Major General James G. Blunt

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The 1982 United States Senate elections were held on November 2, 1982. They were elections for the United States Senate following Republican gains in 1980. The 33 Senate seats of Class 1 were up for election in 1982. A total of four seats changed hands between parties, with Democrats winning seats in New Jersey and New Mexico, and Republicans taking seats in Nevada and the seat of the lone independent, Senator Harry Byrd Jr., in Virginia. Democrats made a net gain of one seat bringing them to 46 seats, while Republicans stayed at 54 seats for a majority. However, the Democratic gain in New Jersey replaced a Republican that had been appointed earlier in the year.

A special election was also held in Washington state in 1983 that gave Republicans a seat that was previously held by a Democrat, bringing their majority to 55–45. As of 2024, this is the last time Democrats won a U.S. Senate election in Mississippi and the last time Republicans won one in Connecticut.

Results summary

↓
46 54
Democratic Republican
Parties Total
Democratic Republican Independent Libertarian Other
Last elections (1980) 46 53 1 0 0 100
Before these elections 45 54 1 0 0 100
Not up 26 41 0 0 0 67
Up
Class 1 (1976→1982) 		19 13 1 — — 33
Incumbent retired 0 2 1 — — 3
Held by same party — 1 0 — — 1
Replaced by other party Decrease1 Republican replaced by Increase1 Democrat
Decrease1 Independent replaced by Increase1 Republican 		— — 2
Result 1 2 0 — — 3
Incumbent ran 19[a] 11 0 — — 30
Won re-election 18 10 — — — 28
Lost re-election Decrease1 Republican replaced by Increase1 Democrat
Decrease1 Democrat replaced by Increase1 Republican 		— — — 2
Lost renomination,
but held by same party 		0 0 — — — 0
Result 19 11 0 — — 30
Total elected 20 13 0 0 0 33
Net gain/loss Increase 1 Steady Decrease 1 Steady Steady 1
Nationwide vote 27,899,651 22,412,928 146,512 291,576 839,328 51,589,995
Share 54.08% 43.44% 0.28% 0.57% 1.63% 100%
Result 46 54 0 0 0 100

Source: Office of the Clerk[1]

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

Two Republicans and one independent retired instead of seeking re-election.

State Senator Replaced by
California S. I. Hayakawa Pete Wilson
New Jersey Nicholas F. Brady Frank Lautenberg
Virginia Harry F. Byrd Jr. Paul Trible

Defeats

One Republican and one Democrat sought re-election but lost in the general election.

State Senator Replaced by
Nevada Howard Cannon Chic Hecht
New Mexico Harrison Schmitt Jeff Bingaman

Post-election changes

One Democrat died on September 8, 1983, and was later replaced by Republican appointee.

State Senator Replaced by
Washington
(Class 1) 		Henry M. Jackson Daniel J. Evans

Change in 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
Ariz.
Ran 		D28
Fla.
Ran 		D29
Hawaii
Ran 		D30
Maine
Ran
D40
Ohio
Ran 		D39
N.D.
Ran 		D38
N.Y.
Ran 		D37
Nev.
Ran 		D36
Neb.
Ran 		D35
Mont.
Ran 		D34
Miss.
Ran 		D33
Mich.
Ran 		D32
Mass.
Ran 		D31
Md.
Ran
D41
Tenn.
Ran 		D42
Texas
Ran 		D43
Wash.
Ran 		D44
W.Va.
Ran 		D45
Wis.
Ran 		I1
Va.
Retired 		R54
Wyo.
Ran 		R53
Vt.
Ran 		R52
Utah
Ran 		R51
R.I.
Ran
Majority →
R41 R42
Calif.
Retired 		R43
Conn.
Ran 		R44
Del.
Ran 		R45
Ind.
Ran 		R46
Minn.
Ran 		R47
Mo.
Ran 		R48
N.J.
Retired 		R49
N.M.
Ran 		R50
Pa.
Ran
R40 R39 R38 R37 R36 R35 R34 R33 R32 R31
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10

After 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
Ariz.
Re-elected 		D28
Fla.
Re-elected 		D29
Hawaii
Re-elected 		D30
Maine
Elected[b]
D40
Tenn.
Re-elected 		D39
Ohio
Re-elected 		D38
N.D.
Re-elected 		D37
N.Y.
Re-elected 		D36
Neb.
Re-elected 		D35
Mont.
Re-elected 		D34
Miss.
Re-elected 		D33
Mich.
Re-elected 		D32
Mass.
Re-elected 		D31
Md.
Re-elected
D41
Texas
Re-elected 		D42
Wash.
Re-elected 		D43
W.Va.
Re-elected 		D44
Wis.
Re-elected 		D45
N.J.
Gain 		D46
N.M.
Gain 		R54
Va.
Gain 		R53
Nev.
Gain 		R52
Wyo.
Re-elected 		R51
Vt.
Re-elected
Majority →
R41 R42
Calif.
Hold 		R43
Conn.
Re-elected 		R44
Del.
Re-elected 		R45
Ind.
Re-elected 		R46
Minn.
Re-elected 		R47
Mo.
Re-elected 		R48
Pa.
Re-elected 		R49
R.I.
Re-elected 		R50
Utah
Re-elected
R40 R39 R38 R37 R36 R35 R34 R33 R32 R31
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10
Key
D# Democratic
R# Republican
I# Independent

Race summaries

Special elections

There were no special elections during 1982.

