| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate elections |
| Country: | United States |
| Type: | legislative |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1970 United States Senate elections |
| Previous Year: | 1970 |
| Next Election: | 1974 United States Senate elections |
| Next Year: | 1974 |
| Seats For Election: | 33 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate |
| Majority Seats: | 51 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| 1Blank: | Seats up |
| 2Blank: | Races won |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Image1: | Mike Mansfield 1985 (cropped 3x4).png |
| Leader1: | Mike Mansfield |
| Leader Since1: | January 3, 1961 |
| Leaders Seat1: | Montana |
| Seats Before1: | 54 |
| Seats After1: | 56 |
| Seat Change1: | 2 |
| Popular Vote1: | 17,199,567 |
| Percentage1: | 45.5% |
| 1Data1: | 14 |
| 2Data1: | 16 |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Leader2: | Hugh Scott |
| Leader Since2: | September 24, 1969 |
| Leaders Seat2: | Pennsylvania |
| Seats Before2: | 44 |
| Seats After2: | 42 |
| Seat Change2: | 2 |
| Popular Vote2: | 19,821,203 |
| Percentage2: | 52.4% |
| 1Data2: | 19 |
| 2Data2: | 17 |
| Party4: | Independent |
| Seats Before4: | 1 |
| Seats After4: | 1[1] |
| 1Data4: | 0 |
| 2Data4: | 0 |
| Party5: | Conservative Party (New York) |
| Seats Before5: | 1 |
| Seats After5: | 1 |
| 1Data5: | 0 |
| 2Data5: | 0 |
| Map Size: | 320px |
| Majority Leader | |
| Before Election: | Mike Mansfield |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Election: | Mike Mansfield |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
The 1972 United States Senate elections were held on November 7, with the 33 seats of Class 2 contested in regular elections. They coincided with the landslide re-election of Republican President Richard Nixon. Despite Nixon's landslide victory, Democrats increased their majority by two seats. The Democrats picked up open seats in Kentucky and South Dakota, and defeated four incumbent senators: Gordon Allott of Colorado, J. Caleb Boggs of Delaware, Jack Miller of Iowa, and Margaret Chase Smith of Maine. The Republicans picked up open seats in New Mexico, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, and defeated one incumbent, William B. Spong Jr. of Virginia.
After the elections, Democrats held 56 seats, and Republicans held 42 seats, with 1 Conservative and 1 independent senator in the chamber as well. These were the first elections in which all citizens at least 18 years of age (instead of 21, and older) could vote, due to the 1971 passage of the 26th Amendment.
As of, this is the last time in which a Republican won a Senate election in New Jersey. Joe Biden, the 46th president of the United States (2021–present) and 47th vice president (2009–2017), first won election to the United States Senate, defeating J. Caleb Boggs in the election in Delaware.
| 56 | 1 | 1 | 42 | |
| Democratic | I | C | Republican |
| Parties | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Republican | Conservative | Independent | Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last elections (1970) Before these elections | 54 | 44 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not up | 40 | 25 | 1 | 1 | — | 67 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Up | 14 | 19 | 0 | 0 | — | 33 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incumbent retired | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 Republicans replaced by 2 Democrats< | --KY, SD--> 2 Democrats replaced by 2 Republicans | — | — | — | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Result | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incumbent ran | 11 | 16 | — | — | — | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 12 | — | — | — | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 Republicans replaced by 4 Democrats< | --CO, DE, IA, ME--> 1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican | — | — | — | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican < | --NC--> | — | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Result | 13 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total elected | 16 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net gain/loss | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationwide vote | 17,199,567 | 19,821,203 | 42,348 | 318,238 | 427,742 | 37,809,098 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share | 45.49% | 52.42% | 0.11% | 0.84% | 1.13% | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Result | 56 | 42 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Source: Web site: . 1973 . Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 7, 1972 . . 2020-11-22.
Three Republicans and three Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.
Four Republicans and three Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.
After the January 7, 1972, Vermont special election.
