Major General James G. Blunt

The 1978 United States Senate elections were held on November 7, in the middle of Democratic President Jimmy Carter's term. The 33 seats of Class 2 were contested in regular elections. Special elections were also held to fill vacancies.

Thirteen seats changed hands between parties, resulting in a net gain of three seats for the Republicans allowing them to break the Democrats' filibuster-proof majority. Democrats nevertheless retained a 58–41 majority.

Results summary

58 1 41
Democratic I Republican
Parties Total
Democratic Republican Independent Other
Last elections (1976)
Before these elections
61 38 1 0 100
Not up 43 21 1 0 65
Up 18 17 0 35
Class 2 (1972→1978) 16 17 33
Special: Class 1 1 1
Special: Class 3 1 1
Incumbent retired 5[b] 5 10
Held by same party 2 3 5
Replaced by other party Decrease2 Republicans replaced by Increase2 Democrats
Decrease3 Democrats replaced by Increase3 Republicans
5
Result 4 6 10
Incumbent ran 13[b][c][d] 12[e] 25
Won re-election 6 9 15
Lost re-election Decrease2 Republicans replaced by Increase2 Democrats
Decrease5 Democrats replaced by Increase5 Republicans
7
Lost renomination,
but held by same party
2 0 2
Lost renomination,
and party lost
Decrease1 Republican replaced by Increase1 Democrat 1
Result 11 14 0 0 25
Total elected 15 20 0 0 35
Net gain/loss Decrease3 Increase3 Steady Steady 3
Nationwide vote 15,302,929 14,794,225 299,624 278,078 30,674,856
Share 49.89% 48.23% 0.98% 0.91% 100%
Result 58 41 1 0 100

Source: Clerk of the United States House of Representatives[1]

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

Five Republicans and three Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election. One Democrat retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term and one Democrat retired instead of seeking election to a full term.

State Senator Replaced by
Alabama (regular) John Sparkman Howell Heflin
Arkansas Kaneaster Hodges Jr. David Pryor
Kansas James B. Pearson Nancy Kassebaum
Minnesota (special) Muriel Humphrey David Durenberger
Mississippi James Eastland Thad Cochran
Nebraska Carl Curtis J. James Exon
Oklahoma Dewey F. Bartlett David Boren
South Dakota James Abourezk Larry Pressler
Virginia William L. Scott John Warner
Wyoming Clifford Hansen Alan Simpson

Defeats

Three Republicans and four Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election. One Democrat sought election to a full term but lost in the general election, one Democrat sought election to a full term but lost in the primary and one Democrat sought election to finish the unexpired term but lost in the primary.

State Senator Replaced by
Alabama (special) Maryon Pittman Allen Donald Stewart
Colorado Floyd Haskell William L. Armstrong
Iowa Dick Clark Roger Jepsen
Maine William Hathaway William Cohen
Massachusetts Edward Brooke Paul Tsongas
Michigan Robert P. Griffin Carl Levin
Minnesota (regular) Wendell R. Anderson Rudy Boschwitz
Montana Paul G. Hatfield Max Baucus
New Hampshire Thomas J. McIntyre Gordon J. Humphrey
New Jersey Clifford P. Case Bill Bradley

Post-election changes

One Democrat resigned on May 7, 1980, and was later replaced by Democratic appointee.

State Senator Replaced by
Maine
(Class 1)
Edmund Muskie George J. Mitchell

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 D28 D29 D30
D40 D39 D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31
D41 D42 D43 D44
Ala. (reg)
Ran
D45
Ala. (sp)
Ran
D46
Ark.
Retired
D47
Colo.
Ran
D48
Del.
Ran
D49
Ga.
Ran
D50
Iowa
Ran
Majority → D51
Ky.
Ran
D60
S.D.
Retired
D59
R.I.
Ran
D58
N.H.
Ran
D57
Mont.
Ran
D56
Miss.
Retired
D55
Minn. (sp)
Retired
D54
Minn. (reg)
Ran
D53
Maine
Ran
D52
La.
Ran
D61
W.Va.
Ran
I1 R38
Wyo.
Retired
R37
Va.
Retired
R36
Texas
Ran
R35
Tenn.
Ran
R34
S.C.
Ran
R33
Ore.
Ran
R32
Okla.
Retired
R31
N.C.
Ran
R21 R22
Alaska
Ran
R23
Idaho
Ran
R24
Ill.
Ran
R25
Kan.
Retired
R26
Mass.
Ran
R27
Mich.
Ran
R28
Neb.
Retired
R29
N.J.
Ran
R30
N.M.
Ran
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 D28 D29 D30
D40 D39 D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31
D41 D42 D43 D44
Ala. (reg)
Re-elected
D45
Ala. (sp)
Hold
D46
Ark.
Hold
D47
Del.
Re-elected
D48
Ga.
Re-elected
D49
Ky.
Re-elected
D50
La.
Re-elected
Majority → D51
Mont.
Hold
R41
S.D.
Gain
I1 D58
Okla.
Gain
D57
N.J.
Gain
D56
Neb.
Gain
D55
Mich.
Gain
D54
Mass.
Gain
D53
W.Va.
Re-elected
D52
R.I.
Re-elected
R40
N.H.
Gain
R39
Miss.
Gain
R38
Minn. (sp)
Gain
R37
Minn. (reg)
Gain[f]
R36
Maine
Gain
R35
Iowa
Gain
R34
Colo.
Gain
R33
Wyo.
Hold
R32
Va.
Hold
R31
Texas
Re-elected
R21 R22
Alaska
Re-elected
R23
Idaho
Re-elected
R24
Ill.
Re-elected
R25
Kan.
Hold
R26
N.M.
Re-elected
R27
N.C.
Re-elected
R28
Ore.
Re-elected
R29
S.C.
Re-elected
R30
Tenn.
Re-elected
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 summary

Special elections during the 95th Congress

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1978 or before January 3, 1979; ordered by election date, then state.

