1978 United States Senate elections
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35 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate 51 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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
[edit]58 | 1 | 41 |
Democratic | I | Republican |
Parties | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
— | — | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Result | 4 | 6 | — | — | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Incumbent ran | 13[b][c][d] | 12[e] | — | — | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Won re-election | 6 | 9 | — | — | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lost re-election | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
— | — | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lost renomination, but held by same party |
2 | 0 | — | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lost renomination, and party lost |
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— | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Result | 11 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total elected | 15 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net gain/loss | ![]() |
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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
[edit]Retirements
[edit]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.
Defeats
[edit]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.
Post-election changes
[edit]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
[edit]Before the elections
[edit]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
[edit]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 |
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Race summary
[edit]Special elections during the 95th Congress
[edit]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 | ||
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Senator | Party | Electoral history | |||
Alabama (Class 3) |
Maryon Pittman Allen | Democratic | 1978 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost nomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. |
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Minnesota (Class 1) |
Muriel Humphrey | DFL | 1978 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected. Republican gain. |
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Elections leading to the next Congress
[edit]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. |
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Alaska | Ted Stevens | Republican | 1968 (Appointed) 1970 1972 |
Incumbent re-elected. |
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Arkansas | Kaneaster Hodges Jr. | Democratic | 1977 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. |
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Colorado | Floyd Haskell | Democratic | 1972 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. |
Others
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Delaware | Joe Biden | Democratic | 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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Georgia | Sam Nunn | Democratic | 1972 (special) 1972 |
Incumbent re-elected. |
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Idaho | James A. McClure | Republican | 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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Illinois | Charles H. Percy | Republican | 1966 1972 |
Incumbent re-elected. |
Others
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Iowa | Dick Clark | Democratic | 1972 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. |
Others
|
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. |
|
Kentucky | Walter Dee Huddleston | Democratic | 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. |
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Louisiana | J. Bennett Johnston | Democratic | 1972 (Appointed) 1972 |
Incumbent re-elected. |
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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
|
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. |
|
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
|
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
|
Oregon | Mark Hatfield | Republican | 1966 1972 |
Incumbent re-elected. |
|
Rhode Island | Claiborne Pell | Democratic | 1960 1966 1972 |
Incumbent re-elected. |
|
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. |
|
Tennessee | Howard Baker | Republican | 1966 1972 |
Incumbent re-elected. |
|
Texas | John Tower | Republican | 1961 (special) 1966 1972 |
Incumbent re-elected. |
|
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. |
|
Closest races
[edit]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
[edit]There were two elections in Alabama, due to the death of senator Jim Allen.
Alabama (regular)
[edit]![]() | |||||||||||||||||
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![]() County results Heflin: 80–90% >90% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
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)
[edit]![]() | |||||||||||||||||
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![]() County results Stewart: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Martin: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
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
[edit]![]() | |||||||||||||||||
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![]() Results by state house district Stevens: 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% | |||||||||||||||||
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Republican Ted Stevens won reelection to a second full (his third total) term, defeating Democrat Donald Hobbs.
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
[edit]![]() | |||||||||||||||||||||
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![]() County results Pryor: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
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
[edit]![]() | |||||||||||||||||
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![]() County results Armstrong: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Haskell: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
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
[edit]![]() | |||||||||||||||||
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![]() County results Biden: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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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]
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
[edit]![]() | |||||||||||||||||
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![]() County results Nunn: 50–60% 70–80% 80–90% >90% | |||||||||||||||||
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Democrat Sam Nunn won re-election to a second term.[7]
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
[edit]![]() | |||||||||||||||||
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![]() County results McClure: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% | |||||||||||||||||
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Republican James A. McClure was elected to a second term in office.
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
[edit]![]() | |||||||||||||||||
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![]() County results Percy: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Seith: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
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
[edit]![]() | |||||||||||||||||
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![]() County results Jepsen: 40–50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% Clark: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
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
[edit]![]() | |||||||||||||||||
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![]() County results Kassebaum: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% Roy: 40–50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
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
[edit]![]() | |||||||||||||||||
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![]() County results Huddleston: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Guenthner: 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% | |||||||||||||||||
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Democrat Walter Huddleston was re-elected to a second term.
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
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![]() Parish results Johnston: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Jenkins: 50-60% | |||||||||||||||||
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Democrat J. Bennett Johnston won re-election to unopposed and his second term.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | J. Bennett Johnston (Incumbent) | Unopposed | ||
Democratic hold |
Maine
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![]() County results Cohen: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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
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
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Republican Edward Brooke was defeated by Democratic congressman Paul E. Tsongas.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Edward Brooke (Incumbent) | 146,351 | 53.25% | |
Republican | Avi Nelson | 128,388 | 46.72% | |
All others | 78 | 0.03% |
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% |
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
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![]() County results Levin: 50–60% 60–70% Griffin: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
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
[edit]There were two elections in Minnesota, due to the death of Hubert Humphrey.
