| Election Name: | 1978 United States Senate elections |
| Country: | United States |
| Type: | legislative |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1976 United States Senate elections |
| Previous Year: | 1976 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate elections |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Majority Seats: | 51 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1978 |
| 1Blank: | Seats up |
| 2Blank: | Races won |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Image1: | Robert C. Byrd – 1977.jpg |
| Leader Since1: | January 3, 1977 |
| Seats Before1: | 61 |
| Seats After1: | 58 |
| Seat Change1: | 3 |
| Popular Vote1: | 15,302,929 |
| Percentage1: | 49.9% |
| 1Data1: | 18 |
| 2Data1: | 15 |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Leader Since2: | January 3, 1977 |
| Seats Before2: | 38 |
| Seats After2: | 41 |
| Seat Change2: | 3 |
| Popular Vote2: | 14,794,225 |
| Percentage2: | 48.2% |
| 1Data2: | 17 |
| 2Data2: | 20 |
| Party4: | Independent |
| Seats Before4: | 1 |
| Seats After4: | 1 |
| 1Data4: | 0 |
| 2Data4: | 0 |
| Map Size: | 320px |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
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.
| 58 | 1 | 41 | |
| Democratic | I | Republican |
| Parties | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| < | -- Gap for "Up"--> | 16 | 17 | — | — | 33 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | — | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | — | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incumbent retired | 5 | 5 | — | — | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 3 | — | — | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 Republicans replaced by 2 Democrats< | --NE, OK--> 3 Democrats replaced by 3 Republicans | — | — | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Result | 4 | 6 | — | — | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incumbent ran | 13 | 12 | — | — | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 9 | — | — | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 Republicans replaced by 2 Democrats< | --MA, MI--> 5 Democrats replaced by 5 Republicans | — | — | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 0 | — | — | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 Republican replaced by 1 Democrat< | --NJ--> | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Result | 11 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total elected | 15 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net gain/loss | 3 | 3 | 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]
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.
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.
One Democrat resigned on May 7, 1980, and was later replaced by Democratic appointee.
| D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | |||||||||||
| width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | |
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| Majority → | D | |||||||||||||||||||
| D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | ||||||||||||
| D | I | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | |||||||||||
| R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | |||||||||||
| R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | |||||||||||
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| D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | |||||||||||
| width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | |
| D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | |||||||||||
| D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | |||||||||||
| D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | |||||||||||
| Majority → | D | |||||||||||||||||||
| R | I | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | ||||||||||||
| R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | |||||||||||
| R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | |||||||||||
| R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | |||||||||||
| R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Key |
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|---|
In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1978 or before January 3, 1979; ordered by election date, then state.
| State | Incumbent | Results | Candidates | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senator | Party | Electoral history | ||||||||
| Alabama (Class 3) | Maryon Pittman Allen | Democratic | data-sort-value="1978-01-25" | 1978 | Interim appointee lost nomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. | nowrap | ||||
| Minnesota (Class 1) | Muriel Humphrey | DFL | data-sort-value="1978-06-08" | 1978 | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected. Republican gain. | nowrap | ||||
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 | Incumbent | Results | Candidates | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senator | Party | Electoral history | |||||||
| Alabama | Democratic | 1946 1948 1954 1960 1966 1972 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. | nowrap | |||||
| Alaska | Republican | 1968 1970 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | |||||
| Arkansas | Democratic | 1977 | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. | nowrap | |||||
| Colorado | Democratic | 1972 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. | nowrap | |||||
| Delaware | Democratic | 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | |||||
| Georgia | Democratic | 1972 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | |||||
| Idaho | Republican | 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | |||||
| Illinois | Republican | 1966 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | |||||
| Iowa | Democratic | 1972 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. | nowrap | |||||
| Kansas | Republican | 1962 1962 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. | nowrap | |||||
| Kentucky | Democratic | 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | |||||
| Louisiana | Democratic | 1972 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | |||||
| Maine | Democratic | 1972 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. | nowrap | |||||