State
(linked to
summaries below)
Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Alabama
(Class 3)
Maryon Pittman Allen Democratic 1978 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost nomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Minnesota
(Class 1)
Muriel Humphrey DFL 1978 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
  • Green tickY David Durenberger (Republican) 61.4%
  • Bob Short (DFL) 34.6%
  • Paul Helm (American) 2.9%
  • Christine Frank (Socialist) 0.7%
  • Frederick Hewitt (Libertarian) 0.3%

Elections leading to the next Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1979; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.

State
(linked to
summaries below)
Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Alabama John Sparkman Democratic 1946 (special)
1948
1954
1960
1966
1972
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
  • Green tickY Howell Heflin (Democratic) 94.0%
  • Jerome B. Couch (Prohibition) 6.0%
Alaska Ted Stevens Republican 1968 (Appointed)
1970
1972
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Ted Stevens (Republican) 75.6%
  • Donald W. Hobbs (Democratic) 24.1%
Arkansas Kaneaster Hodges Jr. Democratic 1977 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
  • Green tickY David Pryor (Democratic) 76.5%
  • Tom Kelly (Republican) 16.3%
  • John J. Black (Independent) 7.2%
Colorado Floyd Haskell Democratic 1972 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Others
  • Vedder V. Dorn (United States Party) 0.7%
  • John Shue (National Statesman) 0.3%
Delaware Joe Biden Democratic 1972 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Joe Biden (Democratic) 58.0%
  • James H. Baxter (Republican) 41.0%
  • Donald G. Gies (American) 1.0%
Georgia Sam Nunn Democratic 1972 (special)
1972
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Sam Nunn (Democratic) 83.1%
  • John W. Stokes (Republican) 16.9%
Idaho James A. McClure Republican 1972 Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois Charles H. Percy Republican 1966
1972
Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • William R. Roy (Libertarian) 0.5%
  • Patricia Grogan (Socialist Workers) 0.5%
  • Gerald Rose (Socialist Labor) 0.2%
Iowa Dick Clark Democratic 1972 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Others
  • Gerald Leo Baker (Independent) 0.5%
  • Ben L. Olson (Libertarian) 0.4%
Kansas James B. Pearson Republican 1962 (Appointed)
1962 (special)
1966
1972
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned December 23, 1978 to give successor preferential seniority.
Successor appointed December 23, 1978 to finish the term.
  • Green tickY Nancy Kassebaum (Republican) 53.9%
  • William R. Roy (Democratic) 42.4%
  • James R. Maher (Conservative) 3.0%
  • Russell Mikels (Prohibition) 0.7%
Kentucky Walter Dee Huddleston Democratic 1972 Incumbent re-elected.
Louisiana J. Bennett Johnston Democratic 1972 (Appointed)
1972
Incumbent re-elected.
Maine William Hathaway Democratic 1972 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Massachusetts Edward Brooke Republican 1966
1972
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Michigan Robert P. Griffin Republican 1966 (Appointed)
1966
1972
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Minnesota Wendell R. Anderson DFL 1976 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Incumbent resigned December 29, 1978 to give successor preferential seniority.
Successor appointed December 30, 1978 to finish the term.
Others
  • William Peterson (Socialist Workers) 0.6%
  • Brian Coyle (Public Interest Independent) 0.5%
  • Jean T. Brust (Workers) 0.2%
  • Leonard Richards (Libertarian) 0.2%
Mississippi James Eastland Democratic 1942
1948
1954
1960
1966
1972
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Incumbent resigned December 27, 1978 to give successor preferential seniority.
Successor appointed December 27, 1978 to finish the term.
Montana Paul G. Hatfield Democratic 1978 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost nomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Incumbent resigned December 12, 1978 to give successor preferential seniority.
Successor appointed December 15, 1978 to finish the term.
Nebraska Carl Curtis Republican 1954
1960
1966
1972
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
  • Green tickY J. James Exon (Democratic) 67.6%
  • Donald Shasteen (Republican) 32.3%
New Hampshire Thomas J. McIntyre Democratic 1962 (special)
1966
1972
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
New Jersey Clifford P. Case Republican 1954
1960
1966
1972
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Others
  • Herbert Harry Shaw (Independent) 0.2%
  • Bill Gahres (Independent) 0.2%
  • Jack Moyers (Independent) 0.2%
  • Robert Bowen (Labor) 0.2%
  • J.M. Carter Jr. (Independent) 0.2%
  • Jasper C. Gould (Independent) 0.2%
  • William R. Thorn (Independent) 0.1%
  • Paul Ferguson (Independent) 0.1%
  • Alice Conner (Independent) 0.1%
New Mexico Pete Domenici Republican 1972 Incumbent re-elected.
North Carolina Jesse Helms Republican 1972 Incumbent re-elected.
Oklahoma Dewey F. Bartlett Republican 1972 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Others
  • Glenn E. Hager (Independent) 0.5%
  • Riley Donica (Independent) 0.4%
  • Paul Edward Trent (Independent) 0.4%
  • Richard King Carter (Independent) 0.3%
Oregon Mark Hatfield Republican 1966
1972
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Mark Hatfield (Republican) 61.6%
  • Vernon Cook (Democratic) 38.3%
Rhode Island Claiborne Pell Democratic 1960
1966
1972
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Claiborne Pell (Democratic) 75.1%
  • James G. Reynolds (Republican) 24.9%
South Carolina Strom Thurmond Republican 1954 (write-in)[g]
1954 (Appointed)
1956 (Resigned)
1956 (special)
1960
1966
1972
Incumbent re-elected.
South Dakota James Abourezk Democratic 1972 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
  • Green tickY Larry Pressler (Republican) 66.8%
  • Don Barnett (Democratic) 33.2%
Tennessee Howard Baker Republican 1966
1972
Incumbent re-elected.
Texas John Tower Republican 1961 (special)
1966
1972
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY John Tower (Republican) 49.8%
  • Bob Krueger (Democratic) 49.3%
  • Luis A. Diaz de Leon (Raza Unida) 0.8%
  • Miguel Pendas (Socialist Workers) 0.2%
Virginia William L. Scott Republican 1972 Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned January 1, 1979 to give successor preferential seniority.
Successor appointed January 2, 1979 to finish the term.
West Virginia Jennings Randolph Democratic 1958 (special)
1960
1966
1972
Incumbent re-elected.
Wyoming Clifford Hansen Republican 1966
1972
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned December 31, 1978 to give successor preferential seniority.
Successor appointed January 1, 1979 to finish the term.
  • Green tickY Alan Simpson (Republican) 62.2%
  • Raymond B. Whitaker (Democratic) 37.8%