Elections leading to the next Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1983; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.

State Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Arizona Dennis DeConcini Democratic 1976 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Dennis DeConcini (Democratic) 56.9%
  • ▌Pete Dunn (Republican) 40.3%
  • ▌Randall Clamons (Libertarian) 2.8%
California S. I. Hayakawa Republican 1976
1977 (Appointed) 		Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
  • ▌Green tickY Pete Wilson (Republican) 51.5%
  • ▌Jerry Brown (Democratic) 44.8%
  • ▌Tena Dietrich (American Independent) 1.4%
  • ▌David Wald (Peace and Freedom) 1.2%
  • ▌Joseph Fuhrig (Libertarian) 1.1%
Connecticut Lowell Weicker Republican 1970
1976 		Incumbent re-elected.
Delaware William Roth Republican 1970
1971 (Appointed)
1976 		Incumbent re-elected.
Florida Lawton Chiles Democratic 1970
1976 		Incumbent re-elected.
Hawaii Spark Matsunaga Democratic 1976 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Spark Matsunaga (Democratic) 80.1%
  • ▌Clarence J. Brown (Republican) 17.0%
  • ▌E. Bernier-Nachtwey (Independent) 2.9%
Indiana Richard Lugar Republican 1976 Incumbent re-elected.
Maine George J. Mitchell Democratic 1980 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected.
Maryland Paul Sarbanes Democratic 1976 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts Ted Kennedy Democratic 1962 (special)
1964
1970
1976 		Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Ted Kennedy (Democratic) 60.8%
  • ▌Ray Shamie (Republican) 38.3%
  • ▌Howard S. Katz (Libertarian) 0.9%
Michigan Donald Riegle Democratic 1976
1976 (Appointed) 		Incumbent re-elected.
Minnesota David Durenberger Republican 1978 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
Mississippi John C. Stennis Democratic 1947 (special)
1952
1958
1964
1970
1976 		Incumbent re-elected.
Missouri John Danforth Republican 1976
1976 (Appointed) 		Incumbent re-elected.
Montana John Melcher Democratic 1976 Incumbent re-elected.
Nebraska Edward Zorinsky Democratic 1976
1976 (Appointed) 		Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Edward Zorinsky (Democratic) 66.6%
  • ▌Jim Keck (Republican) 28.5%
  • ▌Virginia Walsh (Independent) 4.9%
Nevada Howard Cannon Democratic 1958
1964
1970
1976 		Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
New Jersey Nicholas F. Brady Republican 1982 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Incumbent resigned December 20, 1982, to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed December 27, 1982.
New Mexico Harrison Schmitt Republican 1976 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
New York Daniel Patrick Moynihan Democratic 1976 Incumbent re-elected.
North Dakota Quentin Burdick Democratic-NPL 1960 (special)
1964
1970
1976 		Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Quentin Burdick (Democratic-NPL) 62.8%
  • ▌Gene Knorr (Republican) 34.0%
  • ▌Anna B. Bourgois (Independent) 3.1%
Ohio Howard Metzenbaum Democratic 1974 (Appointed)
1974 (Lost)
1974 (Resigned)
1976
1976 (Appointed) 		Incumbent re-elected.
Pennsylvania John Heinz Republican 1976 Incumbent re-elected.
Rhode Island John Chafee Republican 1976
1976 (Appointed) 		Incumbent re-elected.
Tennessee Jim Sasser Democratic 1976 Incumbent re-elected.
Texas Lloyd Bentsen Democratic 1970
1976 		Incumbent re-elected.
Utah Orrin Hatch Republican 1976 Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Orrin Hatch (Republican) 58.3%
  • ▌Ted Wilson (Democratic) 41.3%
  • ▌George Mercier (Libertarian) 0.2%
  • ▌Lawrence R. Kauffman (American) 0.2%
Vermont Robert Stafford Republican 1971 (Appointed)
1972 (special)
1976 		Incumbent re-elected.
Virginia Harry F. Byrd Jr. Independent 1965 (Appointed)[c]
1966 (special)
1970
1976 		Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Washington Henry M. Jackson Democratic 1952
1958
1964
1970
1976 		Incumbent re-elected.
  • ▌Green tickY Henry M. Jackson (Democratic) 68.9%
  • ▌Doug Jewett (Republican) 24.3%
  • ▌King Lysen (Independent) 5.3%
  • ▌Jesse Chiang (Libertarian) 1.5%
West Virginia Robert Byrd Democratic 1958
1964
1970
1976 		Incumbent re-elected.
Wisconsin William Proxmire Democratic 1957 (special)
1958
1964
1970
1976 		Incumbent re-elected.
Wyoming Malcolm Wallop Republican 1976 Incumbent re-elected.

