The 1976 United States Senate elections was an election for the
United States Senate that coincided with
Democrat
Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to:
Politics
*A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people.
*A member of a Democratic Party:
**Democratic Party (United States) (D)
**Democratic ...
Jimmy Carter's
presidential election
A presidential election is the election of any head of state whose official title is President.
Elections by country
Albania
The president of Albania is elected by the Assembly of Albania who are elected by the Albanian public.
Chile
The pre ...
and the
United States Bicentennial celebration. Although almost half of the seats decided in this election changed parties, Carter's narrow victory did not provide
coattails for the Democratic Party.
This was the first election in which the
Libertarian Party competed, running candidates in 9 of the 33 contested seats. this is the first and so far only time both party leaders retired from the Senate in the same election cycle since the creation of the positions. This is the last time Democrats or any party won a 60% supermajority via direct elections (although Democrats briefly held one in the summer of 2009).
Results summary
Source:
Gains, losses, and holds
Retirements
Four Republicans and four Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.
Defeats
Three Republicans, five Democrats, and one Conservative sought re-election but lost in the general election.
Change in composition
Before the elections
Elections results
Race summaries
Elections leading to the next Congress
In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1977; ordered by state.
All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.
Closest races
9 races had a margin of victory under 10%:
Nevada was the tipping point state with a margin of 31.6%.
Arizona
Incumbent Republican
Paul Fannin
Paul Jones Fannin (January 29, 1907January 13, 2002) was an American businessman and politician. A Republican, he served as a U.S. Senator from Arizona from 1965 to 1977. He previously served as the 11th governor of Arizona from 1959 to 1965.
Ear ...
retired instead of seeking a third term. Democratic
attorney
Attorney may refer to:
* Lawyer
** Attorney at law, in some jurisdictions
* Attorney, one who has power of attorney
* ''The Attorney'', a 2013 South Korean film
See also
* Attorney general, the principal legal officer of (or advisor to) a gove ...
and businessman
Dennis DeConcini
Dennis Webster DeConcini (; born May 8, 1937) is an American lawyer, philanthropist, politician and former Democratic U.S. Senator from Arizona. The son of former Arizona Supreme Court Judge Evo Anton DeConcini, he represented Arizona in the Unit ...
won the open seat over
Sam Steiger,
U.S. Congressman
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they ...
of
Arizona's 3rd congressional district.
California
Incumbent Democrat
John Tunney ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Republican
Sam Hayakawa, President emeritus of
San Francisco State University.
Connecticut
Incumbent Republican
Lowell Weicker won re-election to a second term over
Gloria Schaffer
Gloria Wilinski Schaffer (born October 3, 1930) is an American politician who served as Secretary of the State of Connecticut from 1971 to 1978. A Democrat from New London, she served in the Connecticut State Senate from 1959 to 1971. She attende ...
,
Connecticut Secretary of State
Delaware
Incumbent Republican
William Roth won reelection to a second term over Thomas Maloney, Mayor of
Wilmington
Florida
Incumbent Democrat
Lawton Chiles won re-election to a second term over John Grady, Mayor of
Belle Glade
Hawaii
Incumbent Republican
Hiram Fong
Hiram Leong Fong (born Yau Leong Fong; October 15, 1906 – August 18, 2004) was an American businessman, lawyer, and politician from Hawaii. Born to a sugar plantation Cantonese immigrant worker, Fong became the first Chinese-American and first ...
retired instead of seeking re-election to a fourth term. Democrat
Spark Matsunaga won the open seat over Republican
William Quinn, Former
Governor of Hawaii.
Indiana
Incumbent Democrat
Vance Hartke
Rupert Vance Hartke (May 31, 1919July 27, 2003) was an American politician who served as a Democratic United States Senator from Indiana from 1959 until 1977. Hartke won election to the Senate after serving as the mayor of Evansville, Indiana. I ...
ran for re-election to a fourth term, but was defeated by Republican challenger
Richard Lugar
Richard Green Lugar (April 4, 1932 – April 28, 2019) was an American politician who served as a United States Senator from Indiana from 1977 to 2013. He was a member of the Republican Party.
Born in Indianapolis, Lugar graduated from De ...
,
Mayor of Indianapolis.
Maine
Incumbent Democrat
Edmund Muskie
Edmund Sixtus Muskie (March 28, 1914March 26, 1996) was an American statesman and political leader who served as the 58th United States Secretary of State under President Jimmy Carter, a United States Senator from Maine from 1959 to 1980, the 6 ...
won re-election to a fourth term over Republican
Robert A. G. Monks
Robert Augustus Gardner Monks (born December 4, 1933) is an American shareholder activist and co-founder of Institutional Shareholder Services, Lens Investment Management, Lens Governance Advisors and The Corporate Library (now part of GMI Ratings ...
,
shareholder activist.
Maryland
Incumbent Republican
Glenn Beall, Jr., ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Democratic challenger
Paul Sarbanes, member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they ...
.
Massachusetts
Incumbent Democrat
Ted Kennedy won re-election to his fourth (his third full) term over Republican businessman, Michael Robertson.