Closest races

Nine races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State Party of winner Margin
Virginia Republican 0.38%
Texas Republican 0.53%
West Virginia Democratic 0.96%
New Hampshire Republican (flip) 2.20%
Iowa Republican (flip) 3.21%
Michigan Democratic (flip) 4.29%
New Mexico Republican 6.82%
Illinois Republican 7.87%
North Carolina Republican 9.02%

Oklahoma was the tipping point state with a margin of 32.6%.

Alabama

There were two elections in Alabama, due to the death of senator Jim Allen.

Alabama (regular)

Democrat John Sparkman retired and was succeeded by Howell Heflin, the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama. Heflin, the Democratic candidate, faced no Republican opponent in the general election, defeating Prohibition Party nominee Jerome B. Couch.

General election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Howell Heflin 547,054 93.99%
Prohibition Jerome B. Couch 34,951 6.01%
Majority 512,103 87.98%
Turnout 582,005
Democratic hold

Alabama (special)

Following the death of senator Jim Allen, his widow Maryon was appointed by governor George Wallace to fill the vacancy until a special election could be held. In this election, Democratic state senator Donald W. Stewart defeated former Republican Congressman James D. Martin to serve the remaining two years of the term.

General election[2][3][4][5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Donald W. Stewart 401,852 54.93%
Republican James D. Martin 316,170 43.22%
Libertarian Michael R. A. Erdey 6,006 0.82%
Prohibition A. J. Killingsworth 5,814 0.80%
Peace and Freedom Joseph T. Robino 1,768 0.24%
Majority 85,682 11.74%
Turnout 731,610
Democratic hold

Alaska

Republican Ted Stevens won reelection to a second full (his third total) term, defeating Democrat Donald Hobbs.

1978 United States Senate election in Alaska[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ted Stevens (Incumbent) 92,783 75.59%
Democratic Donald Hobbs 29,574 24.09%
Write-ins Write-ins 384 0.31%
Majority 63,209 51.50%
Turnout 122,741
Republican hold Swing

Arkansas

Following the death of senator John L. McClellan, then Kaneaster Hodges Jr. was appointed by governor David Pryor to fill the vacancy until a special election could be held. In this election, Democratic state governor David Pryor defeated former Republican challenger Thomas Kelly Jr. to serve the six-year term.

1978 United States Senate election in Arkansas[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Pryor 395,506 76.48%
Republican Tom Kelly 84,308 16.30%
Independent John G. Black 37,211 7.20%
None Write-ins 113 0.02%
Majority 311,198 60.18%
Turnout 517,138
Democratic hold

Colorado

Democrat Floyd Haskell decided to run for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by William L. Armstrong, the Republican nominee and the U.S. Representative.

1978 United States Senate election in Colorado[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William L. Armstrong 480,801 58.69%
Democratic Floyd Haskell (Incumbent) 330,148 40.30%
United States Party Vedder V. Dorn 5,789 0.71%
National Statesman John Shue 2,518 0.31%
Majority 150,653 18.39%
Turnout 819,256
Republican gain from Democratic

Delaware

Democratic United States senator Joe Biden won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican challenger James H. Baxter Jr., the Delaware Secretary of Agriculture.[6]

General election[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joe Biden (Incumbent) 93,930 57.96% +7.48%
Republican James H. Baxter Jr. 66,479 41.02% -8.08%
American Donald G. Gies 1,663 1.02% +0.68%
Majority 27,451 16.94% +15.56%
Turnout 162,072
Democratic hold Swing

Georgia

Democrat Sam Nunn won re-election to a second term.[7]

General election[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Sam Nunn (incumbent) 536,320 83.13% +29.17%
Republican John W. Stokes 108,808 16.87% -29.14%
Majority 427,512 66.27% +58.32%
Turnout 645,128
Democratic hold Swing

Idaho

Republican James A. McClure was elected to a second term in office.

