1976 United States Senate elections
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33 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate 51 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results, with special elections Democratic gain Democratic hold Republican gain Republican hold Independent hold | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The United States Senate elections, 1976 was an election for the United States Senate that coincided with Democratic 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 Democrats, and the balance of the chamber remained the same.
This was the first election in which the Libertarian Party competed, running candidates in 9 of the 33 contested seats. There were no special elections in this election cycle.
As of 2016 this is the first and so far only time both party leaders retired from the senate in an election cycle since the creation of the positions.
Retirements
The leaders of both parties retired. Democrats had a net gain of one seat from retirements.
Democratic holds
- Michigan: Philip Hart (D) retired and was replaced by Donald W. Riegle, Jr. (D).
- Hart then died December 27, 1976 and Riegle was appointed to finish the term.
- Montana: Majority leader Mike Mansfield (D) retired and was replaced by John Melcher (D).
Democratic gains
- Arizona: Paul Fannin (R) retired and was replaced by Dennis DeConcini (D).
- Hawaii: Hiram Fong (R) retired and was replaced by Spark Matsunaga (D).
- Nebraska: Roman Hruska (R) retired and was replaced by Edward Zorinsky (D).
- Hruska then resigned December 27, 1976 and Zorinsky was appointed in his place.
Republican hold
- Pennsylvania: Hugh Scott (R) retired and was replaced by John Heinz (R).
Republican gains
- Missouri: Stuart Symington (D) retired and was replaced by John Danforth (R).
- Symington then resigned December 27, 1976 and Danforth was appointed to finish the term.
- Rhode Island: John O. Pastore (D) retired and was replaced by John Chafee (R).
- Pastore then resigned December 28, 1976 and Chafee was appointed to finish the term.
Incumbents who lost
Republicans had a net gain of one seat from re-election gains.
Democratic gains
From Republicans
- Maryland: John Glenn Beall, Jr. (R) lost re-election to Paul Sarbanes (D).
- Ohio: Robert Taft, Jr. (R) lost re-election to former Senator Howard Metzenbaum (D).
- Taft then resigned December 28, 1976. Metzenbaum was appointed to finish the term.
- Tennessee: Bill Brock (R) lost re-election to Jim Sasser (D).
From Conservatives
- New York: James L. Buckley (C) lost re-election as a Republican to Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D).
Republican gains
- California: John V. Tunney (D) lost re-election to S. I. Hayakawa (R).
- Tunney then resigned January 1, 1977 and Hayakawa was appointed to finish the term.
- Indiana: Vance Hartke (D) lost re-election to Richard Lugar (R).
- New Mexico: Joseph Montoya (D) lost re-election to Harrison Schmitt (R).
- Utah: Frank Moss (D) lost re-election to Orrin Hatch (R).
- Wyoming: Gale W. McGee (D) lost re-election to Malcolm Wallop (R).
