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 *

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

, 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

References

{{1978 United States elections United States Senate special Alabama (Special) 1978 special Alabama 1978 United States Senate 1978 Alabama 1978

Primary election

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Withdrew

General election

Results

Bibliography

See also

References