61 37
Seats after 61 38
Seat change 1
Popular vote 31,790,526[1][a] 24,562,431[1][a]
Percentage 53.7% 41.5%
Seats up 21 10
Races won 21 11

  Third party Fourth party
 
Party Independent Conservative
Seats before 1 1
Seats after 1[b] 0
Seat change 1
Popular vote 890,778[1] 311,494[1]
Seats up 1 1
Races won 1 0

1976 United States Senate election in Arizona1976 United States Senate election in California1976 United States Senate election in Connecticut1976 United States Senate election in Delaware1976 United States Senate election in Florida1976 United States Senate election in Hawaii1976 United States Senate election in Indiana1976 United States Senate election in Maine1976 United States Senate election in Maryland1976 United States Senate election in Massachusetts1976 United States Senate election in Michigan1976 United States Senate election in Minnesota1976 United States Senate election in Mississippi1976 United States Senate election in Missouri1976 United States Senate election in Montana1976 United States Senate election in Nebraska1976 United States Senate election in Nevada1976 United States Senate election in New Jersey1976 United States Senate election in New Mexico1976 United States Senate election in New York1976 United States Senate election in North Dakota1976 United States Senate election in Ohio1976 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania1976 United States Senate election in Rhode Island1976 United States Senate election in Tennessee1976 United States Senate election in Texas1976 United States Senate election in Utah1976 United States Senate election in Vermont1976 United States Senate election in Virginia1976 United States Senate election in Washington1976 United States Senate election in West Virginia1976 United States Senate election in Wisconsin1976 United States Senate election in Wyoming
Results of the elections:
     Democratic gain      Republican gain
     Democratic hold      Republican hold
     Independent hold
     No election

This was the first election in which the Libertarian Party competed, running candidates in 9 of the 33 contested seats. As of 2024 this is the first and so far only time both party leaders retired from the Senate in the same election cycle since the creation of the positions. This is the last time Democrats or any party won a 60% supermajority via direct elections (although Democrats briefly held one in the summer of 2009).

Results summary edit

61 1 38
Democratic I Republican
Parties Total
Democratic Republican Independent Other
Last elections (1974)
Before these elections
61 37 1 1 100
Not up 40 27 0 0 67
Up
Class 1 (1970→1976)
21 10 1 1 33
Incumbent retired 5 3 0 0 8
Held by same party 2 1 3
Replaced by other party  3 Republicans replaced by  3 Democrats
 2 Democrats replaced by  2 Republicans
5
Result 6 2 8
Incumbent ran 16 7 1 1 25
Won re-election 11 4 1 0 16
Lost re-election  3 Republicans replaced by  3 Democrats
 1 Conservative replaced by  1 Democrat
 5 Democrats replaced by  5 Republicans
9
Lost renomination,
but held by same party
0 0 0 0 0
Result 15 9 1 0 25
Total elected 21 11 1 0 33
Net gain/loss    1    1 1
Nationwide vote 31,790,526[a] 24,562,431[a] 1,173,414 1,647,636 59,174,007
Share 53.72% 41.51% 1.98% 2.78% 100%
Result 61 38 1 0 100

Source: "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 2, 1976" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved February 25, 2013.

Gains, losses, and holds edit

Retirements edit

Four Republicans and four Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.

Defeats edit

Three Republicans, five Democrats, and one Conservative sought re-election but lost in the general election.

Post-election changes edit

Five Democrats either resigned or died between at the end of 93rd Congress and during the 94th Congress. All were initially replaced by Democratic appointees.

State Senator Replaced by
Alabama
(Class 3)
James Allen Maryon Pittman Allen
Arkansas
(Class 2)
John L. McClellan Kaneaster Hodges Jr.
Minnesota
(Class 1)
Hubert Humphrey Muriel Humphrey
Minnesota
(Class 2)
Walter Mondale Wendell R. Anderson
Montana
(Class 2)
Lee Metcalf Paul G. Hatfield

Change in composition edit

Before the elections edit

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40 D39 D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31
D41
Ca.
Ran
D42
Fla.
Ran
D43
Ind.
Ran
D44
Maine
Ran
D45
Mass.
Ran
D46
Mich.
Retired
D47
Minn.
Ran
D48
Miss.
Ran
D49
Mo.
Retired
D50
Mont.
Retired
Majority → D51
Nev.
Ran
D60
Wis.
Ran
D59
W.Va.
Ran
D58
Wa.
Ran
D57
Utah
Ran
D56
Texas
Ran
D55
R.I.
Retired
D54
N.D.
Ran
D53
N.M.
Ran
D52
N.J.
Ran
D61
Wy.
Ran
I1
Va.
Ran
C1
N.Y.
Ran
R37
Vt.
Ran
R36
Tenn.
Ran
R35
Pa.
Retired
R34
Ohio
Ran
R33
Neb.
Retired
R32
Md.
Ran
R31
Hawaii
Retired
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28
Ariz.
Retired
R29
Conn.
Ran
R30
Del.
Ran
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10

Elections results edit

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40 D39 D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31
D41
Fla.
Re-elected
D42
Maine
Re-elected
D43
Mass.
Re-elected
D44
Mich.
Hold
D45
Minn.
Re-elected
D46
Miss.
Re-elected
D47
Mont.
Hold
D48
Nev.
Re-elected
D49
N.J.
Re-elected
D50
N.D.
Re-elected
Majority → D51
Texas
Re-elected
D60
Ohio
Gain
D59
N.Y.
Gain
D58
Neb.
Gain
D57
Md.
Gain
D56
Hawaii
Gain
D55
Ariz.
Gain
D54
Wis.
Re-elected
D53
W.Va.
Re-elected
D52
Wa.
Re-elected
D61
Tenn.
Gain
I1
Va.
Re-elected
R38
Wy.
Gain
R37
Utah
Gain
R36
R.I.
Gain
R35
N.M.
Gain
R34
Mo.
Gain
R33
Ind.
Gain
R32
Ca.
Gain
R31
Vt.
Re-elected
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28
Conn.
Re-elected
R29
Del.
Re-elected
R30
Pa.
Hold
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10
Key
C# Conservative
D# Democratic
R# Republican
I# Independent

Race summaries edit

Elections leading to the next Congress edit

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1977; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.

State
(linked to
summaries below)
Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Arizona Paul Fannin Republican 1964
1970
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
California John V. Tunney Democratic 1970
1971 (Appointed)
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Incumbent resigned January 1, 1977 to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed January 2, 1977.
Connecticut Lowell Weicker Republican 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Delaware William Roth Republican 1970
1971 (Appointed)
Incumbent re-elected.
  •  Y William Roth (Republican) 55.8%
  • Thomas C. Maloney (Democratic) 43.6%
Florida Lawton Chiles Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
  •  Y Lawton Chiles (Democratic) 63.0%
  • John Grady (Republican) 37.0%
Hawaii Hiram Fong Republican 1959 (New state)
1964
1970
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Indiana Vance Hartke Democratic 1958
1964
1970
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Maine Edmund Muskie Democratic 1958
1964
1970
Incumbent re-elected.
Maryland J. Glenn Beall Jr. Republican 1970 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Massachusetts Ted Kennedy Democratic 1962 (special)
1964
1970
Incumbent re-elected.
  •  Y Ted Kennedy (Democratic) 69.3%
  • Michael S. Robertson (Republican) 29.0%
  • Carol Henderson Evans (Socialist Workers) 1.1%
  • H. Graham Lowry (US Labor) 0.6%
Michigan Philip Hart Democratic 1958
1964
1970
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Incumbent died December 26, 1976.
Winner appointed December 30, 1976.
Minnesota Hubert Humphrey DFL 1948
1954
1960
1964 (Resigned)
1970
Incumbent re-elected.
Mississippi John C. Stennis Democratic 1947 (special)
1952
1958
1964
1970
Incumbent re-elected.
Missouri Stuart Symington Democratic 1952
1958
1964
1970
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Incumbent resigned December 27, 1976 to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed the same day.
Montana Mike Mansfield Democratic 1952
1958
1964
1970
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
  •  Y John Melcher (Democratic) 64.2%
  • Stanley C. Burger (Republican) 35.8%
Nebraska Roman Hruska Republican 1954 (special)
1958
1964
1970
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Incumbent resigned December 27, 1976 to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed December 28, 1976 to finish the term.
Nevada Howard Cannon Democratic 1958
1964
1970
Incumbent re-elected.
New Jersey Harrison A. Williams Democratic 1958
1964
1970
Incumbent re-elected.
New Mexico Joseph Montoya Democratic 1964 (special)
1964
1970
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
New York James L. Buckley Conservative 1970 Incumbent ran as a Republican but lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
North Dakota Quentin Burdick Democratic-NPL 1960 (special)
1964
1970
Incumbent re-elected.
  •  Y Quentin Burdick (Democratic-NPL) 62.1%
  • Robert Stroup (Republican) 36.6%
Ohio Robert Taft Jr. Republican 1970 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Incumbent resigned December 28, 1976 to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed December 29, 1976.
Pennsylvania Hugh Scott Republican 1958
1964
1970
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Rhode Island John Pastore Democratic 1950 (special)
1952
1958
1964
1970
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain
Incumbent resigned December 28, 1976 to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed December 29, 1976.
  •  Y John Chafee (Republican) 57.7%
  • Richard P. Lorber (Democratic) 42.0%
Tennessee Bill Brock Republican 1970 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Texas Lloyd Bentsen Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Utah Frank Moss Democratic 1958
1964
1970
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Vermont Robert Stafford Republican 1971 (Appointed)
1972 (special)
Incumbent re-elected.
Virginia Harry F. Byrd Jr. Independent 1965 (Appointed)[c]
1966 (special)
1970
Incumbent re-elected.
Washington Henry M. Jackson Democratic 1952
1958
1964
1970
Incumbent re-elected.
  •  Y Henry M. Jackson (Democratic) 71.8%
  • George M. Brown (Republican) 24.2%
West Virginia Robert Byrd Democratic 1958
1964
1970
Incumbent re-elected.
Wisconsin William Proxmire Democratic 1957 (special)
1958
1964
1970
Incumbent re-elected.
Wyoming Gale W. McGee Democratic 1958
1964
1970
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.