Results summary
Parties | Total Seats | Popular Vote | ||||
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1974 | 1976 | +/- | Vote | % | ||
Democratic Party | 60 | 61 | 1 | 31,790,526 | 53.72% | |
Republican Party | 37 | 38 | 1 | 24,562,431 | 41.51% | |
Independent | 1 | 1 | 1,173,414 | 1.98% | ||
American Party | 0 | 0 | 204,556 | 0.35% | ||
Socialist Worker's Party | 0 | 0 | 125,528 | 0.21% | ||
American Independent Party | 0 | 0 | 110,921 | 0.19% | ||
Libertarian Party | 0 | 0 | 78,588 | 0.13% | ||
Others | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1,128,043 | 1.91% | |
Total | 100 | 100 | 59,174,007 | 100.0% |
Source: "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 2, 1976" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
Change in Senate composition
Before the elections
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 Ran |
D42 Ran |
D43 Ran |
D44 Ran |
D45 Ran |
D46 Ran |
D47 Ran |
D48 Ran |
D49 Ran |
D50 Ran |
Majority → | D51 Ran | ||||||||
D60 Retired |
D59 Retired |
D58 Retired |
D57 Ran |
D56 Ran |
D55 Ran |
D54 Ran |
D53 Ran |
D52 Ran | |
D61 Retired |
I1 Ran |
C1 Ran |
R37 Retired |
R36 Retired |
R35 Retired |
R34 Retired |
R33 Ran |
R32 Ran |
R31 Ran |
R21 | R22 | R23 | R24 | R25 | R26 | R27 | R28 Ran |
R29 Ran |
R30 Ran |
R20 | R19 | R18 | R17 | R16 | R15 | R14 | R13 | R12 | R11 |
R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 |
After the general elections
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 Re-elected |
D42 Re-elected |
D43 Re-elected |
D44 Re-elected |
D45 Re-elected |
D46 Re-elected |
D47 Re-elected |
D48 Re-elected |
D49 Re-elected |
D50 Re-elected |
Majority → | D51 Re-elected | ||||||||
D60 Gain |
D59 Gain |
D58 Gain |
D57 Gain |
D56 Gain |
D55 Gain |
D54 Hold |
D53 Hold |
D52 Re-elected | |
D61 Gain |
I1 Re-elected |
R38 Gain |
R37 Gain |
R36 Gain |
R35 Gain |
R34 Gain |
R33 Gain |
R32 Gain |
R31 Hold |
R21 | R22 | R23 | R24 | R25 | R26 | R27 | R28 Re-elected |
R29 Re-elected |
R30 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 summaries
Elections leading to the next Congress
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 | Incumbent | Results | Candidates | ||
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Senator | Party | Electoral history | |||
Arizona | Paul Fannin | Republican | 1964 1970 |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic gain. |
√ Dennis DeConcini (Democratic) 54.0% Sam Steiger (Republican) 43.3% Allan Norwitz (Libertarian) 1.0% |
California | John V. Tunney | Democratic | 1970 1971 (Appointed) |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. |
√ S. I. Hayakawa (Republican) 50.2% John V. Tunney (Democratic) 46.9% |
Connecticut | Lowell P. Weicker Jr. | Republican | 1970 | Incumbent re-elected. | √ Lowell P. Weicker Jr. (Republican) 57.7% Gloria Schaffer (Democratic) 41.2% |
Delaware | Bill Roth | Republican | 1970 1971 (Appointed) |
Incumbent re-elected. | √ Bill Roth (Republican) 55.8% Thomas C. Maloney (Democratic) 43.6% |
Florida | Lawton Chiles | Democratic | 1970 | Incumbent re-elected. | √ Lawton Chiles (Democratic) 63.0% John Grady (Republican) 37.0% |
Hawaii | Hiram Fong | Republican | 1959 1964 1970 |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic gain. |
√ Spark Matsunaga (Democratic) 53.7% William F. Quinn (Republican) 40.6% |
Indiana | Vance Hartke | Democratic | 1958 1964 1970 |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. |
√ Richard Lugar (Republican) 58.8% Vance Hartke (Democratic) 40.5% |
Maine | Edmund Muskie | Democratic | 1958 1964 1970 |
Incumbent re-elected. | √ Edmund Muskie (Democratic) 60.2% Robert A. G. Monks (Republican) 39.8% |
Maryland | John Glenn Beall Jr. | Republican | 1970 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. |
√ Paul Sarbanes (Democratic) 56.5% John Glenn Beall Jr. (Republican) 38.8% |
Massachusetts | Ted Kennedy | Democratic | 1962 (Special) 1964 1970 |
Incumbent re-elected. | √ Ted Kennedy (Democratic) 69.3% Michael S. Robertson (Republican) 29.0% Carol Henderson Evans (Soc. Workers) 1.1% H. Graham Lowry (U.S. 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. |
√ Donald W. Riegle Jr. (Democratic) 52.5% Marvin L. Esch (Republican) 46.8% |