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| Key: |
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In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1972 or before January 3, 1973; ordered by election date, then state.
| State | Incumbent | Results | Candidates | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senator | Party | Electoral history | |||||||
| Vermont (Class 1) | Robert Stafford | Republican | 1971 | Interim appointee elected January 7, 1972. | nowrap | ||||
| Georgia (Class 2) | David H. Gambrell | Democratic | 1971 | Interim appointee lost nomination. New senator elected November 7, 1972. Democratic hold. Winner also elected to the next term, see below. | nowrap | ||||
In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1973; 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 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Alaska | Republican | 1968 1970 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Arkansas | Democratic | 1942 1948 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Colorado | Republican | 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | nowrap | ||||
| Delaware | Republican | 1960 1966 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | nowrap | ||||
| Georgia | Democratic | 1971 | Interim appointee lost nomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Winner also elected to finish the term, see above. | nowrap | ||||
| Idaho | Republican | 1962 1962 1966 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. | nowrap | ||||
| Illinois | Republican | 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Iowa | Republican | 1960 1966 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | nowrap | ||||
| Kansas | Republican | 1962 1962 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Kentucky | Republican | 1946 1948 1952 1954 1956 1960 1966 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | nowrap | ||||
| Louisiana | Democratic | 1972 | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Interim appointee resigned November 13, 1972, to give successor preferential seniority. Winner appointed November 14, 1972. | nowrap | ||||
| Maine | Republican | 1948 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | nowrap | ||||
| Massachusetts | Republican | 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Michigan | Republican | 1966 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Minnesota | DFL | 1964 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Mississippi | Democratic | 1942 1948 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Montana | Democratic | 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Nebraska | Republican | 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| New Hampshire | Democratic | 1962 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| New Jersey | Republican | 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| New Mexico | Democratic | 1948 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican gain. | nowrap | ||||
| North Carolina | Democratic | 1958 1958 1960 1966 | Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Republican gain. | nowrap | ||||
| Oklahoma | Democratic | 1964 1966 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican gain. | nowrap | ||||
| Oregon | Republican | 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Rhode Island | Democratic | 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| South Carolina | Republican | 1954 (write-in) 1954 1956 1956 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| South Dakota | Republican | 1948 1948 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | nowrap | ||||
| Tennessee | Republican | 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Texas | Republican | 1961 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Virginia | Democratic | 1966 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. | nowrap | ||||
| West Virginia | Democratic | 1958 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Wyoming | Republican | 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
Seventeen races had a margin of victory under 10%:
| State | Party of winner | Margin | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | data-sort-value=1 | Democratic (flip) | 1.0% | |
| Delaware | data-sort-value=1 | Democratic (flip) | 1.4% | |
| Kentucky | data-sort-value=1 | Democratic (flip) | 3.3% | |
| Oklahoma | data-sort-value=1 | Republican (flip) | 3.8% | |
| Montana | data-sort-value=1 | Democratic | 3.9% | |
| Virginia | data-sort-value=1 | Republican (flip) | 5.4% | |
| Georgia (special) | data-sort-value=-1 | Democratic | 5.5% | |
| Michigan | data-sort-value=1 | Republican | 6.0% | |
| Nebraska | data-sort-value=1 | Republican | 6.3% | |
| Maine | data-sort-value=1 | Democratic (flip) | 6.4% | |
| Idaho | data-sort-value=1 | Republican | 6.8% | |
| Oregon | data-sort-value=1 | Republican | 7.5% | |
| Georgia | data-sort-value=1 | Democratic | 7.95% | |
| Rhode Island | data-sort-value=1 | Democratic | 8.0% | |
| New Mexico | data-sort-value=1 | Republican (flip) | 8.0% | |
| North Carolina | data-sort-value=1 | Republican (flip) | 8.0% | |
| Texas | data-sort-value=1 | Republican | 9.1% |
| Election Name: | Alabama election |
| Country: | Alabama |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Alabama |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Alabama |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Image1: | Alabama_Sen._John_Sparkman.jpg |
| Nominee1: | John Sparkman |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 654,491 |
| Percentage1: | 62.27% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 347,523 |
| Percentage2: | 33.06% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Alabama.