Closest races edit

9 races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State Party of winner Margin
Ohio Democratic (flip) 2.99%
California Republican (flip) 3.2%
Vermont Republican 4.6%
Tennessee Democratic (flip) 5.45%
Michigan Democratic 5.6%
Pennsylvania Republican 5.6%
Nebraska Democratic (flip) 5.82%
Utah Republican (flip) 8.9%
New York Democratic (flip) 9.2%

Nevada was the tipping point state with a margin of 31.6%.

Arizona edit

Arizona election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Dennis DeConcini Sam Steiger
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 400,334 321,236
Percentage 54.0% 43.3%

 
County results
DeConcini:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Steiger:      50–60%

Incumbent Republican Paul Fannin retired instead of seeking a third term. Democratic attorney and businessman Dennis DeConcini won the open seat over Sam Steiger, U.S. Congressman of Arizona's 3rd congressional district.

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dennis DeConcini 400,334 54.01
Republican Sam Steiger 321,236 43.34
Independent Bob Field 10,765 1.45
Libertarian Allan Norwitz 7,310 0.99
Independent Wm. Mathews Feighan 1,565 0.21
Majority 79,098 8.68
Turnout 741,210
Democratic gain from Republican

California edit

California election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee S. I. Hayakawa John V. Tunney
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 3,748,973 3,502,862
Percentage 50.1% 46.9%

 
County results
Hayakawa:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Tunney:      40–50%      50–60%

Incumbent Democrat John Tunney ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Republican Sam Hayakawa, President emeritus of San Francisco State University.

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican S. I. Hayakawa 3,748,973 50.12
Democratic John V. Tunney (Incumbent) 3,502,862 46.89
Peace and Freedom David Wald 104,383 1.40
American Independent Jack McCoy 82,739 1.11
Independent (US) Omari Musa 31,629 0.42
Majority 246,111 3.23
Turnout 7,470,586
Republican gain from Democratic

Connecticut edit

Connecticut election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Lowell Weicker Gloria Schaffer
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 785,683 561,018
Percentage 57.7% 41.2%

 
 
Weicker:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Schaffer:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Incumbent Republican Lowell Weicker won re-election to a second term over Gloria Schaffer, Connecticut Secretary of State[2]

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lowell Weicker (Incumbent) 785,683 57.70
Democratic Gloria Schaffer 561,018 41.20
George Wallace Robert Barnabei 14,407 1.06
Others 558 0.0
Majority 224,665 16.50
Turnout 1,361,666
Republican hold

Delaware edit

Delaware election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee William Roth Thomas Maloney
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 125,454 98,042
Percentage 55.8% 43.6%

 
 
County results

Roth:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Maloney:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

William Roth
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

William Roth
Republican

Incumbent Republican William Roth won reelection to a second term over Thomas Maloney, Mayor of Wilmington[3]

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Roth (Incumbent) 125,454 55.81
Democratic Thomas Maloney 98,042 43.61
American Party (1969) Donald G. Gies 646 0.29
Non-Partisan Joseph F. McInerney 437 0.19
Prohibition John A. Massimilla 216 0.0
Majority 27,412 12.20
Turnout 224,795
Republican hold

Florida edit

Florida election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Lawton Chiles John Grady
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,799,518 1,057,886
Percentage 63.0% 37.0%

 
County results

Chiles:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Grady:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Lawton Chiles
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Lawton Chiles
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Lawton Chiles won re-election to a second term over John Grady, Mayor of Belle Glade[4]

General election results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lawton Chiles (Incumbent) 1,799,518 63.0
Republican John Grady 1,057,886 37.0
Write-In Ed Ice 123 0.0
Write-In Tim Adams 7 0.0
Majority 741,632 26.0
Turnout 2,857,534
Democratic hold

Hawaii edit

Hawaii election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Spark Matsunaga William Quinn
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 162,305 122,724
Percentage 53.7% 40.6%

 
County results
Matsunaga:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Hiram Fong
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Spark Matsunaga
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Hiram Fong retired instead of seeking re-election to a fourth term. Democrat Spark Matsunaga won the open seat over Republican William Quinn, Former Governor of Hawaii.

General election results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Spark Matsunaga 162,305 53.7
Republican William Quinn 122,724 40.6
People's Anthony Hodges 14,226 4.7
Nonpartisan James Kimmel 1,433 0.5
Libertarian Rockne Hart Johnson 1,404 0.5
Majority 39,581 13.1
Turnout 302,092
Democratic gain from Republican

Indiana edit

Indiana election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Richard Lugar Vance Hartke
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,275,833 868,522
Percentage 59.0% 40.2%

 
County results
Lugar:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Hartke:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Vance Hartke
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Richard Lugar
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Vance Hartke ran for re-election to a fourth term, but was defeated by Republican challenger Richard Lugar, Mayor of Indianapolis.

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Lugar 1,275,833 59.03
Democratic Vance Hartke (Incumbent) 868,522 40.19
Don L. Lee 14,321 0.66
U.S. Labor David Lee Hoagland 2,511 0.12
Majority 407,311 18.85
Turnout 2,161,187
Republican gain from Democratic

Maine edit

Maine election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Edmund Muskie Robert A. G. Monks
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 292,704 193,489
Percentage 60.2% 39.8%

 
County results
Muskie:      50–60%      60–70%
Monks:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Edmund Muskie
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Edmund Muskie
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Edmund Muskie won re-election to a fourth term over Republican Robert A. G. Monks, shareholder activist.

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edmund Muskie (Incumbent) 292,704 60.20
Republican Robert A. G. Monks 193,489 39.80
Majority 99,215 20.41
Turnout 486,193
Democratic hold

Maryland edit

Maryland election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Paul Sarbanes J. Glenn Beall Jr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 772,101 530,439
Percentage 56.6% 38.9%

 
County results
Sarbanes:      40–50%      50–60%      70–80%
Beall:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Incumbent Republican J. Glenn Beall Jr. ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Democratic challenger Paul Sarbanes, member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paul Sarbanes 772,101 56.55
Republican J. Glenn Beall Jr. (Incumbent) 530,439 38.85
Independent Bruce Bradley 62,750 4.60
Majority 241,662 17.70
Turnout 1,365,290
Democratic gain from Republican

Massachusetts edit

Massachusetts election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Ted Kennedy Michael Robertson
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,726,657 722,641
Percentage 69.3% 29.0%

 
 

U.S. senator before election

Ted Kennedy
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Ted Kennedy
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Ted Kennedy won re-election to his fourth (his third full) term over Republican businessman, Michael Robertson.[7]

General election[1][8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Edward M. Kennedy (Incumbent) 1,726,657 69.31 +7.15%
Republican Michael S. Robertson 722,641 29.01 -7.99%
Socialist Workers Carol Henderson Evans 26,283 1.06 +0.52%
U.S. Labor H. Graham Lowry 15,517 0.62
All others 157 0.01
Total votes 2,491,255 85.55
Majority 1,004,016 40.30 15.14%
Democratic hold Swing

Michigan edit

Michigan election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Donald Riegle Marvin Esch
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,831,031 1,635,087
Percentage 52.5% 46.9%

 
County results
Riegle:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Esch:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

U.S. senator before election

Philip Hart
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Donald Riegle
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Philip Hart retired instead of seeking a fourth term. Democrat Donald Riegle, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, won the open seat over fellow congressman Republican Marvin Esch.

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Donald Riegle 1,831,031 52.46
Republican Marvin L. Esch 1,635,087 46.85
Libertarian Bette Jane Erwin 8,842 <1
Human Rights Theodore G. Albert 7,281 <1
Socialist Workers Paula L. Reimers 3,399 <1
Socialist Labor Frank Girard 2,554 <1
U.S. Labor Peter A. Signorelli 2,218 <1
Majority 195,944 5.61
Turnout 3,490,412
Democratic hold

Minnesota edit

Minnesota election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Hubert Humphrey Gerald Brekke
Party Democratic (DFL) Ind.-Republican
Popular vote 1,290,736 478,602
Percentage 67.5% 25.0%

 
Nominee Paul Helm
Party American
Popular vote 125,612
Percentage 6.6%

 
County results
Humphrey:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Incumbent Democrat Hubert Humphrey won re-election to a fifth term over Republican Gerald Brekke, college professor[9]

Democratic primary election[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Hubert H. Humphrey (Incumbent) 317,632 91.3
Democratic (DFL) Dick Bullock 30,262 8.7
Republican primary election[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Ind.-Republican Gerald W. Brekke 76,183 54.5
Ind.-Republican Richard "Dick" Franson 32,115 23.0
Ind.-Republican John H. Glover 13,014 9.3
Ind.-Republican Roland "Butch" Riemers 9,307 6.7
Ind.-Republican Bea Mooney 9,150 6.5
General election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Hubert H. Humphrey (Incumbent) 1,290,736 67.51
Ind.-Republican Gerald W. Brekke 478,602 25.03
American Paul Helm 125,612 6.57
Socialist Workers Bill Peterson 9,380 0.49
Libertarian Robin E. Miller 5,476 0.29
Communist Matt Savola 2,214 0.12
Majority 812,134 42.48
Turnout 1,912,020
Democratic (DFL) hold

Mississippi edit

Mississippi election
 
← 1970
1982 →
   
Nominee John C. Stennis
Party Democratic
Popular vote 554,433
Percentage 100.0%

Incumbent Democrat John C. Stennis won re-election to his sixth term.