| Massachusetts | Republican | 1966 1972 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | nowrap | |||||
| Michigan | Republican | 1966 1966 1972 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | nowrap | |||||
| Minnesota | DFL | 1976 | 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. | nowrap | |||||
| Mississippi | 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. | nowrap | |||||
| Montana | Democratic | 1978 | 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. | nowrap | |||||
| Nebraska | Republican | 1954 1960 1966 1972 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | nowrap | |||||
| New Hampshire | Democratic | 1962 1966 1972 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. | nowrap | |||||
| New Jersey | Republican | 1954 1960 1966 1972 | Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | nowrap | |||||
| New Mexico | Republican | 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | |||||
| North Carolina | Republican | 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | |||||
| Oklahoma | Republican | 1972 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | nowrap | |||||
| Oregon | Republican | 1966 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | |||||
| Rhode Island | Democratic | 1960 1966 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | |||||
| South Carolina | Republican | 1954 (write-in) 1954 1956 1956 1960 1966 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | |||||
| South Dakota | Democratic | 1972 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican gain. | nowrap | |||||
| Tennessee | Republican | 1966 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | |||||
| Texas | Republican | 1961 1966 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | |||||
| Virginia | 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. | nowrap | |||||
| West Virginia | Democratic | 1958 1960 1966 1972 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | |||||
| Wyoming | 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. | nowrap | |||||
Nine races had a margin of victory under 10%:
| State | Party of winner | Margin | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | data-sort-value=-1 | Republican | 0.38% | |
| Texas | data-sort-value=-1 | Republican | 0.53% | |
| West Virginia | data-sort-value=1 | Democratic | 0.96% | |
| New Hampshire | data-sort-value=-0.5 | Republican (flip) | 2.20% | |
| Iowa | data-sort-value=-0.5 | Republican (flip) | 3.21% | |
| Michigan | data-sort-value=-0.5 | Democratic (flip) | 4.29% | |
| New Mexico | data-sort-value=-1 | Republican | 6.82% | |
| Illinois | data-sort-value=-1 | Republican | 7.87% | |
| North Carolina | data-sort-value=-1 | Republican | 9.02% |
Oklahoma was the tipping point state with a margin of 32.6%.
See also: List of United States senators from Alabama. There were two elections in Alabama, due to the death of senator Jim Allen.
| Election Name: | Alabama general election |
| Country: | Alabama |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Alabama |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Alabama |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | heflin.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Howell Heflin |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 547,054 |
| Percentage1: | 94% |
| Nominee2: | Jerome B. Couch |
| Party2: | Prohibition Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 34,951 |
| Percentage2: | 6% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | John Sparkman |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Election: | Howell Heflin |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Alabama.
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.
| Election Name: | Alabama special election |
| Country: | Alabama |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1974 United States Senate election in Alabama |
| Previous Year: | 1974 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Alabama |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | Donald_W._Stewart.png |
| Nominee1: | Donald W. Stewart |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 401,852 |
| Percentage1: | 55.1% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 316,170 |
| Percentage2: | 43.3% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate special election in Alabama.
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.
| Election Name: | Alaska election |
| Country: | Alaska |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Alaska |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Alaska |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | Ted Stevens 1977 portrait (cropped 3x4).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Ted Stevens |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 92,783 |
| Percentage1: | 75.59% |
| Nominee2: | Donald Hobbs |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 29,574 |
| Percentage2: | 24.10% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Ted Stevens |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Ted Stevens |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 300px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Alaska.
See also: List of United States senators from Alaska and 1978 United States House of Representatives election in Alaska.
Republican Ted Stevens won reelection to a second full (his third total) term, defeating Democrat Donald Hobbs.
| Election Name: | Arkansas election |
| Country: | Arkansas |
| Flag Year: | 1924 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Arkansas |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Arkansas |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Nominee1: | David Pryor |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 399,916 |
| Percentage1: | 76.58% |
| Nominee2: | Thomas Kelly Jr. |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 84,722 |
| Percentage2: | 16.22% |
| Nominee3: | John G. Black |
| Party3: | Independent politician |
| Popular Vote3: | 37,488 |
| Percentage3: | 7.18% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Kaneaster Hodges Jr. |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | David H. Pryor |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 200px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Arkansas.
See also: List of United States senators from Arkansas.
