1972 United States Senate elections

Results summary

Source:

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

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

Defeats

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

Post-election changes

Change in composition

Before the elections

After the January 7, 1972, Vermont special election.

Elections results

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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.

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.

Closest races

Seventeen races had a margin of victory under 10%:

Alabama

Sparkman:
Blount: LeFlore:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in 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.

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. {{Election box begin no change

Alaska

Stevens:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in 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.

Arkansas

McClellan:
Babbitt: Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Arkansas

Incumbent Democrat John Little McClellan was re-elected.

Colorado

Haskell:
Allott:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Colorado

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

Delaware

Biden: Boggs:

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in 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. Biden's campaign had virtually no money and was given no chance of winning. 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. Biden did receive some assistance from the AFL–CIO and Democratic pollster Patrick Caddell. 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".

During the summer Biden trailed by almost 30 percentage points, 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. Biden won the November 7, 1972, election in an upset by a margin of 3,162 votes.

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.

Georgia

Main article: 1972 United States Senate elections in 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)

Thompson:
No Vote: 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 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. Thompson was endorsed by Barry Goldwater, James L. Buckley, and Spiro Agnew.

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. {{Election box begin no change

Georgia (regular)

Thompson:

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. {{Election box begin no change

Idaho

McClure:
Davis:

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Idaho

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

Illinois

Percy:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in 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.

Iowa

Clark:
Miller:

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Iowa

The incumbent Republican Jack Miller was defeated by Dick Clark.

Kansas

Pearson:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Kansas

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

Kentucky

Huddleston:
Nunn:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Kentucky

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

Louisiana

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in 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.

Johnston:
McKeithen:

Maine

Hathaway:

Smith:

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in 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 .

Massachusetts

|[[File:1972 United States Senate election in Massachusetts results map by county.svg|300px]] |County results |[[File:1972 United States Senate Election in Massachusetts by Municipality.svg|300px|]] |Municipality results Brooke Droney

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

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

Michigan

Griffin:

Kelley: Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Michigan

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

Minnesota

Mondale:
Hansen:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in 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.

Mississippi

Eastland:
Carmichael:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Mississippi

The incumbent Democrat James Eastland was re-elected.

Montana

Metcalf:
Hibbard:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in 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.

Nebraska

Curtis:
Carpenter:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Nebraska

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

New Hampshire

|x240px |County results |x240px |Municipality results}} McIntyre:
Powell:
No Data/Vote: Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

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

New Jersey

Case:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in New Jersey

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

New Mexico

Domenici:

Daniels:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in New Mexico

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

North Carolina

Helms:
Galifianakis:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in 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.

Oklahoma

Bartlett:
Edmondson:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

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

Oregon

Hatfield:
Morse: Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Oregon

The incumbent Republican Mark Hatfield was re-elected.

Rhode Island

|[[File:1972 United States Senate election in Rhode Island results map by county.svg|231px]] |County results |[[File:1972 United States Senate election in Rhode Island results map by municipality.svg|231px]] |Municipality results}} Chafee:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Rhode Island

The incumbent Democratic Senator Claiborne Pell was re-elected.

South Carolina

Thurmond:

Zeigler: Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in South Carolina

The incumbent Republican Strom Thurmond was re-elected.

South Dakota

Abourezk:
Hirsch:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in South Dakota

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

Tennessee

Baker:
Blanton:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Tennessee

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

Texas

Tower:

Sanders:

Amaya: Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Texas

Incumbent Republican John Tower was re-elected.

Vermont (special)

Stafford:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate special election in Vermont

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, was later elected to this seat in 2006, serving as an Independent.

Virginia

Scott:
Spong:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in 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.

West Virginia

Randolph:
Leonard:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in West Virginia

The incumbent Democratic Senator Jennings Randolph was re-elected.

Wyoming

Hansen:
Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming

Incumbent Republican Clifford Hansen was re-elected.

Notes

References

References

1. [[Harry F. Byrd Jr.. 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., {{Biographical Directory of Congress
2. "General Election Results - U.S. Senator - 1914-2014". Office of the Vermont Secretary of State.
3. "GA US Senate - Special Election".
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.
5. (1987 ). "Current Biography Yearbook 1987". [[H. W. Wilson Company]].
6. Broder, John M.. (October 23, 2008). "Father's Tough Life an Inspiration for Biden". [[The New York Times]].
7. Naylor, Brian. (October 8, 2007). "Biden's Road to Senate Took Tragic Turn". [[NPR]].
8. (2008). "The Almanac of American Politics". [[National Journal Group]].
9. "Youngest Senator". [[United States Senate Historical Office]].
10. "Our Campaigns - GA US Senate - D Runoff Race - Aug 29, 1972".
11. Black, Earl. (2009-06-30). "The Rise of Southern Republicans". Harvard University Press.
12. Hemphill, John. (November 8, 1972). "Nunn, a Conservative Democrat, Defeats Rep. Thompson in Georgia Contest for Senate Seat". The New York Times.
13. "Our Campaigns - GA US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 07, 1972".
14. "Our Campaigns - GA US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1972".
15. [[Clerk of the United States House of Representatives]]. "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 7, 1972". [[United States Government Printing Office]].
16. "Our Campaigns - ME US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1972".
17. [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=6598 Edward Brooke] at ourcampaigns.com
18. [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=14037 John Droney] at ourcampaigns.com
19. [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=6511 Massachusetts race details] at ourcampaigns.com
20. (1973{{endash). "Minnesota Legislative Manual: Primary Election Returns September 12, 1972". Minnesota Legislature.
21. "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate- D Primary Race - Sep 12, 1972".
22. "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1972".
23. "Our Campaigns - MS US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1972".
24. "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". Montana Secretary of State.
25. Cook, Rhodes. (October 26, 2017). "America Votes 32: 2015–2016, Election Returns by State".
26. McCullum, April. (May 21, 2015). "McKibben to speak at Sanders kickoff". USA Today.
27. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.