1978 United States Senate election in Idaho[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican James A. McClure (Incumbent) 194,412 68.44%
Democratic Dwight Jensen 89,635 31.56%
Majority 104,777 36.88%
Turnout 284,047
Republican hold Swing

Illinois

Republican Charles H. Percy ran for re-election to a third term in the United States Senate. Percy was opposed by Democratic nominee Alex Seith (D), attorney and former member of the Cook County Zoning Board of Appeals. Though Percy had been expected to coast to re-election over Seith, a first-time candidate, the election quickly became competitive. In the last few days of the campaign, a desperate Percy ran a television advertisement that featured him apologizing and acknowledging that, "I got your message and you're right."[9] Percy's last-ditch effort appeared to have paid off, as he was able to edge out Seith to win what would end up being his third and final term in the Senate.

1978 United States Senate election in Illinois[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Charles H. Percy (Incumbent) 1,698,711 53.34% -8.88%
Democratic Alex Seith 1,448,187 45.47% +8.13%
Libertarian Bruce Lee Green 16,320 0.51%
Socialist Workers Patricia Grogan 15,922 0.50%
Socialist Labor Gerald Rose 5,465 0.18%
Write-ins 159 0.00%
Majority 250,524 7.87% -17.00%
Turnout 3,184,764
Republican hold Swing

Iowa

Democrat Dick Clark decided to run for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Roger Jepsen, the Republican nominee and former Lieutenant Governor of Iowa.

1978 United States Senate election in Iowa[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Roger Jepsen 421,598 51.13%
Democratic Dick Clark (Incumbent) 395,066 47.91%
Independent Gerald Leo Baker 4,223 0.51%
Libertarian Ben L. Olson 3,689 0.45%
Majority 26,532 3.22%
Turnout 824,576
Republican gain from Democratic

Kansas

Republican James B. Pearson retired and was succeeded by Nancy Kassebaum, the daughter of Alf Landon, defeating Democratic nominee William R. Roy, the former U.S. Representative. Roy also lost to Bob Dole in the 1974 election for Kansas' other Senate seat.

1978 United States Senate election in Kansas[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Nancy Kassebaum 403,354 53.86%
Democratic William R. Roy 317,602 42.41%
Conservative James R. Maher 22,497 3.00%
Prohibition Russell Mikels 5,386 0.72%
Majority 85,752 11.45%
Turnout 748,839
Republican hold

Kentucky

Democrat Walter Huddleston was re-elected to a second term.

General election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Walter Huddleston (Incumbent) 290,730 60.98%
Republican Louie R. Guenthner Jr. 175,766 36.86%
American Anthony Albert McCord 10,244 2.15%
None Write-Ins 32 0.01%
Majority 114,964 24.12
Turnout 476,783
Democratic hold

Louisiana

Democrat J. Bennett Johnston won re-election to unopposed and his second term.

1978 United States Senate election in Louisiana[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Bennett Johnston (Incumbent) Unopposed
Democratic hold

Maine

Democrat 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 and Hayes Gahagan, former Maine State Senator

1978 United States Senate election in Maine[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican William Cohen 212,294 56.59% +9.83%
Democratic William Hathaway (Incumbent) 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

Massachusetts

Republican Edward Brooke was defeated by Democratic Congressman Paul E. Tsongas.

Republican primary[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Edward Brooke (Incumbent) 146,351 53.25%
Republican Avi Nelson 128,388 46.72%
All others 78 0.03%
Democratic primary[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paul Tsongas 296,915 35.55%
Democratic Paul Guzzi 258,960 31.01%
Democratic Kathleen Sullivan Alioto 161,036 19.28%
Democratic Howard Phillips 65,397 7.83%
Democratic Elaine Noble 52,464 6.28%
All others 379 0.05%
General election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paul E. Tsongas 1,093,283 55.06%
Republican Edward Brooke (Incumbent) 890,584 44.85%
All others 1,833 0.09%
Total votes 1,985,700 68.01%
Majority 202,699 10.21%
Democratic gain from Republican

Michigan

Republican Robert P. Griffin ran for re-election to a third term, but was defeated by the Democratic candidate, and former Detroit City Council President Carl Levin.

General election[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Carl Levin 1,484,193 52.1% N/A
Republican Robert P. Griffin (Incumbent) 1,362,165 47.8% -4.29%
Independent Others 272 0.01% -52.13%
Majority 122,028 4.29%
Turnout 2,846,630
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Minnesota

There were two elections in Minnesota, due to the death of Hubert Humphrey.

Minnesota (regular)

Democrat Wendell Anderson was defeated by Republican challenger businessman Rudy Boschwitz.

In 1978, all three key statewide races in Minnesota were up for election—the Governorship, and both Senate Seats (the other Senate seat belonged to Hubert Humphrey, who died in 1978). But, there was a particular oddity to the three races—all three had incumbents who were never elected to the office in the first place. This became a well played issue by the Republicans—a billboard put up across the state read, "The DFL is going to face something scary -- an election".

