1982 United States Senate election in Texas

1982 United States Senate election in Texas

November 2, 1982

Nominee Lloyd Bentsen James M. Collins Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,818,223 1,256,759 Percentage 58.59% 40.50%

County results Bentsen:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Collins:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Lloyd Bentsen Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen Democratic

The 1982 United States Senate election in Texas took place on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen won re-election to a third term in office, defeating Republican U.S. Representative James M. Collins.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Lloyd Bentsen, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Joe Sullivan, minister and perennial candidate for U.S. Representative from San Antonio

Results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Lloyd Bentsen (incumbent)	987,153	78.13%
	Democratic	Joe Sullivan	276,314	21.87%
Total votes			1,263,467	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• James M. Collins, U.S. Representative from Dallas
• Walter H. Mengden
• Don Richardson, electronics salesman from Houston

Results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	James M. Collins	152,469	58.00%
	Republican	Walter H. Mengden	91,780	34.92%
	Republican	Don Richardson	18,616	7.08%
Total votes			262,865	100.00%

General election

Results

1982 United States Senate election in Texas

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Lloyd Bentsen (incumbent)	1,818,223	58.59%	1.81
	Republican	James M. Collins	1,256,759	40.50%	1.74
	Libertarian	John E. Ford	23,494	0.76%	N/A
	Citizens	Lineaus Hooper Lorette	4,564	0.15%	N/A
	Write-in	All others	127	0.00%	N/A
Total votes			3,103,167	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• 1982 United States Senate elections