General election results[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Stennis (Incumbent) 554,433 100.0

Missouri edit

Missouri election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee John Danforth Warren E. Hearnes
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,090,067 813,571
Percentage 56.9% 42.5%

 
County results

Danforth:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Hearnes:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Incumbent Democrat Stuart Symington retired, instead of seeking a fifth term. Republican John Danforth, Attorney General of Missouri, won the open seat, defeating Democrat Warren Hearnes, former Governor of Missouri. (Jerry Litton had won the Democratic nomination earlier, but was killed in a plane crash, and Hearnes was chosen by the party committee.)

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Danforth 1,090,067 56.94
Democratic Warren E. Hearnes 813,571 42.50
Independent Lawrence "Red" Petty 10,822 0.57
Majority 276,496 14.44
Turnout 1,914,460
Republican gain from Democratic

Montana edit

Montana election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee John Melcher Stanley Burger
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 206,232 115,213
Percentage 64.16% 35.84%

 
County results
Melcher:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Burger:      50-60%

U.S. senator before election

Mike Mansfield
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

John Melcher
Democratic

Rather than seek a fifth term, Democratic incumbent Mike Mansfield opted to retire, creating an open seat. United States Congressman John Melcher, who had represented Montana's 2nd congressional district from 1969 to 1977, won the Democratic nomination and defeated Stanley C. Burger, the Republican nominee and former executive officer of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, by a wide margin in the general election.

Democratic Party primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jack Melcher 89,413 88.52
Democratic Ray E. Gulick 11,593 11.48
Total votes 101,006 100.00
Republican Primary results[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Stanley C. Burger 32,313 40.41
Republican Dave Drum 27,257 34.09
Republican Jack Tierney 15,129 18.92
Republican Larry L. Gilbert 5,258 6.58
Total votes 79,957 100.00
1976 United States Senate election in Montana[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Melcher 206,232 64.16 +3.62%
Republican Stanley C. Burger 115,213 35.84 -3.62%
Majority 91,019 28.32 +7.24%
Turnout 321,445
Democratic hold Swing

Nebraska edit

Nebraska election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Edward Zorinsky John Y. McCollister
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 313,805 279,284
Percentage 52.89% 47.07%

 
County results
Zorinsky:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90%
McCollister:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Incumbent Republican Roman Hruska retired instead of seeking another term. Democrat Edward Zorinsky, Mayor of Omaha, won the open seat over Republican John Y. McCollister, U.S. Congressman of Nebraska's 2nd congressional district.

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edward Zorinsky 313,805 52.89
Republican John Y. McCollister 279,284 47.07
Write-in candidate Lenore Etchison 58 0.01
N/A Others 163 0.03
Majority 34,521 5.82
Turnout 593,310
Democratic gain from Republican

Nevada edit

Nevada election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Howard Cannon David Towell
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 127,214 63,471
Percentage 63.0% 31.4%

 
County results
Cannon:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Towell:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election

Howard Cannon
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Howard Cannon
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Howard Cannon won re-election to a fourth term over Republican David Towell, U.S. Representative from Nevada's At-large congressional district.

In the Senate, Cannon was known as a moderate in the Democratic Party. He served as chairman of several committees, including the rules committee and the inaugural arrangements committee. Cannon was nearly defeated for re-election in 1964 by Republican Lieutenant Governor Paul Laxalt in one of the closest election in history. However, he became more popular over the next few years and won re-election in 1970 with nearly 58% of the vote. In 1976, he faced U.S. Representative David Towell, who served just one term in the U.S. House of Representatives before running for the U.S. Senate. Cannon won re-election with 63% of the vote, one of his best election performances of his career. He won every county in the state, except for Eureka County, which Towell won with just 51% of the vote.

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Howard Cannon (Incumbent) 127,214 63.01 +5.36%
Republican David Towell 63,471 31.44 -9.73%
None of These Candidates 5,288 2.62
Independent American Byron D. Young 3,619 1.79
Libertarian Dan Becan 2,307 1.14
Majority 63,743 31.57 +15.09%
Turnout 201,899
Democratic hold Swing

New Jersey edit

New Jersey election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Harrison A. Williams David A. Norcross
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,681,140 1,054,508
Percentage 60.66% 38.05%

 
County Results
Williams:      50–60%      60–70%

Harrison A. Williams, the incumbent originally elected in 1958, elected to run for a fourth term. He defeated anti-abortion activist Stephen J. Foley handily in the Democratic primary with 85% of the vote. David A. Norcross won the Republican primary with the endorsement of the New Jersey Republican Party with 68% of the vote.

In the general election, Williams soundly won re-election to a fourth term over Norcross. He won 60% of the vote, winning every county in the state. This would be Williams' last election to the U.S. Senate, as he would resign in 1981 following his involvement in the Abscam scandal.

1976 United States Senate election in New Jersey Results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harrison A. Williams (Incumbent) 1,681,140 60.66
Republican David A. Norcross 1,054,508 38.05
Libertarian Hannibal Cundari 19,907 0.72
Socialist Labor Bernardo S. Doganiero 9,185 0.33
Labor Party Leif Johnson 6,650 0.24
Majority 626,632 22.61
Turnout 2,771,390
Democratic hold

New Mexico edit

New Mexico election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Harrison Schmitt Joseph Montoya
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 234,681 176,382
Percentage 56.8% 42.7%

 
County results
Schmitt:      50–60%      60–70%
Montoya:      50–60%

Incumbent Democrat Joseph Montoya ran for re-election to a third term, but was defeated by Republican former Astronaut Harrison Schmitt.

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Harrison Schmitt 234,681 56.82 +9.69%
Democratic Joseph Montoya (Incumbent) 176,382 42.70 -10.17%
Raza Unida Ernesto B. Borunda 1,087 0.26
American Independent Matt Dillion 906 0.22
Majority 58,299 14.11 +8.36%
Turnout 413,056
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

New York edit

New York election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Daniel Patrick Moynihan James Buckley
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 3,422,594 2,836,633
Percentage 54.1% 44.9%

 
County results
Moynihan:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Buckley:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Incumbent Conservative James Buckley ran for re-election to a second term as a Republican, but was defeated by Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

Democratic Party Convention results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paul O'Dwyer 32.50
Democratic Daniel Patrick Moynihan 31.10
Democratic Bella Abzug 28.70
Democratic Ramsey Clark 7.00
Democratic Abraham Hirschfeld 0.70
Total votes 100.00
Democratic Party Primary results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Daniel Patrick Moynihan 333,697 36.41
Democratic Bella Abzug 323,705 35.32
Democratic Ramsey Clark 94,191 10.28
Democratic Paul O'Dwyer 82,689 9.02
Democratic Abraham Hirschfeld 82,331 8.98
Total votes 916,613 100.00
Republican Party Primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James Buckley (Incumbent) 242,257 70.45
Republican Peter Peyser 101,629 29.55
Total votes 343,886 100.00
General election results[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Daniel Patrick Moynihan 3,238,511
Liberal Daniel Patrick Moynihan 184,083
total Daniel Patrick Moynihan 3,422,594 54.17 + 17.21
Republican James Buckley (Incumbent) 2,525,139
Conservative James Buckley 311,494
total James Buckley 2,836,633 44.90 + 5.95
Communist Herbert Aptheker 25,141 0.40 + 0.37
Socialist Workers Marcia Gallo 16,350 0.26 + 0.20
Libertarian Martin E. Nixon 10,943 0.17 + 0.17
U.S. Labor Elijah C. Boyd 6,716 0.11 + 0.11
Majority 675,961 9.27
Turnout 6,408,377
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

North Dakota edit

North Dakota election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Quentin Burdick Robert Stroup
Party Democratic–NPL Republican
Popular vote 175,772 103,466
Percentage 62.10% 36.55%

 
County results
Burdick:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Stroup:      50–60%

Incumbent North Dakota Democratic NPL Party Democrat Quentin Burdick, sought and received re-election to his fourth term to the United States Senate, defeating Republican candidate Robert Stroup.[1] Only Burdick filed as a Dem-NPLer, and the endorsed Republican candidate was Robert Stroup, as state senator from Hazen, North Dakota. Burdick and Stroup won the primary elections for their respective parties. One independent candidate, Clarence Haggard, also filed before the deadline under the American Party.

North Dakota U.S. Senate election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Quentin Burdick (Incumbent) 175,772 62.10
Republican Robert Stroup 103,466 36.55
Independent Clarence Haggard 3,824 1.35
Turnout 283,062
Democratic hold

Ohio edit

Ohio election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Howard Metzenbaum Robert Taft Jr.
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,941,113 1,823,774
Percentage 49.51% 46.52%

 
County results
Metzenbaum:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Taft:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Incumbent Republican Robert Taft Jr. ran for re-election to second term, but was defeated by Democratic former senator Howard Metzenbaum.

