Colonel William A. Phillips

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The 1972 United States Senate elections were held on November 7, with the 33 seats of Class 2 contested in regular elections. They coincided with the landslide re-election of Republican President Richard Nixon. Despite Nixon's landslide victory, Democrats increased their majority by two seats. The Democrats picked up open seats in Kentucky and South Dakota, and defeated four incumbent senators: Gordon Allott of Colorado, J. Caleb Boggs of Delaware, Jack Miller of Iowa, and Margaret Chase Smith of Maine. The Republicans picked up open seats in New Mexico, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, and defeated one incumbent, William B. Spong Jr. of Virginia.

After the elections, Democrats held 56 seats, and Republicans held 42 seats, with 1 Conservative and 1 independent senator in the chamber as well. These were the first elections in which all citizens at least 18 years of age (instead of 21, and older) could vote, due to the 1971 passage of the 26th Amendment.

As of 2024, this is the last time in which a Republican won a Senate election in New Jersey. Joe Biden, the 46th president of the United States (2021–present) and 47th vice president (2009–2017), first won election to the United States Senate, defeating J. Caleb Boggs in the election in Delaware.

Results summary

56 1 1 42
Democratic I C Republican
Parties Total
Democratic Republican Conservative Independent Other
Last elections (1970)
Before these elections
54 44 1 1 0 100
Not up 40 25 1 1 67
Up
Class 2 (1966→1972)
14 19 0 0 33
Incumbent retired 3 3 6
Held by same party 1 1 2
Replaced by other party Decrease2 Republicans replaced by Increase2 Democrats
Decrease2 Democrats replaced by Increase2 Republicans
4
Result 3 3 0 0 0 6
Incumbent ran 11 16 27
Won re-election 8 12 20
Lost re-election Decrease4 Republicans replaced by Increase4 Democrats
Decrease1 Democrat replaced by Increase1 Republican
5
Lost renomination,
but held by same party
1 0 1
Lost renomination,
and party lost
Decrease1 Democrat replaced by Increase1 Republican 1
Result 13 14 0 0 0 27
Total elected 16 17 0 0 0 33
Net gain/loss Increase2 Decrease2 Steady Steady Steady 2
Nationwide vote 17,199,567 19,821,203 42,348 318,238 427,742 37,809,098
Share 45.49% 52.42% 0.11% 0.84% 1.13% 100%
Result 56 42 1 1 0 100

Source: Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (1973). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 7, 1972" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved November 22, 2020.

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

Three Republicans and three Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.

State Senator Replaced by
Idaho Leonard B. Jordan James A. McClure
Kentucky John Sherman Cooper Walter Dee Huddleston
Louisiana Elaine Edwards J. Bennett Johnston
New Mexico Clinton Anderson Pete Domenici
Oklahoma Fred R. Harris Dewey F. Bartlett
South Dakota Karl Mundt James Abourezk

Defeats

Four Republicans and three Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.

State Senator Replaced by
Colorado Gordon Allott Floyd Haskell
Delaware J. Caleb Boggs Joe Biden
Georgia David H. Gambrell Sam Nunn
Iowa Jack Miller Dick Clark
Maine Margaret Chase Smith William Hathaway
North Carolina B. Everett Jordan Jesse Helms
Virginia William Spong Jr. William L. Scott

Post-election changes

State Senator Replaced by
Ohio
(Class 3)
William B. Saxbe Howard Metzenbaum

Change in composition

Before the elections

After the January 7, 1972, Vermont special election.

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
Ala.
Ran
D42
Ark.
Ran
D43
Ga. (sp)
Ga. (reg)
Ran
D44
La.
Retired
D45
Minn.
Ran
D46
Miss.
Ran
D47
Mont.
Ran
D48
N.H.
Ran
D49
N.M.
Ran
D50
N.C.
Ran
Majority → D51
Okla.
Ran
R41
S.D.
Ran
R42
Tenn.
Ran
R43
Texas
Retired
R44
Wyo.
Ran
C1 I1 D54
W.Va.
Ran
D53
Va.
Ran
D52
R.I.
Ran
R40
S.C.
Ran
R39
Ore.
Ran
R38
N.J.
Ran
R37
Neb.
Ran
R36
Mich.
Ran
R35
Mass.
Ran
R34
Maine
Ran
R33
Ky.
Retired
R32
Kan.
Ran
R31
Iowa
Ran
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26
Alaska
Ran
R27
Colo.
Ran
R28
Del.
Ran
R29
Idaho
Ran
R30
Ill.
Ran
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10