See also: List of United States senators from Alabama. In 1946, John H. Bankhead II suffered a stroke during a U.S. Senate hearing and died three weeks later. John Sparkman, who had served as U.S. Representative since 1937 and was House Majority Whip, secured the endorsements of party leaders and ran unopposed to win the remainder of Bankhead's term. Sparkman was then re-elected in 1948, 1954, 1960, and 1966 all by wide margins. At the time, the Democratic Party was dominant in Alabama; winning the Democratic primary virtually guaranteed a general election victory. Until 1966, Sparkman never faced an opponent in the general election who garnered more than 30% of the vote. Sparkman also served as the running mate of Adlai Stevenson II in an unsuccessful 1952 presidential campaign.
However, in 1966, the Democratic Party began to feel the backlash of Civil rights legislation in the South, and Sparkman faced his closest political contest to date. He defeated John Grenier with just 60% of the vote. Richard Nixon's election in 1968 also helped Republicans gain recognition in Alabama. In 1972, Sparkman faced Winton M. Blount, who was serving as Postmaster General.[2]
Sparkman ultimately increased his vote share in a lopsided victory over Blount, who won just two counties, Houston county and, fittingly, the phonetically similar Winston county. This would be Sparkman's final term as U.S. senator. He retired in 1979 and was succeeded by Howell Heflin.
| Election Name: | Alaska election |
| Country: | Alaska |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1970 United States Senate special election in Alaska |
| Previous Year: | 1970 (special) |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Alaska |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Image1: | Ted Stevens 1970 (cropped).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Ted Stevens |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 74,216 |
| Percentage1: | 77.30% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 21,791 |
| Percentage2: | 22.70% |
| Map Size: | 325px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Alaska.
See also: List of United States senators from Alaska. Republican Ted Stevens was originally elected to the U.S. Senate in 1970, succeeding Democrat Bob Bartlett. He won election to the remainder of Barlett's term with nearly 60% of the vote.
In 1972, he faced Democrat Gene Guess in the general election. Stevens won re-election in a landslide even as Democrat Mike Gravel served as the state's other senator. On election day, Stevens won re-election to a second term (his first full term) against Guess, 77–23%. Stevens would be re-elected in 1978, 1984, 1990, 1996, and 2002 with at least 66% of the vote before losing re-election in 2008 amid criminal charges.
| Election Name: | Arkansas election |
| Country: | Arkansas |
| Flag Year: | 1924 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Arkansas |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Arkansas |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Image1: | John Little McClellan.jpg |
| Nominee1: | John L. McClellan |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 386,398 |
| Percentage1: | 60.89% |
| Nominee2: | Wayne Babbitt |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 248,238 |
| Percentage2: | 39.12% |
| Map Size: | 200px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Arkansas.
See also: List of United States senators from Arkansas.
Incumbent Democrat John Little McClellan was re-elected.
| Election Name: | Colorado election |
| Country: | Colorado |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Colorado |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Colorado |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Image1: | FloydHaskell.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Floyd Haskell |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 457,545 |
| Percentage1: | 49.41% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 447,957 |
| Percentage2: | 48.37% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Colorado.
See also: List of United States senators from Colorado. Incumbent Republican Gordon Allott was defeated by Floyd K. Haskell.
| Election Name: | Delaware election |
| Country: | Delaware |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Delaware |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Delaware |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Nominee1: | Joe Biden |
| Image1: | Joe Biden first official photo.jpg |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 116,006 |
| Percentage1: | 50.5% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 112,844 |
| Percentage2: | 49.1% |
| Map Size: | 100px |
| U.S. senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Delaware.
See also: List of United States senators from Delaware. Incumbent Republican J. Caleb Boggs, running for a third term, faced off against future President Joe Biden, then a New Castle County Councilman. Though Boggs was expected to easily win a third term over the then-unknown Biden, it ended up being the closest Senate election in 1972, and Biden narrowly beat out Boggs by a little over three thousand votes, winning what would be his first of seven terms.
Boggs, a longtime Delaware political figure, was considering retirement which would likely have led to a primary campaign between two Republicans, U.S. Representative Pete du Pont and Wilmington Mayor Harry G. Haskell Jr. To avoid the anticipated divisive primary fight, U.S. President Richard M. Nixon helped convince Boggs to run again with full party support.
