1978 United States Senate elections
The 1978 United States Senate elections were held on November 7, in the middle of Democratic President Jimmy Carter's term. The 33 seats of Class 2 were contested in regular elections. Special elections were also held to fill vacancies.
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35 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate 51 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Thirteen seats changed hands between parties, resulting in a net gain of three seats for the Republicans allowing them to break the Democrats' filibuster-proof majority. Democrats nevertheless retained a 58–41 majority.
Results summary edit
58 | 1 | 41 |
Democratic | I | Republican |
Parties | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Democratic | Republican | Independent | Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last elections (1976) Before these elections | 61 | 38 | 1 | 0 | 100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Not up | 43 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 65 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Up | 18 | 17 | 0 | — | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class 2 (1972→1978) | 16 | 17 | — | — | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Special: Class 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Special: Class 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Incumbent retired | 5[b] | 5 | — | — | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Held by same party | 2 | 3 | — | — | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Replaced by other party | 2 Republicans replaced by 2 Democrats 3 Democrats replaced by 3 Republicans | — | — | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Result | 4 | 6 | — | — | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Incumbent ran | 13[b][c][d] | 12[e] | — | — | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Won re-election | 6 | 9 | — | — | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lost re-election | 2 Republicans replaced by 2 Democrats 5 Democrats replaced by 5 Republicans | — | — | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lost renomination, but held by same party | 2 | 0 | — | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lost renomination, and party lost | 1 Republican replaced by 1 Democrat | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Result | 11 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total elected | 15 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net gain/loss | 3 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nationwide vote | 15,302,929 | 14,794,225 | 299,624 | 278,078 | 30,674,856 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share | 49.89% | 48.23% | 0.98% | 0.91% | 100% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Result | 58 | 41 | 1 | 0 | 100 |
Source: Clerk of the United States House of Representatives[1]
Gains, losses, and holds edit
Retirements edit
Five Republicans and three Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election. One Democrat retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term and one Democrat retired instead of seeking election to a full term.
Defeats edit
Three Republicans and four Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election. One Democrat sought election to a full term but lost in the general election, one Democrat sought election to a full term but lost in the primary and one Democrat sought election to finish the unexpired term but lost in the primary.
Post-election changes edit
One Democrat resigned on May 7, 1980, and was later replaced by Democratic appointee.
State | Senator | Replaced by |
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Maine (Class 1) | Edmund Muskie | George J. Mitchell |
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 | D42 | D43 | D44 Ala. (reg) Ran | D45 Ala. (sp) Ran | D46 Ark. Retired | D47 Colo. Ran | D48 Del. Ran | D49 Ga. Ran | D50 Iowa Ran |
Majority → | D51 Ky. Ran | ||||||||
D60 S.D. Retired | D59 R.I. Ran | D58 N.H. Ran | D57 Mont. Ran | D56 Miss. Retired | D55 Minn. (sp) Retired | D54 Minn. (reg) Ran | D53 Maine Ran | D52 La. Ran | |
D61 W.Va. Ran | I1 | R38 Wyo. Retired | R37 Va. Retired | R36 Texas Ran | R35 Tenn. Ran | R34 S.C. Ran | R33 Ore. Ran | R32 Okla. Retired | R31 N.C. Ran |
R21 | R22 Alaska Ran | R23 Idaho Ran | R24 Ill. Ran | R25 Kan. Retired | R26 Mass. Ran | R27 Mich. Ran | R28 Neb. Retired | R29 N.J. Ran | R30 N.M. Ran |
R20 | R19 | R18 | R17 | R16 | R15 | R14 | R13 | R12 | R11 |
R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 |
After 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 | D42 | D43 | D44 Ala. (reg) Re-elected | D45 Ala. (sp) Hold | D46 Ark. Hold | D47 Del. Re-elected | D48 Ga. Re-elected | D49 Ky. Re-elected | D50 La. Re-elected |
Majority → | D51 Mont. Hold | ||||||||
R41 S.D. Gain | I1 | D58 Okla. Gain | D57 N.J. Gain | D56 Neb. Gain | D55 Mich. Gain | D54 Mass. Gain | D53 W.Va. Re-elected | D52 R.I. Re-elected | |
R40 N.H. Gain | R39 Miss. Gain | R38 Minn. (sp) Gain | R37 Minn. (reg) Gain[f] | R36 Maine Gain | R35 Iowa Gain | R34 Colo. Gain | R33 Wyo. Hold | R32 Va. Hold | R31 Texas Re-elected |
R21 | R22 Alaska Re-elected | R23 Idaho Re-elected | R24 Ill. Re-elected | R25 Kan. Hold | R26 N.M. Re-elected | R27 N.C. Re-elected | R28 Ore. Re-elected | R29 S.C. Re-elected | R30 Tenn. Re-elected |
R20 | R19 | R18 | R17 | R16 | R15 | R14 | R13 | R12 | R11 |
R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 |
Key |
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Race summary edit
Special elections during the 95th Congress edit
In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1978 or before January 3, 1979; ordered by election date, then state.
State (linked to summaries below) | Incumbent | Results | Candidates | ||
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Senator | Party | Electoral history | |||
Alabama (Class 3) | Maryon Pittman Allen | Democratic | 1978 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost nomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. |
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Minnesota (Class 1) | Muriel Humphrey | DFL | 1978 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected. Republican gain. |
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Elections leading to the next Congress edit
In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1979; ordered by state.
All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.
State (linked to summaries below) | Incumbent | Results | Candidates | ||
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Senator | Party | Electoral history | |||
Alabama | John Sparkman | Democratic | 1946 (special) 1948 1954 1960 1966 1972 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. |
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Alaska | Ted Stevens | Republican | 1968 (Appointed) 1970 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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Arkansas | Kaneaster Hodges Jr. | Democratic | 1977 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. |
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Colorado | Floyd Haskell | Democratic | 1972 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. |
Others
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Delaware | Joe Biden | Democratic | 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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Georgia | Sam Nunn | Democratic | 1972 (special) 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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Idaho | James A. McClure | Republican | 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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Illinois | Charles H. Percy | Republican | 1966 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
Others
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Iowa | Dick Clark | Democratic | 1972 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. |
Others
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Kansas | James B. Pearson | Republican | 1962 (Appointed) 1962 (special) 1966 1972 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. Incumbent resigned December 23, 1978 to give successor preferential seniority. Successor appointed December 23, 1978 to finish the term. |
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Kentucky | Walter Dee Huddleston | Democratic | 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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Louisiana | J. Bennett Johnston | Democratic | 1972 (Appointed) 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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Maine | William Hathaway | Democratic | 1972 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. |
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Massachusetts | Edward Brooke | Republican | 1966 1972 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. |
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Michigan | Robert P. Griffin | Republican | 1966 (Appointed) 1966 1972 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. |
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Minnesota | Wendell R. Anderson | DFL | 1976 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost election. New senator elected. Republican gain. Incumbent resigned December 29, 1978 to give successor preferential seniority. Successor appointed December 30, 1978 to finish the term. |
Others
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Mississippi | James Eastland | Democratic | 1942 1948 1954 1960 1966 1972 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican gain. Incumbent resigned December 27, 1978 to give successor preferential seniority. Successor appointed December 27, 1978 to finish the term. |
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Montana | Paul G. Hatfield | Democratic | 1978 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost nomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Incumbent resigned December 12, 1978 to give successor preferential seniority. Successor appointed December 15, 1978 to finish the term. |
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Nebraska | Carl Curtis | Republican | 1954 1960 1966 1972 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic gain. |
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New Hampshire | Thomas J. McIntyre | Democratic | 1962 (special) 1966 1972 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. |
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New Jersey | Clifford P. Case | Republican | 1954 1960 1966 1972 | Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic gain. |
Others
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New Mexico | Pete Domenici | Republican | 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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North Carolina | Jesse Helms | Republican | 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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Oklahoma | Dewey F. Bartlett | Republican | 1972 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic gain. |
Others
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Oregon | Mark Hatfield | Republican | 1966 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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Rhode Island | Claiborne Pell | Democratic | 1960 1966 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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South Carolina | Strom Thurmond | Republican | 1954 (write-in)[g] 1954 (Appointed) 1956 (Resigned) 1956 (special) 1960 1966 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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South Dakota | James Abourezk | Democratic | 1972 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican gain. |
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Tennessee | Howard Baker | Republican | 1966 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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Texas | John Tower | Republican | 1961 (special) 1966 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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Virginia | William L. Scott | Republican | 1972 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. Incumbent resigned January 1, 1979 to give successor preferential seniority. Successor appointed January 2, 1979 to finish the term. |
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West Virginia | Jennings Randolph | Democratic | 1958 (special) 1960 1966 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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Wyoming | Clifford Hansen | Republican | 1966 1972 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. Incumbent resigned December 31, 1978 to give successor preferential seniority. Successor appointed January 1, 1979 to finish the term. |
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Closest races edit
Nine races had a margin of victory under 10%:
State | Party of winner | Margin |
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Virginia | Republican | 0.38% |
Texas | Republican | 0.53% |
West Virginia | Democratic | 0.96% |
New Hampshire | Republican (flip) | 2.20% |
Iowa | Republican (flip) | 3.21% |
Michigan | Democratic (flip) | 4.29% |
New Mexico | Republican | 6.82% |
Illinois | Republican | 7.87% |
North Carolina | Republican | 9.02% |
Oklahoma was the tipping point state with a margin of 32.6%.
Alabama edit
There were two elections in Alabama, due to the death of senator Jim Allen.