Michigan
Incumbent Democrat
Philip Hart retired instead of seeking a fourth term. Democrat
Donald Riegle
Donald Wayne Riegle Jr. (born February 4, 1938) is an American politician, author, and businessman from Michigan. He served for five terms as a United States House of Representatives, Representative and for three terms as a United States Senate, ...
, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, won the open seat over fellow congressman Republican
Marvin Esch.
Minnesota
Incumbent Democrat
Hubert Humphrey won re-election to a fifth term over Republican
Gerald Brekke, college professor
Mississippi
Incumbent Democrat
John C. Stennis
John Cornelius Stennis (August 3, 1901April 23, 1995) was an American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from the state of Mississippi. He was a Democrat who served in the Senate for over 41 years, becoming its most senior member for hi ...
won re-election to his sixth term.
Missouri
Incumbent Democrat
Stuart Symington retired, instead of seeking a fifth term. Republican
John Danforth,
Attorney General of Missouri, won the open seat, defeating Democrat
Warren Hearnes, former
Governor of Missouri. (
Jerry Litton
Jerry Lon Litton (May 12, 1937 – August 3, 1976) was an American politician from Missouri who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives representing Missouri's 6th congressional district from 1973 until his death in ...
had won the Democratic nomination earlier, but was killed in a plane crash, and Hearnes was chosen by the party committee.)
Montana
Rather than seek a fifth term, Democratic incumbent
Mike Mansfield opted to retire, creating an open seat. United States Congressman
John Melcher, who had represented
Montana's 2nd congressional district from 1969 to 1977, won the Democratic nomination and defeated Stanley C. Burger, the Republican nominee and former Executive Officer of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, by a wide margin in the general election.
Nebraska
Incumbent Republican
Roman Hruska
Roman Lee Hruska () (August 16, 1904April 25, 1999) was an American attorney and politician who served as a Republican U.S. senator from the state of Nebraska. Hruska was known as one of the most vocal conservatives in the Senate during the 1960 ...
retired instead of seeking another term. Democrat
Edward Zorinsky,
Mayor of Omaha, won the open seat over Republican
John Y. McCollister,
U.S. Congressman
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they ...
of
Nebraska's 2nd congressional district.
Nevada
Incumbent Democrat
Howard Cannon
Howard Walter Cannon (January 26, 1912 – March 5, 2002) was an American politician from Nevada. Elected to the first of four consecutive terms in 1958, he served in the United States Senate from 1959 to 1983. He was a member of the Democratic ...
won re-election to a fourth term over Republican
David Towell, U.S. Representative from
Nevada's At-large congressional district
Nevada's at-large congressional district was created when Nevada was granted statehood in 1864, encompassing the entire state. It existed until 1983, when it eliminated as a result of the redistricting cycle after the 1980 Census and subsequent ...
.
In the Senate, Cannon was known as a moderate in the Democratic Party. He served as chairman of several committees, including the rules committee and the inaugural arrangements committee. Cannon was nearly defeated for re-election in 1964 by Republican Lieutenant Governor
Paul Laxalt in one of the closest election in history. However, he became more popular over the next few years and won re-election in 1970 with nearly 58% of the vote. In 1976, he faced U.S. Representative
David Towell, who served just one term in the
U.S. House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they ...
before running for the U.S. Senate. Cannon won re-election with 63% of the vote, one of his best election performances of his career. He won every county in the state, except for
Eureka County
Eureka County is a County (United States), county in the U.S. state of Nevada. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, the population was 1,855, making it the second-least populous county in Nevada. Its county seat is Eureka, Nevada, E ...
, which Towell won with just 51% of the vote.
New Jersey
New Mexico
Incumbent Democrat
Joseph Montoya ran for re-election to a third term, but was defeated by Republican former
Astronaut
An astronaut (from the Ancient Greek (), meaning 'star', and (), meaning 'sailor') is a person trained, equipped, and deployed by a human spaceflight program to serve as a commander or crew member aboard a spacecraft. Although generally r ...
Harrison Schmitt.
New York
Incumbent Conservative
James Buckley ran for re-election to a second term as a Republican, but was defeated by
Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Daniel Patrick Moynihan (March 16, 1927 – March 26, 2003) was an American politician, diplomat and sociologist. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented New York in the United States Senate from 1977 until 2001 and served as an ...
.
North Dakota
Incumbent
North Dakota Democratic NPL Party
North is one of the four compass points or cardinal directions. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west. ''North'' is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.
Etymology
The word ''north'' is ...
Democrat
Quentin Burdick, sought and received re-election to his fourth term to the
United States Senate, defeating
Republican candidate
Robert Stroup
The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, honou ...
.
[ Only Burdick filed as a Dem-NPLer, and the endorsed Republican candidate was Robert Stroup, as ]state senator
A state senator is a member of a state's senate in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a member of the unicameral Nebraska Legislature.
Description
A state senator is a member of an upper house in the bicameral legislatures of 49 U ...
from Hazen, North Dakota
Hazen is a city in Mercer County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 2,281 at the 2020 census. Hazen was founded in 1913. Hazen has a K–12 school system.
It is located about fifteen minutes south of Lake Sakakawea, the largest l ...