No other Democrat wanted to run against Boggs besides Biden.[3] Biden's campaign had virtually no money and was given no chance of winning.[4] It was managed by his sister Valerie Biden Owens (who would go on to manage his future campaigns as well) and staffed by other members of his family, and relied upon handed-out newsprint position papers.[5] Biden did receive some assistance from the AFL–CIO and Democratic pollster Patrick Caddell. Biden's campaign issues focused on withdrawal from Vietnam, the environment, civil rights, mass transit, more equitable taxation, health care, the public's dissatisfaction with politics-as-usual, and "change".[3]
During the summer Biden trailed by almost 30 percentage points, but his energetic campaign, his attractive young family, and his ability to connect with voters' emotions gave the surging Biden an advantage over the ready-to-retire Boggs.[6] Biden won the November 7, 1972, election in an upset by a margin of 3,162 votes.
At the time of the election Biden was a little less than 30 years old; age 30 is a constitutional requirement for the U.S. Senate, and he reached that on November 20, in time for the Senate term beginning January 3. After his election he became the sixth-youngest senator in history.[7]
See main article: 1972 United States Senate elections in Georgia.
See also: List of United States senators from Georgia. Seven-term Democrat Richard Russell Jr. had served as U.S. senator since 1933, but he died January 21, 1971, while serving as President pro tempore. Russell supported segregation in the South and opposed Civil Rights legislation as was common among Southern Democrats of the time. Governor of Georgia Jimmy Carter appointed Democrat David H. Gambrell, the chair of the Georgia Democratic Party as interim senator, pending a special election.
| Election Name: | Georgia special election |
| Country: | Georgia (U.S. state) |
| Flag Year: | 1956 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Georgia |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Georgia |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Image1: | Sam Nunn 94th Congress.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Sam Nunn |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 404,890 |
| Percentage1: | 51.98% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 362,501 |
| Percentage2: | 46.54% |
| U.S. senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
Sam Nunn, a Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives, won both the special and the regular elections. Nunn beat Gambrell in the August 29 special and regular primary run-off elections[8] despite trailing Gambrell initially 31-23% in the first round of voting.
In the special election to fill the remainder of Russell's term, Nunn faced Republican congressman Fletcher Thompson. Nunn's campaign was noted to be more organized than was Thompson's. Nunn had support from numerous prominent Georgia Democrats, including Gambrell and Carter. Thompson's campaign was "almost literally a one-man effort", and he started the race with almost no footprint outside of his own district.[9] Thompson was endorsed by Barry Goldwater, James L. Buckley, and Spiro Agnew.[10]
On the day of the special election, Nunn defeated Thompson 52-47%. Though Thompson performed well in the Atlanta metro area, Nunn swept most rural counties en route to a victory.
| Election Name: | Georgia regular election |
| Country: | Georgia (U.S. state) |
| Flag Year: | 1956 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Georgia |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Georgia |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Image1: | Sam Nunn 94th Congress.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Sam Nunn |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 636,060 |
| Percentage1: | 53.96% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 542,291 |
| Percentage2: | 46.01% |
| U.S. senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
In the general election held later that year, Nunn again defeated Thompson this time by almost 8 percentage points. Nonetheless, this marked a turning point in Georgia electoral politics: Nunn became the first Democrat to win a Senate race in Georgia despite losing the white vote.[9] Nunn also proved to be more moderate than his predecessor Russell, voting in favor of abortion rights, gun control, affirmative action, and environmental regulations.
Nunn would be re-elected in 1978, 1984, and 1990 before retiring in 1997. This was the last time he won less than 79% of the vote in a U.S. Senate election. In 1996, he was succeeded by Democrat Max Cleland.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Idaho |
| Country: | Idaho |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Idaho |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Idaho |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Nominee1: | James McClure |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 161,804 |
| Percentage1: | 52.26% |
| Nominee2: | Bud Davis |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 140,915 |
| Percentage2: | 45.52% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Leonard B. Jordan |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | James McClure |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Idaho.
See also: List of United States senators from Idaho. The incumbent Republican Leonard B. Jordan retired, and was succeeded by James A. McClure.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Illinois |
| Country: | Illinois |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Illinois |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Illinois |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Image1: | Charles Percy (1).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Charles Percy |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 2,867,078 |
| Percentage1: | 62.21% |
| Nominee2: | Roman Pucinski |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,721,031 |
| Percentage2: | 37.35% |
| Map Size: | 170px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Charles H. Percy |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Charles H. Percy |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Turnout: | 51.24% |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Illinois.