Alabama (regular) edit
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Democrat John Sparkman retired and was succeeded by Howell Heflin, the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama. Heflin, the Democratic candidate, faced no Republican opponent in the general election, defeating Prohibition Party nominee Jerome B. Couch.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Howell Heflin | 547,054 | 93.99% | |
Prohibition | Jerome B. Couch | 34,951 | 6.01% | |
Majority | 512,103 | 87.98% | ||
Turnout | 582,005 | |||
Democratic hold |
Alabama (special) edit
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County results | |||||||||||||||||
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Following the death of senator Jim Allen, his widow Maryon was appointed by governor George Wallace to fill the vacancy until a special election could be held. In this election, Democratic state senator Donald W. Stewart defeated former Republican Congressman James D. Martin to serve the remaining two years of the term.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Donald W. Stewart | 401,852 | 54.93% | |
Republican | James D. Martin | 316,170 | 43.22% | |
Libertarian | Michael R. A. Erdey | 6,006 | 0.82% | |
Prohibition | A. J. Killingsworth | 5,814 | 0.80% | |
Peace and Freedom | Joseph T. Robino | 1,768 | 0.24% | |
Majority | 85,682 | 11.74% | ||
Turnout | 731,610 | |||
Democratic hold |
Alaska edit
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Republican Ted Stevens won reelection to a second full (his third total) term, defeating Democrat Donald Hobbs.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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Republican | Ted Stevens (Incumbent) | 92,783 | 75.59% | ||
Democratic | Donald Hobbs | 29,574 | 24.09% | ||
Write-ins | Write-ins | 384 | 0.31% | ||
Majority | 63,209 | 51.50% | |||
Turnout | 122,741 | ||||
Republican hold | Swing |
Arkansas edit
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Following the death of senator John L. McClellan, then Kaneaster Hodges Jr. was appointed by governor David Pryor to fill the vacancy until a special election could be held. In this election, Democratic state governor David Pryor defeated former Republican challenger Thomas Kelly Jr. to serve the six-year term.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | David Pryor | 395,506 | 76.48% | |
Republican | Tom Kelly | 84,308 | 16.30% | |
Independent | John G. Black | 37,211 | 7.20% | |
None | Write-ins | 113 | 0.02% | |
Majority | 311,198 | 60.18% | ||
Turnout | 517,138 | |||
Democratic hold |
Colorado edit
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Democrat Floyd Haskell decided to run for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by William L. Armstrong, the Republican nominee and the U.S. Representative.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | William L. Armstrong | 480,801 | 58.69% | |
Democratic | Floyd Haskell (Incumbent) | 330,148 | 40.30% | |
United States Party | Vedder V. Dorn | 5,789 | 0.71% | |
National Statesman | John Shue | 2,518 | 0.31% | |
Majority | 150,653 | 18.39% | ||
Turnout | 819,256 | |||
Republican gain from Democratic |
Delaware edit
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County results | |||||||||||||||||
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Democratic United States senator Joe Biden won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican challenger James H. Baxter Jr., the Delaware Secretary of Agriculture.[6]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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Democratic | Joe Biden (Incumbent) | 93,930 | 57.96% | +7.48% | |
Republican | James H. Baxter Jr. | 66,479 | 41.02% | -8.08% | |
American | Donald G. Gies | 1,663 | 1.02% | +0.68% | |
Majority | 27,451 | 16.94% | +15.56% | ||
Turnout | 162,072 | ||||
Democratic hold | Swing |
Georgia edit
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County results | |||||||||||||||||
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Democrat Sam Nunn won re-election to a second term.[7]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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Democratic | Sam Nunn (incumbent) | 536,320 | 83.13% | +29.17% | |
Republican | John W. Stokes | 108,808 | 16.87% | -29.14% | |
Majority | 427,512 | 66.27% | +58.32% | ||
Turnout | 645,128 | ||||
Democratic hold | Swing |
Idaho edit
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Republican James A. McClure was elected to a second term in office.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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Republican | James A. McClure (Incumbent) | 194,412 | 68.44% | ||
Democratic | Dwight Jensen | 89,635 | 31.56% | ||
Majority | 104,777 | 36.88% | |||
Turnout | 284,047 | ||||
Republican hold | Swing |
Illinois edit
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Republican Charles H. Percy ran for re-election to a third term in the United States Senate. Percy was opposed by Democratic nominee Alex Seith (D), attorney and former member of the Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals. Though Percy had been expected to coast to re-election over Seith, a first-time candidate, the election quickly became competitive. In the last few days of the campaign, a desperate Percy ran a television advertisement that featured him apologizing and acknowledging that, "I got your message and you're right."[9] Percy's last-ditch effort appeared to have paid off, as he was able to edge out Seith to win what would end up being his third and final term in the Senate.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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Republican | Charles H. Percy (Incumbent) | 1,698,711 | 53.34% | -8.88% | |
Democratic | Alex Seith | 1,448,187 | 45.47% | +8.13% | |
Libertarian | Bruce Lee Green | 16,320 | 0.51% | ||
Socialist Workers | Patricia Grogan | 15,922 | 0.50% | ||
Socialist Labor | Gerald Rose | 5,465 | 0.18% | ||
Write-ins | 159 | 0.00% | |||
Majority | 250,524 | 7.87% | -17.00% | ||
Turnout | 3,184,764 | ||||
Republican hold | Swing |
Iowa edit
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Democrat Dick Clark decided to run for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Roger Jepsen, the Republican nominee and former Lieutenant Governor of Iowa.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Roger Jepsen | 421,598 | 51.13% | |
Democratic | Dick Clark (Incumbent) | 395,066 | 47.91% | |
Independent | Gerald Leo Baker | 4,223 | 0.51% | |
Libertarian | Ben L. Olson | 3,689 | 0.45% | |
Majority | 26,532 | 3.22% | ||
Turnout | 824,576 | |||
Republican gain from Democratic |
Kansas edit
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Republican James B. Pearson retired and was succeeded by Nancy Kassebaum, the daughter of Alf Landon, defeating Democratic nominee William R. Roy, the former U.S. Representative. Roy also lost to Bob Dole in the 1974 election for Kansas' other Senate seat.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Nancy Kassebaum | 403,354 | 53.86% | |
Democratic | William R. Roy | 317,602 | 42.41% | |
Conservative | James R. Maher | 22,497 | 3.00% | |
Prohibition | Russell Mikels | 5,386 | 0.72% | |
Majority | 85,752 | 11.45% | ||
Turnout | 748,839 | |||
Republican hold |
Kentucky edit
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Democrat Walter Huddleston was re-elected to a second term.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Walter Huddleston (Incumbent) | 290,730 | 60.98% | |
Republican | Louie R. Guenthner Jr. | 175,766 | 36.86% | |
American | Anthony Albert McCord | 10,244 | 2.15% | |
None | Write-Ins | 32 | 0.01% | |
Majority | 114,964 | 24.12 | ||
Turnout | 476,783 | |||
Democratic hold |
Louisiana edit
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Democrat J. Bennett Johnston won re-election to unopposed and his second term.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | J. Bennett Johnston (Incumbent) | Unopposed | ||
Democratic hold |
Maine edit
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Democrat William Hathaway decided to run for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by William Cohen, the Republican nominee and the United States Congressman from Maine's 2nd congressional district and Hayes Gahagan, former Maine State Senator
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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Republican | William Cohen | 212,294 | 56.59% | +9.83% | |
Democratic | William Hathaway (Incumbent) | 127,327 | 33.94% | -19.29% | |
Independent | Hayes E. Gahagan | 27,824 | 7.42% | ||
Independent | John J. Jannace | 5,553 | 1.48% | ||
Independent | Plato Truman | 2,116 | 0.56% | ||
Majority | 84,967 | 22.65% | +16.19% | ||
Turnout | 375,114 | ||||
Republican gain from Democratic | Swing |
Massachusetts edit
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Results by town. Red indicates towns carried by Edward Brooke, blue indicates towns carried by Paul Tsongas. | |||||||||||||||||
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Republican Edward Brooke was defeated by Democratic Congressman Paul E. Tsongas.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Edward Brooke (Incumbent) | 146,351 | 53.25% | |
Republican | Avi Nelson | 128,388 | 46.72% | |
All others | 78 | 0.03% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Paul Tsongas | 296,915 | 35.55% | |
Democratic | Paul Guzzi | 258,960 | 31.01% | |
Democratic | Kathleen Sullivan Alioto | 161,036 | 19.28% | |
Democratic | Howard Phillips | 65,397 | 7.83% | |
Democratic | Elaine Noble | 52,464 | 6.28% | |
All others | 379 | 0.05% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Paul E. Tsongas | 1,093,283 | 55.06% | |
Republican | Edward Brooke (Incumbent) | 890,584 | 44.85% | |
All others | 1,833 | 0.09% | ||
Total votes | 1,985,700 | 68.01% | ||
Majority | 202,699 | 10.21% | ||
Democratic gain from Republican |
Michigan edit
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Republican Robert P. Griffin ran for re-election to a third term, but was defeated by the Democratic candidate, and former Detroit City Council President Carl Levin.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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Democratic | Carl Levin | 1,484,193 | 52.1% | N/A | |
Republican | Robert P. Griffin (Incumbent) | 1,362,165 | 47.8% | -4.29% | |
Independent | Others | 272 | 0.01% | -52.13% | |
Majority | 122,028 | 4.29% | |||
Turnout | 2,846,630 | ||||
Democratic gain from Republican | Swing |
Minnesota edit
There were two elections in Minnesota, due to the death of Hubert Humphrey.
Minnesota (regular) edit
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Democrat Wendell Anderson was defeated by Republican challenger businessman Rudy Boschwitz.
In 1978, all three key statewide races in Minnesota were up for election—the Governorship, and both Senate Seats (the other Senate seat belonged to Hubert Humphrey, who died in 1978). But, there was a particular oddity to the three races—all three had incumbents who were never elected to the office in the first place. This became a well played issue by the Republicans—a billboard put up across the state read, "The DFL is going to face something scary -- an election".
When Walter Mondale resigned after being elected to the Vice Presidency in 1976, sitting Governor Wendell Anderson resigned in order to be appointed by his successor Rudy Perpich to the open seat. This act did not sit well with the electorate. Plywood magnate Rudy Boschwitz campaigned as a liberal Republican and spent freely of his own money, but all that seemed to really matter was that he was neither a DFLer or Wendell Anderson in an election cycle where both were rejected by the voters. The result was not even close—the challenger Boschwitz won in a 16-point landslide as all three statewide offices switched into Republican hands.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic (DFL) | Wendell Anderson (Incumbent) | 286,209 | 56.9% | |
Democratic (DFL) | John S. Connolly | 159,974 | 31.8% | |
Democratic (DFL) | Daryl W. Anderson | 23,159 | 4.6% | |
Democratic (DFL) | Lloyd M. Roberts | 12,709 | 2.5% | |
Democratic (DFL) | Dick Bullock | 11,485 | 2.3% | |
Democratic (DFL) | Emil L. Moses | 9,580 | 1.9% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Ind.-Republican | Rudy Boschwitz | 185,393 | 86.8% | |
Ind.-Republican | Harold Stassen | 28,170 | 13.2% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Ind.-Republican | Rudy Boschwitz | 894,092 | 56.57% | |
Democratic (DFL) | Wendell Anderson (Incumbent) | 638,375 | 40.39% | |
American | Sal Carlone | 23,261 | 1.47% | |
Socialist Workers | William Peterson | 9,856 | 0.62% | |
Independent | Brian J. Coyle | 8,083 | 0.51% | |
Workers League | Jean T. Brust | 3,891 | 0.25% | |
Libertarian | Leonard J. Richards | 2,992 | 0.19% | |
Others | Write-ins | 72 | 0.01% | |
Majority | 255,717 | 16.18% | ||
Turnout | 1,580,622 | |||
Ind.-Republican gain from Democratic (DFL) |
Minnesota (special) edit
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Incumbent Muriel Humphrey retired. Democratic candidate Bob Short was defeated by Republican candidate David Durenberger.