Closest races

In eleven races the margin of victory was under 10%.

State Party of winner Margin
Missouri Republican 1.7%
Nevada Republican (flip) 2.4%
Rhode Island Republican 2.4%
Virginia Republican (flip) 2.4%
New Jersey Democratic (flip) 3.1%
Vermont Republican 3.1% [d]
Connecticut Republican 4.3%
Minnesota Republican 6.0%
California Republican 6.7%
New Mexico Democratic (flip) 7.6%
Indiana Republican 8.2%

Arizona

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Arizona
See also: List of United States senators from Arizona

Incumbent Democrat Dennis DeConcini won re-election to a second term over Republican Pete Dunn, State Representative.

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Dennis DeConcini (Incumbent) 411,970 56.9 +2.9%
Republican Peter Dunn 291,749 40.3 -3.0%
Libertarian Randall Clamons 20,100 2.8 +1.8%
Write-ins 66 0
Majority 120,221 16.6 +5.9%
Turnout 723,885
Democratic hold Swing

California

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in California
See also: List of United States senators from California

Incumbent Republican S. I. Hayakawa decided to retire after one term. Republican Pete Wilson, Mayor of San Diego and former Assemblyman, won the open seat over Democratic Governor Jerry Brown.

Wilson was known as a fiscal conservative who supported Proposition 13, although Wilson had opposed the measure while mayor of San Diego. However, Brown ran on his gubernatorial record of building the largest state budget surpluses in California history. Both Wilson and Brown were moderate-to-liberal on social issues, including support for abortion rights. The election was expected to be close, with Brown holding a slim lead in most of the polls leading up to Election Day. Wilson hammered away at Brown's appointment of California Chief Justice Rose Bird, using this to portray himself as tougher on crime than Brown was. Brown's late entry into the 1980 Democratic presidential primary, after promising not to run, was also an issue. President Ronald Reagan made a number of visits to California late in the race to campaign for Wilson. Reagan quipped that the last thing he wanted to see was one of his home state's U.S. Senate seats falling into Democrats' hands, especially to be occupied by the man who succeeded him as governor. Despite exit polls indicating a narrow Brown victory, Wilson won by a wide margin.

General election results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pete Wilson 4,022,565 51.5
Democratic Jerry Brown 3,494,968 44.8
Libertarian Joseph Fuhrig 107,720 1.4
Peace and Freedom David Wald 96,388 1.2
American Independent Theresa Dietrich 83,809 1.1
Independent Thomas Kendall (Write In) 36 0
Independent Ben Leonik (Write In) 34 0
Majority 527,597 6.7
Turnout 7,805,520
Republican hold

Connecticut

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Connecticut
See also: List of United States senators from Connecticut

Incumbent Republican Lowell P. Weicker Jr. won re-election to a third term over Democratic member of the House Toby Moffett.

General election results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lowell Weicker (Incumbent) 545,987 50.4
Democratic Toby Moffett 499,146 46.1
Conservative Lucien DiFazio 30,212 2.8
Libertarian James A. Lewis 8,163 0.8
Majority 46,841 4.3
Turnout 1,083,508
Republican hold

Delaware

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Delaware
See also: List of United States senators from Delaware

Incumbent Republican Bill V. Roth won reelection to a third term over the state's Democratic Insurance Commissioner David N. Levinson.

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bill V. Roth (Incumbent) 105,357 55.2 -0.6%
Democratic David N. Levinson 84,413 44.2 +0.6%
Libertarian Lawrence Sullivan 653 0.3
American Independent Charles Baker 537 0.3 0%
Majority 20,944 11.0 -1.2%
Turnout 190,960
Republican hold Swing

Florida

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Florida
See also: List of United States senators from Florida

Incumbent Democrat Lawton Chiles won re-election to a third term over Republican state senator Van B. Poole.