. Burdick and Stroup won the primary elections for their respective parties. One independent candidate, Clarence Haggard, also filed before the deadline under the American Party.
Ohio
Incumbent Republican Robert Taft Jr. ran for re-election to second term, but was defeated by Democratic former senator Howard Metzenbaum.
Pennsylvania
Incumbent Republican and Minority Leader Hugh Scott retired. Republican John Heinz won the open seat over Democrat Bill Green, United States Representative[
In December 1975, U.S. senator Hugh Scott announced that he would not seek re-election in 1976 at the age of 75 after serving in Congress for 33 years. Scott listed personal reasons and several "well-qualified potential candidates" for the seat among the reasons of his decision to retire. Other reasons, including his support for Richard Nixon and accusations that he had illegally obtained contributions from Gulf Oil were alleged to have contributed to the decision.]
Heinz was the victor in all but nine counties, defeating opponent William Green, who had a 300,000 vote advantage in his native Philadelphia area. Heinz and Green spend $2.5 million and $900,000, respectively, during the ten-month campaign. Much of the money Heinz spent on his campaign was his own, leading to accusations from Green that he was "buying the seat". Heinz replied to this by claiming that the spending was necessary to overcome the Democratic voter registration advantage.
Rhode Island
Incumbent Democrat John O. Pastore
John Orlando Pastore (March 17, 1907July 15, 2000) was an American lawyer and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a United States Senator from Rhode Island from 1950 to 1976 and as the 61st governor of Rhode Island from 194 ...
did not seek re-election. Republican John Chafee won the seat, defeating Democrat Richard P. Lorber.
Tennessee
Incumbent Republican Bill Brock ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Democratic challenger James Sasser
James Ralph Sasser (born September 30, 1936) is an American politician, diplomat, and attorney. A Democrat, Sasser served three terms as a United States senator from Tennessee from 1977 to 1995, and was Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. ...
.
Texas
Incumbent Democrat Lloyd Bentsen
Lloyd Millard Bentsen Jr. (February 11, 1921 – May 23, 2006) was an American politician who was a four-term United States Senator (1971–1993) from Texas and the Democratic Party nominee for vice president in 1988 on the Michael Dukakis ti ...
won re-election to a second term over Republican Alan Steelman
Alan Watson Steelman (born March 15, 1942) is an American businessman from Dallas who served as a Republican Party (United States), Republican congressman from Texas between 1973 and 1977; at the time of his election, he was the youngest sitting m ...
, U.S. Representative
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...
from Texas's 5th district.
Utah
Incumbent Democrat Frank Moss
Frank Edward "Ted" Moss (September 23, 1911 – January 29, 2003) was an American lawyer and politician. A Democrat, he served as a United States Senator from Utah from 1959 to 1977.
Early life and education
Frank Moss was born in Holladay ...
ran for re-election to a fourth term but was defeated by his Republican opponent Orrin Hatch.
Vermont
Incumbent Republican Robert Stafford
Robert Theodore Stafford (August 8, 1913 – December 23, 2006) was an American politician from Vermont. In his lengthy political career, he served as the 71st governor of Vermont, a United States representative, and a U.S. Senator. A Republic ...
successfully ran for re-election to another term in the United States Senate, defeating Democratic candidate Governor Thomas P. Salmon
Thomas Paul Salmon (born August 19, 1932) is an American Democratic Party politician who served as the 75th governor of Vermont from 1973 to 1977.
Biography
Salmon was born in Cleveland, Ohio, raised in Stow, Massachusetts, and attended Hudson ...
.
Virginia
Incumbent Independent Harry F. Byrd Jr.
Harry Flood Byrd Jr. (December 20, 1914 – July 30, 2013) was an American orchardist, newspaper publisher and politician. He served in the Senate of Virginia and then represented Virginia in the United States Senate, succeeding his father, Harry ...
was re-elected to a second term over retired Admiral Elmo Zumwalt
Elmo Russell "Bud" Zumwalt Jr. (November 29, 1920 – January 2, 2000) was a United States Navy officer and the youngest person to serve as Chief of Naval Operations. As an admiral and later the 19th Chief of Naval Operations, Zumwalt played a m ...
and state legislator Martin H. Perper.
Washington
West Virginia
Incumbent Democrat Robert Byrd was re-elected, running unopposed.Our Campaigns - WV US Senate Race - Nov 02, 1976
/ref>
Wisconsin
Wyoming
See also
* 1976 United States elections
** 1976 United States gubernatorial elections
United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 2, 1976, in 14 states and one territory. Democrats achieved a net gain of one in these elections. This coincided with the House, Senate elections and the presidential election.
This was ...
** 1976 United States presidential election
The 1976 United States presidential election was the 48th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 1976. Democrat Jimmy Carter of Georgia defeated incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford from Michigan by a narrow ...
** 1976 United States House of Representatives elections
The 1976 United States House of Representatives elections were elections for the United States House of Representatives that coincided with Jimmy Carter's election as president. Carter's narrow victory over Gerald Ford had limited coattails, and ...
* 94th United States Congress
* 95th United States Congress
Notes
References
Sources
*
*
{{1976 United States elections