In 1978, all three key statewide races in Minnesota were up for election—the Governorship, and both Senate Seats (the other Senate seat belonged to Wendell Anderson, who, as Governor of Minnesota, appointed himself to fill the seat vacated by Walter Mondale, when Mondale ascended to the Vice Presidency in 1976). But, there was a particular oddity to the three races—all three had incumbents who were never elected to the office in the first place. This became a well played issue by the Republicans: a billboard put up across the state read, "The DFL is going to face something scary — an election".
When Hubert H. Humphrey died in office in January 1978, sitting Governor Rudy Perpich appointed Humphrey's widow, Muriel to sit until a special election could be held later that year. However, Muriel Humphrey opted not to seek election to the seat in her own right, and the DFL nominated former Texas Rangers owner Bob Short to run in the subsequent special election. The Independent-Republicans, on their part, nominated the liberal Republican David Durenberger, creating an unusual race in which the DFL candidate was positioned to the right of the Independent-Republican candidate. In addition to the general sense of dissatisfaction voters felt for the DFL, the DFL also had to contend with a large number of liberal members of the DFL, who were dissatisfied with Short's positions on hot button issues such as abortion, motorboat usage in the Boundary Waters Canoe area, and government spending, crossing party lines to vote for Durenberger. As a result, Durenberger won in a 26.9-percent landslide as the governorship and both U.S. Senate seats switched into Republican hands.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic (DFL) | Bob Short | 257,289 | 48.0% | |
Democratic (DFL) | Donald M. Fraser | 253,818 | 47.4% | |
Democratic (DFL) | Sharon Anderson | 16,094 | 3.0% | |
Democratic (DFL) | Richard A. Palmer | 8,425 | 1.6% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Ind.-Republican | David Durenberger | 139,187 | 67.3% | |
Ind.-Republican | Malcolm Moos | 32,314 | 15.6% | |
Ind.-Republican | Ken Nordstrom | 14,635 | 7.1% | |
Ind.-Republican | Will Lundquist | 12,261 | 5.9% | |
Ind.-Republican | Adell H. Campbell | 8,523 | 4.1% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Ind.-Republican | David Durenberger | 957,908 | 61.47% | |
Democratic (DFL) | Bob Short | 538,675 | 34.57% | |
American | Paul Helm | 45,402 | 2.91% | |
Socialist Workers | Christine Frank | 11,397 | 0.73% | |
Libertarian | Frederick Hewitt | 4,116 | 0.26% | |
Others | Write-ins | 878 | 0.06% | |
Majority | 419,233 | 26.90% | ||
Turnout | 1,558,376 | |||
Ind.-Republican gain from Democratic (DFL) |
Mississippi edit
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Democrat James Eastland retired. Republican Thad Cochran won the open seat over Democrat Maurice Dantin, former District Attorney[16] and Independent Charles Evers, Mayor of Fayette.
Evers was the first African American elected since the Reconstruction era to be mayor in any Mississippi city in 1969. He ran as an independent, and as a result his campaign divided the Democrats and allowed Cochran to win the senate seat with a 45 percent plurality.[17] This made him the first Republican in a century to win a statewide election in Mississippi for any office except US President.[18] Eastland resigned on December 27, 1978 to give Cochran a seniority advantage over new incoming senators.[19]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Thad Cochran | 267,302 | 45.3% | |
Democratic | Maurice Dantin | 187,541 | 31.8% | |
Independent | Charles Evers | 133,646 | 22.6% | |
Independent | Henry Jay Kirksey | 1,747 | 0.3% | |
Majority | 79,761 | 13.52% | ||
Turnout | 590,236 | |||
Republican gain from Democratic |
Montana edit
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Following the death of senator Lee Metcalf on January 12, 1978, Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul G. Hatfield was appointed to serve for the remainder of Metcalf's term. Hatfield opted to run for a full term in office, but was overwhelmingly defeated in the Democratic primary by Congressman Max Baucus of the 1st congressional district. Baucus advanced to the general election, where he was opposed by Larry R. Williams, an author and the Republican nominee. Baucus ended up defeating Williams by a solid margin to win his first term in the Senate, and, following Hatfield's resignation on December 12, 1978, he began serving his first term in the Senate.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Max Baucus | 87,085 | 65.25% | |
Democratic | Paul G. Hatfield (Incumbent) | 25,789 | 19.32% | |
Democratic | John Driscoll | 18,184 | 13.62% | |
Democratic | Steve Shugrue | 2,404 | 1.80% | |
Total votes | 133,462 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Larry R. Williams | 35,479 | 61.66% | |
Republican | Bill Osborne | 16,436 | 28.57% | |
Republican | Clancy Rich | 5,622 | 9.77% | |
Total votes | 57,537 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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Democratic | Max Baucus | 160,353 | 55.69% | +3.74% | |
Republican | Larry R. Williams | 127,589 | 44.31% | -3.74% | |
Majority | 32,764 | 11.38% | +7.48% | ||
Turnout | 287,942 | ||||
Democratic hold | Swing |
Nebraska edit
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Republican Carl Curtis retired instead of seeking a fifth term. In the elections, Democratic nominee J. James Exon won the open seat over Republican Donald Eugene Shasteen.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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Democratic | J. James Exon | 334,096 | 67.66% | +20.82% | |
Republican | Donald Eugene Shasteen | 159,708 | 32.34% | -20.82% | |
Majority | 174,390 | 35.32% | +28.99% | ||
Turnout | 493,802 | ||||
Democratic gain from Republican | Swing |
New Hampshire edit
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Incumbent Democrat Thomas J. McIntyre decided to run for re-election to a fourth term, but was defeated by Gordon J. Humphrey, the Republican nominee also a professional pilot and conservative activist.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Gordon J. Humphrey | 133,745 | 50.71% | |
Democratic | Thomas J. McIntyre (Incumbent) | 127,945 | 48.51% | |
Libertarian | Craig Franklin | 2,070 | 0.78% | |
Majority | 5,800 | 2.20% | ||
Turnout | 263,760 | |||
Republican gain from Democratic |
New Jersey edit
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County Results Bradley: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Bell: 40-50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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Republican Clifford P. Case narrowly lost renomination to anti-tax conservative Jeff Bell, but the Democratic nominee, former professional basketball player Bill Bradley, easily won the general election.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Bill Bradley | 217,502 | 58.90% | |
Democratic | Richard Leone | 97,667 | 26.45% | |
Democratic | Alexander J. Menza | 32,386 | 8.77% | |
Democratic | Kenneth C. McCarthy | 9,524 | 2.58% | |
Democratic | Wesley K. Bell | 8,800 | 2.38% | |
Democratic | Ray Rollinson | 3,374 | 0.91% | |
Total votes | 369,253 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jeff Bell | 118,555 | 50.74% | |
Republican | Clifford P. Case (incumbent) | 115,082 | 49.26% | |
Total votes | 233,637 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Bill Bradley | 1,082,960 | 55.32% | |
Republican | Jeff Bell | 844,200 | 43.13% | |
Independent | Herbert H. Shaw | 4,736 | 0.24% | |
Independent | Bill Gahres | 3,817 | 0.19% | |
Independent | Jack Moyers | 3,809 | 0.19% | |
U.S. Labor | Robert Bowen | 3,656 | 0.19% | |
Independent | J. M. Carter Jr. | 3,618 | 0.18% | |
Independent | Jasper C. Gould | 2,955 | 0.15% | |
Independent | William R. Thorn | 2,776 | 0.14% | |
Independent | Paul Ferguson | 2,604 | 0.13% | |
Independent | Alice Conner | 2,384 | 0.12% | |
Majority | 238,760 | 12.19% | ||
Turnout | 1,957,515 | |||
Democratic gain from Republican |
New Mexico edit
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Republican senator Pete Domenici successfully ran for re-election to a second term, defeating Democrat Toney Anaya, Attorney General of New Mexico.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Pete Domenici (Incumbent) | 183,442 | 53.41% | |
Democratic | Toney Anaya | 160,045 | 46.59% | |
Majority | 23,397 | 6.81% | ||
Total votes | 343,487 | 100.00% | ||
Republican hold |
North Carolina edit
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The general election was fought between the Republican Incumbent Jesse Helms and Democrat John Ingram. Helms won re-election, by a slightly wider margin than in 1972.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Luther H. Hodges Jr. | 260,868 | 40.08% | |
Democratic | John Ingram | 170,715 | 26.23% | |
Democratic | Lawrence Davis | 105,381 | 16.19% | |
Democratic | McNeill Smith | 82,703 | 12.71% | |
Democratic | Dave McKnight | 9,422 | 1.45% | |
Democratic | William Griffin | 8,907 | 1.37% | |
Democratic | Tom Sawyer | 8,482 | 1.30% | |
Turnout | 650,942 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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Democratic | John Ingram | 244,469 | 54.24% | +28.01% | |
Democratic | Luther H. Hodges Jr. | 206,223 | 45.76% | +5.68% | |
Turnout | 450,692 |
Jesse Helms won the Republican Party's nomination unopposed.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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Republican | Jesse Helms (Incumbent) | 619,151 | 54.51% | +0.50% | |
Democratic | John Ingram | 516,663 | 45.49% | -0.50% | |
Turnout | 1,135,814 |
Oklahoma edit
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Republican Dewey F. Bartlett retired instead of seeking a second term due to his declining health. In the elections, Democratic nominee David Boren won the open seat over Republican Robert B. Kamm.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | David Boren | 493,953 | 65.49% | |
Republican | Robert B. Kamm | 247,857 | 32.86% | |
Independent | Glenn E. Hager | 3,875 | 0.51% | |
Independent | Riley Donica | 3,355 | 0.44% | |
Independent | Paul Edward Trent | 3,015 | 0.40% | |
Independent | Richard King Carter | 2,209 | 0.29% | |
Majority | 246,096 | 32.63% | ||
Turnout | 754,264 | |||
Democratic gain from Republican |
Bartlett died 2 months after leaving the U.S. Senate
Oregon edit
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Republican senator Mark Hatfield successfully ran for re-election to a third term, defeating Democrat Vernon Cook, State Legislator and candidate for U.S. Representative in 1970 and 1974.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Mark Hatfield (Incumbent) | 550,165 | 61.64% | |
Democratic | Vernon Cook | 341,616 | 38.28% | |
Independent | Write-Ins | 737 | 0.08% | |
Majority | 208,549 | 23.36% | ||
Turnout | 892,518 | |||
Republican hold |
Rhode Island edit
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County results | |||||||||||||||||
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Democrat Claiborne Pell successfully sought re-election, defeating Republican James G. Reynolds.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Claiborne Pell (Incumbent) | 69,729 | 87.01% | |
Democratic | Raymond J. Greiner | 6,076 | 7.58% | |
Democratic | Francis P. Kelley | 4,330 | 5.41% | |
Majority | 63,653 | 79.43% | ||
Total votes | 80,135 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Claiborne Pell (Incumbent) | 229,557 | 75.11% | |
Republican | James G. Reynolds | 76,061 | 24.89% | |
Majority | 153,496 | 50.22% | ||
Total votes | 305,618 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic hold |
South Carolina edit
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Popular incumbent Republican Strom Thurmond defeated Democratic challenger Charles D. Ravenel.
