1974 United States Senate election in Kansas

1974 United States Senate election in Kansas

November 5, 1974

Nominee Bob Dole William R. Roy Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 403,983 390,451 Percentage 50.85% 49.15%

County Results Dole:      50–60%      60–70% Roy:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Bob Dole Republican Elected U.S. Senator Bob Dole Republican

The 1974 United States Senate election in Kansas took place on November 5, 1974. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Bob Dole was narrowly re-elected to a second term in office.

In what would be the closest election of his 35-year Congressional career, Dole won his second term by just 15,533 votes over William R. Roy, a Topeka physician and two-term U.S. Representative. Dole suffered due to his close association with President Nixon as chairman of the Republican National Committee in 1971 and 1972.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• George Hart, former Kansas Treasurer and perennial candidate from Wichita
• William R. Roy, U.S. Representative from Topeka

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William R. Roy	125,634	85.04%
	Democratic	George Hart	22,109	14.96%
Total votes			147,743	100.00%

General election

1974 United States Senate election in Kansas

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Bob Dole (incumbent)	403,983	50.85%	9.23
	Democratic	William R. Roy	390,451	49.15%	10.49
	Write-in		3	0.00%
Majority			13,532	1.70%
Turnout			794,437
	Republican hold		Swing

See also

• 1974 United States Senate elections