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Howard Metzenbaum 1,941,113 49.51
Republican Robert Taft Jr. (Incumbent) 1,823,774 46.52
Independent John O'Neill 53,657 1.37
American Independent Donald E. Babcock 36,979 0.94
Independent Emma Lila Fundaburk 33,285 0.85
Socialist Workers Melissa Singler 31,805 0.81
Majority 117,339 2.99
Turnout 3,920,613
Democratic gain from Republican

Pennsylvania edit

Pennsylvania election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee John Heinz Bill Green
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,381,891 2,126,977
Percentage 52.4% 46.8%

 
County results

Heinz:      50–60%      60–70%

Green:      50–60%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Hugh Scott
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

John Heinz
Republican

Incumbent Republican and Minority Leader Hugh Scott retired. Republican John Heinz won the open seat over Democrat Bill Green, United States Representative[16][1]

In December 1975, U.S. senator Hugh Scott announced that he would not seek re-election in 1976 at the age of 75 after serving in Congress for 33 years. Scott listed personal reasons and several "well-qualified potential candidates" for the seat among the reasons of his decision to retire. Other reasons, including his support for Richard Nixon and accusations that he had illegally obtained contributions from Gulf Oil were alleged to have contributed to the decision.[17]

Democratic primary results[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William J. Green III 762,733 68.71
Democratic Jeanette Reibman 345,264 31.10
Democratic Others 2,058 0.19
Republican primary results[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Heinz 358,715 37.73
Republican Arlen Specter 332,513 34.98
Republican George Packard 160,379 16.87
Republican Others 99,074 10.43

Heinz was the victor in all but nine counties, defeating opponent William Green, who had a 300,000 vote advantage in his native Philadelphia area. Heinz and Green spend $2.5 million and $900,000, respectively, during the ten-month campaign. Much of the money Heinz spent on his campaign was his own, leading to accusations from Green that he was "buying the seat". Heinz replied to this by claiming that the spending was necessary to overcome the Democratic voter registration advantage.[20]

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John Heinz 2,381,891 52.39 +0.96%
Democratic William J. Green III 2,126,977 46.79 +1.41%
Constitution Andrew J. Watson 26,028 0.57 -1.79%
Socialist Workers Frederick W. Stanton 5,484 0.12 +0.01%
Labor Party Bernard Salera 3,637 0.08 +0.08%
Communist Party Frank Kinces 2,097 0.05 +0.05%
N/A Other 239 0.00 N/A
Turnout 4,546,353 {{{change}}}
Majority 254,914 6.60 {{{change}}}
Republican hold Swing

Rhode Island edit

Rhode Island election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee John Chafee Richard Lorber
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 230,329 167,665
Percentage 57.7% 42.0%

 
 
Chafee:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Lorber:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

John O. Pastore
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

John Chafee
Republican

Incumbent Democrat John O. Pastore did not seek re-election. Republican John Chafee won the seat, defeating Democrat Richard P. Lorber.

Democratic primary results[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard P. Lorber 60,118 37.78
Democratic Philip W. Noel 60,018 37.71
Democratic John P. Hawkins 25,456 16.00
Democratic Paul E. Goulding 5,500 3.46
Democratic Ralph J. Perrotta 4,481 2.82
Democratic John E. Caddick 2,160 1.36
Democratic Earl F. Pasbach 962 0.60
Democratic Arthur E. Marley 447 0.28
Majority 100 0.06
Total votes 159,142 100.00
General election results[22][1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Chafee 230,329 57.74
Democratic Richard P. Lorber 167,665 42.03
Communist Margaret Cann 912 0.23
Majority 62,664 15.71
Total votes 398,906 100.00
Republican gain from Democratic

Tennessee edit

Tennessee election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee James Sasser Bill Brock
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 751,180 673,231
Percentage 52.46% 47.01%

 
County results
Sasser:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Brock:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Bill Brock
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

James Sasser
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Bill Brock ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Democratic challenger James Sasser.

General election Results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic James Sasser 751,180 52.46
Republican Bill Brock (Incumbent) 673,231 47.01 -5.44%
Independent Mark Clark Bates 5,137 0.36
Independent Willie C. Jacox 1,406 0.10
Independent Arnold Joseph Zandie 1,061 0.07
None Write-Ins 31 0.00
Majority 77,949 5.45
Turnout 1,432,046
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Texas edit

Texas election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Lloyd Bentsen Alan Steelman
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,199,956 1,636,370
Percentage 56.8% 42.2%

 
County results
Bentsen:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Steelman:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Lloyd Bentsen
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Lloyd Bentsen
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Lloyd Bentsen won re-election to a second term over Republican Alan Steelman, U.S. Representative from Texas's 5th district.

General election results[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lloyd Bentsen (Incumbent) 2,199,956 56.8
Republican Alan Steelman 1,636,370 42.2
Socialist Workers Party Pedro Vasquez 20,549 0.5
American Independent Marjorie P. Gallion 17,355 0.5
Majority 563,586 14.6
Turnout 3,874,230
Democratic hold

Utah edit

Utah election
 
← 1970
1982 →
     
Nominee Orrin Hatch Frank Moss
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 290,221 241,948
Percentage 53.7% 44.8%

 
County results

Hatch:      40–50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Moss:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Frank Moss
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Orrin Hatch
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Frank Moss ran for re-election to a fourth term but was defeated by his Republican opponent Orrin Hatch.

1976 United States Senate election in Utah[24][25][26][1][27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Orrin Hatch 290,221 53.73%
Democratic Frank Moss (incumbent) 241,948 44.80%
Independent American George M. Batchelor 4,913 0.91%
Libertarian Steve Trotter 3,026 0.56%
Majority 48,273 8.93%
Turnout 540,108
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

Vermont edit

Vermont election
 
← 1972
1982 →
     
Nominee Robert Stafford Thomas P. Salmon
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 94,481 85,682
Percentage 50.0% 45.4%