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lawton Chiles (incumbent) 1,044,246 100
Republican primary results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Van B. Poole 154,163 41.6
Republican David H. Bludworth 116,040 31.3
Republican George Snyder 100,609 27.1
Total votes 370,812 100
Republican primary runoff results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Van B. Poole 131,655 58.1
Republican David H. Bludworth 95,035 41.9
Total votes 226,690 100
General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Lawton Chiles (incumbent) 1,637,667 61.7 -1.3%
Republican Van B. Poole 1,015,330 38.3 +1.2%
Write-ins 422 0
Majority 622,337 23.5 -2.5%
Total votes 2,653,419 100
Democratic hold Swing

Hawaii

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Hawaii
See also: List of United States senators from Hawaii

Incumbent Democrat Spark Matsunaga won re-election to a second term[6] over Republican Clarence Brown, a retired Foreign Service officer[7]

General election results[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Spark Matsunaga (Incumbent) 245,386 80.1
Republican Clarence Brown 52,071 17.0
Independent Democrat E. Bernier-Nachtwey 8,953 2.9
Majority 193,315 63.1
Turnout 306,410
Democratic hold

Indiana

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Indiana
See also: List of United States senators from Indiana

Incumbent Republican Richard Lugar faced Democratic United States Representative Floyd Fithian in the general election. Lugar won with a margin of 54% of the vote, compared to Fithian's 46%.

After the 1980 census, the Indiana General Assembly redistricted Indiana's congressional districts, pushing Democratic representative Floyd Fithian's district into more conservative territory.[9] After redistricting, Fithian, the three term incumbent of Indiana's 2nd congressional district, decided to run for Secretary of State of Indiana, but withdrew from the primary to ultimately run for the United States Senate. He challenged fellow Democrat and one term Indiana State Senator Michael Kendall of Jasper, Indiana, who Fithian earlier encouraged to run for the Senate.[10] Kendall, who represented Indiana's 47th Senate district and formed the Notre Dame Students for Robert Kennedy organization during the 1968 presidential election,[11] was seen a young progressive alternative to Fithian, who he called the "ideological twin of Richard Lugar."[12] After the bitterly contested primary, Fithian prevailed over Kendall, winning with 59% of the vote.[13]

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Floyd Fithian 262,644 59.5
Democratic Michael Kendall 178,702 40.5
Total votes 441,346 100

Incumbent United States Senator Richard Lugar won the republican nomination in an uncontested primary on May 4, 1982.[14]

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Lugar (Incumbent) 498,248 100
Total votes 498,248

In the general election, Lugar faced Fithian and American Party candidate Raymond James.[1]

On November 5, 1982, Lugar defeated Fithian and James in the general election, winning 74 of Indiana's 93 counties.[15]

Indiana election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Lugar (Incumbent) 978,301 53.8
Democratic Floyd Fithian 828,400 45.6
American Raymond James 10,586 0.6
Majority 149,901 8.3
Turnout 1,817,287
Republican hold

Maine

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Maine
See also: List of United States senators from Maine and 1982 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine

Incumbent Democrat George J. Mitchell, originally appointed to the seat after Edmund Muskie resigned, won re-election to his full six-year term over Republican U.S. Representative David F. Emery, earning 61% of the vote to Emery's 39%. Mitchell would serve two more terms in the Senate, eventually serving as Senate Majority Leader.

Maine election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George J. Mitchell (Incumbent) 279,819 60.9
Republican David F. Emery 179,882 39.1
None Write-Ins 14 0
Majority 99,937 21.7
Turnout 459,715
Democratic hold

Maryland

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Maryland
See also: List of United States senators from Maryland

Incumbent Democrat Paul Sarbanes won re-election to a second term in office. He defeated the Republican former Representative from Maryland's 5th district and Prince George's County Executive Lawrence Hogan.[16]

Maryland election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paul Sarbanes (Incumbent) 707,356 63.5
Republican Lawrence Hogan 407,334 36.5
Majority 300,022 26.9
Turnout 1,114,690
Democratic hold

Massachusetts

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Massachusetts
See also: List of United States senators from Massachusetts

Incumbent Democrat Ted Kennedy won re-election to his fifth (his fourth full) term over Republican Ray Shamie, a millionaire businessman and metalwork entrepreneur.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ted Kennedy (Incumbent) 1,247,084 60.8 -8.5
Republican Ray Shamie 784,602 38.3 +9.3
Libertarian Howard S. Katz 18,878 0.9 +0.9
All others 205 0 0
Total votes 2,050,769 70.3%
Majority 462,482 22.6%
Democratic hold Swing

Michigan

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Michigan
See also: List of United States senators from Michigan

Incumbent Democrat Don Riegle won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican challenger Philip Ruppe, a former U.S. Representative from Houghton.

Michigan election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Donald Riegle (incumbent) 1,728,793 57.7
Republican Philip Ruppe 1,223,288 40.9
Libertarian Bette Erwin 19,131 0.6
American Independent Daniel Eller 12,660 0.4
Workers League Helen Halyard 6,085 0.2
Socialist Workers Steve Beumer 4,335 0.1
None Write-Ins 42 0
Majority 505,505 16.9
Turnout 2,994,334
Democratic hold

Minnesota

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Minnesota
See also: List of United States senators from Minnesota

Incumbent Republican David Durenberger won re-election to his second term over Democratic businessman Mark Dayton.[17]

Dayton campaigning with former VP Walter Mondale.
General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mark Dayton 359,014 69.1
Democratic Eugene McCarthy 125,229 24.1
Democratic Charles E. Pearson 19,855 3.8
Democratic William A. Branstner 15,754 3.0

Dayton, 35, self-financed his campaign. Married to a Rockefeller and heir to a department store, his net worth was an estimated $30 million. Durenberger, who in 1978 and won the special election to finish the term of the late Hubert Humphrey, was largely unknown. He was considered a moderate, but supported Reagan's tax cuts. Dayton ran against Reaganomics. He has also campaigned against tax breaks for the wealthy and even promised "to close tax loopholes for the rich and the corporations—and if you think that includes the Daytons, you're right."[18] By the end of September, the senate election already became the most expensive election of all time, with over $8 million being spent. Dayton spent over $5 million,[19] while Durenberger spent over $2 million.[20]

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David Durenberger (Incumbent) 949,207 52.6
Democratic Mark Dayton 840,401 46.6
Socialist Workers Bill Onasch 5,897 0.3
Libertarian Frederick Hewitt 5,870 0.3
New Union Party Jeffrey M. Miller 3,300 0.2
Majority 108,806 6.0
Turnout 1,804,675
Republican hold

Mississippi

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Mississippi
See also: List of United States senators from Mississippi

Incumbent Democrat John C. Stennis won re-election to his seventh term over Republican Haley Barbour, a political operative who campaigned for U.S. Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

General election results[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Stennis (Incumbent) 414,099 64.2
Republican Haley Barbour 230,927 35.8
Majority 184,172 28.4
Turnout 645,026
Democratic hold

Missouri

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Missouri
See also: List of United States senators from Missouri

Incumbent John Danforth, originally elected in the 1976 United States Senate election in Missouri, ran for a second term. In the general election, he narrowly defeated state senator Harriett Woods by just over a percentage point. Danforth would go on to serve two more terms in the Senate.

Missouri election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Danforth (Incumbent) 784,876 50.9
Democratic Harriett Woods 758,629 49.2
None Write-Ins 16 0
Majority 26,247 1.7
Turnout 1,543,521
Republican hold

Montana

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Montana
See also: List of United States senators from Montana

Incumbent John Melcher, who was first elected to the Senate in 1976, opted to run for re-election. He won the Democratic primary after he faced a tough intraparty challenger, and advanced to the general election, where he faced Larry R. Williams, an author and the Republican nominee, and Larry Dodge, the Libertarian nominee. Though his margin was reduced significantly from his initial election, Melcher still comfortably won re-election to his second and final term in the Senate.

During his first term in the Senate, Melcher's relative conservatism for a Democrat prompted a primary challenger in Michael Bond, a housing contractor who campaigned on his opposition to nuclear war. Bond attacked Melcher for voting to increase spending on nuclear arms, and pledged to reduce military spending to $60 billion and to use the savings to reduce interest rates.[22] During the campaign, Bond came under fire from the state branches of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans for turning in his draft card in 1967 to protest the Vietnam War, who put out a statement, saying, "There is no place in the U.S. Senate for any draft dodger, draft card burner or draft protester of any kind."[23]

Democratic Party primary results[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jack Melcher (Incumbent) 83,539 68.3
Democratic Mike Bond 33,565 27.4
Total votes 122,369 100
Republican Primary results[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Larry R. Williams 49,615 88.1
Republican Willie Dee Morris 6,696 11.9
Total votes 56,311 100
Montana election[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Melcher (Incumbent) 174,861 54.5 -9.7%
Republican Larry R. Williams 133,789 41.7 +5.8%
Libertarian Larry Dodge 12,412 3.9
Majority 41,072 12.8 -15.5%
Turnout 321,062
Democratic hold Swing

Nebraska

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Nebraska
See also: List of United States senators from Nebraska

Incumbent Democrat Edward Zorinsky won re-election.

1982 Nebraska U.S. Senate Election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edward Zorinsky (incumbent) 363,350 66.6
Republican Jim Keck 155,760 28.6
Independent Virginia Walsh 26,443 4.9
None Write-Ins 94 0
Majority 207,590 38.0
Turnout 545,647
Democratic hold

Nevada

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Nevada
See also: List of United States senators from Nevada

Incumbent Democrat Howard Cannon ran for re-election to a fifth term, but lost to Republican State Senator Chic Hecht.

General election results[25]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chic Hecht 120,377 50.1
Democratic Howard Cannon (Incumbent) 114,720 47.7
None of These Candidates – 5,297 2.2
Majority 15,657 2.4
Turnout 240,394
Republican gain from Democratic

New Jersey

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in New Jersey
See also: List of United States senators from New Jersey

Democrat Frank Lautenberg won for the seat held by retiring incumbent Republican Senator Nicholas Brady. Lautenberg won the seat with a margin of 3.2% over member of the House Millicent Fenwick.

Cresitello dropped out of the race on May 27 but remained on the June 8 primary ballot.[26]

Democratic Party primary results[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank Lautenberg 104,666 26.0
Democratic Andrew Maguire 92,878 23.1
Democratic Joseph A. LeFante 81,440 20.2
Democratic Barbara Boggs Sigmund 45,708 11.3
Democratic Howard Rosen 28,427 7.1
Democratic Angelo Bianchi 17,684 4.4
Democratic Cyril Yannarelli 10,188 2.5
Democratic Frank Forst 9,563 2.4
Democratic Richard D. McAleer 8,110 2.0
Democratic Donald Cresitello 4,295 1.1
Total votes 402,959 100
Republican Party primary results[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Millicent Fenwick 193,683 54.3
Republican Jeff Bell 163,145 45.7
Total votes 356,828 100

The seat had been occupied by Democrat Harrison A. Williams, who resigned on March 11, 1982, after being implicated in the Abscam scandal. After Williams' resignation, Republican Governor Thomas Kean appointed Republican Nicholas F. Brady to the seat. Brady served in the Senate through the primary and general elections but did not run for the seat himself.

In the general election, Lautenberg faced popular Republican member of the House Millicent Fenwick. She ran on a very progressive platform and polls in the Summer of 1982 put her ahead by 18 points. Even Lautenberg quipped that she was "the most popular candidate in the country."[28] Lautenberg spent more of his own money, eventually out-spending Fenwick two-to-one. He emphasised President Reagan's unpopularity, reminded the voters that she would be a vote for a Republican majority in the Senate and called Fenwick, who was 72, "eccentric" and "erratic" but denied that he was referring to her age.[28][29] He did however point out that she would be almost 80 at the end of her first term and was therefore unlikely to gain much seniority in the Senate.[28] Coincidentally, the age issue would be used against Lautenberg in his own re-election bid in 2008.

Lautenberg won by 51% to 48%, in what was considered a major upset.[28] Brady, who had just a few days left in his appointed term, resigned on December 27, 1982, allowing Lautenberg to take office several days before the traditional swearing-in of senators, which gave him an edge in seniority over the other freshman senators.

General election results[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank Lautenberg 1,117,549 50.9
Republican Millicent Fenwick 1,047,626 47.8
Libertarian Henry Koch 9,934 0.5
Socialist Labor Julius Levin 5,580 0.3
Independent Martin E. Wendelken 4,745 0.2
Socialist Workers Claire Moriarty 3,726 0.2
Grassroots Robert T. Bastien 2,955 0.1
Repeal TF 807 Rose Zeidwerg Monyek 1,830 0.1
Majority 69.923 3.2
Turnout 2,193,945 100
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

New Mexico

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in New Mexico
See also: List of United States senators from New Mexico

Incumbent Republican Harrison Schmitt was running for re-election to a second term, but lost to Democrat Jeff Bingaman, Attorney General of New Mexico.

New Mexico election[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jeff Bingaman 217,682 53.8 +11.1%
Republican Harrison Schmitt (Incumbent) 187,128 46.2 -10.6%
Majority 30,554 7.6 -6.6%
Turnout 404,810
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

New York

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in New York
See also: List of United States senators from New York

Incumbent Democrat Daniel Patrick Moynihan won re-election to a second term over Republican Assemblywoman Florence Sullivan.

General election results[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Daniel Patrick Moynihan (Incumbent) 3,232,146 65.1
Republican Florence Sullivan 1,696,766 34.2
Libertarian James J. McKeown 23,379 0.5
Socialist Workers Steven Wattenmaker 15,206 0.5
None Write-Ins 232 0
Majority 1,535,380 30.9
Turnout 4,967,729
Democratic hold

North Dakota

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in North Dakota
See also: List of United States senators from North Dakota

The incumbent, North Dakota Democratic NPL Party (Dem-NPL) Quentin Burdick, sought and received re-election to his fifth term, defeating Republican candidate Gene Knorr.[1]

Only Burdick filed as a Dem-NPLer, and the endorsed Republican candidate was cattle rancher Gene Knorr. Burdick and Knorr won the primary elections for their respective parties. Burdick's campaign was known for employing more television advertisement spending when compared with his campaigns in the past, as well as making several negative portrayals. Knorr had the support of Vice President George H. W. Bush, who campaigned in state to support his candidacy. The election was also noted as the first where Burdick's age began to become an issue. Burdick, who was 74 during the year of the election, faced a much younger Knorr, who was 41. At one point, Burdick challenged Knorr to a fistfight to prove his vitality; but the challenge, assumed to be a joke, never occurred. After being defeated, Knorr moved to Washington, D.C., where he took the position of staff vice president with Philip Morris International.

One independent candidate, Anna B. Bourgois, also filed before the deadline, running under her self-created party titled God, Family, and Country. Bourgois would later run for North Dakota's other United States Senate seat as an independent in 1986, challenging Mark Andrews. She received over 8,000 votes in the election, which is rather high for an independent. Some attribute her large number of votes to the name of her party – which was based on things that North Dakotans valued. Despite the result, Bourgois' campaign still had little impact on the outcome.

North Dakota election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Quentin Burdick (Incumbent) 164,873 62.8
Republican Gene Knorr 89,304 34.0
Independent Anna B. Bourgois 8,288 3.1
Majority 75,569 28.8
Turnout 262,465
Democratic hold

Prior to the 1982 Senate campaign, Knorr had been working in Washington, DC since 1970 when he worked for the Department of Treasury. He began working in Washington, DC, residing in McLean, Virginia after receiving a Juris Doctorate from Northwestern University where he was celebrated in debate. From Treasury, he worked as a lobbyist with Charls E. Walker Associates.

Ohio

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Ohio
See also: List of United States senators from Ohio

Incumbent Democrat Howard Metzenbaum successfully sought re-election to his third term, defeating Republican State Senator from Bucyrus Paul Pfeifer.

Ohio election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Howard Metzenbaum (Incumbent) 1,923,767 56.7
Republican Paul Pfeifer 1,396,790 41.1
Independent Alicia Merel 38,803 1.1
Libertarian Philip Herzing 36,103 1.1
Majority 526,977 15.5
Turnout 3,395,463
Democratic hold

Pennsylvania

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania
See also: List of United States senators from Pennsylvania

Incumbent Republican H. John Heinz III successfully sought re-election to another term, defeating Democratic nominee Cyril Wecht, member of the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners.

John Heinz's Democratic opponent in the 1982 election was Allegheny County commissioner and former coroner Cyril Wecht, who lacked significant name recognition outside of Pittsburgh, his home town. Although the 1982 elections were a setback nationally for incumbent President Ronald Reagan and the Republican Party, neither Heinz nor incumbent Republican governor Dick Thornburgh, who was also up for re-election in 1982, were challenged by Democrats with statewide prominence. Wecht ran a low-budget campaign lacking the assets to boost his name recognition; The Philadelphia Inquirer ran a headline dubbing the race "The Race for Senator No One Seemed to Notice."[32] Despite this, Heinz ran a cautious campaign, running as a moderate due to Pennsylvania's unemployment, 11%, one of the highest in the nation at the time, as well as the declining health of Pennsylvania's coal mining, manufacturing and steel industries. In the end, Heinz won the election by a wide margin, winning 59.3% of the popular vote. Wecht won 39.2% of the popular vote.[32]

General election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican H. John Heinz III (Incumbent) 2,136,418 59.3 +6.9%
Democratic Cyril Wecht 1,412,965 39.2 -7.6%
Libertarian Barbara I. Karkutt 19,244 0.5 +0.5%
Socialist Workers William H. Thomas 18,951 0.5 +0.4%
Consumer Liane Norman 16,530 0.5 +0.5%
Majority 723,453 20.1 +14.5%
Turnout 3,604,108
Republican hold Swing

Rhode Island

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Rhode Island
See also: List of United States senators from Rhode Island

Incumbent Republican John Chafee successfully sought re-election to a second term, defeating Democrat Julius C. Michaelson, former Attorney General of Rhode Island.

Democratic primary results[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Julius C. Michaelson 56,800 82.4
Democratic Helen E. Flynn 12,159 17.6
Majority 44,641 64.7
Total votes 68,959 100
General election results[34][1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Chafee (Incumbent) 175,495 51.2
Democratic Julius C. Michaelson 167,283 48.8
Majority 8,212 2.4
Total votes 342,778 100
Republican hold

Tennessee

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Tennessee
See also: List of United States senators from Tennessee

Democrat Jim Sasser was re-elected with 61.9% of the vote, over Republican Robin Beard, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

General election results[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jim Sasser (Incumbent) 780,113 61.9
Republican Robin Beard 479,642 38.1
Majority 300,471 23.9
Turnout 1,259,755
Democratic hold

Texas

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Texas
See also: List of United States senators from Texas

Incumbent Democrat Lloyd Bentsen successfully ran for re-election to his third term, defeating Republican U.S. Representative James M. Collins.

Democrat incumbent, Lloyd Bentsen, won re-election.