Minnesota | Hubert Humphrey | Democratic | 1948 1954 1960 1964 (Resigned) 1970 |
Incumbent re-elected. | √ Hubert Humphrey (Democratic) 67.5% Gerald W. Brekke (Republican) 25.0% Paul Helm (Independent) 6.6% |
Mississippi | John C. Stennis | Democratic | 1947 (Special) 1952 1958 1964 1970 |
Incumbent re-elected. | √ John C. Stennis (Democratic) Unopposed |
Missouri | Stuart Symington | Democratic | 1952 1958 1964 1970 |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican gain. |
√ John Danforth (Republican) 56.9% Warren E. Hearnes (Democratic) 42.5% Lawrence Petty (Independent) 0.6% |
Montana | Mike Mansfield | Democratic | 1952 1958 1964 1970 |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. |
√ 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. |
√ Edward Zorinsky (Democratic) 52.4% John Y. McCollister (Republican) 47.5% |
Nevada | Howard Cannon | Democratic | 1958 1964 1970 |
Incumbent re-elected. | √ Howard Cannon (Democratic) 63.0% David Towell (Republican) 31.4% |
New Jersey | Harrison A. Williams | Democratic | 1958 1964 1970 |
Incumbent re-elected. | √ Harrison A. Williams (Democratic) 60.7% David A. Norcross (Republican) 38.0% |
New Mexico | Joseph Montoya | Democratic | 1964 (Special) 1964 1970 |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. |
√ Harrison Schmitt (Republican) 56.8% Joseph Montoya (Democratic) 42.7% |
New York | James L. Buckley | Conservative | 1970 | Incumbent lost re-election as a Republican. New senator elected. Democratic gain. |
√ Daniel P. Moynihan (Democratic) 54.2% James L. Buckley (Republican) 44.9% |
North Dakota | Quentin N. Burdick | Democratic | 1960 (Special) 1964 1970 |
Incumbent re-elected. | √ Quentin N. Burdick (Democratic) 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. |
√ Howard Metzenbaum (Democratic) 49.5% Robert Taft Jr. (Republican) 46.5% |
Pennsylvania | Hugh Scott | Republican | 1958 1964 1970 |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. |
√ H. John Heinz III (Republican) 52.4% William J. Green, III (Democratic) 46.8% |
Rhode Island | John O. 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. |
√ 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. |
√ Jim Sasser (Democratic) 52.5% Bill Brock (Republican) 47.0% |
Texas | Lloyd Bentsen | Democratic | 1970 | Incumbent re-elected. | √ Lloyd Bentsen (Democratic) 56.8% Alan Steelman (Republican) 42.2% |
Utah | Frank Moss | Democratic | 1958 1964 1970 |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. |
√ Orrin Hatch (Republican) 53.7% Frank Moss (Democratic) 44.8% |
Vermont | Robert Stafford | Republican | 1971 (Appointed) 1972 (Special) |
Incumbent re-elected. | √ Robert Stafford (Republican) 50.0% Thomas P. Salmon (Democratic) 45.3% |
Virginia | Harry F. Byrd Jr. | Independent | 1965 (Appointed) 1970 |
Incumbent re-elected. | √ Harry F. Byrd Jr. (Independent) 57.2% Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr. (Democratic) 38.3% |
Washington | Henry M. Jackson | Democratic | 1952 1958 1964 1970 |
Incumbent re-elected. | √ Henry M. Jackson (Democratic) 71.8% George M. Brown (Republican) 24.2% |
West Virginia | Robert Byrd | Democratic | 1958 1964 1970 |
Incumbent re-elected. | √ Robert Byrd (Democratic) 99.9% |
Wisconsin | William Proxmire | Democratic | 1957 (Special) 1958 1964 1970 |
Incumbent re-elected. | √ William Proxmire (Democratic) 72.2% Stanley York (Republican) 27.0% |
Wyoming | Gale W. McGee | Democratic | 1958 1964 1970 |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. |
√ Malcolm Wallop (Republican) 54.7% Gale W. McGee (Democratic) 45.4% |
Arizona
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U.S. Senate election results map. Blue denotes counties won by DeConcini. Red denotes those won by Steiger. | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent Republican Paul Fannin decided to retire instead of seeking a third term. Democratic attorney and businessman Dennis DeConcini won the open seat over
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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
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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.