When Walter Mondale resigned after being elected to the Vice Presidency in 1976, sitting Governor Wendell Anderson resigned in order to be appointed by his successor Rudy Perpich to the open seat. This act did not sit well with the electorate. Plywood magnate Rudy Boschwitz campaigned as a liberal Republican and spent freely of his own money, but all that seemed to really matter was that he was neither a DFLer or Wendell Anderson in an election cycle where both were rejected by the voters. The result was not even close—the challenger Boschwitz won in a 16-point landslide as all three statewide offices switched into Republican hands.

Democratic primary election[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Wendell Anderson (Incumbent) 286,209 56.9%
Democratic (DFL) John S. Connolly 159,974 31.8%
Democratic (DFL) Daryl W. Anderson 23,159 4.6%
Democratic (DFL) Lloyd M. Roberts 12,709 2.5%
Democratic (DFL) Dick Bullock 11,485 2.3%
Democratic (DFL) Emil L. Moses 9,580 1.9%
Republican primary election[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Ind.-Republican Rudy Boschwitz 185,393 86.8%
Ind.-Republican Harold Stassen 28,170 13.2%
General election[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Ind.-Republican Rudy Boschwitz 894,092 56.57%
Democratic (DFL) Wendell Anderson (Incumbent) 638,375 40.39%
American Sal Carlone 23,261 1.47%
Socialist Workers William Peterson 9,856 0.62%
Independent Brian J. Coyle 8,083 0.51%
Workers League Jean T. Brust 3,891 0.25%
Libertarian Leonard J. Richards 2,992 0.19%
Others Write-ins 72 0.01%
Majority 255,717 16.18%
Turnout 1,580,622
Ind.-Republican gain from Democratic (DFL)

Minnesota (special)

Incumbent Muriel Humphrey retired. Democratic candidate Bob Short was defeated by Republican candidate David Durenberger.

In 1978, all three key statewide races in Minnesota were up for election—the Governorship, and both Senate Seats (the other Senate seat belonged to Wendell Anderson, who, as Governor of Minnesota, appointed himself to fill the seat vacated by Walter Mondale, when Mondale ascended to the Vice Presidency in 1976). But, there was a particular oddity to the three races—all three had incumbents who were never elected to the office in the first place. This became a well played issue by the Republicans: a billboard put up across the state read, "The DFL is going to face something scary — an election".

When Hubert H. Humphrey died in office in January 1978, sitting Governor Rudy Perpich appointed Humphrey's widow, Muriel to sit until a special election could be held later that year. However, Muriel Humphrey opted not to seek election to the seat in her own right, and the DFL nominated former Texas Rangers owner Bob Short to run in the subsequent special election. The Independent-Republicans, on their part, nominated the liberal Republican David Durenberger, creating an unusual race in which the DFL candidate was positioned to the right of the Independent-Republican candidate. In addition to the general sense of dissatisfaction voters felt for the DFL, the DFL also had to contend with a large number of liberal members of the DFL, who were dissatisfied with Short's positions on hot button issues such as abortion, motorboat usage in the Boundary Waters Canoe area, and government spending, crossing party lines to vote for Durenberger. As a result, Durenberger won in a 26.9-percent landslide as the governorship and both U.S. Senate seats switched into Republican hands.

Democratic special primary election[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Bob Short 257,289 48.0%
Democratic (DFL) Donald M. Fraser 253,818 47.4%
Democratic (DFL) Sharon Anderson 16,094 3.0%
Democratic (DFL) Richard A. Palmer 8,425 1.6%
Republican special primary election[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Ind.-Republican David Durenberger 139,187 67.3%
Ind.-Republican Malcolm Moos 32,314 15.6%
Ind.-Republican Ken Nordstrom 14,635 7.1%
Ind.-Republican Will Lundquist 12,261 5.9%
Ind.-Republican Adell H. Campbell 8,523 4.1%
Special election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Ind.-Republican David Durenberger 957,908 61.47%
Democratic (DFL) Bob Short 538,675 34.57%
American Paul Helm 45,402 2.91%
Socialist Workers Christine Frank 11,397 0.73%
Libertarian Frederick Hewitt 4,116 0.26%
Others Write-ins 878 0.06%
Majority 419,233 26.90%
Turnout 1,558,376
Ind.-Republican gain from Democratic (DFL)

Mississippi

Democrat James Eastland retired. Republican Thad Cochran won the open seat over Democrat Maurice Dantin, former District Attorney[16] and Independent Charles Evers, Mayor of Fayette.

Evers was the first African American elected since the Reconstruction era to be mayor in any Mississippi city in 1969. He ran as an independent, and as a result his campaign divided the Democrats and allowed Cochran to win the senate seat with a 45 percent plurality.[17] This made him the first Republican in a century to win a statewide election in Mississippi for any office except US President.[18] Eastland resigned on December 27, 1978, to give Cochran a seniority advantage over new incoming senators.[19]

Mississippi U.S. Senate Election, 1978[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Thad Cochran 267,302 45.3%
Democratic Maurice Dantin 187,541 31.8%
Independent Charles Evers 133,646 22.6%
Independent Henry Jay Kirksey 1,747 0.3%
Majority 79,761 13.52%
Turnout 590,236
Republican gain from Democratic

Montana

Following the death of senator Lee Metcalf on January 12, 1978, Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul G. Hatfield was appointed to serve for the remainder of Metcalf's term. Hatfield opted to run for a full term in office, but was overwhelmingly defeated in the Democratic primary by Congressman Max Baucus of the 1st congressional district. Baucus advanced to the general election, where he was opposed by Larry R. Williams, an author and the Republican nominee. Baucus ended up defeating Williams by a solid margin to win his first term in the Senate, and, following Hatfield's resignation on December 12, 1978, he began serving his first term in the Senate.