The South Carolina Democratic Party held their primary for governor on June 13, 1978. Charles D. Ravenel, an unsuccessful candidate in the 1974 gubernatorial contest, originally planned to run for governor again in 1978, but was convinced by Vice President Walter Mondale in 1977 to run for senator. He garnered over 50% of the vote in the primary and avoided a runoff election.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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Democratic | Charles D. Ravenel | 205,348 | 55.9% | ||
Democratic | John Bolt Culbertson | 69,184 | 18.9% | ||
Democratic | Tom Triplett | 50,957 | 13.9% | ||
Democratic | Tom McElveen | 41,550 | 11.3% |
Senator Strom Thurmond faced no opposition from South Carolina Republicans and avoided a primary election.
Thurmond generally ignored Ravenel on the campaign and refused to debate him. When they did cross paths, Thurmond criticized Ravenel for never having held a political office. Ravenel did not help his cause by his actions in the 1974 gubernatorial race when he refused to endorse the Democratic nominee after he had been disqualified. This irritated many Democrats and they also accused him of being nothing more than a liberal New Yorker. Age was beginning to become an issue with Thurmond, so to combat perceptions of old age, Thurmond often appeared with his children on the campaign trail. While 1978 was generally a Democratic year, Thurmond was able to pull off a commanding victory over Ravenel.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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Republican | Strom Thurmond (Incumbent) | 351,733 | 55.6% | -7.9% | |
Democratic | Charles D. Ravenel | 281,119 | 44.4% | +7.9% | |
No party | Write-Ins | 257 | 0.0% | 0.0% | |
Majority | 70,614 | 11.2% | -15.8% | ||
Turnout | 633,109 | 57.7% | -7.5% | ||
Republican hold | Swing |
South Dakota edit
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Incumbent Democrat James Abourezk retired instead of seeking a second term. In the elections, Republican Congressman Larry Pressler won the open seat over Democratic former Mayor of Rapid City Don Barnett, thus becoming the first Vietnam veteran to serve in the Senate
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Larry Pressler | 170,832 | 66.84% | |
Democratic | Don Barnett | 84,767 | 33.16% | |
Majority | 86,065 | 33.68% | ||
Turnout | 255,599 | |||
Republican gain from Democratic |
Tennessee edit
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Two-term popular incumbent Howard Baker, who had served as United States Senate Minority Leader since 1977, ran for reelection against first-time candidate and Democratic Party activist Jane Eskind.
In the August 3 Democratic primary Eskind won in an open primary against eight other candidates:[27]
- Eskind - 196,156 (34.52%)
- Bruce - 170,795 (30.06%)
- Lee - 89,939 (15.83%)
- Boyd - 48,458 (8.53%)
- Bradley - 22,130 (3.90%)
- Heinsohn - 17,787 (3.13%)
- Foster - 10,671 (1.88%)
- Nyabongo - 7,682 (1.35%)
- Vick - 4,414 (0.78%)
- Write-in - 147 (0.03%)
In the Republican primary, also held August 3, Baker easily emerged as the winner:[28]
- Baker - 205,680 (83.44%)
- Howard - 21,154 (8.58%)
- Boles - 8,899 (3.61%)
- Patty - 3,941 (1.60%)
- Seiler - 3,831 (1.55%)
- Trapp - 2,994 (1.22%)
Baker won with a 15-point margin in the general election, held on November 7:[29]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Howard Baker (Incumbent) | 642,644 | 55.54% | |
Democratic | Jane Eskind | 466,228 | 40.29% | |
Independent | Thomas J. Anderson | 45,908 | 3.97% | |
Independent | Fern L. Keasler | 2,243 | 0.19% | |
None | Write-Ins | 71 | 0.01% | |
Majority | 176,416 | 15.25% | ||
1978, united, states, senate, elections, were, held, november, middle, democratic, president, jimmy, carter, term, seats, class, were, contested, regular, elections, special, elections, were, also, held, fill, vacancies, 1976, november, 1978, 1980, seats, unit. The 1978 United States Senate elections were held on November 7 in the middle of Democratic President Jimmy Carter s term The 33 seats of Class 2 were contested in regular elections Special elections were also held to fill vacancies 1978 United States Senate elections 1976 November 7 1978 1980 35 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate51 seats needed for a majority Majority party Minority party Leader Robert Byrd Howard BakerParty Democratic RepublicanLeader since January 3 1977 January 3 1977Leader s seat West Virginia TennesseeSeats before 61 38Seats after 58 41Seat change 3 3Popular vote 15 302 929 1 14 794 225 1 Percentage 49 9 48 2 Seats up 18 17Races won 15 20 Third party Party IndependentSeats before 1Seats after 1 a Seat changeSeats up 0Races won 0Results of the elections Democratic gain Republican gain Democratic hold Republican hold No election Rectangular inset Ala amp Minn both seats up for electionMajority Leader before electionRobert ByrdDemocratic Elected Majority Leader Robert ByrdDemocraticThirteen seats changed hands between parties resulting in a net gain of three seats for the Republicans allowing them to break the Democrats filibuster proof majority Democrats nevertheless retained a 58 41 majority 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 After the elections 4 Race summary 4 1 Special elections during the 95th Congress 4 2 Elections leading to the next Congress 5 Closest races 6 Alabama 6 1 Alabama regular 6 2 Alabama special 7 Alaska 8 Arkansas 9 Colorado 10 Delaware 11 Georgia 12 Idaho 13 Illinois 14 Iowa 15 Kansas 16 Kentucky 17 Louisiana 18 Maine 19 Massachusetts 20 Michigan 21 Minnesota 21 1 Minnesota regular 21 2 Minnesota special 22 Mississippi 23 Montana 24 Nebraska 25 New Hampshire 26 New Jersey 27 New Mexico 28 North Carolina 29 Oklahoma 30 Oregon 31 Rhode Island 32 South Carolina 33 South Dakota 34 Tennessee 35 Texas 36 Virginia 37 West Virginia 38 Wyoming 39 See also 40 Notes 41 ReferencesResults summary edit 58 1 41Democratic I RepublicanParties TotalDemocratic Republican Independent OtherLast elections 1976 Before these elections 61 38 1 0 100Not up 43 21 1 0 65Up 18 17 0 35Class 2 1972 1978 16 17 33Special Class 1 1 1Special Class 3 1 1Incumbent retired 5 b 5 10Held by same party 2 3 5Replaced by other party nbsp 2 Republicans replaced by nbsp 2 Democrats nbsp 3 Democrats replaced by nbsp 3 Republicans 5Result 4 6 10Incumbent ran 13 b c d 12 e 25Won re election 6 9 15Lost re election nbsp 2 Republicans replaced by nbsp 2 Democrats nbsp 5 Democrats replaced by nbsp 5 Republicans 7Lost renomination but held by same party 2 0 2Lost renomination and party lost nbsp 1 Republican replaced by nbsp 1 Democrat 1Result 11 14 0 0 25Total elected 15 20 0 0 35Net gain loss nbsp 3 nbsp 3 nbsp nbsp 3Nationwide vote 15 302 929 14 794 225 299 624 278 078 30 674 856Share 49 89 48 23 0 98 0 91 100 Result 58 41 1 0 100Source Clerk of the United States House of Representatives 1 Gains losses and holds editRetirements edit Five Republicans and three Democrats retired instead of seeking re election One Democrat retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term and one Democrat retired instead of seeking election to a full term State Senator Replaced byAlabama regular John Sparkman Howell HeflinArkansas Kaneaster Hodges Jr David PryorKansas James B Pearson Nancy KassebaumMinnesota special Muriel Humphrey David DurenbergerMississippi James Eastland Thad CochranNebraska Carl Curtis J James ExonOklahoma Dewey F Bartlett David BorenSouth Dakota James Abourezk Larry PresslerVirginia William L Scott John WarnerWyoming Clifford Hansen Alan SimpsonDefeats edit Three Republicans and four Democrats sought re election but lost in the primary or general election One Democrat sought election to a full term but lost in the general election one Democrat sought election to a full term but lost in the primary and one Democrat sought election to finish the unexpired term but lost in the primary State Senator Replaced byAlabama special Maryon Pittman Allen Donald StewartColorado Floyd Haskell William L ArmstrongIowa Dick Clark Roger JepsenMaine William Hathaway William CohenMassachusetts Edward Brooke Paul TsongasMichigan Robert P Griffin Carl LevinMinnesota regular Wendell R Anderson Rudy BoschwitzMontana Paul G Hatfield Max BaucusNew Hampshire Thomas J McIntyre Gordon J HumphreyNew Jersey Clifford P Case Bill BradleyPost election changes edit One Democrat resigned on May 7 1980 and was later replaced by Democratic appointee State Senator Replaced byMaine Class 1 Edmund Muskie George J MitchellChange 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 D31D41 D42 D43 D44Ala reg Ran D45Ala sp Ran D46Ark Retired D47Colo Ran D48Del Ran D49Ga Ran D50Iowa RanMajority D51Ky RanD60S D Retired D59R I Ran D58N H Ran D57Mont Ran D56Miss Retired D55Minn sp Retired D54Minn reg Ran D53Maine Ran D52La RanD61W Va Ran I1 R38Wyo Retired R37Va Retired R36Texas Ran R35Tenn Ran R34S C Ran R33Ore Ran R32Okla Retired R31N C RanR21 R22Alaska Ran R23Idaho Ran R24Ill Ran R25Kan Retired R26Mass Ran R27Mich Ran R28Neb Retired R29N J Ran R30N M RanR20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10After 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 D31D41 D42 D43 D44Ala reg Re elected D45Ala sp Hold D46Ark Hold D47Del Re elected D48Ga Re elected D49Ky Re elected D50La Re electedMajority D51Mont HoldR41S D Gain I1 D58Okla Gain D57N J Gain D56Neb Gain D55Mich Gain D54Mass Gain D53W Va Re elected D52R I Re electedR40N H Gain R39Miss Gain R38Minn sp Gain R37Minn reg Gain f R36Maine Gain R35Iowa Gain R34Colo Gain R33Wyo Hold R32Va Hold R31Texas Re electedR21 R22Alaska Re elected R23Idaho Re elected R24Ill Re elected R25Kan Hold R26N M Re elected R27N C Re elected R28Ore Re elected R29S C Re elected R30Tenn Re electedR20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10Key D DemocraticR RepublicanI IndependentRace summary editSpecial elections during the 95th Congress edit In these special elections the winner was seated during 1978 or before January 3 1979 ordered by election date then state State linked tosummaries below Incumbent Results CandidatesSenator Party Electoral historyAlabama Class 3 Maryon Pittman Allen Democratic 1978 Appointed Interim appointee lost nomination New senator elected Democratic hold nbsp Y Donald Stewart Democratic 55 1 James D Martin Republican 43 3 Michael R A Erdey Libertarian 0 8 A J Killingsworth Prohibition 0 8 Minnesota Class 1 Muriel Humphrey DFL 1978 Appointed Interim appointee retired New senator elected Republican gain nbsp Y David Durenberger Republican 61 4 Bob Short DFL 34 6 Paul Helm American 2 9 Christine Frank Socialist 0 7 Frederick Hewitt Libertarian 0 3 Elections leading to the next Congress edit In these general elections the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3 1979 ordered by state All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats State linked tosummaries below Incumbent Results CandidatesSenator Party Electoral historyAlabama John Sparkman Democratic 1946 special 19481954196019661972 Incumbent retired New senator elected Democratic hold nbsp Y Howell Heflin Democratic 94 0 Jerome B Couch Prohibition 6 0 Alaska Ted Stevens Republican 1968 Appointed 19701972 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Ted Stevens Republican 75 6 Donald W Hobbs Democratic 24 1 Arkansas Kaneaster Hodges Jr Democratic 1977 Appointed Interim appointee retired New senator elected Democratic hold nbsp Y David Pryor