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.
| Election Name: | Colorado election |
| Country: | Colorado |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Colorado |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Colorado |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | File:Sen William L Armstrong.jpg |
| Nominee1: | William L. Armstrong |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 480,801 |
| Percentage1: | 58.69% |
| Nominee2: | Floyd Haskell |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 330,148 |
| Percentage2: | 40.30% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Floyd Haskell |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | William L. Armstrong |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Colorado.
See also: List of United States senators from Colorado and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado.
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.
| Election Name: | Delaware election |
| Country: | Delaware |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Delaware |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Delaware |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | Joe Biden first official photo.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Joe Biden |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 93,930 |
| Percentage1: | 57.96% |
| Nominee2: | James H. Baxter Jr. |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 66,479 |
| Percentage2: | 41.02% |
| Map Size: | 200px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Joe Biden |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Election: | Joe Biden |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Delaware.
See also: List of United States senators from Delaware.
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.[2]
| Election Name: | Georgia election |
| Country: | Georgia (U.S. state) |
| Flag Year: | 1956 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Georgia |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Georgia |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | Sam Nunn 94th Congress.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Sam Nunn |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 536,320 |
| Percentage1: | 83.1% |
| Nominee2: | John W. Stokes |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 108,808 |
| Percentage2: | 16.9% |
| Map Size: | 200px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Sam Nunn |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Election: | Sam Nunn |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Georgia.
See also: List of United States senators from Georgia.
Democrat Sam Nunn won re-election to a second term.[3]
| Election Name: | Idaho election |
| Country: | Idaho |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Idaho |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Idaho |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | Jimmcclure.jpg |
| Nominee1: | James A. McClure |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 194,412 |
| Percentage1: | 68.44% |
| Nominee2: | Dwight Jensen |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 89,635 |
| Percentage2: | 31.56% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | James A. McClure |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Election: | James A. McClure |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Idaho.
See also: List of United States senators from Idaho and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Idaho.
Republican James A. McClure was elected to a second term in office.
| Election Name: | Illinois election |
| Country: | Illinois |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Illinois |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Illinois |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | Charles Percy.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Charles Percy |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,698,711 |
| Percentage1: | 53.34% |
| Nominee2: | Alex Seith |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,448,187 |
| Percentage2: | 45.47% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Charles H. Percy |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Election: | Charles H. Percy |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| Map Size: | 170px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Illinois.
See also: List of United States senators from Illinois.
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."[4] 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.
| Election Name: | Iowa election |
| Country: | Iowa |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Iowa (xrmap collection).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Iowa |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Iowa |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | File:Roger Jepsen.JPG |
| Nominee1: | Roger Jepsen |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 421,598 |
| Percentage1: | 51.12% |
| Nominee2: | Dick Clark |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 395,066 |
| Percentage2: | 47.91% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Dick Clark |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Roger Jepsen |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Iowa.
See also: List of United States senators from Iowa.
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.
| Election Name: | Kansas election |
| Country: | Kansas |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Kansas |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Kansas |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | File:Nancy Kassebaum.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Nancy Kassebaum |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 403,354 |
| Percentage1: | 53.86% |
| Nominee2: | Bill Roy |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 317,602 |
| Percentage2: | 42.41% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | James B. Pearson |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Nancy Kassebaum |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Kansas.
See also: List of United States senators from Kansas.
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.
| Election Name: | Kentucky election |
| Country: | Kentucky |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Kentucky |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Kentucky |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | WHuddleston.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Walter Huddleston |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 290,730 |
| Percentage1: | 60.98% |
| Nominee2: | Louie R. Guenthner Jr. |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 175,766 |
| Percentage2: | 36.87% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Walter Huddleston |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Election: | Walter Huddleston |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Kentucky.
See also: List of United States senators from Kentucky.
Democrat Walter Huddleston was re-elected to a second term.
| Election Name: | 1978 Democratic Senate primary election in Louisiana |
| Country: | Louisiana |
| Flag Year: | 1912 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Louisiana |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Louisiana |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Election Date: | September 16, 1978 |
| Image1: | File:John Bennett Johnston.jpg |
| Nominee1: | J. Bennett Johnston |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 498,773 |
| Percentage1: | 59.40% |
| Nominee2: | Woody Jenkins |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 340,896 |
| Percentage2: | 40.60% |
| Map Size: | 285px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | J. Bennett Johnston |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Louisiana.