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 | Omari Musa | 31,629 | 0.42% | |
Majority | 246,111 | 3.23% | ||
Turnout | 7,470,586 | |||
Republican gain from Democratic |
Connecticut
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County results | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent Republican Lowell Weicker won re-election to a second term over Gloria Schaffer, Connecticut Secretary of State[3]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. (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
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Incumbent Republican Bill Roth won reelection to a second term over Thomas Maloney, Mayor of Wilmington[4]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Republican | Bill 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
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Incumbent Democrat Lawton Chiles won re-election to a second term over John Grady, Mayor of Belle Glade[5]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Lawton Chiles | 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 |
Hawaii
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County results | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent Republican Hiram Fong decided to retire instead of seeking re-election to a fourth term. Democrat Spark Matsunaga won the open seat over Republican William Quinn, Former Governor of Hawaii.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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% |
Indiana
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Incumbent Democrat Vance Hartke ran for re-election to a fourth term, but was defeated by Republican challenger Richard Lugar, Mayor of Indianapolis.
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
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Incumbent Democrat Edmund Muskie won re-election to a fourth term over Republican Robert A. G. Monks, shareholder activist.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Edmund Muskie | 292,704 | 60.20% | |
Republican | Robert A. G. Monks | 193,489 | 39.80% | |
Majority | 99,215 | 20.41% | ||
Turnout | 486,193 | |||
Democratic hold |
Maryland
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Incumbent Republican 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.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Paul Sarbanes | 772,101 | 56.55% | |
Republican | John 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
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County results | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent Democrat Ted Kennedy won re-election to his third full term over Republican businessman, Michael Robertson[8]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Edward M. Kennedy (Incumbent) | 1,726,657 | 69.31 | +7.15 | |
Republican | Micheal 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% |
Michigan
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Incumbent Democrat Philip Hart decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth term. Democrat Don Riegle, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, won the open seat over fellow congressman Republican
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Donald W. Riegle, Jr. | 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
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Incumbent Democrat Hubert Humphrey won re-election to a fifth term over Republican Gerald Brekke, college professor[9]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic (DFL) | Hubert H. Humphrey (Incumbent) | 317,632 | 91.3% | |
Democratic (DFL) | Dick Bullock | 30,262 | 8.7% |
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% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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% |
Mississippi
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Incumbent Democrat John C. Stennis won re-election to his sixth term.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | John Stennis | 554,433 | 100.0 |
Missouri
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Incumbent Democrat Stuart Symington decided to retire, 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.)
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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
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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.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Jack Melcher | 89,413 | 88.52 | |
Democratic | Ray E. Gulick | 11,593 | 11.48 | |
Total votes | 101,006 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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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
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Incumbent Republican Roman Hruska decided to retire 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.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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
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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.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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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 Party (Nevada) | 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
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2017) |
New Mexico
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Incumbent Democrat Joseph Montoya ran for re-election to a third term, but was defeated by Republican former Astronaut Harrison Schmitt.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Harrison Schmitt | 234,681 | 56.82% | +9.69% | |
Democratic | Joseph Montoya (Incumbent) | 176,382 | 42.70% | −10.17% | |
La 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
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County results | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent Conservative James Buckley ran for re-election to a second term as a Republican, but was defeated by Pat Moynihan.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Paul O'Dwyer | 32.50 | ||
Democratic | Pat Moynihan | 31.10 | ||
Democratic | Bella Abzug | 28.70 | ||
Democratic | Ramsey Clark | 7.00 | ||
Democratic | Abraham Hirschfeld | 0.70 | ||
Total votes | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Pat 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 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | James Buckley (Incumbent) | 242,257 | 70.45 | |
Republican | Peter Peyser | 101,629 | 29.55 | |
Total votes | 343,886 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Pat Moynihan | 3,238,511 | |||
Liberal | Pat Moynihan | 184,083 | |||
total | Pat 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 |
North Dakota
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.[2] 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.
