1978 United States Senate election in Tennessee explained

Election Name:	1978 United States Senate election in Tennessee
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
Election Date:	November 7, 1978
Nominee1:	Howard Baker
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	642,644
Percentage1:	55.54%
Nominee2:	Jane Eskind
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	466,228
Percentage2:	40.30%
Map Size:	300px
U.S. Senator
Before Election:	Howard Baker
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
After Election:	Howard Baker
After Party:	Republican Party (United States)

The 1978 United States Senate election in Tennessee took place on November 7, 1978, to elect the U.S. Senator from the state of Tennessee. Two-term popular incumbent Republican U.S. Senator, Howard Baker, who had served as United States Senate Minority Leader since 1977, won reelection over first-time candidate and Democratic Party activist Jane Eskind.

Democratic primary

Candidates:

In an open primary on August 3, Eskind defeated eight other candidates:^[1]

Eskind – 196,156 (34.52%)
Bruce – 170,795 (30.06%)
Lee – 89,939 (15.83%)
Boyd – 48,458 (8.53%)
Bradley – 22,130 (3.90%)
Heinsohn – 17,787 (3.13%)
Foster – 10,671 (1.88%)
Nyabongo – 7,682 (1.35%)
Vick – 4,414 (0.78%)
Write-in – 147 (0.03%)

Candidates:

Baker easily won the August 3 primary:^[2]

Baker – 205,680 (83.44%)
Howard – 21,154 (8.58%)
Boles – 8,899 (3.61%)
Patty – 3,941 (1.60%)
Seiler – 3,831 (1.55%)
Trapp – 2,994 (1.22%)

Baker won with a 15-point margin in the general election, held on November 7: