1976 United States Senate elections

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1976 United States Senate elections

← 1974 November 2, 1976 1978 →

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

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

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

Majority Leader before election

Mike Mansfield
Democratic

Elected Majority Leader

Robert Byrd
Democratic

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

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

Results summary[edit]

61 1 38
Democratic I Republican
Parties Total
Democratic Republican Independent Other
Last elections (1974)
Before these elections
61 37 1 1 100
Not up 40 27 0 0 67
Up
Class 1 (1970→1976)
21 10 1 1 33
Incumbent retired 5 3 0 0 8
Held by same party 2 1 3
Replaced by other party Decrease3 Republicans replaced by Increase3 Democrats
Decrease2 Democrats replaced by Increase2 Republicans
5
Result 6 2 8
Incumbent ran 16 7 1 1 25
Won re-election 11 4 1 0 16
Lost re-election Decrease3 Republicans replaced by Increase3 Democrats
Decrease1 Conservative replaced by Increase1 Democrat
Decrease5 Democrats replaced by Increase5 Republicans
9
Lost renomination,
but held by same party
0 0 0 0 0
Result 15 9 1 0 25
Total elected 21 11 1 0 33
Net gain/loss Steady Increase1 Steady Decrease1 1
Nationwide vote 31,790,526[a] 24,562,431[a] 1,173,414 1,647,636 59,174,007
Share 53.72% 41.51% 1.98% 2.78% 100%
Result 61 38 1 0 100

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

Gains, losses, and holds[edit]

Retirements[edit]

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

State Senator Replaced by
Arizona Paul Fannin Dennis DeConcini
Hawaii Hiram Fong Spark Matsunaga
Michigan Philip Hart Donald Riegle
Missouri Stuart Symington John Danforth
Montana Mike Mansfield John Melcher
Nebraska Roman Hruska Edward Zorinsky
Pennsylvania Hugh Scott John Heinz
Rhode Island John Pastore John Chafee

Defeats[edit]

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

State Senator Replaced by
California John V. Tunney S. I. Hayakawa
Indiana Vance Hartke Richard Lugar
Maryland J. Glenn Beall Jr. Paul Sarbanes
New Mexico Joseph Montoya Harrison Schmitt
New York James L. Buckley Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Ohio Robert Taft Jr. Howard Metzenbaum
Tennessee Bill Brock Jim Sasser
Utah Frank Moss Orrin Hatch
Wyoming Gale W. McGee Malcolm Wallop

Post-election changes[edit]

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

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

Change in composition[edit]

Before the elections[edit]

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

Elections results[edit]

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

Race summaries[edit]

Elections leading to the next Congress[edit]

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

All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.

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

Closest races[edit]

9 races had a margin of victory under 10%:

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

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

Arizona[edit]

Arizona election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

Paul Fannin
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Dennis DeConcini
Democratic

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

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

California[edit]

California election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

John V. Tunney
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

S. I. Hayakawa
Republican

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

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

Connecticut[edit]

Connecticut election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

Lowell Weicker
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Lowell Weicker
Republican

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

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

Delaware[edit]

Delaware election

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

County results

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

Maloney:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

William Roth
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

William Roth
Republican

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

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

Florida[edit]

Florida election

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

County results

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

Grady:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Lawton Chiles
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Lawton Chiles
Democratic

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

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

Hawaii[edit]

Hawaii election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

Hiram Fong
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Spark Matsunaga
Democratic

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

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

Indiana[edit]

Indiana election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

Vance Hartke
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Richard Lugar
Republican

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

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

Maine[edit]

Maine election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

Edmund Muskie
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Edmund Muskie
Democratic

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

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

Maryland[edit]

Maryland election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

J. Glenn Beall Jr.
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Paul Sarbanes
Democratic

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

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

Massachusetts[edit]

Massachusetts election

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


U.S. senator before election

Ted Kennedy
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Ted Kennedy
Democratic

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

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

Michigan[edit]

Michigan election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

Philip Hart
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Donald Riegle
Democratic

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

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

Minnesota[edit]

Minnesota election

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

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

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

U.S. senator before election

Hubert Humphrey
Democratic (DFL)

Elected U.S. senator

Hubert Humphrey
Democratic (DFL)

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

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

Mississippi[edit]

Mississippi election

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

U.S. senator before election

John C. Stennis
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

John C. Stennis
Democratic

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

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

Missouri[edit]

Missouri election

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

County results

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

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

U.S. senator before election

Stuart Symington
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

John Danforth
Republican

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

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

Montana[edit]

Montana election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

Mike Mansfield
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

John Melcher
Democratic

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

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

Nebraska[edit]

Nebraska election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

Roman Hruska
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Edward Zorinsky
Democratic

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

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

Nevada[edit]

Nevada election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

Howard Cannon
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Howard Cannon
Democratic

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

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

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

New Jersey[edit]

New Jersey election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

Harrison A. Williams
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Harrison A. Williams
Democratic

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

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

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

New Mexico[edit]