See also: List of United States senators from Louisiana and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Louisiana.
Democrat J. Bennett Johnston won re-election to unopposed and his second term.
| Election Name: | Maine election |
| Country: | Maine |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Maine |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Maine |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | Senator William Cohen (R-ME).jpg |
| Nominee1: | William Cohen |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 212,294 |
| Percentage1: | 56.59% |
| Nominee2: | William Hathaway |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 127,327 |
| Percentage2: | 33.94% |
| Image4: | File:Hayes Gahagan 2.jpg |
| Nominee4: | Hayes Gahagan |
| Party4: | Independent |
| Popular Vote4: | 27,824 |
| Percentage4: | 7.42% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | William Hathaway |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Election: | William Cohen |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Maine.
See also: List of United States senators from Maine and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine.
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
| Election Name: | Massachusetts election |
| Country: | Massachusetts |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Massachusetts |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Massachusetts |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | Senator Paul Tsongas.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Paul Tsongas |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,093,283 |
| Percentage1: | 55.06% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 890,584 |
| Percentage2: | 44.85% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Massachusetts.
See also: List of United States senators from Massachusetts.
Republican Edward Brooke was defeated by Democratic Congressman Paul E. Tsongas.
| Election Name: | Michigan election |
| Country: | Michigan |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Michigan |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Michigan |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | CarlLevin--100thCongress--.png |
| Nominee1: | Carl Levin |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,484,193 |
| Percentage1: | 52.1% |
| Nominee2: | Robert P. Griffin |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,362,165 |
| Percentage2: | 47.9% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Robert P. Griffin |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Election: | Carl Levin |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Michigan.
See also: List of United States senators from Michigan and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan.
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.
See also: List of United States senators from Minnesota and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota. There were two elections in Minnesota, due to the death of Hubert Humphrey.
| Election Name: | Minnesota general election |
| Country: | Minnesota |
| Flag Year: | 1957 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Minnesota |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Minnesota |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | RudyBoschwitz.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Rudy Boschwitz |
| Party1: | Independent-Republicans (Minnesota) |
| Popular Vote1: | 894,092 |
| Percentage1: | 56.57% |
| Nominee2: | Wendell Anderson |
| Party2: | Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (Minnesota) |
| Popular Vote2: | 638,375 |
| Percentage2: | 40.39% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Wendell Anderson |
| Before Party: | Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (Minnesota) |
| After Election: | Rudy Boschwitz |
| After Party: | Independent-Republicans (Minnesota) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Minnesota.
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.
| Election Name: | Minnesota special election |
| Country: | Minnesota |
| Flag Year: | 1957 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1976 United States Senate election in Minnesota |
| Previous Year: | 1976 |
| Next Election: | 1982 United States Senate election in Minnesota |
| Next Year: | 1982 |
| Image1: | DavidDurenberger.jpg |
| Nominee1: | David Durenberger |
| Party1: | Independent-Republicans (Minnesota) |
| Popular Vote1: | 957,908 |
| Percentage1: | 61.47% |
| Nominee2: | Bob Short |
| Party2: | Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (Minnesota) |
| Popular Vote2: | 538,675 |
| Percentage2: | 34.57% |
| U.S. senator | |
| Before Election: | Muriel Humphrey |
| Before Party: | Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (Minnesota) |
| After Election: | David Durenberger |
| After Party: | Independent-Republicans (Minnesota) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate special election in Minnesota.
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.
| Election Name: | Mississippi election |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Mississippi |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Mississippi |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Flag Year: | 1894 |
| Image1: | Thad Cochran 1977 Congressional photo.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Thad Cochran |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 267,302 |
| Percentage1: | 45.3% |
| Nominee2: | Maurice Dantin |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 187,541 |
| Percentage2: | 31.8% |
| Nominee4: | Charles Evers |
| Party4: | Independent |
| Popular Vote4: | 133,646 |
| Percentage4: | 22.6% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | James Eastland |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Election: | Thad Cochran |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Mississippi.
See also: List of United States senators from Mississippi and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Mississippi.