Democratic 76 5 Tom Kelly Republican 16 3 John J Black Independent 7 2 Colorado Floyd Haskell Democratic 1972 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Republican gain nbsp Y William L Armstrong Republican 58 7 Floyd Haskell Democratic 40 3 Others Vedder V Dorn United States Party 0 7 John Shue National Statesman 0 3 Delaware Joe Biden Democratic 1972 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Joe Biden Democratic 58 0 James H Baxter Republican 41 0 Donald G Gies American 1 0 Georgia Sam Nunn Democratic 1972 special 1972 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Sam Nunn Democratic 83 1 John W Stokes Republican 16 9 Idaho James A McClure Republican 1972 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y James A McClure Republican 68 4 Dwight Jensen Democratic 31 6 Illinois Charles H Percy Republican 19661972 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Charles H Percy Republican 53 3 Alex Seith Democratic 45 5 Others William R Roy Libertarian 0 5 Patricia Grogan Socialist Workers 0 5 Gerald Rose Socialist Labor 0 2 Iowa Dick Clark Democratic 1972 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Republican gain nbsp Y Roger Jepsen Republican 51 1 Dick Clark Democratic 47 9 Others Gerald Leo Baker Independent 0 5 Ben L Olson Libertarian 0 4 Kansas James B Pearson Republican 1962 Appointed 1962 special 19661972 Incumbent retired New senator elected Republican hold Incumbent resigned December 23 1978 to give successor preferential seniority Successor appointed December 23 1978 to finish the term nbsp Y Nancy Kassebaum Republican 53 9 William R Roy Democratic 42 4 James R Maher Conservative 3 0 Russell Mikels Prohibition 0 7 Kentucky Walter Dee Huddleston Democratic 1972 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Walter Dee Huddleston Democratic 61 0 Louie R Guenthner Jr Republican 36 9 Anthony A McCord American 2 1 Louisiana J Bennett Johnston Democratic 1972 Appointed 1972 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y J Bennett Johnston Democratic 59 4 Woody Jenkins Democratic 40 6 Maine William Hathaway Democratic 1972 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Republican gain nbsp Y William Cohen Republican 56 6 William Hathaway Democratic 33 9 Hayes E Gahagan Independent 7 4 John J Jannace Independent 1 5 Plato Truman Independent 0 6 Massachusetts Edward Brooke Republican 19661972 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y Paul Tsongas Democratic 55 1 Edward Brooke Republican 44 9 Michigan Robert P Griffin Republican 1966 Appointed 19661972 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y Carl Levin Democratic 52 1 Robert P Griffin Republican 47 9 Minnesota Wendell R Anderson DFL 1976 Appointed Interim appointee lost election New senator elected Republican gain Incumbent resigned December 29 1978 to give successor preferential seniority Successor appointed December 30 1978 to finish the term nbsp Y Rudy Boschwitz Republican 56 6 Wendell R Anderson DFL 40 4 Sal Carlone American 1 5 Others William Peterson Socialist Workers 0 6 Brian Coyle Public Interest Independent 0 5 Jean T Brust Workers 0 2 Leonard Richards Libertarian 0 2 Mississippi James Eastland Democratic 194219481954196019661972 Incumbent retired New senator elected Republican gain Incumbent resigned December 27 1978 to give successor preferential seniority Successor appointed December 27 1978 to finish the term nbsp Y Thad Cochran Republican 45 3 Maurice Dantin Democratic 31 8 Charles Evers Independent 22 6 Henry Kirksey Independent 0 3 Montana Paul G Hatfield Democratic 1978 Appointed Interim appointee lost nomination New senator elected Democratic hold Incumbent resigned December 12 1978 to give successor preferential seniority Successor appointed December 15 1978 to finish the term nbsp Y Max Baucus Democratic 55 7 Larry Williams Republican 44 3 Nebraska Carl Curtis Republican 1954196019661972 Incumbent retired New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y J James Exon Democratic 67 6 Donald Shasteen Republican 32 3 New Hampshire Thomas J McIntyre Democratic 1962 special 19661972 Incumbent lost re election New senator elected Republican gain nbsp Y Gordon J Humphrey Republican 50 7 Thomas J McIntyre Democratic 48 5 Craig Franklin Libertarian 0 8 New Jersey Clifford P Case Republican 1954196019661972 Incumbent lost renomination New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y Bill Bradley Democratic 55 3 Jeffrey Bell Republican 43 1 Others Herbert Harry Shaw Independent 0 2 Bill Gahres Independent 0 2 Jack Moyers Independent 0 2 Robert Bowen Labor 0 2 J M Carter Jr Independent 0 2 Jasper C Gould Independent 0 2 William R Thorn Independent 0 1 Paul Ferguson Independent 0 1 Alice Conner Independent 0 1 New Mexico Pete Domenici Republican 1972 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Pete Domenici Republican 53 4 Toney Anaya Democratic 46 6 North Carolina Jesse Helms Republican 1972 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Jesse Helms Republican 54 5 John Ingram Democratic 45 5 Oklahoma Dewey F Bartlett Republican 1972 Incumbent retired New senator elected Democratic gain nbsp Y David Boren Democratic 65 5 Robert B Kamm Republican 32 9 Others Glenn E Hager Independent 0 5 Riley Donica Independent 0 4 Paul Edward Trent Independent 0 4 Richard King Carter Independent 0 3 Oregon Mark Hatfield Republican 19661972 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Mark Hatfield Republican 61 6 Vernon Cook Democratic 38 3 Rhode Island Claiborne Pell Democratic 196019661972 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Claiborne Pell Democratic 75 1 James G Reynolds Republican 24 9 South Carolina Strom Thurmond Republican 1954 write in g 1954 Appointed 1956 Resigned 1956 special 196019661972 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Strom Thurmond Republican 55 6 Charles D Ravenel Democratic 44 4 South Dakota James Abourezk Democratic 1972 Incumbent retired New senator elected Republican gain nbsp Y Larry Pressler Republican 66 8 Don Barnett Democratic 33 2 Tennessee Howard Baker Republican 19661972 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Howard Baker Republican 55 5 Jane Eskind Democratic 40 3 Thomas Anderson Independent 4 0 Fern Lucius Keasler Independent 0 2 Texas John Tower Republican 1961 special 19661972 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y John Tower Republican 49 8 Bob Krueger Democratic 49 3 Luis A Diaz de Leon Raza Unida 0 8 Miguel Pendas Socialist Workers 0 2 Virginia William L Scott Republican 1972 Incumbent retired New senator elected Republican hold Incumbent resigned January 1 1979 to give successor preferential seniority Successor appointed January 2 1979 to finish the term nbsp Y John Warner Republican 50 2 Andrew P Miller Democratic 49 8 West Virginia Jennings Randolph Democratic 1958 special 196019661972 Incumbent re elected nbsp Y Jennings Randolph Democratic 50 5 Arch A Moore Jr Republican 49 5 Wyoming Clifford Hansen Republican 19661972 Incumbent retired New senator elected Republican hold Incumbent resigned December 31 1978 to give successor preferential seniority Successor appointed January 1 1979 to finish the term nbsp Y Alan Simpson Republican 62 2 Raymond B Whitaker Democratic 37 8 Closest races editNine races had a margin of victory under 10 State Party of winner MarginVirginia Republican 0 38 Texas Republican 0 53 West Virginia Democratic 0 96 New Hampshire Republican flip 2 20 Iowa Republican flip 3 21 Michigan Democratic flip 4 29 New Mexico Republican 6 82 Illinois Republican 7 87 North Carolina Republican 9 02 Oklahoma was the tipping point state with a margin of 32 6 Alabama editSee also List of United States senators from Alabama and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama There were two elections in Alabama due to the death of senator Jim Allen Alabama regular edit Alabama general election nbsp 19721984 nbsp Nominee Howell Heflin Jerome B CouchParty Democratic ProhibitionPopular vote 547 054 34 951Percentage 94 6 U S senator before electionJohn SparkmanDemocratic Elected U S Senator Howell HeflinDemocraticMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Alabama Democrat John Sparkman retired and was succeeded by Howell Heflin the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama Heflin the Democratic candidate faced no Republican opponent in the general election defeating Prohibition Party nominee Jerome B Couch General election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Howell Heflin 547 054 93 99 Prohibition Jerome B Couch 34 951 6 01 Majority 512 103 87 98 Turnout 582 005Democratic hold Alabama special edit Alabama special election nbsp 19741980 nbsp nbsp Nominee Donald W Stewart James D MartinParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 401 852 316 170Percentage 55 1 43 3 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionMaryon Pittman AllenDemocratic Elected U S Senator Donald W StewartDemocraticMain article 1978 United States Senate special election in Alabama Following the death of senator Jim Allen his widow Maryon was appointed by governor George Wallace to fill the vacancy until a special election could be held In this election Democratic state senator Donald W Stewart defeated former Republican Congressman James D Martin to serve the remaining two years of the term General election 2 3 4 5 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Donald W Stewart 401 852 54 93 Republican James D Martin 316 170 43 22 Libertarian Michael R A Erdey 6 006 0 82 Prohibition A J Killingsworth 5 814 0 80 Peace and Freedom Joseph T Robino 1 768 0 24 Majority 85 682 11 74 Turnout 731 610Democratic holdAlaska editAlaska election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Ted Stevens Donald HobbsParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 92 783 29 574Percentage 75 59 24 10 U S senator before electionTed StevensRepublican Elected U S Senator Ted StevensRepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Alaska See also List of United States senators from Alaska and 1978 United States House of Representatives election in Alaska Republican Ted Stevens won reelection to a second full his third total term defeating Democrat Donald Hobbs 1978 United States Senate election in Alaska 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Ted Stevens Incumbent 92 783 75 59 Democratic Donald Hobbs 29 574 24 09 Write ins Write ins 384 0 31 Majority 63 209 51 50 Turnout 122 741Republican hold SwingArkansas editArkansas election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp nbsp Nominee David Pryor Thomas Kelly Jr John G BlackParty Democratic Republican IndependentPopular vote 399 916 84 722 37 488Percentage 76 58 16 22 7 18 U S senator before electionKaneaster Hodges Jr Democratic Elected U S Senator David H PryorDemocraticMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Arkansas See also List of United States senators from Arkansas and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Arkansas Following the death of senator John L McClellan then Kaneaster Hodges Jr was appointed by governor David Pryor to fill the vacancy until a special election could be held In this election Democratic state governor David Pryor defeated former Republican challenger Thomas Kelly Jr to serve the six year term 1978 United States Senate election in Arkansas 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic David Pryor 395 506 76 48 Republican Tom Kelly 84 