Elections results

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
Ala.
Re-elected
D42
Ark.
Re-elected
D43
Ga. (sp)
Ga. (reg)
Hold
D44
La.
Hold
D45
Minn.
Re-elected
D46
Miss.
Re-elected
D47
Mont.
Re-elected
D48
N.H.
Re-elected
D49
R.I.
Re-elected
D50
W.Va.
Re-elected
Majority → D51
Colo.
Gain
R41
Okla.
Gain
R42
Va.
Gain
C1 I1 D56
S.D.
Gain
D55
Maine
Gain
D54
Ky.
Gain
D53
Iowa
Gain
D52
Del.
Gain
R40
N.C.
Gain
R39
N.M.
Gain
R38
Wyo.
Re-elected
R37
Texas
Re-elected
R36
Tenn.
Re-elected
R35
S.C.
Re-elected
R34
Ore.
Re-elected
R33
N.J.
Re-elected
R32
Neb.
Re-elected
R31
Mich.
Re-elected
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26
Alaska
Re-elected
R27
Idaho
Hold
R28
Ill.
Re-elected
R29
Kan.
Re-elected
R30
Mass.
Re-elected
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10
Key:
C# Conservative
D# Democratic
R# Republican
I# Independent

Race summaries

Special elections during the 92nd Congress

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1972 or before January 3, 1973; ordered by election date, then state.

State
(linked to
summaries below)
Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Vermont
(Class 1)
Robert Stafford Republican 1971 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected January 7, 1972.
Georgia
(Class 2)
David H. Gambrell Democratic 1971 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost nomination.
New senator elected November 7, 1972.
Democratic hold.
Winner also elected to the next term, see below.
  • Green tickY Sam Nunn (Democratic) 52.0%
  • Fletcher Thompson (Republican) 46.5%
  • Alice Conner (Independent) 1.0%
  • George Schmidt (Independent) 0.5%[3]

Elections leading to the next Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1973; 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
Incumbent re-elected.
Alaska Ted Stevens Republican 1968 (Appointed)
1970 (special)
Incumbent re-elected.
Arkansas John L. McClellan Democratic 1942
1948
1954
1960
1966
Incumbent re-elected.
Colorado Gordon Allott Republican 1954
1960
1966
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
  • Green tickY Floyd Haskell (Democratic) 49.4%
  • Gordon Allott (Republican) 48.4%
  • Secundion Salazar (Raza Unida) 1.4%
  • Henry Olshaw (American) 0.8%
Delaware J. Caleb Boggs Republican 1960
1966
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Georgia David H. Gambrell Democratic 1971 (Appointed) Interim appointee lost nomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Winner also elected to finish the term, see above.
Idaho Leonard B. Jordan Republican 1962 (Appointed)
1962 (special)
1966
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Illinois Charles H. Percy Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Iowa Jack Miller Republican 1960
1966
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Kansas James B. Pearson Republican 1962 (Appointed)
1962 (special)
1966
Incumbent re-elected.
Kentucky John Sherman Cooper Republican 1946 (special)
1948 (Lost)
1952 (special)
1954 (Lost)
1956 (special)
1960
1966
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Louisiana Elaine Edwards Democratic 1972 (Appointed) Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Interim appointee resigned November 13, 1972, to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed November 14, 1972.
Maine Margaret Chase Smith Republican 1948
1954
1960
1966
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Massachusetts Edward Brooke Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan Robert P. Griffin Republican 1966 (Appointed)
1966
Incumbent re-elected.
Minnesota Walter Mondale DFL 1964 (Appointed)
1966
Incumbent re-elected.
Mississippi James Eastland Democratic 1942
1948
1954
1960
1966
Incumbent re-elected.
Montana Lee Metcalf Democratic 1960
1966
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Lee Metcalf (Democratic) 52.0%
  • Henry S. Hibbard (Republican) 48.1%
Nebraska Carl Curtis Republican 1954
1960
1966
Incumbent re-elected.
New Hampshire Thomas J. McIntyre Democratic 1962 (special)
1966
Incumbent re-elected.
New Jersey Clifford P. Case Republican 1954
1960
1966
Incumbent re-elected.
New Mexico Clinton Anderson Democratic 1948
1954
1960
1966
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
North Carolina B. Everett Jordan Democratic 1958 (Appointed)
1958 (special)
1960
1966
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Oklahoma Fred R. Harris Democratic 1964 (special)
1966
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Oregon Mark Hatfield Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Rhode Island Claiborne Pell Democratic 1960
1966
Incumbent re-elected.
South Carolina Strom Thurmond Republican 1954 (write-in)[a]
1954 (Appointed)
1956 (Resigned)
1956 (special)
1960
1966
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Strom Thurmond (Republican) 63.3%
  • Eugene N. Zeigler (Democratic) 36.7%
South Dakota Karl Mundt Republican 1948
1948 (Appointed)
1954
1960
1966
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
  • Green tickY James Abourezk (Democratic) 57.0%
  • Robert W. Hirsch (Republican) 42.9%
Tennessee Howard Baker Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Texas John Tower Republican 1961 (special)
1966
Incumbent re-elected.
Virginia William Spong Jr. Democratic 1966 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
West Virginia Jennings Randolph Democratic 1958 (special)
1960
1966
Incumbent re-elected.
Wyoming Clifford Hansen Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.