See also: List of United States senators from Illinois. Incumbent Republican Charles H. Percy sought re-election. Percy was opposed by: Democratic nominee Roman Pucinski, a Congressman from Illinois's 11th congressional district, Edward C. Gross (SL) and Arnold Becchetti (C). Percy handily won a second term.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Iowa |
| Country: | Iowa |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Iowa (xrmap collection).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Iowa |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Iowa |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Image1: | File:Senator dick clark.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Dick Clark |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 662,637 |
| Percentage1: | 55.07% |
| Nominee2: | Jack Miller |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 530,525 |
| Percentage2: | 44.09% |
| Map Size: | 220px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Jack Miller |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Dick Clark |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Iowa.
See also: List of United States senators from Iowa. The incumbent Republican Jack Miller was defeated by Dick Clark.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Kansas |
| Country: | Kansas |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Kansas |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Kansas |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Nominee1: | James B. Pearson |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 622,591 |
| Percentage1: | 71.42% |
| Nominee2: | Archibald O. Tetzlaff |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 200,764 |
| Percentage2: | 23.03% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | James B. Pearson |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Election: | James B. Pearson |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Kansas.
See also: List of United States senators from Kansas. The incumbent Republican James B. Pearson was re-elected.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Kentucky |
| Country: | Kentucky |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Kentucky |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Kentucky |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Nominee1: | Walter Huddleston |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 528,550 |
| Percentage1: | 50.93% |
| Nominee2: | Louie Nunn |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 494,337 |
| Percentage2: | 47.63% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | John Sherman Cooper |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Walter Huddleston |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Kentucky.
See also: List of United States senators from Kentucky. The incumbent Republican John Sherman Cooper retired, and was succeeded by Democrat Walter Dee Huddleston.
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Louisiana.
See also: List of United States senators from Louisiana.
In the midst of his campaign for a seventh term, Allen J. Ellender, the President Pro Tempore and chairman of the Appropriations Committee, suffered a fatal heart attack on July 27, 23 days prior to the Democratic primary. Ellender, first elected in 1936 as the permanent successor to the assassinated Huey P. Long, was slated to face former state senator and 1971 gubernatorial candidate J. Bennett Johnston and minor candidate Frank Allen in the primary.
Governor Edwin Washington Edwards, who defeated Johnston by less than 4,500 votes in the 1971 Democratic runoff, nominated his wife, Elaine Edwards, to fill the remainder of Ellender's term, with the agreement Mrs. Edwards would resign immediately following the general election to allow the winner to gain seniority over other new senators.
On the same day as Edwards' inauguration on Capitol Hill, the Louisiana Democratic Party rejected a challenge by former Governor John McKeithen to reopen qualifying following Ellender's death, ordering the primary to be held August 19 as scheduled, ignoring an opinion to the contrary by Louisiana Attorney General William J. Guste Jr. Ellender's name was not removed from the ballot and he received 10 percent of the primary vote as a tribute. McKeithen, whose eight-year gubernatorial tenure ended May 9, 1972, ran as an independent with support of the Ellender family, incensed by Johnston's primary challenge.
Johnston easily won the Democratic primary, nullifying the need for a September 30 runoff. In the general election, the Shreveport native trounced McKeithen by 32 points to win the first of his four terms. He was sworn in on November 13, 1972.
| Election Name: | Louisiana election |
| Country: | Louisiana |
| Flag Year: | 1912 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Louisiana |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Louisiana |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Nominee1: | J. Bennett Johnston |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 598,987 |
| Percentage1: | 55.21% |
| Nominee2: | John McKeithen |
| Party2: | Independent (politician) |
| Popular Vote2: | 250,161 |
| Percentage2: | 23.06% |
| Nominee3: | Ben Toledano |
| Party3: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote3: | 206,846 |
| Percentage3: | 19.07% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Elaine Edwards |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | J. Bennett Johnston |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Maine |
| Country: | Maine |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Maine |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Maine |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Image1: | Wm D Hathaway.jpg |
| Nominee1: | William Hathaway |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 224,270 |
| Percentage1: | 53.2% |
| Nominee2: | Margaret Chase Smith |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 197,040 |
| Percentage2: | 46.8% |
| Map Size: | 220px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Margaret Chase Smith |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | William Hathaway |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Maine.