Democratic Party primary[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Max Baucus 87,085 65.25%
Democratic Paul G. Hatfield (Incumbent) 25,789 19.32%
Democratic John Driscoll 18,184 13.62%
Democratic Steve Shugrue 2,404 1.80%
Total votes 133,462 100.00%
Republican Primary[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Larry R. Williams 35,479 61.66%
Republican Bill Osborne 16,436 28.57%
Republican Clancy Rich 5,622 9.77%
Total votes 57,537 100.00%
1978 United States Senate election in Montana[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Max Baucus 160,353 55.69% +3.74%
Republican Larry R. Williams 127,589 44.31% -3.74%
Majority 32,764 11.38% +7.48%
Turnout 287,942
Democratic hold Swing

Nebraska

Republican Carl Curtis retired instead of seeking a fifth term. In the elections, Democratic nominee J. James Exon won the open seat over Republican Donald Eugene Shasteen.

General election[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic J. James Exon 334,096 67.66% +20.82%
Republican Donald Eugene Shasteen 159,708 32.34% -20.82%
Majority 174,390 35.32% +28.99%
Turnout 493,802
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

New Hampshire

Incumbent Democrat Thomas J. McIntyre decided to run for re-election to a fourth term, but was defeated by Gordon J. Humphrey, the Republican nominee also a professional pilot and conservative activist.

1978 United States Senate election in New Hampshire[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gordon J. Humphrey 133,745 50.71%
Democratic Thomas J. McIntyre (Incumbent) 127,945 48.51%
Libertarian Craig Franklin 2,070 0.78%
Majority 5,800 2.20%
Turnout 263,760
Republican gain from Democratic

New Jersey

Republican Clifford P. Case narrowly lost renomination to anti-tax conservative Jeff Bell, but the Democratic nominee, former professional basketball player Bill Bradley, easily won the general election.

New Jersey Democratic primary[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bill Bradley 217,502 58.90%
Democratic Richard Leone 97,667 26.45%
Democratic Alexander J. Menza 32,386 8.77%
Democratic Kenneth C. McCarthy 9,524 2.58%
Democratic Wesley K. Bell 8,800 2.38%
Democratic Ray Rollinson 3,374 0.91%
Total votes 369,253 100.00%
Republican primary results[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeff Bell 118,555 50.74%
Republican Clifford P. Case (incumbent) 115,082 49.26%
Total votes 233,637 100.00%
New Jersey general election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bill Bradley 1,082,960 55.32%
Republican Jeff Bell 844,200 43.13%
Independent Herbert H. Shaw 4,736 0.24%
Independent Bill Gahres 3,817 0.19%
Independent Jack Moyers 3,809 0.19%
U.S. Labor Robert Bowen 3,656 0.19%
Independent J. M. Carter Jr. 3,618 0.18%
Independent Jasper C. Gould 2,955 0.15%
Independent William R. Thorn 2,776 0.14%
Independent Paul Ferguson 2,604 0.13%
Independent Alice Conner 2,384 0.12%
Majority 238,760 12.19%
Turnout 1,957,515
Democratic gain from Republican

New Mexico

Republican senator Pete Domenici successfully ran for re-election to a second term, defeating Democrat Toney Anaya, Attorney General of New Mexico.

General election[23][1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pete Domenici (Incumbent) 183,442 53.41%
Democratic Toney Anaya 160,045 46.59%
Majority 23,397 6.81%
Total votes 343,487 100.00%
Republican hold

North Carolina

The general election was fought between the Republican Incumbent Jesse Helms and Democrat John Ingram. Helms won re-election, by a slightly wider margin than in 1972.

1978 North Carolina U.S. Senate Democratic primary election – First round[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Luther H. Hodges Jr. 260,868 40.08%
Democratic John Ingram 170,715 26.23%
Democratic Lawrence Davis 105,381 16.19%
Democratic McNeill Smith 82,703 12.71%
Democratic Dave McKnight 9,422 1.45%
Democratic William Griffin 8,907 1.37%
Democratic Tom Sawyer 8,482 1.30%
Turnout 650,942
1978 North Carolina U.S. Senate Democratic primary election – Second round[24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic John Ingram 244,469 54.24% +28.01%
Democratic Luther H. Hodges Jr. 206,223 45.76% +5.68%
Turnout 450,692

Jesse Helms won the Republican Party's nomination unopposed.

1978 North Carolina U.S. Senate election[24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jesse Helms (Incumbent) 619,151 54.51% +0.50%
Democratic John Ingram 516,663 45.49% -0.50%
Turnout 1,135,814

Oklahoma

Republican Dewey F. Bartlett retired instead of seeking a second term due to his declining health. In the elections, Democratic nominee David Boren won the open seat over Republican Robert B. Kamm.