New Mexico election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

Joseph Montoya
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Harrison Schmitt
Republican

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

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

New York[edit]

New York election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

James Buckley
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Democratic

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

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

North Dakota[edit]

North Dakota election

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

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

U.S. Senator before election

Quentin Burdick
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Quentin Burdick
Democratic

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

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

Ohio[edit]

Ohio election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

Robert Taft Jr.
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Howard Metzenbaum
Democratic

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

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

Pennsylvania[edit]

Pennsylvania election

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

County results

Heinz:      50–60%      60–70%

Green:      50–60%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Hugh Scott
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

John Heinz
Republican

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

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

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

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

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

Rhode Island[edit]

Rhode Island election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

John O. Pastore
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

John Chafee
Republican

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

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

Tennessee[edit]

Tennessee election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

Bill Brock
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

James Sasser
Democratic

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

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

Texas[edit]

Texas election

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

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

U.S. senator before election

Lloyd Bentsen
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Lloyd Bentsen
Democratic

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

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

Utah[edit]

Utah election

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

County results

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

Moss:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Frank Moss
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Orrin Hatch
Republican

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

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

Vermont[edit]

Vermont election

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

County results

Stafford:      40–50%      50–60%

Salmon:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Robert Stafford
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Robert Stafford
Republican

Incumbent Republican Robert Stafford successfully ran for re-election to another term in the United States Senate, defeating Democratic candidate Governor Thomas P. Salmon.

Republican primary results[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Stafford (Incumbent) 24,338 68.7
Republican John J. Welch 10,911 30.8
Republican Other 178 0.5
Total votes 35,427 100
Democratic primary results[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thomas P. Salmon 21,674 52.7
Democratic Scott Skinner 19,238 46.8
Democratic Other 178 0.4
Total votes 41,090 100
1976 United States Senate election in Vermont[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Stafford (Incumbent) 94,481 50.0
Democratic Thomas P. Salmon 82,174 43.5
Independent Vermonters Thomas P. Salmon 3,508 1.9
Total Thomas P. Salmon 85,682 45.4
Liberty Union Nancy Kaufman 8,801 4.7
N/A Other 96 0.1
Total votes 189,060 100
Majority 12,307 6.5
Republican hold

Virginia[edit]

Virginia election

← 1970
1982 →
Turnout47.0%[30]
 
Nominee Harry F. Byrd Jr. Elmo Zumwalt
Party Independent Democratic
Popular vote 890,778 596,009
Percentage 57.2% 38.3%

County and independent city results
Byrd:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Zumwalt:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Perper:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election

Harry F. Byrd Jr.
Independent

Elected U.S. senator

Harry F. Byrd Jr.
Independent

Incumbent Independent Harry F. Byrd Jr. was re-elected to a second term over retired Admiral Elmo Zumwalt and state legislator Martin H. Perper.

1976 United States Senate election in Virginia[30]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Harry F. Byrd Jr. (Incumbent) 890,778 57.19 +3.65%
Democratic Elmo Zumwalt 596,009 38.27 +7.12%
Independent Martin H. Perper 70,559 4.53
Write-ins 154 0.01
Majority 294,769 18.93 -3.45%
Turnout 1,557,500
Independent hold

Washington[edit]

Washington Election

← 1970
1982 →
 
Nominee Henry M. Jackson George M. Brown
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,071,219 361,546
Percentage 71.84% 24.25%

County results
Jackson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Henry M. Jackson
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Henry M. Jackson
Democratic

1976 United States Senate election in Washington Results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Henry M. Jackson (Incumbent) 1,071,219 71.84
Republican George M. Brown 361,546 24.25
American Independent Dave Smith 28,182 1.89
Libertarian Richard K. Kenney 19,973 1.30
Socialist Workers Karl Bermann 7,402 0.50
U.S. Labor William F. Wertz Jr. 3,389 0.23
Majority 709,673 47.59
Turnout 1,491,111
Democratic hold

West Virginia[edit]

West Virginia Election

← 1970
1982 →
 
Nominee Robert Byrd
Party Democratic
Popular vote 566,359
Percentage 100.0%

County results
Byrd:      100%

U.S. senator before election

Robert Byrd
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Robert Byrd
Democratic

For most of the state's history, West Virginia has been a solidly Democratic state. Often, winning the Democratic primary was tantamount to winning the general election in the state. Despite West Virginia occasionally electing a Republican governor (Arch A. Moore Jr. and Cecil H. Underwood both served as governor) and voting for Dwight D. Eisenhower twice in presidential elections, West Virginia has only elected Democratic Senators since 1956. Byrd had faced Republican opposition every term since he defeated Chapman Revercomb in 1958, but the Republicans chose not to mount a nominee in 1976.[31] Freshman Congressman Cleve Benedict would serve as the Republican nominee in 1982.