308 16 30 Independent John G Black 37 211 7 20 None Write ins 113 0 02 Majority 311 198 60 18 Turnout 517 138Democratic holdColorado editColorado election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee William L Armstrong Floyd HaskellParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 480 801 330 148Percentage 58 69 40 30 U S senator before electionFloyd HaskellDemocratic Elected U S Senator William L ArmstrongRepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Colorado See also List of United States senators from Colorado and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado Democrat Floyd Haskell decided to run for re election to a second term but was defeated by William L Armstrong the Republican nominee and the U S Representative 1978 United States Senate election in Colorado 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican William L Armstrong 480 801 58 69 Democratic Floyd Haskell Incumbent 330 148 40 30 United States Party Vedder V Dorn 5 789 0 71 National Statesman John Shue 2 518 0 31 Majority 150 653 18 39 Turnout 819 256Republican gain from DemocraticDelaware editDelaware election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Joe Biden James H Baxter Jr Party Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 93 930 66 479Percentage 57 96 41 02 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionJoe BidenDemocratic Elected U S Senator Joe BidenDemocraticMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Delaware See also List of United States senators from Delaware and 1978 United States House of Representatives election in Delaware Democratic United States senator Joe Biden won re election to a second term defeating Republican challenger James H Baxter Jr the Delaware Secretary of Agriculture 6 General election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Joe Biden Incumbent 93 930 57 96 7 48 Republican James H Baxter Jr 66 479 41 02 8 08 American Donald G Gies 1 663 1 02 0 68 Majority 27 451 16 94 15 56 Turnout 162 072Democratic hold SwingGeorgia editGeorgia election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Sam Nunn John W StokesParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 536 320 108 808Percentage 83 1 16 9 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionSam NunnDemocratic Elected U S Senator Sam NunnDemocraticMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Georgia See also List of United States senators from Georgia and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia Democrat Sam Nunn won re election to a second term 7 General election 8 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Sam Nunn incumbent 536 320 83 13 29 17 Republican John W Stokes 108 808 16 87 29 14 Majority 427 512 66 27 58 32 Turnout 645 128Democratic hold SwingIdaho editIdaho election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee James A McClure Dwight JensenParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 194 412 89 635Percentage 68 44 31 56 U S senator before electionJames A McClureRepublican Elected U S Senator James A McClureRepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Idaho See also List of United States senators from Idaho and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Idaho Republican James A McClure was elected to a second term in office 1978 United States Senate election in Idaho 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican James A McClure Incumbent 194 412 68 44 Democratic Dwight Jensen 89 635 31 56 Majority 104 777 36 88 Turnout 284 047Republican hold SwingIllinois editIllinois election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Charles Percy Alex SeithParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 1 698 711 1 448 187Percentage 53 34 45 47 U S senator before electionCharles H PercyRepublican Elected U S Senator Charles H PercyRepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Illinois See also List of United States senators from Illinois and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois Republican Charles H Percy ran for re election to a third term in the United States Senate Percy was opposed by Democratic nominee Alex Seith D attorney and former member of the Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals Though Percy had been expected to coast to re election over Seith a first time candidate the election quickly became competitive In the last few days of the campaign a desperate Percy ran a television advertisement that featured him apologizing and acknowledging that I got your message and you re right 9 Percy s last ditch effort appeared to have paid off as he was able to edge out Seith to win what would end up being his third and final term in the Senate 1978 United States Senate election in Illinois 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Charles H Percy Incumbent 1 698 711 53 34 8 88 Democratic Alex Seith 1 448 187 45 47 8 13 Libertarian Bruce Lee Green 16 320 0 51 Socialist Workers Patricia Grogan 15 922 0 50 Socialist Labor Gerald Rose 5 465 0 18 Write ins 159 0 00 Majority 250 524 7 87 17 00 Turnout 3 184 764Republican hold SwingIowa editIowa election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Roger Jepsen Dick ClarkParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 421 598 395 066Percentage 51 12 47 91 U S senator before electionDick ClarkDemocratic Elected U S Senator Roger JepsenRepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Iowa See also List of United States senators from Iowa Democrat Dick Clark decided to run for re election to a second term but was defeated by Roger Jepsen the Republican nominee and former Lieutenant Governor of Iowa 1978 United States Senate election in Iowa 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Roger Jepsen 421 598 51 13 Democratic Dick Clark Incumbent 395 066 47 91 Independent Gerald Leo Baker 4 223 0 51 Libertarian Ben L Olson 3 689 0 45 Majority 26 532 3 22 Turnout 824 576Republican gain from DemocraticKansas editKansas election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Nancy Kassebaum Bill RoyParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 403 354 317 602Percentage 53 86 42 41 U S senator before electionJames B PearsonRepublican Elected U S Senator Nancy KassebaumRepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Kansas See also List of United States senators from Kansas Republican James B Pearson retired and was succeeded by Nancy Kassebaum the daughter of Alf Landon defeating Democratic nominee William R Roy the former U S Representative Roy also lost to Bob Dole in the 1974 election for Kansas other Senate seat 1978 United States Senate election in Kansas 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Nancy Kassebaum 403 354 53 86 Democratic William R Roy 317 602 42 41 Conservative James R Maher 22 497 3 00 Prohibition Russell Mikels 5 386 0 72 Majority 85 752 11 45 Turnout 748 839Republican holdKentucky editKentucky election nbsp 19721984 nbsp Nominee Walter Huddleston Louie R Guenthner Jr Party Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 290 730 175 766Percentage 60 98 36 87 U S senator before electionWalter HuddlestonDemocratic Elected U S Senator Walter HuddlestonDemocraticMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Kentucky See also List of United States senators from Kentucky and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky Democrat Walter Huddleston was re elected to a second term General election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Walter Huddleston Incumbent 290 730 60 98 Republican Louie R Guenthner Jr 175 766 36 86 American Anthony Albert McCord 10 244 2 15 None Write Ins 32 0 01 Majority 114 964 24 12Turnout 476 783Democratic holdLouisiana editLouisiana election nbsp 19721984 nbsp Nominee J Bennett JohnstonParty DemocraticU S senator before electionJ Bennett JohnstonDemocratic Elected U S Senator J Bennett JohnstonDemocraticMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Louisiana See also List of United States senators from Louisiana and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Louisiana Democrat J Bennett Johnston won re election to unopposed and his second term 1978 United States Senate election in Louisiana 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic J Bennett Johnston Incumbent UnopposedDemocratic holdMaine editMaine election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee William Cohen William HathawayParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 212 294 127 327Percentage 56 59 33 94 nbsp Nominee Hayes GahaganParty IndependentPopular vote 27 824Percentage 7 42 U S senator before electionWilliam HathawayDemocratic Elected U S Senator William CohenRepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Maine See also List of United States senators from Maine and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine Democrat William Hathaway decided to run for re election to a second term but was defeated by William Cohen the Republican nominee and the United States Congressman from Maine s 2nd congressional district and Hayes Gahagan former Maine State Senator 1978 United States Senate election in Maine 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican William Cohen 212 294 56 59 9 83 Democratic William Hathaway Incumbent 127 327 33 94 19 29 Independent Hayes E Gahagan 27 824 7 42 Independent John J Jannace 5 553 1 48 Independent Plato Truman 2 116 0 56 Majority 84 967 22 65 16 19 Turnout 375 114Republican gain from Democratic SwingMassachusetts editMassachusetts election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Paul Tsongas Edward BrookeParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 1 093 283 890 584Percentage 55 06 44 85 nbsp Results by town Red indicates towns carried by Edward Brooke blue indicates towns carried by Paul Tsongas U S senator before electionEdward BrookeRepublican Elected U S Senator Paul TsongasDemocraticMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Massachusetts See also List of United States senators from Massachusetts and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Massachusetts Republican Edward Brooke was defeated by Democratic Congressman Paul E Tsongas Republican primary 10 Party Candidate Votes Republican Edward Brooke Incumbent 146 351 53 25 Republican Avi Nelson 128 388 46 72 All others 78 0 03 Democratic primary 11 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Paul Tsongas 296 915 35 55 Democratic Paul Guzzi 258 960 31 01 Democratic Kathleen Sullivan Alioto 161 036 19 28 Democratic Howard Phillips 65 397 7 83 Democratic Elaine Noble 52 464 6 28 All others 379 0 05 General election Party Candidate Votes Democratic Paul E Tsongas 1 093 283 55 06 Republican Edward Brooke Incumbent 890 584 44 85 All others 1 833 0 09 Total votes 1 985 700 68 01 Majority 202 699 10 21 Democratic gain from RepublicanMichigan editMichigan election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Carl Levin Robert P GriffinParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 1 484 193 1 362 165Percentage 52 1 47 9 U S senator before electionRobert P GriffinRepublican Elected U S Senator Carl LevinDemocraticMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Michigan See also List of United States senators from Michigan and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan Republican Robert P Griffin ran for re election to a third term but was defeated by the Democratic candidate and former Detroit City Council