1976, united, states, senate, elections, election, united, states, senate, held, november, seats, class, were, contested, regular, elections, they, coincided, with, democrat, jimmy, carter, presidential, election, united, states, bicentennial, celebration, alt. The 1976 United States Senate elections was an election for the United States Senate Held on November 2 the 33 seats of Class 1 were contested in regular elections They coincided with Democrat Jimmy Carter s presidential election and the United States Bicentennial celebration Although almost half of the seats decided in this election changed parties Carter s narrow victory did not provide coattails for the Democratic Party Each party flipped seven Senate seats although one of the seats flipped by Democrats was previously held by a Conservative 1976 United States Senate elections 1974 November 2 1976 1978 33 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate51 seats needed for a majority Majority party Minority party Leader Mike Mansfield retired Hugh Scott retired Party Democratic RepublicanLeader since January 3 1961 September 24 1969Leader s seat Montana PennsylvaniaSeats before 61 37Seats after 61 38Seat change 1Popular vote 31 790 526 1 a 24 562 431 1 a Percentage 53 7 41 5 Seats up 21 10Races won 21 11 Third party Fourth party Party Independent ConservativeSeats before 1 1Seats after 1 b 0Seat change 1Popular vote 890 778 1 311 494 1 Seats up 1 1Races won 1 0Results of the elections Democratic gain Republican gain Democratic hold Republican hold Independent hold No electionMajority Leader before electionMike MansfieldDemocratic Elected Majority Leader Robert ByrdDemocraticThis was the first election in which the Libertarian Party competed running candidates in 9 of the 33 contested seats As of 2024 update this is the first and so far only time both party leaders retired from the Senate in the same election cycle since the creation of the positions This is the last time Democrats or any party won a 60 supermajority via direct elections although Democrats briefly held one in the summer of 2009 Contents 1 Results summary 2 Gains losses and holds 2 1 Retirements 2 2 Defeats 2 3 Post election changes 3 Change in composition 3 1 Before the elections 3 2 Elections results 4 Race summaries 4 1 Elections leading to the next Congress 5 Closest races 6 Arizona 7 California 8 Connecticut 9 Delaware 10 Florida 11 Hawaii 12 Indiana 13 Maine 14 Maryland 15 Massachusetts 16 Michigan 17 Minnesota 18 Mississippi 19 Missouri 20 Montana 21 Nebraska 22 Nevada 23 New Jersey 24 New Mexico 25 New York 26 North Dakota 27 Ohio 28 Pennsylvania 29 Rhode Island 30 Tennessee 31 Texas 32 Utah 33 Vermont 34 Virginia 35 Washington 36 West Virginia 37 Wisconsin 38 Wyoming 39 See also 40 Notes 41 References 42 SourcesResults summary edit 61 1 38Democratic I RepublicanParties TotalDemocratic Republican Independent OtherLast elections 1974 Before these elections 61 37 1 1 100Not up 40 27 0 0 67UpClass 1 1970 1976 21 10 1 1 33Incumbent retired 5 3 0 0 8Held by same party 2 1 3Replaced by other party nbsp 3 Republicans replaced by nbsp 3 Democrats nbsp 2 Democrats replaced by nbsp 2 Republicans 5Result 6 2 8Incumbent ran 16 7 1 1 25Won re election 11 4 1 0 16Lost re election nbsp 3 Republicans replaced by nbsp 3 Democrats nbsp 1 Conservative replaced by nbsp 1 Democrat nbsp 5 Democrats replaced by nbsp 5 Republicans 9Lost renomination but held by same party 0 0 0 0 0Result 15 9 1 0 25Total elected 21 11 1 0 33Net gain loss nbsp nbsp 1 nbsp nbsp 1 1Nationwide vote 31 790 526 a 24 562 431 a 1 173 414 1 647 636 59 174 007Share 53 72 41 51 1 98 2 78 100 Result 61 38 1 0 100Source Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 2 1976 PDF U S Government Printing Office Retrieved February 25 2013 Gains losses and holds editRetirements edit Four Republicans and four Democrats retired instead of seeking re election State Senator Replaced byArizona Paul Fannin Dennis DeConciniHawaii Hiram Fong Spark MatsunagaMichigan Philip Hart Donald RiegleMissouri Stuart Symington John DanforthMontana Mike Mansfield John MelcherNebraska Roman Hruska Edward ZorinskyPennsylvania Hugh Scott John HeinzRhode Island John Pastore John ChafeeDefeats edit Three Republicans five Democrats and one Conservative sought re election but lost in the general election State Senator Replaced byCalifornia John V Tunney S I HayakawaIndiana Vance Hartke Richard LugarMaryland J Glenn Beall Jr Paul SarbanesNew Mexico Joseph Montoya Harrison SchmittNew York James L Buckley Daniel Patrick MoynihanOhio Robert Taft Jr Howard MetzenbaumTennessee Bill Brock Jim SasserUtah Frank Moss Orrin HatchWyoming Gale W McGee Malcolm WallopPost election changes edit Five Democrats either resigned or died between at the end of 93rd Congress and during the 94th Congress All were initially replaced by Democratic appointees State Senator Replaced byAlabama Class 3 James Allen Maryon Pittman AllenArkansas Class 2 John L McClellan Kaneaster Hodges Jr Minnesota Class 1 Hubert Humphrey Muriel HumphreyMinnesota Class 2 Walter Mondale Wendell R AndersonMontana Class 2 Lee Metcalf Paul G HatfieldChange in composition editBefore the elections edit D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30D40 D39 D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31D41Ca Ran D42Fla Ran D43Ind Ran D44Maine Ran D45Mass Ran D46Mich Retired D47Minn Ran D48Miss Ran D49Mo Retired D50Mont RetiredMajority D51Nev RanD60Wis Ran D59W Va Ran D58Wa Ran D57Utah Ran D56Texas Ran D55R I Retired D54N D Ran D53N M Ran D52N J RanD61Wy Ran I1Va Ran C1N Y Ran R37Vt Ran R36Tenn Ran R35Pa Retired R34Ohio Ran R33Neb Retired R32Md Ran R31Hawaii RetiredR21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28Ariz Retired R29Conn Ran R30Del RanR20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10Elections results edit D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30D40 D39 D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31D41Fla Re elected D42Maine Re elected D43Mass Re elected D44Mich Hold D45Minn Re elected D46Miss Re elected D47Mont Hold D48Nev Re elected D49N J Re elected D50N D Re electedMajority D51Texas Re electedD60Ohio Gain D59N Y Gain D58Neb Gain D57Md Gain D56Hawaii Gain D55Ariz Gain D54Wis Re elected D53W Va Re elected D52Wa Re electedD61Tenn Gain I1Va Re elected R38Wy Gain R37Utah Gain R36R I Gain R35N M Gain R34Mo Gain R33Ind Gain R32Ca Gain R31Vt Re electedR21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28Conn Re elected R29Del Re elected R30Pa HoldR20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10Key C ConservativeD DemocraticR RepublicanI IndependentRace summaries editElections leading to the next Congress edit In these general elections the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3 1977 ordered by state All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats State linked tosummaries below Incumbent Results CandidatesSenator Party Electoral historyArizona Paul Fannin Republican 19641970 Incumbent retired New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y Dennis DeConcini Democratic 54 0 Sam Steiger Republican 43 3 Allan Norwitz Libertarian 1 0 California John V Tunney Democratic 19701971 Appointed Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Republican gain Incumbent resigned January 1 1977 to give successor preferential seniority Winner appointed January 2 1977 nbsp Y S I Hayakawa Republican 50 2 John V Tunney Democratic 46 9 Connecticut Lowell Weicker Republican 1970 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Lowell Weicker Republican 57 7 Gloria Schaffer Democratic 41 2 Delaware William Roth Republican 19701971 Appointed Incumbent re elected nbsp Y William Roth Republican 55 8 Thomas C Maloney Democratic 43 6 Florida Lawton Chiles Democratic 1970 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Lawton Chiles Democratic 63 0 John Grady Republican 37 0 Hawaii Hiram Fong Republican 1959 New state 19641970 Incumbent retired New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y Spark Matsunaga Democratic 53 7 William F Quinn Republican 40 6 Indiana Vance Hartke Democratic 195819641970 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Republican gain nbsp Y Richard Lugar Republican 58 8 Vance Hartke Democratic 40 5 Maine Edmund Muskie Democratic 195819641970 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Edmund Muskie Democratic 60 2 Robert A G Monks Republican 39 8 Maryland J Glenn Beall Jr Republican 1970 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y Paul Sarbanes Democratic 56 5 J Glenn Beall Jr Republican 38 8 Massachusetts Ted Kennedy Democratic 1962 special 19641970 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Ted Kennedy Democratic 69 3 Michael S Robertson Republican 29 0 Carol Henderson Evans Socialist Workers 1 1 H Graham Lowry US Labor 0 6 Michigan Philip Hart Democratic 195819641970 Incumbent retired New senator elected Democratic hold Incumbent died December 26 1976 Winner appointed December 30 1976 nbsp Y Donald Riegle Democratic 52 5 Marvin L Esch Republican 46 8 Minnesota Hubert Humphrey DFL 1948195419601964 Resigned 1970 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Hubert Humphrey DFL 67 5 Gerald Brekke Republican 25 0 Paul Helm Independent 6 6 Mississippi John C Stennis Democratic 1947 special 1952195819641970 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y John C Stennis Democratic UnopposedMissouri Stuart Symington Democratic 1952195819641970 Incumbent retired New senator elected Republican gain Incumbent resigned December 27 1976 to give successor preferential seniority Winner appointed the same day nbsp Y John Danforth Republican 56 9 Warren E Hearnes Democratic 42 5 Lawrence Petty Independent 0 6 Montana Mike Mansfield Democratic 1952195819641970 Incumbent retired New senator elected Democratic hold nbsp Y John Melcher Democratic 64 2 Stanley C Burger Republican 35 8 Nebraska Roman Hruska Republican 1954 special 195819641970 Incumbent retired New senator elected Democratic gain Incumbent resigned December 27 1976 to give successor preferential seniority Winner appointed December 28 1976 to finish the term nbsp Y Edward Zorinsky Democratic 52 4 John Y McCollister Republican 47 5 Nevada Howard Cannon Democratic 195819641970 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Howard Cannon Democratic 63 0 David Towell Republican 31 4 New Jersey Harrison A Williams Democratic 195819641970 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Harrison A Williams Democratic 60 7 David A Norcross Republican 38 0 New Mexico Joseph Montoya Democratic 1964 special 19641970 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Republican gain nbsp Y Harrison Schmitt Republican 56 8 Joseph Montoya Democratic 42 7 New York James L Buckley Conservative 1970 Incumbent ran as a Republican but lost re election New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y Daniel Patrick Moynihan Democratic 54 2 James L Buckley Republican 44 9 North Dakota Quentin Burdick Democratic NPL 1960 special 19641970 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Quentin Burdick Democratic NPL 62 1 Robert Stroup Republican 36 6 Ohio Robert Taft Jr Republican 1970 