Closest races

Seventeen races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State Party of winner Margin
Colorado Democratic (flip) 1.0%
Delaware Democratic (flip) 1.4%
Kentucky Democratic (flip) 3.3%
Oklahoma Republican (flip) 3.8%
Montana Democratic 3.9%
Virginia Republican (flip) 5.4%
Georgia (special) Democratic 5.5%
Michigan Republican 6.0%
Nebraska Republican 6.3%
Maine Democratic (flip) 6.4%
Idaho Republican 6.8%
Oregon Republican 7.5%
Georgia Democratic 7.95%[b]
Rhode Island Democratic 8.0%
New Mexico Republican (flip) 8.0%
North Carolina Republican (flip) 8.0%
Texas Republican 9.1%

Alabama

In 1946, John H. Bankhead II suffered a stroke during a U.S. Senate hearing and died three weeks later. John Sparkman, who had served as U.S. Representative since 1937 and was House Majority Whip, secured the endorsements of party leaders and ran unopposed to win the remainder of Bankhead's term. Sparkman was then re-elected in 1948, 1954, 1960, and 1966 all by wide margins. At the time, the Democratic Party was dominant in Alabama; winning the Democratic primary virtually guaranteed a general election victory. Until 1966, Sparkman never faced an opponent in the general election who garnered more than 30% of the vote. Sparkman also served as the running mate of Adlai Stevenson II in an unsuccessful 1952 presidential campaign.

However, in 1966, the Democratic Party began to feel the backlash of Civil rights legislation in the South, and Sparkman faced his closest political contest to date. He defeated John Grenier with just 60% of the vote. Richard Nixon's election in 1968 also helped Republicans gain recognition in Alabama. In 1972, Sparkman faced Winton M. Blount, who was serving as Postmaster General.[4]

Sparkman ultimately increased his vote share in a lopsided victory over Blount, who won just two counties, Houston county and, fittingly, the phonetically similar Winston county. This would be Sparkman's final term as U.S. senator. He retired in 1979 and was succeeded by Howell Heflin.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Alabama[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Sparkman (Incumbent) 654,491 62.27
Republican Winton M. Blount 347,523 33.06
National Democratic (Ala.) John L. LeFlore 31,421 2.99
Prohibition Jerome B. Couch 10,826 1.03
Conservative Herbert W. Stone 6,838 0.65
Majority 306,968 29.21
Turnout 1,051,099
Democratic hold

Alaska

Republican Ted Stevens was originally elected to the U.S. Senate in 1970, succeeding Democrat Bob Bartlett. He won election to the remainder of Barlett's term with nearly 60% of the vote.

In 1972, he faced Democrat Gene Guess in the general election. Stevens won re-election in a landslide even as Democrat Mike Gravel served as the state's other senator. On election day, Stevens won re-election to a second term (his first full term) against Guess, 77–23%. Stevens would be re-elected in 1978, 1984, 1990, 1996, and 2002 with at least 66% of the vote before losing re-election in 2008 amid criminal charges.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Alaska[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ted Stevens (Incumbent) 74,216 77.30
Democratic Gene Guess 21,791 22.70
Majority 52,425 54.60
Turnout 96,007
Republican hold

Arkansas

Incumbent Democrat John Little McClellan was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Arkansas[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Little McClellan (Incumbent) 386,398 60.88
Republican Wayne H. Babbitt 248,238 39.12
Majority 138,160 21.76
Turnout 634,636
Democratic hold

Colorado

Incumbent Republican Gordon Allott was defeated by Floyd K. Haskell.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Colorado[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Floyd K. Haskell 457,545 49.41
Republican Gordon L. Allott (Incumbent) 447,957 48.37
Raza Unida Secundion 'Sal' Salazar 13,228 1.43
American Henry Olshaw 7,353 0.79
Majority 9,588 1.04
Turnout 926,083
Democratic gain from Republican

Delaware

Incumbent Republican J. Caleb Boggs, running for a third term, faced off against future President Joe Biden, then a New Castle County Councilman. Though Boggs was expected to easily win a third term over the then-unknown Biden, it ended up being the closest Senate election in 1972, and Biden narrowly beat out Boggs by a little over three thousand votes, winning what would be his first of seven terms.