See also: List of United States senators from Maine. Incumbent Republican Margaret Chase Smith ran for re-election to a fifth term, but was defeated by Democrat William Hathaway, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from .
| Election Name: | Massachusetts election |
| Country: | Massachusetts |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Massachusetts |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Massachusetts |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Nominee1: | Edward Brooke |
| Image1: | Edward Brooke.jpg |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,505,932 |
| Percentage1: | 63.53% |
| Nominee2: | John J. Droney |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 823,278 |
| Percentage2: | 34.73% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Massachusetts.
See also: List of United States senators from Massachusetts. Incumbent Republican Edward Brooke, first elected in 1966 as the first African-American elected to the Senate by popular vote,[11] defeated his challengers, among them: John J. Droney, the Middlesex County District Attorney.[12]
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Michigan |
| Country: | Michigan |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Michigan |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Michigan |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Image1: | Robert Paul Griffin.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Robert P. Griffin |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,781,065 |
| Percentage1: | 52.28% |
| Nominee2: | Frank J. Kelley |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,577,178 |
| Percentage2: | 46.29% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Robert P. Griffin |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Robert P. Griffin |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Michigan.
See also: List of United States senators from Michigan. The incumbent Republican Robert P. Griffin was re-elected.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Minnesota |
| Country: | Minnesota |
| Flag Year: | 1957 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Minnesota |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Minnesota |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Image1: | Mondale as Senator.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Walter Mondale |
| Party1: | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party |
| Popular Vote1: | 981,320 |
| Percentage1: | 56.67% |
| Nominee2: | Phil Hansen |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 742,121 |
| Percentage2: | 42.86% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Walter Mondale |
| Before Party: | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party |
| After Election: | Walter Mondale |
| After Party: | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Minnesota.
See also: List of United States senators from Minnesota.
Incumbent Democrat Walter Mondale, who was originally appointed in 1964 (to fill the vacancy created when Hubert Humphrey was elected to the office of Vice President) and elected to a full term in 1966, defeated Republican challenger Phil Hansen.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Mississippi |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Mississippi |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Mississippi |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Nominee1: | James Eastland |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 375,102 |
| Percentage1: | 58.1% |
| Map Size: | 255px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | James Eastland |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | James Eastland |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Nominee2: | Gil Carmichael |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 249,779 |
| Percentage2: | 38.7% |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Mississippi.
See also: List of United States senators from Mississippi. The incumbent Democrat James Eastland was re-elected.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Montana |
| Country: | Montana |
| Flag Year: | 1905 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Montana |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Montana |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Nominee1: | Lee Metcalf |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 163,609 |
| Percentage1: | 51.95% |
| Nominee2: | Hank Hibbard |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 151,316 |
| Percentage2: | 48.05% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Lee Metcalf |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Lee Metcalf |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Montana.
See also: List of United States senators from Montana.
Incumbent Democrat Lee Metcalf, who was first elected to the Senate in 1960 and was re-elected in 1966, ran for re-election. After winning the Democratic primary, he moved on to the general election, where he faced Hank Hibbard, a State senator and the Republican nominee. Following a close campaign, Metcalf managed to narrowly win re-election to his third term in the Senate over Hibbard.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Nebraska |
| Country: | Nebraska |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Nebraska |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Nebraska |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Nominee1: | Carl Curtis |
| Image1: | CURTIS, Carl Thomas,.jpg |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 301,841 |
| Percentage1: | 53.16% |
| Nominee2: | Terry Carpenter |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 265,922 |
| Percentage2: | 46.84% |
| Map Size: | 260px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Carl Curtis |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Carl Curtis |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Nebraska.