Democrat James Eastland retired. Republican Thad Cochran won the open seat over Democrat Maurice Dantin, former District Attorney[5] 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.[6] This made him the first Republican in a century to win a statewide election in Mississippi for any office except US President.[7] Eastland resigned on December 27, 1978, to give Cochran a seniority advantage over new incoming senators.[8]
| Election Name: | Montana election |
| Country: | Montana |
| Flag Year: | 1905 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Montana |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Montana |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | Max Baucus 1977 Congressional photo.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Max Baucus |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 160,353 |
| Percentage1: | 55.69% |
| Nominee2: | Larry R. Williams |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 127,589 |
| Percentage2: | 44.31% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Paul G. Hatfield |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Election: | Max Baucus |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Montana.
See also: List of United States senators from Montana and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Montana. 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.
| Election Name: | Nebraska election |
| Country: | Nebraska |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Nebraska |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Nebraska |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | 1979 p80 J James Exon.jpg |
| Nominee1: | J. James Exon |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 334,096 |
| Percentage1: | 67.7% |
| Nominee2: | Donald Eugene Shasteen |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 159,708 |
| Percentage2: | 32.3% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Carl Curtis |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Election: | J. James Exon |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Nebraska.
See also: List of United States senators from Nebraska and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska.
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.
| Election Name: | New Hampshire election |
| Country: | New Hampshire |
| Flag Year: | 1931 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in New Hampshire |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in New Hampshire |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | File:Gordon J. Humphrey (cropped).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Gordon J. Humphrey |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 133,745 |
| Percentage1: | 50.71% |
| Nominee2: | Thomas J. McIntyre |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 127,945 |
| Percentage2: | 48.51% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Thomas J. McIntyre |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Gordon J. Humphrey |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in New Hampshire.
See also: List of United States senators from New Hampshire.
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.
| Election Name: | New Jersey election |
| Country: | New Jersey |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in New Jersey |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in New Jersey |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | Sen. Bill Bradley (NJ) (cropped).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Bill Bradley |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,082,960 |
| Percentage1: | 55.32% |
| Nominee2: | Jeff Bell |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 844,200 |
| Percentage2: | 43.13% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Clifford P. Case |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Election: | Bill Bradley |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in New Jersey.
See also: List of United States senators from New Jersey and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in New Jersey.
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.
| Election Name: | New Mexico election |
| Country: | New Mexico |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in New Mexico |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in New Mexico |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | Pete Domenici official portrait 2.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Pete Domenici |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 183,442 |
| Percentage1: | 53.4% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 160,045 |
| Percentage2: | 46.6% |
| Map Size: | 200px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in New Mexico.
See also: List of United States senators from New Mexico and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico.
Republican senator Pete Domenici successfully ran for re-election to a second term, defeating Democrat Toney Anaya, Attorney General of New Mexico.
| Election Name: | North Carolina election |
| Country: | North Carolina |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in North Carolina |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in North Carolina |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Flag Year: | 1885 |
| Image1: | Jesse Helms.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Jesse Helms |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 619,151 |
| Percentage1: | 54.5% |
| Nominee2: | John Ingram |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 516,663 |
| Percentage2: | 45.5% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Jesse Helms |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Election: | Jesse Helms |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| Map Size: | 300px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in North Carolina.
See also: List of United States senators from North Carolina and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina. 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.
Jesse Helms won the Republican Party's nomination unopposed.
| Election Name: | Oklahoma election |
| Country: | Oklahoma |
| Flag Year: | 1941 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Oklahoma |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Oklahoma |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | File:Senator David Boren (cropped).jpg |
| Nominee1: | David Boren |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 493,953 |
| Percentage1: | 65.49% |
| Nominee2: | Robert B. Kamm |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 247,857 |
| Percentage2: | 32.86% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Dewey F. Bartlett |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | David Boren |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Oklahoma.
See also: List of United States senators from Oklahoma.
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.
Bartlett died 2 months after leaving the U.S. Senate
| Election Name: | Oregon election |
| Country: | Oregon |
| Flag Year: | 1931 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Oregon |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Oregon |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Nominee1: | Mark Hatfield |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 550,615 |
| Percentage1: | 61.66% |
| Nominee2: | Vernon Cook |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 341,616 |
| Percentage2: | 38.26% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Mark Hatfield |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Mark Hatfield |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Oregon.