Boggs, a longtime Delaware political figure, was considering retirement which would likely have led to a primary campaign between two Republicans, U.S. Representative Pete du Pont and Wilmington Mayor Harry G. Haskell Jr. To avoid the anticipated divisive primary fight, U.S. President Richard M. Nixon helped convince Boggs to run again with full party support.

No other Democrat wanted to run against Boggs besides Biden.[6] Biden's campaign had virtually no money and was given no chance of winning.[7] It was managed by his sister Valerie Biden Owens (who would go on to manage his future campaigns as well) and staffed by other members of his family, and relied upon handed-out newsprint position papers.[8] Biden did receive some assistance from the AFL–CIO and Democratic pollster Patrick Caddell.[6] Biden's campaign issues focused on withdrawal from Vietnam, the environment, civil rights, mass transit, more equitable taxation, health care, the public's dissatisfaction with politics-as-usual, and "change".[6][8]

During the summer Biden trailed by almost 30 percentage points,[6] but his energetic campaign, his attractive young family, and his ability to connect with voters' emotions gave the surging Biden an advantage over the ready-to-retire Boggs.[9] Biden won the November 7, 1972, election in an upset by a margin of 3,162 votes.[8]

At the time of the election Biden was a little less than 30 years old; age 30 is a constitutional requirement for the U.S. Senate, and he reached that on November 20, in time for the Senate term beginning January 3. After his election he became the sixth-youngest senator in history.[10]

1972 U.S. Senate election in Delaware[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joe Biden 116,006 50.48 +9.59%
Republican J. Caleb Boggs (Incumbent) 112,844 49.10 -10.02%
American Henry Majka 803 0.35
Prohibition Herbert B. Wood 175 0.07
Majority 3,162 1.38 -16.86%
Turnout 229,828
Democratic gain from Republican

Georgia

Seven-term Democrat Richard Russell Jr. had served as U.S. senator since 1933, but he died January 21, 1971, while serving as President pro tempore. Russell supported segregation in the South and opposed Civil Rights legislation as was common among Southern Democrats of the time. Governor of Georgia Jimmy Carter appointed Democrat David H. Gambrell, the chair of the Georgia Democratic Party as interim senator, pending a special election.

Georgia (special)

Sam Nunn, a Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives, won both the special and the regular elections. Nunn beat Gambrell in the August 29 special and regular primary run-off elections[11] despite trailing Gambrell initially 31-23% in the first round of voting.

In the special election to fill the remainder of Russell's term, Nunn faced Republican congressman Fletcher Thompson. Nunn's campaign was noted to be more organized than was Thompson's. Nunn had support from numerous prominent Georgia Democrats, including Gambrell and Carter. Thompson's campaign was "almost literally a one-man effort", and he started the race with almost no footprint outside of his own district.[12] Thompson was endorsed by Barry Goldwater, James L. Buckley, and Spiro Agnew.[13]

On the day of the special election, Nunn defeated Thompson 52-47%. Though Thompson performed well in the Atlanta metro area, Nunn swept most rural counties en route to a victory.

Georgia special election[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sam Nunn 404,890 51.98
Republican Fletcher Thompson 362,501 46.54
Independent Alice Conner 7,587 0.97
Independent George E. Schmidt 3,932 0.51
Majority 42,389 7.94
Turnout 25.69%
Democratic hold

Georgia (regular)

In the general election held later that year, Nunn again defeated Thompson this time by almost 8 percentage points. Nonetheless, this marked a turning point in Georgia electoral politics: Nunn became the first Democrat to win a Senate race in Georgia despite losing the white vote.[12] Nunn also proved to be more moderate than his predecessor Russell, voting in favor of abortion rights, gun control, affirmative action, and environmental regulations.

Nunn would be re-elected in 1978, 1984, and 1990 before retiring in 1997. This was the last time he won less than 79% of the vote in a U.S. Senate election. In 1996, he was succeeded by Democrat Max Cleland.