See also: List of United States senators from Nebraska. Incumbent Republican Carl Curtis won re-election over former congressman Terry Carpenter.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in New Hampshire |
| Country: | New Hampshire |
| Flag Year: | 1931 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in New Hampshire |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in New Hampshire |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Image1: | File:M000486.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Thomas J. McIntyre |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 184,495 |
| Percentage1: | 56.88% |
| Nominee2: | Wesley Powell |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 139,852 |
| Percentage2: | 43.12% |
| Map Size: | 200px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Thomas J. McIntyre |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Thomas J. McIntyre |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in New Hampshire.
See also: List of United States senators from New Hampshire. The incumbent Democratic Senator Thomas J. McIntyre was re-elected.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in New Jersey |
| Country: | New Jersey |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in New Jersey |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in New Jersey |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Nominee1: | Clifford P. Case |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,743,854 |
| Percentage1: | 62.46% |
| Nominee2: | Paul J. Krebs |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 963,573 |
| Percentage2: | 34.51% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Clifford P. Case |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Clifford P. Case |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in New Jersey.
See also: List of United States senators from New Jersey. The incumbent Republican Clifford P. Case was re-elected.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in New Mexico |
| Country: | New Mexico |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in New Mexico |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in New Mexico |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Nominee1: | Pete Domenici |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 204,253 |
| Percentage1: | 54.0% |
| Nominee2: | Jack Daniels |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 173,815 |
| Percentage2: | 46.0% |
| Map Size: | 200px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Clinton Anderson |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Pete Domenici |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in New Mexico.
See also: List of United States senators from New Mexico. The incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Clinton Presba Anderson retired, and was succeeded by Republican Pete Domenici.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in North Carolina |
| Country: | North Carolina |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in North Carolina |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Flag Year: | 1885 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in North Carolina |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Nominee1: | Jesse Helms |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 795,247 |
| Percentage1: | 54.0% |
| Nominee2: | Nick Galifianakis |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 677,293 |
| Percentage2: | 46.0% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | B. Everett Jordan |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Jesse Helms |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in North Carolina.
See also: List of United States senators from North Carolina. The incumbent Democratic senator B. Everett Jordan was defeated in the primary by Nick Galifianakis. Galifianakis went on to lose the election to Jesse Helms, making Helms the first Republican Senator from the state in the 20th century.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Oklahoma |
| Country: | Oklahoma |
| Flag Year: | 1941 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Oklahoma |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Oklahoma |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Image1: | Dewey Bartlett.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Dewey F. Bartlett |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 516,934 |
| Percentage1: | 51.43% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 478,212 |
| Percentage2: | 47.58% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Oklahoma.
See also: List of United States senators from Oklahoma. The incumbent Democratic Senator Fred R. Harris retired, and was succeeded by Republican Dewey F. Bartlett.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Oregon |
| Country: | Oregon |
| Flag Year: | 1931 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Oregon |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Oregon |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Nominee1: | Mark Hatfield |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 494,671 |
| Percentage1: | 53.72% |
| Nominee2: | Wayne Morse |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 425,036 |
| Percentage2: | 46.16% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Mark Hatfield |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Mark Hatfield |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Oregon.
See also: List of United States senators from Oregon. The incumbent Republican Mark Hatfield was re-elected.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Rhode Island |
| Country: | Rhode Island |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Rhode Island |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Rhode Island |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Nominee1: | Claiborne Pell |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 221,942 |
| Percentage1: | 53.7% |
| Nominee2: | John Chafee |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 188,990 |
| Percentage2: | 45.7% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Claiborne Pell |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Claiborne Pell |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Rhode Island.
See also: List of United States senators from Rhode Island. The incumbent Democratic Senator Claiborne Pell was re-elected.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in South Carolina |
| Country: | South Carolina |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in South Carolina |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in South Carolina |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Image1: | Strom Thurmond 91st Congress.jpg |
| Image1 Size: | x150px |
| Nominee1: | Strom Thurmond |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 415,806 |
| Percentage1: | 63.3% |
| Nominee2: | Eugene N. Zeigler |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 241,056 |
| Percentage2: | 36.7% |
| Map Size: | 220px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Strom Thurmond |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Strom Thurmond |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in South Carolina.