President Carl Levin General election 12 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Carl Levin 1 484 193 52 1 N ARepublican Robert P Griffin Incumbent 1 362 165 47 8 4 29 Independent Others 272 0 01 52 13 Majority 122 028 4 29 Turnout 2 846 630Democratic gain from Republican SwingMinnesota editSee also List of United States senators from Minnesota and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota There were two elections in Minnesota due to the death of Hubert Humphrey Minnesota regular edit Minnesota general election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Rudy Boschwitz Wendell AndersonParty Ind Republican Democratic DFL Popular vote 894 092 638 375Percentage 56 57 40 39 U S senator before electionWendell AndersonDemocratic DFL Elected U S Senator Rudy BoschwitzInd RepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Minnesota Democrat Wendell Anderson was defeated by Republican challenger businessman Rudy Boschwitz In 1978 all three key statewide races in Minnesota were up for election the Governorship and both Senate Seats the other Senate seat belonged to Hubert Humphrey who died in 1978 But there was a particular oddity to the three races all three had incumbents who were never elected to the office in the first place This became a well played issue by the Republicans a billboard put up across the state read The DFL is going to face something scary an election When Walter Mondale resigned after being elected to the Vice Presidency in 1976 sitting Governor Wendell Anderson resigned in order to be appointed by his successor Rudy Perpich to the open seat This act did not sit well with the electorate Plywood magnate Rudy Boschwitz campaigned as a liberal Republican and spent freely of his own money but all that seemed to really matter was that he was neither a DFLer or Wendell Anderson in an election cycle where both were rejected by the voters The result was not even close the challenger Boschwitz won in a 16 point landslide as all three statewide offices switched into Republican hands Democratic primary election 13 Party Candidate Votes Democratic DFL Wendell Anderson Incumbent 286 209 56 9 Democratic DFL John S Connolly 159 974 31 8 Democratic DFL Daryl W Anderson 23 159 4 6 Democratic DFL Lloyd M Roberts 12 709 2 5 Democratic DFL Dick Bullock 11 485 2 3 Democratic DFL Emil L Moses 9 580 1 9 Republican primary election 13 Party Candidate Votes Ind Republican Rudy Boschwitz 185 393 86 8 Ind Republican Harold Stassen 28 170 13 2 General election 14 Party Candidate Votes Ind Republican Rudy Boschwitz 894 092 56 57 Democratic DFL Wendell Anderson Incumbent 638 375 40 39 American Sal Carlone 23 261 1 47 Socialist Workers William Peterson 9 856 0 62 Independent Brian J Coyle 8 083 0 51 Workers League Jean T Brust 3 891 0 25 Libertarian Leonard J Richards 2 992 0 19 Others Write ins 72 0 01 Majority 255 717 16 18 Turnout 1 580 622Ind Republican gain from Democratic DFL Minnesota special edit Minnesota special election nbsp 19761982 nbsp nbsp Nominee David Durenberger Bob ShortParty Ind Republican Democratic DFL Popular vote 957 908 538 675Percentage 61 47 34 57 U S senator before electionMuriel HumphreyDemocratic DFL Elected U S senator David DurenbergerInd RepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate special election in Minnesota Incumbent Muriel Humphrey retired Democratic candidate Bob Short was defeated by Republican candidate David Durenberger In 1978 all three key statewide races in Minnesota were up for election the Governorship and both Senate Seats the other Senate seat belonged to Wendell Anderson who as Governor of Minnesota appointed himself to fill the seat vacated by Walter Mondale when Mondale ascended to the Vice Presidency in 1976 But there was a particular oddity to the three races all three had incumbents who were never elected to the office in the first place This became a well played issue by the Republicans a billboard put up across the state read The DFL is going to face something scary an election When Hubert H Humphrey died in office in January 1978 sitting Governor Rudy Perpich appointed Humphrey s widow Muriel to sit until a special election could be held later that year However Muriel Humphrey opted not to seek election to the seat in her own right and the DFL nominated former Texas Rangers owner Bob Short to run in the subsequent special election The Independent Republicans on their part nominated the liberal Republican David Durenberger creating an unusual race in which the DFL candidate was positioned to the right of the Independent Republican candidate In addition to the general sense of dissatisfaction voters felt for the DFL the DFL also had to contend with a large number of liberal members of the DFL who were dissatisfied with Short s positions on hot button issues such as abortion motorboat usage in the Boundary Waters Canoe area and government spending crossing party lines to vote for Durenberger As a result Durenberger won in a 26 9 percent landslide as the governorship and both U S Senate seats switched into Republican hands Democratic special primary election 13 Party Candidate Votes Democratic DFL Bob Short 257 289 48 0 Democratic DFL Donald M Fraser 253 818 47 4 Democratic DFL Sharon Anderson 16 094 3 0 Democratic DFL Richard A Palmer 8 425 1 6 Republican special primary election 13 Party Candidate Votes Ind Republican David Durenberger 139 187 67 3 Ind Republican Malcolm Moos 32 314 15 6 Ind Republican Ken Nordstrom 14 635 7 1 Ind Republican Will Lundquist 12 261 5 9 Ind Republican Adell H Campbell 8 523 4 1 Special election 15 Party Candidate Votes Ind Republican David Durenberger 957 908 61 47 Democratic DFL Bob Short 538 675 34 57 American Paul Helm 45 402 2 91 Socialist Workers Christine Frank 11 397 0 73 Libertarian Frederick Hewitt 4 116 0 26 Others Write ins 878 0 06 Majority 419 233 26 90 Turnout 1 558 376Ind Republican gain from Democratic DFL Mississippi editMississippi election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Thad Cochran Maurice DantinParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 267 302 187 541Percentage 45 3 31 8 Nominee Charles EversParty IndependentPopular vote 133 646Percentage 22 6 U S senator before electionJames EastlandDemocratic Elected U S Senator Thad CochranRepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Mississippi See also List of United States senators from Mississippi and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Mississippi Democrat James Eastland retired Republican Thad Cochran won the open seat over Democrat Maurice Dantin former District Attorney 16 and Independent Charles Evers Mayor of Fayette Evers was the first African American elected since the Reconstruction era to be mayor in any Mississippi city in 1969 He ran as an independent and as a result his campaign divided the Democrats and allowed Cochran to win the senate seat with a 45 percent plurality 17 This made him the first Republican in a century to win a statewide election in Mississippi for any office except US President 18 Eastland resigned on December 27 1978 to give Cochran a seniority advantage over new incoming senators 19 Mississippi U S Senate Election 1978 20 Party Candidate Votes Republican Thad Cochran 267 302 45 3 Democratic Maurice Dantin 187 541 31 8 Independent Charles Evers 133 646 22 6 Independent Henry Jay Kirksey 1 747 0 3 Majority 79 761 13 52 Turnout 590 236Republican gain from DemocraticMontana editMontana election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Max Baucus Larry R WilliamsParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 160 353 127 589Percentage 55 69 44 31 U S senator before electionPaul G HatfieldDemocratic Elected U S Senator Max BaucusDemocraticMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Montana See also List of United States senators from Montana and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Montana Following the death of senator Lee Metcalf on January 12 1978 Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul G Hatfield was appointed to serve for the remainder of Metcalf s term Hatfield opted to run for a full term in office but was overwhelmingly defeated in the Democratic primary by Congressman Max Baucus of the 1st congressional district Baucus advanced to the general election where he was opposed by Larry R Williams an author and the Republican nominee Baucus ended up defeating Williams by a solid margin to win his first term in the Senate and following Hatfield s resignation on December 12 1978 he began serving his first term in the Senate Democratic Party primary 21 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Max Baucus 87 085 65 25 Democratic Paul G Hatfield Incumbent 25 789 19 32 Democratic John Driscoll 18 184 13 62 Democratic Steve Shugrue 2 404 1 80 Total votes 133 462 100 00 Republican Primary 21 Party Candidate Votes Republican Larry R Williams 35 479 61 66 Republican Bill Osborne 16 436 28 57 Republican Clancy Rich 5 622 9 77 Total votes 57 537 100 00 1978 United States Senate election in Montana 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Max Baucus 160 353 55 69 3 74 Republican Larry R Williams 127 589 44 31 3 74 Majority 32 764 11 38 7 48 Turnout 287 942Democratic hold SwingNebraska editNebraska election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee J James Exon Donald Eugene ShasteenParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 334 096 159 708Percentage 67 7 32 3 U S senator before electionCarl CurtisRepublican Elected U S Senator J James ExonDemocraticMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Nebraska See also List of United States senators from Nebraska and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska Republican Carl Curtis retired instead of seeking a fifth term In the elections Democratic nominee J James Exon won the open seat over Republican Donald Eugene Shasteen General election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic J James Exon 334 096 67 66 20 82 Republican Donald Eugene Shasteen 159 708 32 34 20 82 Majority 174 390 35 32 28 99 Turnout 493 802Democratic gain from Republican SwingNew Hampshire editNew Hampshire election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Gordon J Humphrey Thomas J McIntyreParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 133 745 127 945Percentage 50 71 48 51 U S senator before electionThomas J McIntyreDemocratic Elected U S Senator Gordon J HumphreyRepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate election in New Hampshire See also List of United States senators from New Hampshire Incumbent Democrat Thomas J McIntyre decided to run for re election to a fourth term but was defeated by Gordon J Humphrey the Republican nominee also a professional pilot and conservative activist 1978 United States Senate election in New Hampshire 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Gordon J Humphrey 133 745 50 71 Democratic Thomas J McIntyre Incumbent 127 945 48 51 Libertarian Craig Franklin 2 070 0 78 Majority 5 800 2 20 Turnout 263 760Republican gain from DemocraticNew Jersey editNew Jersey election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Bill Bradley Jeff BellParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 1 082 960 844 200Percentage 55 32 43 13 nbsp County Results Bradley 50 60 60 70 70 80 Bell 40 50 50 60 U S senator before electionClifford P CaseRepublican Elected U S Senator Bill BradleyDemocraticMain article 