Georgia regular election[5][15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sam Nunn 635,970 53.96
Republican Fletcher Thompson 542,331 46.01
None Write-Ins 407 0.03
Majority 93,639 7.94
Turnout 1,178,708 25.69%
Democratic hold

Idaho

The incumbent Republican Leonard B. Jordan retired, and was succeeded by James A. McClure.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Idaho[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James A. McClure 161,804 52.26
Democratic William E. Davis 140,913 45.51
American Jean L. Stoddard 6,885 2.22
Majority 20,891 6.75
Turnout 309,602
Republican hold

Illinois

Incumbent Republican Charles H. Percy sought re-election. Percy was opposed by: Democratic nominee Roman Pucinski, a Congressman from Illinois's 11th congressional district, Edward C. Gross (SL) and Arnold Becchetti (C). Percy handily won a second term.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Illinois[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Charles H. Percy (Incumbent) 2,867,078 61.21 +7.27%
Democratic Roman Pucinski 1,721,031 37.35 -6.55%
Socialist Labor Edward C. Gross 13,384 0.29
Communist Arnold Becchetti 6,103 0.13
Write-in 784 0.02
Majority 1,146,047 24.87 +13.82%
Turnout 3,822,724
Republican hold

Iowa

The incumbent Republican Jack Miller was defeated by Dick Clark.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Iowa[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dick Clark 662,637 55.07
Republican Jack Miller (Incumbent) 530,525 44.09
American William A. Rocap Jr. 8,954 0.74
By Petition Fred Richard Benton 1,203 0.10
None Scattering 14 0.00
Majority 132,112 10.98
Turnout 1,203,333
Democratic gain from Republican

Kansas

The incumbent Republican James B. Pearson was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Kansas[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James B. Pearson (Incumbent) 622,591 71.42
Democratic Arch Tetzlaff 200,764 23.03
Conservative Gene F. Miller 35,510 4.07
Prohibition Howard Hadin 12,857 1.47
Majority 421,827 48.39
Turnout 871,722
Republican hold

Kentucky

The incumbent Republican John Sherman Cooper retired, and was succeeded by Democrat Walter Dee Huddleston.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Kentucky[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Walter D. Huddleston 528,550 50.93
Republican Louie B. Nunn 494,337 47.63
American Helen Breeden 8,707 0.84
Populist William E. Bartley Jr. 6,267 0.60
Majority 34,223 3.30
Turnout 1,037,861
Democratic gain from Republican

Louisiana

In the midst of his campaign for a seventh term, Allen J. Ellender, the President Pro Tempore and chairman of the Appropriations Committee, suffered a fatal heart attack on July 27, 23 days prior to the Democratic primary. Ellender, first elected in 1936 as the permanent successor to the assassinated Huey P. Long, was slated to face former state senator and 1971 gubernatorial candidate J. Bennett Johnston and minor candidate Frank Allen in the primary.

Governor Edwin Washington Edwards, who defeated Johnston by less than 4,500 votes in the 1971 Democratic runoff, nominated his wife, Elaine Edwards, to fill the remainder of Ellender's term, with the agreement Mrs. Edwards would resign immediately following the general election to allow the winner to gain seniority over other new senators.

On the same day as Edwards' inauguration on Capitol Hill, the Louisiana Democratic Party rejected a challenge by former Governor John McKeithen to reopen qualifying following Ellender's death, ordering the primary to be held August 19 as scheduled, ignoring an opinion to the contrary by Louisiana Attorney General William J. Guste Jr. Ellender's name was not removed from the ballot and he received 10 percent of the primary vote as a tribute. McKeithen, whose eight-year gubernatorial tenure ended May 9, 1972, ran as an independent with support of the Ellender family, incensed by Johnston's primary challenge.

Johnston easily won the Democratic primary, nullifying the need for a September 30 runoff. In the general election, the Shreveport native trounced McKeithen by 32 points to win the first of his four terms. He was sworn in on November 13, 1972.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Louisiana[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Bennett Johnston 598,987 55.21
Independent John McKeithen 250,161 23.06
Republican Ben C. Toledano 206,846 19.07
American Hall M. Lyons 28,910 2.66
Majority 348,826 32.15
Turnout 1,084,904
Democratic hold

Maine

Incumbent Republican Margaret Chase Smith ran for re-election to a fifth term, but was defeated by Democrat William Hathaway, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine's 2nd congressional district.