Minnesota (regular)
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![]() County results Boschwitz: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Anderson: 40–50% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
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% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ind.-Republican | Rudy Boschwitz | 185,393 | 86.8% | |
Ind.-Republican | Harold Stassen | 28,170 | 13.2% |
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)
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![]() County results Durenberger: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Short: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
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% |
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% |
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
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![]() County results Cochran: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Dantin: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Evers: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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]
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
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![]() County results Baucus: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Williams: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
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% |
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% |
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
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![]() County results Exon: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Shasteen: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
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
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![]() County results Humphrey: 50–60% 60–70% McIntyre: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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
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![]() County Results
Bradley: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Bell: 40-50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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% |
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% |
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
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![]() County results Domenici: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Anaya: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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Republican senator Pete Domenici successfully ran for re-election to a second term, defeating Democrat Toney Anaya, Attorney General of New Mexico.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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
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![]() County results Helms: 50– 60% 60–70% 70–80% Ingram: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
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 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
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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.
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
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![]() County results Boren: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Kamm: 40–50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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
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![]() County results Hatfield: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Cook: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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
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Pell: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% | |||||||||||||||||
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Democrat Claiborne Pell successfully sought re-election, defeating Republican James G. Reynolds.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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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% |
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
[edit]![]() | |||||||||||||||||
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![]() County results Thurmond: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Ravenel: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
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.
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
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![]() County results Pressler: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% 80–90% Barnett: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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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
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
[edit]![]() | |||||||||||||||||
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![]() County results Baker: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Eskind: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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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]
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
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![]() County results Tower: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Krueger: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Tie: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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Republican incumbent John Tower won re-election to a fourth term over Democrat Bob Krueger, U.S. Congressman of Texas's 21st congressional district.
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
[edit]![]() | |||||||||||||||||
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![]() County and independent city results Warner: 50–60% 60–70% Miller: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
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
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![]() County results Randolph: 50–60% 60–70% Moore: 50–60% 60–70% 70-80% | |||||||||||||||||
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Democratic incumbent Jennings Randolph won re-election to a fifth term over Republican Arch Moore, former governor of West Virginia.
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
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![]() County results Simpson: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Whitaker: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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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.
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
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Harry F. Byrd Jr. (VA) was an Independent who caucused with the Democrats. In some circles he is called an "Independent Democrat," but his actual registration was listed as "Independent." See, e.g., United States Congress. "Harry Flood Byrd Jr. (id: B001209)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Allen and Hatfield lost nomination to represent Alabama and Montana, respectively.
- ^ Includes the interim appointee who ran for election.
- ^ Clifford P. Case lost renomination to represent New Jersey. Jeffrey Bell became the party's new nominee.
- ^ Appointee defeated
- ^ 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
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ "AL US Senate - Special Election, 1978". OurCampaigns.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Congressional Elections, 1946-1996. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. p. 81. ISBN 1-56802-248-4.
- ^ Clerk of the United States House of Representatives (1979). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 1978" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office.
- ^ "Delaware Department of Agriculture - State of Delaware". Delaware Department of Agriculture - State of Delaware.
- ^ "Ourcampaigns.com". Ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - GA US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1978". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - MA US Senate- R Primary Race - Sep 19, 1978". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - MA US Senate- D Primary Race - Sep 19, 1978". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- ^ Parker, Randy; crickets chirp (July 7, 2003). "Our Campaigns: MI U.S. Senate". Our Campaigns.
- ^ a b c d "Minnesota Election Results 1978 (Primary Election)" (PDF). Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1978". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 07, 1978". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- ^ "Lakeland Ledger - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Black, Earl; Merle Black (2003). The Rise of Southern Republicans. Harvard University Press. p. 118. ISBN 978-0-674-01248-6.
- ^ "Results of Elections Across the Nation". The Blade. November 7, 1978. Retrieved April 18, 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Associated Press (December 27, 1978). "Eastland Quits Early To Aid His Successor". The Blade. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - MS US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1978". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "NM US Senate". OurCampaigns. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "RI US Senate - D Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
- ^ "RI US Senate". OurCampaigns. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - TN US Senate - D Primary Race - Aug 03, 1978". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - TN US Senate - R Primary Race - Aug 03, 1978". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - TN US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1978". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - TX US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1978". www.ourcampaigns.com.
- ^ "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.