1978 United States Senate election in Oklahoma[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Boren 493,953 65.49%
Republican Robert B. Kamm 247,857 32.86%
Independent Glenn E. Hager 3,875 0.51%
Independent Riley Donica 3,355 0.44%
Independent Paul Edward Trent 3,015 0.40%
Independent Richard King Carter 2,209 0.29%
Majority 246,096 32.63%
Turnout 754,264
Democratic gain from Republican

Bartlett died 2 months after leaving the U.S. Senate

Oregon

Republican senator Mark Hatfield successfully ran for re-election to a third term, defeating Democrat Vernon Cook, State Legislator and candidate for U.S. Representative in 1970 and 1974.

1978 United States Senate election in Oregon[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Hatfield (Incumbent) 550,165 61.64%
Democratic Vernon Cook 341,616 38.28%
Independent Write-Ins 737 0.08%
Majority 208,549 23.36%
Turnout 892,518
Republican hold

Rhode Island

Democrat Claiborne Pell successfully sought re-election, defeating Republican James G. Reynolds.

Democratic primary[25]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Claiborne Pell (Incumbent) 69,729 87.01%
Democratic Raymond J. Greiner 6,076 7.58%
Democratic Francis P. Kelley 4,330 5.41%
Majority 63,653 79.43%
Total votes 80,135 100.00%
General election[26][1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Claiborne Pell (Incumbent) 229,557 75.11%
Republican James G. Reynolds 76,061 24.89%
Majority 153,496 50.22%
Total votes 305,618 100.00%
Democratic hold

South Carolina

Popular incumbent Republican Strom Thurmond defeated Democratic challenger Charles D. Ravenel.

The South Carolina Democratic Party held their primary for governor on June 13, 1978. Charles D. Ravenel, an unsuccessful candidate in the 1974 gubernatorial contest, originally planned to run for governor again in 1978, but was convinced by Vice President Walter Mondale in 1977 to run for senator. He garnered over 50% of the vote in the primary and avoided a runoff election.

South Carolina Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Charles D. Ravenel 205,348 55.9%
Democratic John Bolt Culbertson 69,184 18.9%
Democratic Tom Triplett 50,957 13.9%
Democratic Tom McElveen 41,550 11.3%

Senator Strom Thurmond faced no opposition from South Carolina Republicans and avoided a primary election.

Thurmond generally ignored Ravenel on the campaign and refused to debate him. When they did cross paths, Thurmond criticized Ravenel for never having held a political office. Ravenel did not help his cause by his actions in the 1974 gubernatorial race when he refused to endorse the Democratic nominee after he had been disqualified. This irritated many Democrats and they also accused him of being nothing more than a liberal New Yorker. Age was beginning to become an issue with Thurmond, so to combat perceptions of old age, Thurmond often appeared with his children on the campaign trail. While 1978 was generally a Democratic year, Thurmond was able to pull off a commanding victory over Ravenel.

South Carolina general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Strom Thurmond (Incumbent) 351,733 55.6% -7.9%
Democratic Charles D. Ravenel 281,119 44.4% +7.9%
No party Write-Ins 257 0.0% 0.0%
Majority 70,614 11.2% -15.8%
Turnout 633,109 57.7% -7.5%
Republican hold Swing

South Dakota

Incumbent Democrat James Abourezk retired instead of seeking a second term. In the elections, Republican Congressman Larry Pressler won the open seat over Democratic former Mayor of Rapid City Don Barnett, thus becoming the first Vietnam veteran to serve in the Senate

1978 United States Senate election in South Dakota[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Larry Pressler 170,832 66.84%
Democratic Don Barnett 84,767 33.16%
Majority 86,065 33.68%
Turnout 255,599
Republican gain from Democratic

Tennessee

Two-term popular incumbent Howard Baker, who had served as United States Senate Minority Leader since 1977, ran for reelection against first-time candidate and Democratic Party activist Jane Eskind.

In the August 3 Democratic primary Eskind won in an open primary against eight other candidates:[27]

  • Eskind - 196,156 (34.52%)
  • Bruce - 170,795 (30.06%)
  • Lee - 89,939 (15.83%)
  • Boyd - 48,458 (8.53%)
  • Bradley - 22,130 (3.90%)
  • Heinsohn - 17,787 (3.13%)
  • Foster - 10,671 (1.88%)
  • Nyabongo - 7,682 (1.35%)
  • Vick - 4,414 (0.78%)
  • Write-in - 147 (0.03%)

In the Republican primary, also held August 3, Baker easily emerged as the winner:[28]

  • Baker - 205,680 (83.44%)
  • Howard - 21,154 (8.58%)
  • Boles - 8,899 (3.61%)
  • Patty - 3,941 (1.60%)
  • Seiler - 3,831 (1.55%)
  • Trapp - 2,994 (1.22%)

Baker won with a 15-point margin in the general election, held on November 7:[29]

General election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Howard Baker (Incumbent) 642,644 55.54%
Democratic Jane Eskind 466,228 40.29%
Independent Thomas J. Anderson 45,908 3.97%
Independent Fern L. Keasler 2,243 0.19%
None Write-Ins 71 0.01%
Majority 176,416 15.25%
Turnout 1,157,094
Republican hold

Texas

Republican incumbent John Tower won re-election to a fourth term over Democrat Bob Krueger, U.S. Congressman of Texas's 21st congressional district.