See also: List of United States senators from South Carolina. The incumbent Republican Strom Thurmond was re-elected.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in South Dakota |
| Country: | South Dakota |
| Flag Year: | 1963 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in South Dakota |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in South Dakota |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Nominee1: | James Abourezk |
| Image1: | James Abourezk.jpg |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 174,773 |
| Percentage1: | 57.04% |
| Nominee2: | Robert W. Hirsch |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 131,613 |
| Percentage2: | 42.96% |
| Map Size: | 240px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in South Dakota.
See also: List of United States senators from South Dakota. The incumbent Republican Karl E. Mundt retired, and was succeeded by James Abourezk.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Tennessee |
| Country: | Tennessee |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Tennessee |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Tennessee |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Image1: | Howard Baker photo.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Howard Baker |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 716,539 |
| Percentage1: | 61.5% |
| Nominee2: | Ray Blanton |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 440,599 |
| Percentage2: | 37.8% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| Senator | |
| Before Election: | Howard Baker |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Howard Baker |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Tennessee.
See also: List of United States senators from Tennessee.
One-term Republican Howard Baker was re-elected. He defeated Democrat Ray Blanton.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Texas |
| Country: | Texas |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Texas |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Texas |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Nominee1: | John Tower |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,822,877 |
| Percentage1: | 53.4% |
| Nominee2: | Barefoot Sanders |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,511,985 |
| Percentage2: | 44.3% |
| Map Size: | 295px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | John Tower |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | John Tower |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Texas.
See also: List of United States senators from Texas.
Incumbent Republican John Tower was re-elected.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate special election in Vermont |
| Country: | Vermont |
| Type: | presidential |
| Previous Election: | 1970 United States Senate election in Vermont |
| Previous Year: | 1970 |
| Next Election: | 1976 United States Senate election in Vermont |
| Next Year: | 1976 |
| Nominee1: | Robert Stafford |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 45,888 |
| Percentage1: | 64.4% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Nominee2: | Randolph Major |
| Popular Vote2: | 23,842 |
| Percentage2: | 33.4% |
| Map Size: | 225px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Robert Stafford |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Robert Stafford |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate special election in Vermont.
See also: List of United States senators from Vermont. The special election was held January 7, 1972. Incumbent Republican Robert Stafford, appointed in September 1971 to fill the vacancy created by the death of Winston L. Prouty, successfully ran for re-election to the remainder of Prouty's term. Stafford defeated Democratic candidate Randolph T. Major. Bernie Sanders, the Liberty Union candidate,[13] was later elected to this seat in 2006, serving as an Independent.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Virginia |
| Country: | Virginia |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Virginia |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Virginia |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Turnout: | 44.7%[14] |
| Nominee1: | William L. Scott |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 718,337 |
| Percentage1: | 51.5% |
| Nominee2: | William Spong, Jr. |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 643,963 |
| Percentage2: | 46.1% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | William B. Spong, Jr. |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | William Lloyd Scott |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Virginia.
See also: List of United States senators from Virginia. The incumbent Democratic senator William B. Spong Jr. was defeated by Republican William L. Scott, making Scott the first Republican Senator from the state since John F. Lewis in 1870.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in West Virginia |
| After Election: | Jennings Randolph |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Before Election: | Jennings Randolph |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Percentage2: | 33.5% |
| Popular Vote2: | 245,531 |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Nominee2: | Louise Leonard |
| Percentage1: | 66.5% |
| Country: | West Virginia |
| Popular Vote1: | 486,310 |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Nominee1: | Jennings Randolph |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in West Virginia |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in West Virginia |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Type: | presidential |
| Map Size: | 245px |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in West Virginia.
See also: List of United States senators from West Virginia. The incumbent Democratic Senator Jennings Randolph was re-elected.
| Election Name: | 1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming |
| Country: | Wyoming |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1966 United States Senate election in Wyoming |
| Previous Year: | 1966 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate election in Wyoming |
| Next Year: | 1978 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 1972 |
| Nominee1: | Clifford Hansen |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 101,314 |
| Percentage1: | 71.31% |
| Nominee2: | Mike Vinich |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 40,753 |
| Percentage2: | 28.69% |
| Map Size: | 255px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Clifford Hansen |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Clifford Hansen |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming.
See also: List of United States senators from Wyoming. Incumbent Republican Clifford Hansen was re-elected.