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Democratic gain Incumbent resigned December 28 1976 to give successor preferential seniority Winner appointed December 29 1976 nbsp Y Howard Metzenbaum Democratic 49 5 Robert Taft Jr Republican 46 5 Pennsylvania Hugh Scott Republican 195819641970 Incumbent retired New senator elected Republican hold nbsp Y John Heinz Republican 52 4 William J Green III Democratic 46 8 Rhode Island John Pastore Democratic 1950 special 1952195819641970 Incumbent retired New senator elected Republican gainIncumbent resigned December 28 1976 to give successor preferential seniority Winner appointed December 29 1976 nbsp Y John Chafee Republican 57 7 Richard P Lorber Democratic 42 0 Tennessee Bill Brock Republican 1970 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y Jim Sasser Democratic 52 5 Bill Brock Republican 47 0 Texas Lloyd Bentsen Democratic 1970 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Lloyd Bentsen Democratic 56 8 Alan Steelman Republican 42 2 Utah Frank Moss Democratic 195819641970 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Republican gain nbsp Y Orrin Hatch Republican 53 7 Frank Moss Democratic 44 8 Vermont Robert Stafford Republican 1971 Appointed 1972 special Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Robert Stafford Republican 50 0 Thomas P Salmon Democratic 45 3 Virginia Harry F Byrd Jr Independent 1965 Appointed c 1966 special 1970 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Harry F Byrd Jr Independent 57 2 Elmo Zumwalt Democratic 38 3 Washington Henry M Jackson Democratic 1952195819641970 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Henry M Jackson Democratic 71 8 George M Brown Republican 24 2 West Virginia Robert Byrd Democratic 195819641970 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Robert Byrd Democratic 99 9 UnopposedWisconsin William Proxmire Democratic 1957 special 195819641970 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y William Proxmire Democratic 72 2 Stanley York Republican 27 0 Wyoming Gale W McGee Democratic 195819641970 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Republican gain nbsp Y Malcolm Wallop Republican 54 7 Gale W McGee Democratic 45 4 Closest races edit9 races had a margin of victory under 10 State Party of winner MarginOhio Democratic flip 2 99 California Republican flip 3 2 Vermont Republican 4 6 Tennessee Democratic flip 5 45 Michigan Democratic 5 6 Pennsylvania Republican 5 6 Nebraska Democratic flip 5 82 Utah Republican flip 8 9 New York Democratic flip 9 2 Nevada was the tipping point state with a margin of 31 6 Arizona editArizona election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Dennis DeConcini Sam SteigerParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 400 334 321 236Percentage 54 0 43 3 nbsp County resultsDeConcini 40 50 50 60 60 70 70 80 Steiger 50 60 U S senator before electionPaul FanninRepublican Elected U S senator Dennis DeConciniDemocraticMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Arizona See also List of United States senators from Arizona Incumbent Republican Paul Fannin retired instead of seeking a third term Democratic attorney and businessman Dennis DeConcini won the open seat over Sam Steiger U S Congressman of Arizona s 3rd congressional district General election results 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Dennis DeConcini 400 334 54 01Republican Sam Steiger 321 236 43 34Independent Bob Field 10 765 1 45Libertarian Allan Norwitz 7 310 0 99Independent Wm Mathews Feighan 1 565 0 21Majority 79 098 8 68Turnout 741 210Democratic gain from RepublicanCalifornia editCalifornia election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee S I Hayakawa John V TunneyParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 3 748 973 3 502 862Percentage 50 1 46 9 nbsp County resultsHayakawa 40 50 50 60 60 70 Tunney 40 50 50 60 U S senator before electionJohn V TunneyDemocratic Elected U S senator S I HayakawaRepublicanMain article 1976 United States Senate election in California See also List of United States senators from California Incumbent Democrat John Tunney ran for re election to a second term but was defeated by Republican Sam Hayakawa President emeritus of San Francisco State University General election results 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican S I Hayakawa 3 748 973 50 12Democratic John V Tunney Incumbent 3 502 862 46 89Peace and Freedom David Wald 104 383 1 40American Independent Jack McCoy 82 739 1 11Independent US Omari Musa 31 629 0 42Majority 246 111 3 23Turnout 7 470 586Republican gain from DemocraticConnecticut editConnecticut election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Lowell Weicker Gloria SchafferParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 785 683 561 018Percentage 57 7 41 2 nbsp County results nbsp Municipality resultsWeicker 40 50 50 60 60 70 70 80 Schaffer 40 50 50 60 60 70 U S senator before electionLowell WeickerRepublican Elected U S senator Lowell WeickerRepublicanMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Connecticut See also List of United States senators from Connecticut Incumbent Republican Lowell Weicker won re election to a second term over Gloria Schaffer Connecticut Secretary of State 2 General election results 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Lowell Weicker Incumbent 785 683 57 70Democratic Gloria Schaffer 561 018 41 20George Wallace Robert Barnabei 14 407 1 06Others 558 0 0Majority 224 665 16 50Turnout 1 361 666Republican holdDelaware editDelaware election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee William Roth Thomas MaloneyParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 125 454 98 042Percentage 55 8 43 6 nbsp County results nbsp State House district resultsCounty resultsRoth 50 60 60 70 70 80 Maloney 50 60 60 70 U S senator before electionWilliam RothRepublican Elected U S senator William RothRepublicanMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Delaware See also List of United States senators from Delaware Incumbent Republican William Roth won reelection to a second term over Thomas Maloney Mayor of Wilmington 3 General election results 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican William Roth Incumbent 125 454 55 81Democratic Thomas Maloney 98 042 43 61American Party 1969 Donald G Gies 646 0 29Non Partisan Joseph F McInerney 437 0 19Prohibition John A Massimilla 216 0 0Majority 27 412 12 20Turnout 224 795Republican holdFlorida editFlorida election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Lawton Chiles John GradyParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 1 799 518 1 057 886Percentage 63 0 37 0 nbsp County results Chiles 50 60 60 70 70 80 80 90 Grady 50 60 U S senator before electionLawton ChilesDemocratic Elected U S senator Lawton ChilesDemocraticMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Florida See also List of United States senators from Florida Incumbent Democrat Lawton Chiles won re election to a second term over John Grady Mayor of Belle Glade 4 General election results 5 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Lawton Chiles Incumbent 1 799 518 63 0Republican John Grady 1 057 886 37 0Write In Ed Ice 123 0 0Write In Tim Adams 7 0 0Majority 741 632 26 0Turnout 2 857 534Democratic holdHawaii editHawaii election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Spark Matsunaga William QuinnParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 162 305 122 724Percentage 53 7 40 6 nbsp County resultsMatsunaga 50 60 60 70 U S senator before electionHiram FongRepublican Elected U S senator Spark MatsunagaDemocraticMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Hawaii See also List of United States senators from Hawaii Incumbent Republican Hiram Fong retired instead of seeking re election to a fourth term Democrat Spark Matsunaga won the open seat over Republican William Quinn Former Governor of Hawaii General election results 6 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Spark Matsunaga 162 305 53 7Republican William Quinn 122 724 40 6People s Anthony Hodges 14 226 4 7Nonpartisan James Kimmel 1 433 0 5Libertarian Rockne Hart Johnson 1 404 0 5Majority 39 581 13 1Turnout 302 092Democratic gain from RepublicanIndiana editIndiana election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Richard Lugar Vance HartkeParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 1 275 833 868 522Percentage 59 0 40 2 nbsp County results Lugar 50 60 60 70 70 80 Hartke 50 60 60 70 U S senator before electionVance HartkeDemocratic Elected U S senator Richard LugarRepublicanMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Indiana See also List of United States senators from Indiana Incumbent Democrat Vance Hartke ran for re election to a fourth term but was defeated by Republican challenger Richard Lugar Mayor of Indianapolis General election results 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Richard Lugar 1 275 833 59 03Democratic Vance Hartke Incumbent 868 522 40 19Don L Lee 14 321 0 66U S Labor David Lee Hoagland 2 511 0 12Majority 407 311 18 85Turnout 2 161 187Republican gain from DemocraticMaine editMaine election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Edmund Muskie Robert A G MonksParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 292 704 193 489Percentage 60 2 39 8 nbsp County resultsMuskie 50 60 60 70 Monks 50 60 U S senator before electionEdmund MuskieDemocratic Elected U S senator Edmund MuskieDemocraticMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Maine See also List of United States senators from Maine Incumbent Democrat Edmund Muskie won re election to a fourth term over Republican Robert A G Monks shareholder activist General election results 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Edmund Muskie Incumbent 292 704 60 20Republican Robert A G Monks 193 489 39 80Majority 99 215 20 41Turnout 486 193Democratic holdMaryland editMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Maryland See also List of United States senators from Maryland Maryland election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Paul Sarbanes J Glenn Beall Jr Party Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 772 101 530 439Percentage 56 6 38 9 nbsp County resultsSarbanes 40 50 50 60 70 80 Beall 40 50 50 60 60 70 U S senator before electionJ Glenn Beall Jr Republican Elected U S senator Paul SarbanesDemocraticIncumbent Republican J Glenn Beall Jr ran for re election to a second term but was defeated by Democratic challenger Paul Sarbanes member of the U S House of Representatives General election results 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Paul Sarbanes 772 101 56 55Republican J Glenn Beall Jr Incumbent 530 439 38 85Independent Bruce Bradley 62 750 4 60Majority 241 662 17 70Turnout 1 365 290Democratic gain from RepublicanMassachusetts editMassachusetts election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Ted Kennedy Michael RobertsonParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 1 726 657 722 641Percentage 69 3 29 0 nbsp County Results nbsp Municipality ResultsKennedy 40 50 50 60 60 70 70 80 80 90 Robertson 40 50 50 60 U S senator before electionTed KennedyDemocratic