1978 United States Senate election in Maine

United States Senate election in Maine, 1978

November 7, 1978

Nominee William Cohen William Hathaway Hayes Gahagan Party Republican Democratic Independent Popular vote 212,294 127,327 27,824 Percentage 56.59% 33.94% 7.42%

U.S. senator before election William Hathaway Democratic Elected U.S. Senator William Cohen Republican

The 1978 United States Senate election in Maine was held on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Democratic United States Senator 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.

Major candidates

Democratic

• William Hathaway, incumbent United States Senator

Republican

• William Cohen, United States Congressman from Maine's 2nd congressional district

Independent

• Hayes Gahagan, former Maine State Senator
• John J. Jannace
• Plato Truman

General election

Results

United States Senate election in Maine, 1978

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	William Cohen	212,294	56.59%	+9.83%
	Democratic	William Hathaway (inc.)	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