General election results[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William Hathaway 224,270 53.23
Republican Margaret Chase Smith (Incumbent) 197,040 46.77
Majority 27,230 6.46
Turnout 421,310
Democratic gain from Republican

Massachusetts

Incumbent Republican Edward Brooke, first elected in 1966 as the first African-American elected to the Senate by popular vote,[17] defeated his challengers, among them: John J. Droney, the Middlesex County District Attorney.[18]

Democratic Primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John J. Droney 215,523 45.05
Democratic Gerald O'Leary 169,876 35.51
Democratic John P. Lynch 92,979 19.43
General election[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Edward Brooke (Incumbent) 1,505,932 63.53
Democratic John J. Droney 823,278 34.73
Socialist Workers Donald Gurewitz 41,369 1.75
None Scattering 97 0.00
Majority 682,654 28.80
Turnout 2,370,676
Republican hold

Michigan

The incumbent Republican Robert P. Griffin was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Michigan[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert P. Griffin (Incumbent) 1,781,065 52.28
Democratic Frank J. Kelley 1,577,178 46.29
American Independent Patrick Dillinger 23,121 0.68
Human Rights Barbara Halpert 19,118 0.56
Socialist Workers Linda Nordquist 2,389 0.07
Socialist Labor James Sim 2,217 0.06
Communist Thomas D. Dennis Jr. 1,908 0.06
Majority 203,887 5.99
Turnout 3,406,906
Republican hold

Minnesota

Incumbent Democrat Walter Mondale, who was originally appointed in 1964 (to fill the vacancy created when Hubert Humphrey was elected to the office of Vice President) and elected to a full term in 1966, defeated Republican challenger Phil Hansen.

Democratic primary election results[20][21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Walter F. Mondale (Incumbent) 230,679 89.88
Democratic (DFL) Tom Griffin 11,266 4.39
Democratic (DFL) Richard "Dick" Leaf 7,750 3.02
Democratic (DFL) Ralph E. Franklin 6,946 2.71
Republican primary election results[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Phil Hansen 165,093 100.00
General election results[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Walter F. Mondale (Incumbent) 981,320 56.67
Republican Phil Hansen 742,121 42.86
Industrial Government Karl H. Heck 8,192 0.47
Majority 239,199 13.81
Turnout 1,731,633
Democratic (DFL) hold

Mississippi

The incumbent Democrat James Eastland was re-elected.

General election results[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James Eastland (Incumbent) 375,102 58.09
Republican Gil Carmichael 249,779 38.68
Independent Prentiss Walker 14,662 2.27
Independent C. L. McKinley 6,203 0.96
Majority 126,323 19.41
Turnout 645,746
Democratic hold

Montana

Incumbent Democrat Lee Metcalf, who was first elected to the Senate in 1960 and was re-elected in 1966, ran for re-election. After winning the Democratic primary, he moved on to the general election, where he faced Hank Hibbard, a State senator and the Republican nominee. Following a close campaign, Metcalf managed to narrowly win re-election to his third term in the Senate over Hibbard.

Democratic Party primary results[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lee Metcalf (Incumbent) 106,491 86.42
Democratic Jerome Peters 16,729 13.58
Total votes 123,220 100.00
Republican Primary results[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Hank Hibbard State senator 43,028 49.70
Republican Harold E. Wallace 26,463 30.57
Republican Norman C. Wheeler 13,826 15.97
Republican Merrill K. Riddick 3,259 3.76
Total votes 86,576 100.00
1972 U.S. Senate election in Montana[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Lee Metcalf (Incumbent) 163,609 51.95 -1.22%
Republican Hank Hibbard 151,316 48.05 +1.22%
Majority 12,293 3.90 -2.43%
Turnout 314,925
Democratic hold

Nebraska

Incumbent Republican Carl Curtis won re-election over former congressman Terry Carpenter.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Nebraska[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Carl Curtis (Incumbent) 301,841 53.16 -7.88%
Democratic Terry Carpenter 265,922 46.84 +8.09%
Majority 35,919 6.33 -15.97%
Turnout 567,763
Republican hold

New Hampshire

The incumbent Democratic Senator Thomas J. McIntyre was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in New Hampshire[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thomas J. McIntyre (Incumbent) 184,495 56.88
Republican Wesley Powell 139,852 43.12
None Scattering 7 0.00
Majority 44,643 13.76
Turnout 324,354
Democratic hold

New Jersey

The incumbent Republican Clifford P. Case was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in New Jersey[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Clifford P. Case (Incumbent) 1,743,854 62.46
Democratic Paul J. Krebs 963,753 34.52
American A. Howard Freund 40,980 1.47
Concerned Voter's Voice Charles W. Wiley 33,442 1.20
Socialist Labor Julius Levin 10,058 0.36
Majority 780,101 27.94
Turnout 2,792,087
Republican hold

New Mexico

The incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Clinton Presba Anderson retired, and was succeeded by Republican Pete Domenici.