Texas election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lloyd Bentsen (Incumbent) 1,818,223 58.6
Republican James M. Collins 1,256,759 40.5
Libertarian John E. Ford 23,494 0.8
Citizens Lineaus Hooper Lorette 4,564 0.2
None Write-Ins 127 0
Majority 561,464 18.1
Turnout 3,103,167
Democratic hold

Utah

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Utah
See also: List of United States senators from Utah

Incumbent Republican Orrin Hatch successfully ran for re-election to his second term, defeating Democrat Mayor of Salt Lake City Ted Wilson.

Utah election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Orrin Hatch (Incumbent) 309,332 58.3
Democratic Ted Wilson 219,482 41.4
Libertarian George Mercier 1,035 0.2
American Lawrence R. Kauffman 953 0.2
Majority 89,850 16.9
Turnout 530,802
Republican hold

Vermont

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Vermont
See also: List of United States senators from Vermont

Incumbent Republican Robert Stafford successfully ran for re-election to another term in the United States Senate, defeating Democratic candidate James A. Guest.

Republican primary results[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Stafford (Incumbent) 26,323 46.2
Republican Stewart M. Ledbetter 19,743 34.7
Republican John McClaughry 10,692 18.8
Republican Other 162 0.3
Total votes '65,920' '100'
Democratic primary results[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James A. Guest 11,352 67.1
Democratic Thomas E. McGregor 3,749 22.2
Democratic Earl S. Gardner 1,281 7.6
Democratic Other 536 3.2
Total votes '16,918' '100'
Vermont election[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Stafford (Incumbent) 84,450 50.3
Democratic James A. Guest 79,340 47.2
Independent Michael Edward Hackett 1,463 1.0
Independent Ion Laskaris 897 0.5
Libertarian Bo Adlerbert 892 0.5
N/A Other 961 0.6
Total votes 168,003 '100'
Majority 5,109 3.0
Republican hold

Virginia

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Virginia
See also: List of United States senators from Virginia

U.S. Representative from Virginia's 1st district, Paul Trible replaced Independent Senator Harry F. Byrd Jr., who was stepping down after three terms. He beat Democratic Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, Richard Joseph Davis.

Virginia election[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Paul Trible 724,571 51.2 +51.2%
Democratic Dick Davis 690,839 48.8 +10.5%
Write-ins 212 0
Majority 33,732 2.4 -16.6%
Turnout 1,415,622
Republican gain from Independent Swing

Washington

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Washington
See also: List of United States senators from Washington

Incumbent Democrat Henry M. Jackson successfully ran for re-election to his sixth and final term, defeating Republican challenger Doug Jewett, a Seattle City Attorney and independent King Lysen, a state senator.

Washington election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Henry M. Jackson (Incumbent) 943,655 69.0
Republican Doug Jewett 332,273 24.3
Independent King Lysen 72,297 5.3
Independent Jesse Chiang 20,251 1.5
Majority 611,382 44.7
Turnout 1,368,476
Democratic hold

West Virginia

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in West Virginia
See also: List of United States senators from West Virginia

Incumbent Democrat Robert Byrd won re-election to a fifth term over Republican Cleve Benedict, a freshman member of the House.

Benedict made great note of Byrd's record of high office in the Ku Klux Klan, his avoidance of service in World War II, and the fact that Byrd, then alone among members of Congress, owned no home in the state he represented. His campaign represented the last serious and well-funded effort to unseat Byrd, spending $1,098,218. Byrd was Minority Leader at the time.

General election[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Byrd (Incumbent) 387,170 68.5
Republican Cleve Benedict 173,910 30.8
Majority 213,260 37.7
Turnout 565,314
Democratic hold

Wisconsin

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Wisconsin
See also: List of United States senators from Wisconsin

Incumbent Democrat William Proxmire successfully ran for re-election to his fifth and final term, defeating Republican States Representative Scott McCallum.

Wisconsin election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William Proxmire (Incumbent) 983,311 63.7
Republican Scott McCallum 527,355 34.1
Labor–Farm William Osborne Hart 21,807 1.4
Libertarian George Liljenfeldt 7,947 0.5
Constitution Sanford G. Knapp 4,463 0.29
Majority 455,956 29.5
Turnout 1,544,883
Democratic hold

Wyoming

Main article: 1982 United States Senate election in Wyoming
See also: List of United States senators from Wyoming

Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Malcolm Wallop was re-elected to a second term in office, defeating Democratic State Senator Rodger McDaniel.

Wyoming election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Malcolm Wallop (Incumbent) 94,725 56.7
Democratic Rodger McDaniel 72,466 43.3
Majority 22,259 13.3
Turnout 167,191
Republican hold

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Includes the interim appointee who ran for election.
  2. ^ Appointee elected
  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 and 1976 as an independent.
  4. ^ Vermont was the "tipping-point state".

References

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source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_United_States_Senate_elections