Elected U S senator Ted KennedyDemocraticMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Massachusetts See also List of United States senators from Massachusetts and 1976 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts Incumbent Democrat Ted Kennedy won re election to his fourth his third full term over Republican businessman Michael Robertson 7 General election 1 8 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Edward M Kennedy Incumbent 1 726 657 69 31 7 15 Republican Michael S Robertson 722 641 29 01 7 99 Socialist Workers Carol Henderson Evans 26 283 1 06 0 52 U S Labor H Graham Lowry 15 517 0 62All others 157 0 01Total votes 2 491 255 85 55Majority 1 004 016 40 30 15 14 Democratic hold SwingMichigan editMichigan election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Donald Riegle Marvin EschParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 1 831 031 1 635 087Percentage 52 5 46 9 nbsp County resultsRiegle 40 50 50 60 60 70 Esch 40 50 50 60 60 70 70 80 U S senator before electionPhilip HartDemocratic Elected U S senator Donald RiegleDemocraticMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Michigan See also List of United States senators from Michigan Incumbent Democrat Philip Hart retired instead of seeking a fourth term Democrat Donald Riegle member of the U S House of Representatives won the open seat over fellow congressman Republican Marvin Esch General election results 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Donald Riegle 1 831 031 52 46Republican Marvin L Esch 1 635 087 46 85Libertarian Bette Jane Erwin 8 842 lt 1Human Rights Theodore G Albert 7 281 lt 1Socialist Workers Paula L Reimers 3 399 lt 1Socialist Labor Frank Girard 2 554 lt 1U S Labor Peter A Signorelli 2 218 lt 1Majority 195 944 5 61Turnout 3 490 412Democratic holdMinnesota editMinnesota election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Hubert Humphrey Gerald BrekkeParty Democratic DFL Ind RepublicanPopular vote 1 290 736 478 602Percentage 67 5 25 0 Nominee Paul HelmParty AmericanPopular vote 125 612Percentage 6 6 nbsp County resultsHumphrey 50 60 60 70 70 80 80 90 U S senator before electionHubert HumphreyDemocratic DFL Elected U S senator Hubert HumphreyDemocratic DFL Main article 1976 United States Senate election in Minnesota See also List of United States senators from Minnesota Incumbent Democrat Hubert Humphrey won re election to a fifth term over Republican Gerald Brekke college professor 9 Democratic primary election 10 Party Candidate Votes Democratic DFL Hubert H Humphrey Incumbent 317 632 91 3Democratic DFL Dick Bullock 30 262 8 7Republican primary election 10 Party Candidate Votes Ind Republican Gerald W Brekke 76 183 54 5Ind Republican Richard Dick Franson 32 115 23 0Ind Republican John H Glover 13 014 9 3Ind Republican Roland Butch Riemers 9 307 6 7Ind Republican Bea Mooney 9 150 6 5General election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic DFL Hubert H Humphrey Incumbent 1 290 736 67 51Ind Republican Gerald W Brekke 478 602 25 03American Paul Helm 125 612 6 57Socialist Workers Bill Peterson 9 380 0 49Libertarian Robin E Miller 5 476 0 29Communist Matt Savola 2 214 0 12Majority 812 134 42 48Turnout 1 912 020Democratic DFL holdMississippi editMississippi election nbsp 19701982 nbsp Nominee John C StennisParty DemocraticPopular vote 554 433Percentage 100 0 U S senator before electionJohn C StennisDemocratic Elected U S senator John C StennisDemocraticMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Mississippi See also List of United States senators from Mississippi Incumbent Democrat John C Stennis won re election to his sixth term General election results 11 Party Candidate Votes Democratic John Stennis Incumbent 554 433 100 0Missouri editMissouri election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee John Danforth Warren E HearnesParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 1 090 067 813 571Percentage 56 9 42 5 nbsp County results Danforth 50 60 60 70 70 80 Hearnes 50 60 60 70 70 80 U S senator before electionStuart SymingtonDemocratic Elected U S senator John DanforthRepublicanMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Missouri See also List of United States senators from Missouri Incumbent Democrat Stuart Symington retired instead of seeking a fifth term Republican John Danforth Attorney General of Missouri won the open seat defeating Democrat Warren Hearnes former Governor of Missouri Jerry Litton had won the Democratic nomination earlier but was killed in a plane crash and Hearnes was chosen by the party committee General election results 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican John Danforth 1 090 067 56 94Democratic Warren E Hearnes 813 571 42 50Independent Lawrence Red Petty 10 822 0 57Majority 276 496 14 44Turnout 1 914 460Republican gain from DemocraticMontana editMontana election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee John Melcher Stanley BurgerParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 206 232 115 213Percentage 64 16 35 84 nbsp County resultsMelcher 50 60 60 70 70 80 80 90 Burger 50 60 U S senator before electionMike MansfieldDemocratic Elected U S senator John MelcherDemocraticMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Montana See also List of United States senators from Montana Rather than seek a fifth term Democratic incumbent Mike Mansfield opted to retire creating an open seat United States Congressman John Melcher who had represented Montana s 2nd congressional district from 1969 to 1977 won the Democratic nomination and defeated Stanley C Burger the Republican nominee and former executive officer of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation by a wide margin in the general election Democratic Party primary results 12 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Jack Melcher 89 413 88 52Democratic Ray E Gulick 11 593 11 48Total votes 101 006 100 00Republican Primary results 12 Party Candidate Votes Republican Stanley C Burger 32 313 40 41Republican Dave Drum 27 257 34 09Republican Jack Tierney 15 129 18 92Republican Larry L Gilbert 5 258 6 58Total votes 79 957 100 001976 United States Senate election in Montana 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic John Melcher 206 232 64 16 3 62 Republican Stanley C Burger 115 213 35 84 3 62 Majority 91 019 28 32 7 24 Turnout 321 445Democratic hold SwingNebraska editNebraska election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Edward Zorinsky John Y McCollisterParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 313 805 279 284Percentage 52 89 47 07 nbsp County resultsZorinsky 50 60 60 70 70 80 gt 90 McCollister 50 60 60 70 70 80 U S senator before electionRoman HruskaRepublican Elected U S senator Edward ZorinskyDemocraticMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Nebraska See also List of United States senators from Nebraska Incumbent Republican Roman Hruska retired instead of seeking another term Democrat Edward Zorinsky Mayor of Omaha won the open seat over Republican John Y McCollister U S Congressman of Nebraska s 2nd congressional district General election results 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Edward Zorinsky 313 805 52 89Republican John Y McCollister 279 284 47 07Write in candidate Lenore Etchison 58 0 01N A Others 163 0 03Majority 34 521 5 82Turnout 593 310Democratic gain from RepublicanNevada editNevada election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Howard Cannon David TowellParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 127 214 63 471Percentage 63 0 31 4 nbsp County resultsCannon 40 50 50 60 60 70 70 80 Towell 40 50 U S senator before electionHoward CannonDemocratic Elected U S senator Howard CannonDemocraticMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Nevada See also List of United States senators from Nevada Incumbent Democrat Howard Cannon won re election to a fourth term over Republican David Towell U S Representative from Nevada s At large congressional district In the Senate Cannon was known as a moderate in the Democratic Party He served as chairman of several committees including the rules committee and the inaugural arrangements committee Cannon was nearly defeated for re election in 1964 by Republican Lieutenant Governor Paul Laxalt in one of the closest election in history However he became more popular over the next few years and won re election in 1970 with nearly 58 of the vote In 1976 he faced U S Representative David Towell who served just one term in the U S House of Representatives before running for the U S Senate Cannon won re election with 63 of the vote one of his best election performances of his career He won every county in the state except for Eureka County which Towell won with just 51 of the vote General election results 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Howard Cannon Incumbent 127 214 63 01 5 36 Republican David Towell 63 471 31 44 9 73 None of These Candidates 5 288 2 62Independent American Byron D Young 3 619 1 79Libertarian Dan Becan 2 307 1 14Majority 63 743 31 57 15 09 Turnout 201 899Democratic hold SwingNew Jersey editNew Jersey election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Harrison A Williams David A NorcrossParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 1 681 140 1 054 508Percentage 60 66 38 05 nbsp County ResultsWilliams 50 60 60 70 U S senator before electionHarrison A WilliamsDemocratic Elected U S Senator Harrison A WilliamsDemocraticMain article 1976 United States Senate election in New Jersey See also List of United States senators from New JerseyHarrison A Williams the incumbent originally elected in 1958 elected to run for a fourth term He defeated anti abortion activist Stephen J Foley handily in the Democratic primary with 85 of the vote David A Norcross won the Republican primary with the endorsement of the New Jersey Republican Party with 68 of the vote In the general election Williams soundly won re election to a fourth term over Norcross He won 60 of the vote winning every county in the state This would be Williams last election to the U S Senate as he would resign in 1981 following his involvement in the Abscam scandal 1976 United States Senate election in New Jersey Results 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Harrison A Williams Incumbent 1 681 140 60 66Republican David A Norcross 1 054 508 38 05Libertarian Hannibal Cundari 19 907 0 72Socialist Labor Bernardo S Doganiero 9 185 0 33Labor Party Leif Johnson 6 650 0 24Majority 626 632 22 61Turnout 2 771 390Democratic holdNew Mexico editNew Mexico election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Harrison Schmitt Joseph MontoyaParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 234 681 176 382Percentage 56 8 42 7 nbsp County resultsSchmitt 50 60 60 70 Montoya 50 60 U S senator before electionJoseph MontoyaDemocratic Elected U S senator Harrison SchmittRepublicanMain article 1976 United States Senate election in New Mexico See also List of United States senators from New Mexico Incumbent Democrat Joseph Montoya ran for re election to a third term but was defeated by Republican former Astronaut Harrison Schmitt General election results 