1972 U.S. Senate election in New Mexico[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pete Domenici 204,253 54.03
Democratic Jack Daniels 173,815 45.97
Majority 30,438 8.06
Turnout 378,068
Republican gain from Democratic

North Carolina

The incumbent Democratic senator B. Everett Jordan was defeated in the primary by Nick Galifianakis. Galifianakis went on to lose the election to Jesse Helms, making Helms the first Republican Senator from the state in the 20th century.

1972 Democratic Senate primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nick Galifianakis 377,993 49.25%
Democratic B. Everett Jordan (incumbent) 340,391 44.35%
Democratic J. R. Brown 27,009 3.52%
Democratic Eugene Grace 22,156 2.89%
Total votes 767,549 100.00%
1972 Democratic Senate runoff
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Nick Galifianakis 338,558 55.82% Increase6.57
Democratic B. Everett Jordan (incumbent) 267,997 44.18% Decrease0.17
Total votes 606,555 100.00%
1972 Republican Senate primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jesse Helms 92,496 60.13%
Republican James Johnson 45,303 29.45%
Republican William Booe 16,032 10.42%
Total votes 153,831 100.00%
1972 U.S. Senate election in North Carolina[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jesse Helms 795,248 54.01
Democratic Nick Galifianakis 677,293 45.99
Majority 117,955 8.02
Turnout 1,472,541
Republican gain from Democratic

Oklahoma

The incumbent Democratic Senator Fred R. Harris retired, and was succeeded by Republican Dewey F. Bartlett.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Oklahoma[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dewey F. Bartlett 516,934 51.43
Democratic Ed Edmondson 478,212 47.58
American William G. Roach 5,769 0.57
Independent Joe C. Phillips 2,264 0.23
Independent Paul E. Trent 1,969 0.20
Majority 38,722 3.85
Turnout 1,005,148
Republican gain from Democratic

Oregon

The incumbent Republican Mark Hatfield was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Oregon[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Hatfield (Incumbent) 494,671 53.72
Democratic Wayne Morse 425,036 46.16
None Write-Ins 1,126 0.12
Majority 69,635 7.56
Turnout 920,833
Republican hold

Rhode Island

The incumbent Democratic Senator Claiborne Pell was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Rhode Island[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Claiborne Pell (Incumbent) 221,942 53.68
Republican John Chafee 188,990 45.71
Independent John Quattrocchi 2,041 0.49
Socialist Workers Patrick M. DeTemple 458 0.11
Majority 32,952 7.97
Turnout 413,431
Democratic hold

South Carolina

The incumbent Republican Strom Thurmond was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in South Carolina[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Strom Thurmond (Incumbent) 415,806 63.29
Democratic Eugene N. Zeigler 241,056 36.69
None Write-Ins 172 0.03
Majority 174,750 27.60
Turnout 657,034
Republican hold

South Dakota

The incumbent Republican Karl E. Mundt retired, and was succeeded by James Abourezk.

1972 U.S. Senate election in South Dakota[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James Abourezk 174,773 57.04
Republican Robert W. Hirsch 131,613 42.96
Majority 43,160 14.08
Turnout 306,386
Democratic gain from Republican

Tennessee

One-term Republican Howard Baker was re-elected. He defeated Democrat Ray Blanton.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Tennessee[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Howard Baker (Incumbent) 716,539 61.55 +5.85%
Democratic Ray Blanton 440,599 37.85 +6.46%
Independent Dan East 7,026 0.60 n/a
None Write-Ins 31 0.00 n/a
Majority 275,940 23.70 +12.30%
Turnout 1,164,195
Republican hold

Texas

Incumbent Republican John Tower was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Texas[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Tower (Incumbent) 1,822,877 53.40
Democratic Barefoot Sanders 1,511,985 44.29
Raza Unida Flores N. Amaya 63,543 1.86
Socialist Workers Tom Leonard 14,464 0.42
Write-in Write-Ins 1,034 0.03
Majority 310,892 9.11
Turnout 3,413,903
Republican hold

Vermont (special)

The special election was held January 7, 1972. Incumbent Republican Robert Stafford, appointed in September 1971 to fill the vacancy created by the death of Winston L. Prouty, successfully ran for re-election to the remainder of Prouty's term. Stafford defeated Democratic candidate Randolph T. Major. Bernie Sanders, the Liberty Union candidate,[26] was later elected to this seat in 2006, serving as an Independent.