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 | |
Majority | ||||
Turnout | 283,062 |
Ohio
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Incumbent Republican Robert Taft, Jr. ran for re-election to second term, but was defeated by Democratic former Senator Howard Metzenbaum.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Howard Metzenbaum | 1,941,113 | 49.51% | |
Republican | Robert Taft, Jr. | 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
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Incumbent Republican and Minority Leader Hugh Scott decided to retire. Republican John Heinz won the open seat over Democrat Bill Green, United States Representative[16][2]
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]
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 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | H. John Heinz III | 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]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | H. John Heinz III | 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 | |
Totals | 4,546,353 | 100.00% |
Rhode Island
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Incumbent Democrat John O. Pastore did not seek re-election. Republican John Chafee won the seat, defeating Democrat Richard P. Lorber.
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 |
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
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Incumbent Republican Bill Brock ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Democratic challenger James Sasser.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | James Sasser | 751,180 | 52.46% | ||
Republican | Bill Brock (Incumbent) | 673,231 | 47.01% | −5.44% | |
Majority | |||||
Turnout | |||||
Democratic gain from Republican | Swing |
Texas
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Incumbent Democrat Lloyd Bentsen won re-election to a second term over Republican Alan Steelman, U.S. Representative from Texas's 5th district.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Lloyd Bentsen | 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% |
Utah
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Incumbent Democrat Frank Moss ran for re-election to a fourth term but was defeated by his Republican opponent Orrin Hatch.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Orrin Hatch | 290,221 | 55.59% | |
Democratic | Frank Moss (Incumbent) | 223,948 | 42,89% | |
Majority | ||||
Turnout | ||||
Republican gain from Democratic |
Vermont
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Incumbent Republican Robert Stafford successfully ran for re-election to another term in the United States Senate, defeating Democratic candidate Governor Thomas P. Salmon.
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 |
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 |
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 |
Virginia
Turnout | 47.0%[26] | ||||||||||||||||
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U.S. Senate election results map. Gray denotes counties/districts won by Byrd. Blue denotes those won by Zumwalt. Red denotes those won by Perper. | |||||||||||||||||
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Incumbent Independent Harry F. Byrd, Jr. was re-elected to a second term over retired Admiral Elmo Zumwalt and state legislator Martin H. Perper.
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
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2017) |
West Virginia
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2017) |
Wisconsin
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2017) |
Wyoming
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2017) |
See also
References
- ^ Harry F. Byrd Jr. (VA) was an Independent who caucused with the Democrats. In some circles he is called an "Independent Democrat," but his actual registration was listed as "Independent." See, e.g., United States Congress. "Harry Flood Byrd, Jr. (id: B001209)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 2, 1976" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
- ^ "Los Angeles Times: Archives - Stateby-State Roundup of Major Election Races". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. November 3, 1976. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PYwqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JVgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5675,317215&dq=thomas+maloney&hl=en
- ^ "Candidate - John Grady". Our Campaigns. August 19, 1976. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ "FL US Senate Race - Nov 02, 1976". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ "HI US Senate Race - Nov 02, 1976". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VXkqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hl0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6481,1961525&dq=michael+robertson&hl=en
- ^ https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Wf4yAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LYUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7042,3318275&dq=jerry+brekke&hl=en
- ^ a b "Minnesota Election Results 1976 (Primary Election)" (PDF). Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
- ^ "MS US Senate Race - Nov 02, 1976". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Our Campaigns - NY US Senate - D Primary Race - Sep 14, 1976". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - NY US Senate - C Convention Race - Apr 07, 1970". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - NY US Senate Race - Nov 02, 1976". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- ^ "GREEN, William Joseph, (born 1938)". Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
- ^ "Senate Republican leader Hugh Scott won't run in 1976". St. Petersburg Times. December 5, 1975. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
- ^ "PA US Senate - D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
- ^ "PA US Senate - R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
- ^ "John Heinz". Gettysburg Times. November 3, 1976. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
- ^ "RI US Senate - D Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ^ "RI US Senate". OurCampaigns. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ^ "TX US Senate Race - Nov 02, 1976". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ a b "Primary Election Results" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
- ^ "General Election Results - U.S. Senator - 1914-2014" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
- ^ a b "1976 Senatorial General Election Results - Virginia".