1976 United States Senate election in West Virginia Results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Byrd (Incumbent) 566,359 100.00
Democratic hold

Wisconsin[edit]

Wisconsin election

← 1970
1982 →
 
Nominee William Proxmire Stanley York
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,396,970 521,902
Percentage 72.20% 26.97%

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

U.S. senator before election

William Proxmire
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

William Proxmire
Democratic

Originally elected in 1957 to fill the seat of Joseph McCarthy, William Proxmire had won re-election three times prior to 1976. He only faced significant Republican opposition twice during his re-election years, winning 70% of the vote and every county in 1970. Clergyman Stanley York was the Republican nominee. Proxmire ultimately defeated York and increased his margin of victory by 4%. Proxmire would serve two more terms, ultimately retiring in 1989.

1976 United States Senate election in Wisconsin Results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William Proxmire (Incumbent) 1,396,970 72.19
Republican Stanley York 521,902 26.97
Democratic Socialist William Osborne Hart 7,354 0.38
Socialist Workers Robert Schwarz 4,876 0.25
Labor Party Michael A. MacLaurin 2,148 0.11
Socialist Labor Robert E. Nordlander 1,731 0.09
None Write-Ins 202 0.01
Majority 875,068 45.22
Turnout 1,935,183
Democratic hold

Wyoming[edit]

Gale W. McGee, the incumbent senator and former professor at the University of Wyoming, was originally elected in 1958 over Frank A. Barrett. He subsequently won two more elections to the senate over John S. Wold. McGee, who managed to become re-elected several times in a heavily Republican-leaning state, faced headwinds from Gerald Ford's popularity in the state. State senator Malcolm Wallop was the Republican nominee.

In the general election, Wallop comfortably defeated McGee, who won just four counties in the state. To date, McGee is the last Democratic senator from the state of Wyoming.

1976 United States Senate election in Wyoming Results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Malcolm Wallop 84,810 54.59
Democratic Gale McGee (Incumbent) 70,558 45.41
Majority 14,252 9.12
Turnout 155,368
Republican gain from Democratic

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d The Liberal Party and Conservative Party in New York respectively endorsed Daniel Patrick Moynihan and James L. Buckley, but the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives did not tabulate their votes, respectively totaling 184,083 and 311,494, into the national Democratic and Republican total.[1]
  2. ^ Harry F. Byrd Jr. (VA) was an Independent who caucused with the Democrats. In some circles he is called an "Independent Democrat," but his registration was listed as "Independent." See, e.g., United States Congress. "Harry Flood Byrd Jr. (id: B001209)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  3. ^ Byrd was appointed to the US Senate in 1965 and elected to finish his father's term in 1966 as a Democrat; he was re-elected in 1970 as an independent.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 2, 1976" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  2. ^ "Los Angeles Times: Archives - Stateby-State Roundup of Major Election Races". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. November 3, 1976. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  3. ^ "The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
  4. ^ "Candidate - John Grady". Our Campaigns. August 19, 1976. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  5. ^ "FL US Senate Race - Nov 02, 1976". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  6. ^ "HI US Senate Race - Nov 02, 1976". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  7. ^ "St. Petersburg Times - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
  8. ^ "Our Campaigns - MA US Senate Race - Nov 02, 1976".
  9. ^ "The Deseret News - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
  10. ^ a b "Minnesota Election Results 1976 (Primary Election)" (PDF). Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  11. ^ "MS US Senate Race - Nov 02, 1976". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  12. ^ a b "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, June 1, 1976". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  13. ^ a b "Our Campaigns - NY US Senate - D Primary Race - Sep 14, 1976". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  14. ^ "Our Campaigns - NY US Senate - C Convention Race - Apr 07, 1970". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  15. ^ "Our Campaigns - NY US Senate Race - Nov 02, 1976". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
  16. ^ "GREEN, William Joseph, (born 1938)". Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
  17. ^ "Senate Republican leader Hugh Scott won't run in 1976". St. Petersburg Times. December 5, 1975. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  18. ^ "PA US Senate - D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  19. ^ "PA US Senate - R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  20. ^ "John Heinz". Gettysburg Times. November 3, 1976. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  21. ^ "RI US Senate - D Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  22. ^ "RI US Senate". OurCampaigns. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  23. ^ "TX US Senate Race - Nov 02, 1976". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  24. ^ Congressional Quarterly 1998, p. 98.
  25. ^ America Votes 12, p. 362.
  26. ^ "UT US Senate, 1976". Our Campaigns. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  27. ^ "Abstract of the returns of the general election held in the State of Utah November 2, 1976" (PDF). vote.utah.gov. State of Utah. p. 2. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  28. ^ a b "Primary Election Results" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  29. ^ "General Election Results - U.S. Senator - 1914-2014" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  30. ^ a b "1976 Senatorial General Election Results - Virginia".
  31. ^ Our Campaigns - WV US Senate Race - Nov 02, 1976

Sources[edit]

  • Congressional Elections, 1946-1996. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN 1-56802-248-4.
  • Scammon, Richard M.; McGillivray, Alice V. (1977). America Votes 12: a handbook of contemporary American election statistics, 1976. Washington, D.C.: Elections Research Center.