The 1978 United States Senate special election in Alabama was held on November 7, 1978. It was a special election to fill the seat which had been held by Senator
Jim Allen, who died on June 1. His widow
Maryon was appointed on June 8 by governor
George Wallace
George Corley Wallace Jr. (August 25, 1919 – September 13, 1998) was an American politician who served as the 45th governor of Alabama for four terms. A member of the Democratic Party, he is best remembered for his staunch segregationist and ...
to fill the vacancy until a special election could be held.
Democratic state senator
Donald W. Stewart
Donald Wilbur Stewart (born February 8, 1940) is a former American lawyer who was a United States Senator from Alabama from 1978 to 1981, he succeeded Maryon Pittman Allen and was succeeded by Jeremiah Denton. Prior to Stewart's time in the Senate ...
defeated Allen in the Democratic primary then defeated former Republican Congressman
James D. Martin
James Douglas Martin (September 1, 1918 – October 30, 2017) was an American politician.
Martin was born in Tarrant, Alabama. He served as a member for the 7th district of Alabama of the United States House of Representatives
The U ...
to serve the remaining two years of the term.
Primary election
Primary elections were held on September 5, 1978, with the Democratic runoff held on September 26, 1978.
Democratic primary
Candidates
*
Maryon Pittman Allen, incumbent
United States Senator
*Gene Myracle, business owner
*
Donald W. Stewart
Donald Wilbur Stewart (born February 8, 1940) is a former American lawyer who was a United States Senator from Alabama from 1978 to 1981, he succeeded Maryon Pittman Allen and was succeeded by Jeremiah Denton. Prior to Stewart's time in the Senate ...
,
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 ...
*Ted Taylor, President of the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association
*Dan Wiley, President of the Mobile County Commission
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
*Elvin McCary, Republican nominee for
Governor in
1974
Major events in 1974 include the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis and the resignation of United States President Richard Nixon following the Watergate scandal. In the Middle East, the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War determined politics; f ...
*George W. Nichols, attorney
Results
Withdrew
Nichols withdrew from the race in order that
James D. Martin
James Douglas Martin (September 1, 1918 – October 30, 2017) was an American politician.
Martin was born in Tarrant, Alabama. He served as a member for the 7th district of Alabama of the United States House of Representatives
The U ...
, former U.S. Representative for
Alabama's 7th congressional district
Alabama's 7th congressional district is a United States congressional district in Alabama that elects a representative to the United States House of Representatives. The district encompasses Choctaw County, Alabama, Choctaw, Dallas County, Alab ...
, who had been nominated to run in the concurrent
regular Senate election, could switch races.
General election
Results
Bibliography
*
See also
*
1978 United States Senate elections
The 1978 United States Senate elections in the middle of Democratic President Jimmy Carter's term. Thirteen seats changed hands between parties, resulting in a net gain of three seats for the Republicans. Democrats nevertheless retained a 58&nd ...
*
1978 United States Senate election in Alabama
The 1978 United States Senate election in Alabama was held on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator John Sparkman decided to retire and Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Howell Heflin was elected to succeed him.
Heflin won t ...
*
1978 Alabama gubernatorial election
The 1978 Alabama gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1978, to elect the governor of Alabama. Incumbent Democratic Governor George Wallace did not run for re-election. Fob James, a businessman who had switched from the Republican P ...
References
{{1978 United States elections
United States Senate special
Alabama (Special)
1978 special
Alabama 1978
United States Senate 1978
Alabama 1978