General election[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Tower (Incumbent) 1,151,376 49.8%
Democratic Bob Krueger 1,139,149 49.3%
Raza Unida Luis A. Diaz de Leon 17,869 0.8%
Socialist Workers Miguel Pendas 4,018 0.2%
None Others 128 0.0%
Majority 12,227 0.5%
Turnout 2,312,540
Republican hold

Virginia

Incumbent William L. Scott retired. Former Secretary of the Navy Republican John Warner beat Attorney General of Virginia Andrew P. Miller. Scott then resigned January 1, 1979 and Warner was appointed January 2, 1979 for early seniority purposes.

1978 United States Senate election in Virginia[31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John Warner 613,232 50.17% -1.28%
Democratic Andrew P. Miller 608,511 49.79% +3.67%
Write-ins 513 0.04% +0.04%
Majority 4,721 0.39% +0.39%
Turnout 1,222,256
Republican hold

West Virginia

Democratic incumbent Jennings Randolph won re-election to a fifth term over Republican Arch Moore, former Governor of West Virginia.

1978 United States Senate election in West Virginia[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jennings Randolph (Incumbent) 249,034 50.48%
Republican Arch A. Moore Jr. 244,317 49.52%
Majority 4,717 0.92%
Turnout 493,351
Democratic hold

Wyoming

Incumbent Republican Clifford Hansen retired instead of seeking a third term. In the elections, Republican nominee Alan K. Simpson won the open seat over Democrat Raymond B. Whitaker, an attorney from Casper and nominee for U.S. Senate in 1960.

1978 United States Senate election in Wyoming[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alan Simpson 82,908 62.17%
Democratic Raymond B. Whitaker 50,456 37.83%
Majority 32,452 24.34%
Turnout 133,364
Republican hold

See also

Notes

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b Interim appointee Muriel Humphrey of Minnesota did not seek election to finish the unexpired term and interim appointee Kaneaster Hodges Jr. of Arkansas did not seek election to a full term.
  3. ^ Allen and Hatfield lost nomination to represent Alabama and Montana, respectively.
  4. ^ Includes the interim appointee who ran for election.
  5. ^ Clifford P. Case lost renomination to represent New Jersey. Jeffrey Bell became the party's new nominee.
  6. ^ Appointee defeated
  7. ^ Senator Strom Thurmond was originally elected as a Democrat in 1954, but as a write-in candidate, a special election in 1956 and 1960 before switching to a Republican in 1964. Thurmond won re-election as a Republican in 1966 and 1972.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Clerk of the House of Representatives (April 1, 1979). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 1978" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 1, 19, 41.
  2. ^ "AL US Senate - Special Election, 1978". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  3. ^ Scammon, Richard M.; McGillivray, Alice V.., eds. (November 30, 1979). America Votes 13: a handbook of contemporary American election statistics, 1978. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly, Inc. (published 1979). p. 37. ISBN 9780871871831.
  4. ^ Congressional Elections, 1946-1996. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. p. 81. ISBN 1-56802-248-4.
  5. ^ Clerk of the United States House of Representatives (1979). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 1978" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office.
  6. ^ "Delaware Department of Agriculture - State of Delaware". Delaware Department of Agriculture - State of Delaware.
  7. ^ "Ourcampaigns.com". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  8. ^ "Our Campaigns - GA US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1978". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  9. ^ "The Message of the 1978 Off-Year Elections". Time.com. November 20, 1978. Archived from the original on October 14, 2010. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  10. ^ "Our Campaigns - MA US Senate- R Primary Race - Sep 19, 1978". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  11. ^ "Our Campaigns - MA US Senate- D Primary Race - Sep 19, 1978". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  12. ^ Parker, Randy; crickets chirp (July 7, 2003). "Our Campaigns: MI U.S. Senate". Our Campaigns.
  13. ^ a b c d "Minnesota Election Results 1978 (Primary Election)" (PDF). Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  14. ^ "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1978". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  15. ^ "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 07, 1978". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  16. ^ "Lakeland Ledger - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.[permanent dead link]
  17. ^ Black, Earl; Merle Black (2003). The Rise of Southern Republicans. Harvard University Press. p. 118. ISBN 978-0-674-01248-6.
  18. ^ "Results of Elections Across the Nation". The Blade. November 7, 1978. Retrieved April 18, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  19. ^ Associated Press (December 27, 1978). "Eastland Quits Early To Aid His Successor". The Blade. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  20. ^ "Our Campaigns - MS US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1978". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  21. ^ a b "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, June 6, 1978". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  22. ^ a b "1978 Primary Election Results" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. 1978. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 21, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  23. ^ "NM US Senate". OurCampaigns. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  24. ^ a b c "North Carolina DataNet #46" (PDF). University of North Carolina. April 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 25, 2008. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
  25. ^ "RI US Senate - D Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  26. ^ "RI US Senate". OurCampaigns. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  27. ^ "Our Campaigns - TN US Senate - D Primary Race - Aug 03, 1978". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  28. ^ "Our Campaigns - TN US Senate - R Primary Race - Aug 03, 1978". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  29. ^ "Our Campaigns - TN US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1978". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  30. ^ "Our Campaigns - TX US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1978". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  31. ^ "Our Campaigns - VA US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1978". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  • Bass, Jack; Marilyn W. Thompson (1998). Ol' Strom: An Unauthorized Biography of Strom Thurmond. Longstreet. pp. 290–292.
  • State Election Commission (1979). Report of the South Carolina State Election Commission. Columbia, SC: State Election Commission. p. 54.
  • "Challenging a Southern Legend". Time. October 16, 1978. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2008.