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Harrison Schmitt 234 681 56 82 9 69 Democratic Joseph Montoya Incumbent 176 382 42 70 10 17 Raza Unida Ernesto B Borunda 1 087 0 26American Independent Matt Dillion 906 0 22Majority 58 299 14 11 8 36 Turnout 413 056Republican gain from Democratic SwingNew York editNew York election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Daniel Patrick Moynihan James BuckleyParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 3 422 594 2 836 633Percentage 54 1 44 9 nbsp County resultsMoynihan 50 60 60 70 70 80 Buckley 50 60 60 70 70 80 U S senator before electionJames BuckleyRepublican Elected U S senator Daniel Patrick MoynihanDemocraticMain article 1976 United States Senate election in New York See also List of United States senators from New York Incumbent Conservative James Buckley ran for re election to a second term as a Republican but was defeated by Daniel Patrick Moynihan Democratic Party Convention results 13 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Paul O Dwyer 32 50Democratic Daniel Patrick Moynihan 31 10Democratic Bella Abzug 28 70Democratic Ramsey Clark 7 00Democratic Abraham Hirschfeld 0 70Total votes 100 00Democratic Party Primary results 13 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Daniel Patrick Moynihan 333 697 36 41Democratic Bella Abzug 323 705 35 32Democratic Ramsey Clark 94 191 10 28Democratic Paul O Dwyer 82 689 9 02Democratic Abraham Hirschfeld 82 331 8 98Total votes 916 613 100 00Republican Party Primary results 14 Party Candidate Votes Republican James Buckley Incumbent 242 257 70 45Republican Peter Peyser 101 629 29 55Total votes 343 886 100 00General election results 15 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Daniel Patrick Moynihan 3 238 511Liberal Daniel Patrick Moynihan 184 083total Daniel Patrick Moynihan 3 422 594 54 17 17 21Republican James Buckley Incumbent 2 525 139Conservative James Buckley 311 494total James Buckley 2 836 633 44 90 5 95Communist Herbert Aptheker 25 141 0 40 0 37Socialist Workers Marcia Gallo 16 350 0 26 0 20Libertarian Martin E Nixon 10 943 0 17 0 17U S Labor Elijah C Boyd 6 716 0 11 0 11Majority 675 961 9 27Turnout 6 408 377Democratic gain from Republican SwingNorth Dakota editNorth Dakota election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Quentin Burdick Robert StroupParty Democratic NPL RepublicanPopular vote 175 772 103 466Percentage 62 10 36 55 nbsp County resultsBurdick 50 60 60 70 70 80 Stroup 50 60 U S Senator before electionQuentin BurdickDemocratic Elected U S Senator Quentin BurdickDemocraticMain article 1976 United States Senate election in North Dakota See also List of United States senators from North Dakota Incumbent North Dakota Democratic NPL Party Democrat Quentin Burdick sought and received re election to his fourth term to the United States Senate defeating Republican candidate Robert Stroup 1 Only Burdick filed as a Dem NPLer and the endorsed Republican candidate was Robert Stroup as state senator from Hazen North Dakota Burdick and Stroup won the primary elections for their respective parties One independent candidate Clarence Haggard also filed before the deadline under the American Party North Dakota U S Senate election Party Candidate Votes Democratic Quentin Burdick Incumbent 175 772 62 10Republican Robert Stroup 103 466 36 55Independent Clarence Haggard 3 824 1 35Turnout 283 062Democratic holdOhio editOhio election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Howard Metzenbaum Robert Taft Jr Party Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 1 941 113 1 823 774Percentage 49 51 46 52 nbsp County resultsMetzenbaum 40 50 50 60 60 70 Taft 40 50 50 60 60 70 U S senator before electionRobert Taft Jr Republican Elected U S senator Howard MetzenbaumDemocraticMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Ohio See also List of United States senators from Ohio Incumbent Republican Robert Taft Jr ran for re election to second term but was defeated by Democratic former senator Howard Metzenbaum General election results 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Howard Metzenbaum 1 941 113 49 51Republican Robert Taft Jr Incumbent 1 823 774 46 52Independent John O Neill 53 657 1 37American Independent Donald E Babcock 36 979 0 94Independent Emma Lila Fundaburk 33 285 0 85Socialist Workers Melissa Singler 31 805 0 81Majority 117 339 2 99Turnout 3 920 613Democratic gain from RepublicanPennsylvania editPennsylvania election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee John Heinz Bill GreenParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 2 381 891 2 126 977Percentage 52 4 46 8 nbsp County results Heinz 50 60 60 70 Green 50 60 70 80 U S senator before electionHugh ScottRepublican Elected U S senator John HeinzRepublicanMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania See also List of United States senators from Pennsylvania Incumbent Republican and Minority Leader Hugh Scott retired Republican John Heinz won the open seat over Democrat Bill Green United States Representative 16 1 In December 1975 U S senator Hugh Scott announced that he would not seek re election in 1976 at the age of 75 after serving in Congress for 33 years Scott listed personal reasons and several well qualified potential candidates for the seat among the reasons of his decision to retire Other reasons including his support for Richard Nixon and accusations that he had illegally obtained contributions from Gulf Oil were alleged to have contributed to the decision 17 Democratic primary results 18 Party Candidate Votes Democratic William J Green III 762 733 68 71Democratic Jeanette Reibman 345 264 31 10Democratic Others 2 058 0 19Republican primary results 19 Party Candidate Votes Republican John Heinz 358 715 37 73Republican Arlen Specter 332 513 34 98Republican George Packard 160 379 16 87Republican Others 99 074 10 43Heinz was the victor in all but nine counties defeating opponent William Green who had a 300 000 vote advantage in his native Philadelphia area Heinz and Green spend 2 5 million and 900 000 respectively during the ten month campaign Much of the money Heinz spent on his campaign was his own leading to accusations from Green that he was buying the seat Heinz replied to this by claiming that the spending was necessary to overcome the Democratic voter registration advantage 20 General election results 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican John Heinz 2 381 891 52 39 0 96 Democratic William J Green III 2 126 977 46 79 1 41 Constitution Andrew J Watson 26 028 0 57 1 79 Socialist Workers Frederick W Stanton 5 484 0 12 0 01 Labor Party Bernard Salera 3 637 0 08 0 08 Communist Party Frank Kinces 2 097 0 05 0 05 N A Other 239 0 00 N ATurnout 4 546 353 change Majority 254 914 6 60 change Republican hold SwingRhode Island editRhode Island election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee John Chafee Richard LorberParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 230 329 167 665Percentage 57 7 42 0 nbsp County results nbsp Municipality resultsChafee 50 60 60 70 70 80 Lorber 50 60 U S senator before electionJohn O PastoreDemocratic Elected U S senator John ChafeeRepublicanMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Rhode Island See also List of United States senators from Rhode Island Incumbent Democrat John O Pastore did not seek re election Republican John Chafee won the seat defeating Democrat Richard P Lorber Democratic primary results 21 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Richard P Lorber 60 118 37 78Democratic Philip W Noel 60 018 37 71Democratic John P Hawkins 25 456 16 00Democratic Paul E Goulding 5 500 3 46Democratic Ralph J Perrotta 4 481 2 82Democratic John E Caddick 2 160 1 36Democratic Earl F Pasbach 962 0 60Democratic Arthur E Marley 447 0 28Majority 100 0 06Total votes 159 142 100 00General election results 22 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican John Chafee 230 329 57 74Democratic Richard P Lorber 167 665 42 03Communist Margaret Cann 912 0 23Majority 62 664 15 71Total votes 398 906 100 00Republican gain from DemocraticTennessee editTennessee election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee James Sasser Bill BrockParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 751 180 673 231Percentage 52 46 47 01 nbsp County resultsSasser 50 60 60 70 70 80 80 90 Brock 50 60 60 70 70 80 U S senator before electionBill BrockRepublican Elected U S senator James SasserDemocraticMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Tennessee See also List of United States senators from Tennessee Incumbent Republican Bill Brock ran for re election to a second term but was defeated by Democratic challenger James Sasser General election Results 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic James Sasser 751 180 52 46Republican Bill Brock Incumbent 673 231 47 01 5 44 Independent Mark Clark Bates 5 137 0 36Independent Willie C Jacox 1 406 0 10Independent Arnold Joseph Zandie 1 061 0 07None Write Ins 31 0 00Majority 77 949 5 45Turnout 1 432 046Democratic gain from Republican SwingTexas editTexas election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Lloyd Bentsen Alan SteelmanParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 2 199 956 1 636 370Percentage 56 8 42 2 nbsp County resultsBentsen 50 60 60 70 70 80 80 90 gt 90 Steelman 50 60 60 70 U S senator before electionLloyd BentsenDemocratic Elected U S senator Lloyd BentsenDemocraticMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Texas See also List of United States senators from Texas Incumbent Democrat Lloyd Bentsen won re election to a second term over Republican Alan Steelman U S Representative from Texas s 5th district General election results 23 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Lloyd Bentsen Incumbent 2 199 956 56 8Republican Alan Steelman 1 636 370 42 2Socialist Workers Party Pedro Vasquez 20 549 0 5American Independent Marjorie P Gallion 17 355 0 5Majority 563 586 14 6Turnout 3 874 230Democratic holdUtah editUtah election nbsp 19701982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Orrin Hatch Frank MossParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 290 221 241 948Percentage 53 7 44 8 nbsp County results Hatch 40 50 50 60 60 70 70 80 Moss 50 60 60 70 U S senator before electionFrank MossDemocratic Elected U S senator Orrin HatchRepublicanMain article 1976 United States Senate election in Utah See also List of United States senators from Utah Incumbent Democrat Frank Moss ran for re election to a fourth term but was defeated by his Republican opponent Orrin Hatch 1976 United States Senate election in Utah 24 25 26 1 27 Party Candidate Votes Republican Orrin Hatch 290 221 53 73 Democratic Frank Moss incumbent 241 948 44 80 Independent American George M Batchelor 4 913 0 91 Libertarian Steve Trotter 3 026 0 56 Majority 48 273 8 93 Turnout 540 108Republican gain from Democratic SwingVermont editVermont election nbsp 19721982 nbsp nbsp Nominee Robert Stafford Thomas P SalmonParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 94 481 85 682Percentage 50 0 45 4 span, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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