1978 United States Senate election in New Jersey See also List of United States senators from New Jersey and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey Republican Clifford P Case narrowly lost renomination to anti tax conservative Jeff Bell but the Democratic nominee former professional basketball player Bill Bradley easily won the general election New Jersey Democratic primary 22 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Bill Bradley 217 502 58 90 Democratic Richard Leone 97 667 26 45 Democratic Alexander J Menza 32 386 8 77 Democratic Kenneth C McCarthy 9 524 2 58 Democratic Wesley K Bell 8 800 2 38 Democratic Ray Rollinson 3 374 0 91 Total votes 369 253 100 00 Republican primary results 22 Party Candidate Votes Republican Jeff Bell 118 555 50 74 Republican Clifford P Case incumbent 115 082 49 26 Total votes 233 637 100 00 New Jersey general election 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Bill Bradley 1 082 960 55 32 Republican Jeff Bell 844 200 43 13 Independent Herbert H Shaw 4 736 0 24 Independent Bill Gahres 3 817 0 19 Independent Jack Moyers 3 809 0 19 U S Labor Robert Bowen 3 656 0 19 Independent J M Carter Jr 3 618 0 18 Independent Jasper C Gould 2 955 0 15 Independent William R Thorn 2 776 0 14 Independent Paul Ferguson 2 604 0 13 Independent Alice Conner 2 384 0 12 Majority 238 760 12 19 Turnout 1 957 515Democratic gain from RepublicanNew Mexico editNew Mexico election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Pete Domenici Toney AnayaParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 183 442 160 045Percentage 53 4 46 6 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionPete DomeniciRepublican Elected U S Senator Pete DomeniciRepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate election in New Mexico See also List of United States senators from New Mexico and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico Republican senator Pete Domenici successfully ran for re election to a second term defeating Democrat Toney Anaya Attorney General of New Mexico General election 23 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Pete Domenici Incumbent 183 442 53 41 Democratic Toney Anaya 160 045 46 59 Majority 23 397 6 81 Total votes 343 487 100 00 Republican holdNorth Carolina editNorth Carolina election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Jesse Helms John IngramParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 619 151 516 663Percentage 54 5 45 5 U S senator before electionJesse HelmsRepublican Elected U S Senator Jesse HelmsRepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate election in North Carolina See also List of United States senators from North Carolina and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina The general election was fought between the Republican Incumbent Jesse Helms and Democrat John Ingram Helms won re election by a slightly wider margin than in 1972 1978 North Carolina U S Senate Democratic primary election First round 24 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Luther H Hodges Jr 260 868 40 08 Democratic John Ingram 170 715 26 23 Democratic Lawrence Davis 105 381 16 19 Democratic McNeill Smith 82 703 12 71 Democratic Dave McKnight 9 422 1 45 Democratic William Griffin 8 907 1 37 Democratic Tom Sawyer 8 482 1 30 Turnout 650 9421978 North Carolina U S Senate Democratic primary election Second round 24 Party Candidate Votes Democratic John Ingram 244 469 54 24 28 01 Democratic Luther H Hodges Jr 206 223 45 76 5 68 Turnout 450 692Jesse Helms won the Republican Party s nomination unopposed 1978 North Carolina U S Senate election 24 Party Candidate Votes Republican Jesse Helms Incumbent 619 151 54 51 0 50 Democratic John Ingram 516 663 45 49 0 50 Turnout 1 135 814Oklahoma editOklahoma election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee David Boren Robert B KammParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 493 953 247 857Percentage 65 49 32 86 U S senator before electionDewey F BartlettRepublican Elected U S Senator David BorenDemocraticMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Oklahoma See also List of United States senators from Oklahoma and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Oklahoma Republican Dewey F Bartlett retired instead of seeking a second term due to his declining health In the elections Democratic nominee David Boren won the open seat over Republican Robert B Kamm 1978 United States Senate election in Oklahoma 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic David Boren 493 953 65 49 Republican Robert B Kamm 247 857 32 86 Independent Glenn E Hager 3 875 0 51 Independent Riley Donica 3 355 0 44 Independent Paul Edward Trent 3 015 0 40 Independent Richard King Carter 2 209 0 29 Majority 246 096 32 63 Turnout 754 264Democratic gain from RepublicanBartlett died 2 months after leaving the U S SenateOregon editOregon election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Mark Hatfield Vernon CookParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 550 615 341 616Percentage 61 66 38 26 U S senator before electionMark HatfieldRepublican Elected U S Senator Mark HatfieldRepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Oregon See also List of United States senators from Oregon Republican senator Mark Hatfield successfully ran for re election to a third term defeating Democrat Vernon Cook State Legislator and candidate for U S Representative in 1970 and 1974 1978 United States Senate election in Oregon 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Mark Hatfield Incumbent 550 165 61 64 Democratic Vernon Cook 341 616 38 28 Independent Write Ins 737 0 08 Majority 208 549 23 36 Turnout 892 518Republican holdRhode Island editRhode Island election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Claiborne Pell James G ReynoldsParty Democratic RepublicanPopular vote 229 557 76 061Percentage 75 1 24 9 nbsp County resultsU S senator before electionClaiborne PellDemocratic Elected U S Senator Claiborne PellDemocraticMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Rhode Island See also List of United States senators from Rhode Island and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Rhode Island Democrat Claiborne Pell successfully sought re election defeating Republican James G Reynolds Democratic primary 25 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Claiborne Pell Incumbent 69 729 87 01 Democratic Raymond J Greiner 6 076 7 58 Democratic Francis P Kelley 4 330 5 41 Majority 63 653 79 43 Total votes 80 135 100 00 General election 26 1 Party Candidate Votes Democratic Claiborne Pell Incumbent 229 557 75 11 Republican James G Reynolds 76 061 24 89 Majority 153 496 50 22 Total votes 305 618 100 00 Democratic holdSouth Carolina editSouth Carolina election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Strom Thurmond Charles D RavenelParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 351 733 281 119Percentage 55 6 44 4 U S senator before electionStrom ThurmondRepublican Elected U S Senator Strom ThurmondRepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate election in South Carolina See also List of United States senators from South Carolina and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina Popular incumbent Republican Strom Thurmond defeated Democratic challenger Charles D Ravenel The South Carolina Democratic Party held their primary for governor on June 13 1978 Charles D Ravenel an unsuccessful candidate in the 1974 gubernatorial contest originally planned to run for governor again in 1978 but was convinced by Vice President Walter Mondale in 1977 to run for senator He garnered over 50 of the vote in the primary and avoided a runoff election South Carolina Democratic primary Party Candidate Votes Democratic Charles D Ravenel 205 348 55 9 Democratic John Bolt Culbertson 69 184 18 9 Democratic Tom Triplett 50 957 13 9 Democratic Tom McElveen 41 550 11 3 Senator Strom Thurmond faced no opposition from South Carolina Republicans and avoided a primary election Thurmond generally ignored Ravenel on the campaign and refused to debate him When they did cross paths Thurmond criticized Ravenel for never having held a political office Ravenel did not help his cause by his actions in the 1974 gubernatorial race when he refused to endorse the Democratic nominee after he had been disqualified This irritated many Democrats and they also accused him of being nothing more than a liberal New Yorker Age was beginning to become an issue with Thurmond so to combat perceptions of old age Thurmond often appeared with his children on the campaign trail While 1978 was generally a Democratic year Thurmond was able to pull off a commanding victory over Ravenel South Carolina general election Party Candidate Votes Republican Strom Thurmond Incumbent 351 733 55 6 7 9 Democratic Charles D Ravenel 281 119 44 4 7 9 No party Write Ins 257 0 0 0 0 Majority 70 614 11 2 15 8 Turnout 633 109 57 7 7 5 Republican hold SwingSouth Dakota editSouth Dakota election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Larry Pressler Don BarnettParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 170 832 84 767Percentage 66 84 33 16 U S senator before electionJames AbourezkDemocratic Elected U S Senator Larry PresslerRepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate election in South Dakota See also List of United States senators from South Dakota Incumbent Democrat James Abourezk retired instead of seeking a second term In the elections Republican Congressman Larry Pressler won the open seat over Democratic former Mayor of Rapid City Don Barnett thus becoming the first Vietnam veteran to serve in the Senate 1978 United States Senate election in South Dakota 1 Party Candidate Votes Republican Larry Pressler 170 832 66 84 Democratic Don Barnett 84 767 33 16 Majority 86 065 33 68 Turnout 255 599Republican gain from DemocraticTennessee editTennessee election nbsp 19721984 nbsp nbsp Nominee Howard Baker Jane EskindParty Republican DemocraticPopular vote 642 644 466 228Percentage 55 54 40 30 U S senator before electionHoward BakerRepublican Elected U S Senator Howard BakerRepublicanMain article 1978 United States Senate election in Tennessee See also List of United States senators from Tennessee and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee Two term popular incumbent Howard Baker who had served as United States Senate Minority Leader since 1977 ran for reelection against first time candidate and Democratic Party activist Jane Eskind In the August 3 Democratic primary Eskind won in an open primary against eight other candidates 27 Eskind 196 156 34 52 Bruce 170 795 30 06 Lee 89 939 15 83 Boyd 48 458 8 53 Bradley 22 130 3 90 Heinsohn 17 787 3 13 Foster 10 671 1 88 Nyabongo 7 682 1 35 Vick 4 414 0 78 Write in 147 0 03 In the Republican primary also held August 3 Baker easily emerged as the winner 28 Baker 205 680 83 44 Howard 21 154 8 58 Boles 8 899 3 61 Patty 3 941 1 60 Seiler 3 831 1 55 Trapp 2 994 1 22 Baker won with a 15 point margin in the general election held on November 7 29 General election Party Candidate Votes Republican Howard Baker Incumbent 642 644 55 54 Democratic Jane Eskind 466 228 40 29 Independent Thomas J Anderson 45 908 3 97 Independent Fern L Keasler 2 243 0 19 None Write Ins 71 0 01 Majority 176 416 15 25 th, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library, article, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games. |