1972 U.S. Senate special election in Vermont[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Stafford (Incumbent) 45,888 64.36
Democratic Randolph T. Major 23,842 33.44
Liberty Union Bernie Sanders 1,571 2.20
Majority 22,046
Turnout 71,301 30.92
Republican hold

Virginia

The incumbent Democratic senator William B. Spong Jr. was defeated by Republican William L. Scott, making Scott the first Republican Senator from the state since John F. Lewis in 1870.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Virginia[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William L. Scott 718,337 51.45
Democratic William B. Spong Jr. (Incumbent) 643,963 46.12
Independent Horace E. Henderson 33,912 2.43
None Scattering 56 0.00
Majority 74,374 5.33
Turnout 1,396,268
Republican gain from Democratic

West Virginia

The incumbent Democratic Senator Jennings Randolph was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in West Virginia[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jennings Randolph (Incumbent) 486,310 66.45
Republican Louise Leonard 245,531 33.55
Majority 240,779 32.90
Turnout 731,841
Democratic hold

Wyoming

Incumbent Republican Clifford Hansen was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Wyoming[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Clifford Hansen (Incumbent) 101,314 71.31
Democratic Mike Vinch 40,753 28.69
Majority 60,561 42.62
Turnout 142,067
Republican hold

See also

Notes

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Georgia was the "tipping-point state".

References

  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 "General Election Results - U.S. Senator - 1914-2014" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "GA US Senate - Special Election" – via OurCampaigns.com.
  4. ^ Hathorn, Billy (1994). A Dozen Years in the Political Wilderness: The Alabama Republican Party, 1966–1978. Gulf Coast Historical Review, Vol. 9, No. 2. pp. 33–34.
  5. ^ 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 aa ab Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 7, 1972" (PDF). United States Government Printing Office. Retrieved April 4, 2015 – via Clerk.house.gov.
  6. ^ a b c d Moritz, Charles, ed. (1987). Current Biography Yearbook 1987. New York: H. W. Wilson Company., p. 43.
  7. ^ Broder, John M. (October 23, 2008). "Father's Tough Life an Inspiration for Biden". The New York Times. Retrieved October 24, 2008.
  8. ^ a b c Naylor, Brian (October 8, 2007). "Biden's Road to Senate Took Tragic Turn". NPR. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  9. ^ Barone, Michael; Cohen, Richard E. (2008). The Almanac of American Politics. Washington: National Journal Group. ISBN 978-0-89234-117-7., p. 364.
  10. ^ "Youngest Senator". United States Senate Historical Office – via senate.gov.
  11. ^ "Our Campaigns - GA US Senate - D Runoff Race - Aug 29, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  12. ^ a b Black, Earl; Black, Merle (June 30, 2009). The Rise of Southern Republicans. Harvard University Press. pp. 120–122. ISBN 9780674020986.
  13. ^ Hemphill, John (November 8, 1972). "Nunn, a Conservative Democrat, Defeats Rep. Thompson in Georgia Contest for Senate Seat". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  14. ^ "Our Campaigns - GA US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 07, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  15. ^ "Our Campaigns - GA US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  16. ^ "Our Campaigns - ME US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  17. ^ Edward Brooke at ourcampaigns.com
  18. ^ John Droney at ourcampaigns.com
  19. ^ Massachusetts race details at ourcampaigns.com
  20. ^ a b "Minnesota Legislative Manual: Primary Election Returns September 12, 1972" (PDF). Minnesota Legislature. 1973–1974. pp. 510 & 511.
  21. ^ "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate- D Primary Race - Sep 12, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  22. ^ "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  23. ^ "Our Campaigns - MS US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  24. ^ a b "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana and of the Vote Cast at the Separate Election for Ratification or Rejection of the Proposed Constitution, June 6, 1972" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 15, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  25. ^ Cook, Rhodes (October 26, 2017). America Votes 32: 2015–2016, Election Returns by State. ISBN 9781506368993.
  26. ^ McCullum, April (May 21, 2015). "McKibben to speak at Sanders kickoff". USA Today. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  27. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 7, 2013.

External links