See also: List of United States senators from Oregon.
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.
| Election Name: | Rhode Island election |
| Country: | Rhode Island |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Rhode Island |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Rhode Island |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | Sen Claiborne Pell.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Claiborne Pell |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 229,557 |
| Percentage1: | 75.1% |
| Nominee2: | James G. Reynolds |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 76,061 |
| Percentage2: | 24.9% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Claiborne Pell |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Election: | Claiborne Pell |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Rhode Island.
See also: List of United States senators from Rhode Island and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Rhode Island.
Democrat Claiborne Pell successfully sought re-election, defeating Republican James G. Reynolds.
| Election Name: | South Carolina election |
| Country: | South Carolina |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in South Carolina |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in South Carolina |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | Strom Thurmond.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Strom Thurmond |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 351,733 |
| Percentage1: | 55.6% |
| Nominee2: | Charles D. Ravenel |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 281,119 |
| Percentage2: | 44.4% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Strom Thurmond |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Election: | Strom Thurmond |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in South Carolina.
See also: List of United States senators from South Carolina and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina. 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.
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.
| Election Name: | South Dakota election |
| Country: | South Dakota |
| Flag Year: | 1963 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in South Dakota |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in South Dakota |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Nominee1: | Larry Pressler |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 170,832 |
| Percentage1: | 66.84% |
| Nominee2: | Don Barnett |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 84,767 |
| Percentage2: | 33.16% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | James Abourezk |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Larry Pressler |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in South Dakota.
See also: List of United States senators from South Dakota.
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
| Election Name: | Tennessee election |
| Country: | Tennessee |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Tennessee |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Tennessee |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | Howard Baker photo.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Howard Baker |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 642,644 |
| Percentage1: | 55.54% |
| Nominee2: | Jane Eskind |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 466,228 |
| Percentage2: | 40.30% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Howard Baker |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Election: | Howard Baker |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| Map Size: | 300px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Tennessee.
See also: List of United States senators from Tennessee and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee. 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:[9]
In the Republican primary, also held August 3, Baker easily emerged as the winner:[10]
Baker won with a 15-point margin in the general election, held on November 7:[11]
| Election Name: | Texas election |
| Country: | Texas |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Texas |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Texas |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | John Tower.jpg |
| Nominee1: | John Tower |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,151,376 |
| Percentage1: | 49.8% |
| Nominee2: | Bob Krueger |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,139,149 |
| Percentage2: | 49.3% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | John Tower |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Election: | John Tower |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| Map Size: | 300px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Texas.
See also: List of United States senators from Texas and 1978 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas. Republican incumbent John Tower won re-election to a fourth term over Democrat Bob Krueger, U.S. Congressman of Texas's 21st congressional district.
| Election Name: | Virginia election |
| Country: | Virginia |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Virginia |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Virginia |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | John W Warner Sec of Navy.jpg |
| Nominee1: | John Warner |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 613,232 |
| Percentage1: | 50.2% |
| Nominee2: | Andrew P. Miller |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 608,511 |
| Percentage2: | 49.8% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | William L. Scott |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Election: | John Warner |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Virginia.
See also: List of United States senators from Virginia.
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.
| Election Name: | West Virginia election |
| Country: | West Virginia |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in West Virginia |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in West Virginia |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | File:Jennings Randolph headshot.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Jennings Randolph |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 249,034 |
| Percentage1: | 50.48% |
| Nominee2: | Arch Moore |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 244,317 |
| Percentage2: | 49.52% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Jennings Randolph |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Jennings Randolph |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in West Virginia.
See also: List of United States senators from West Virginia.
Democratic incumbent Jennings Randolph won re-election to a fifth term over Republican Arch Moore, former Governor of West Virginia.
| Election Name: | Wyoming election |
| Country: | Wyoming |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Wyoming |
| Next Year: | 1984 |
| Image1: | File:Alan Kooi Simpson.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Alan K. Simpson |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 82,908 |
| Percentage1: | 62.17% |
| Nominee2: | Raymond B. Whitaker |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 50,456 |
| Percentage2: | 37.83% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Clifford Hansen |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Alan K. Simpson |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1978 United States Senate election in Wyoming.
See also: List of United States senators from Wyoming.
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.