| Election Name: | 1974 United States Senate elections |
| Country: | United States |
| Type: | legislative |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1972 United States Senate elections |
| Previous Year: | 1972 |
| Next Election: | 1976 United States Senate elections |
| Next Year: | 1976 |
| Seats For Election: | 34 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate |
| Majority Seats: | 51 |
| Election Date: | November 5, 1974 |
| 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: | 57 |
| Seats After1: | 61 |
| Seat Change1: | 4 |
| Popular Vote1: | 22,544,761 |
| Percentage1: | 55.2% |
| 1Data1: | 20 |
| 2Data1: | 24 |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Leader2: | Hugh Scott |
| Leader Since2: | September 24, 1969 |
| Leaders Seat2: | Pennsylvania |
| Seats Before2: | 41 |
| Seats After2: | 37 |
| Seat Change2: | 4 |
| Popular Vote2: | 16,145,793 |
| Percentage2: | 39.6% |
| 1Data2: | 14 |
| 2Data2: | 10 |
| Party4: | Independent |
| Seats Before4: | 1 |
| Seats After4: | 1 |
| Popular Vote4: | 199,108 |
| Percentage4: | 0.5% |
| 1Data4: | 0 |
| 2Data4: | 0 |
| Party5: | Conservative Party (New York) |
| Seats Before5: | 1 |
| Seats After5: | 1 |
| Popular Vote5: | 822,584 |
| Percentage5: | 2.0% |
| 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 1974 United States Senate elections were held on November 5, with the 34 seats of Class 3 contested in regular elections. They occurred in the wake of the Watergate scandal, Richard M. Nixon's resignation from the presidency, and Gerald Ford's subsequent pardon of Nixon. Economic issues, specifically inflation and stagnation, were also a factor that contributed to Republican losses.[1] As an immediate result of the November 1974 elections, Democrats made a net gain of three seats from the Republicans, as they defeated Republican incumbents in Colorado and Kentucky and picked up open seats in Florida and Vermont, while Republicans won the open seat in Nevada. Following the elections, at the beginning of the 94th U.S. Congress, the Democratic caucus controlled 60 seats (as well as one independent), and the Republican caucus controlled 38 seats (as well as one Conservative).
Democrats gained an additional seat, bringing the net pick-up to four seats, in 1975, when Democrat John A. Durkin won a disputed election in New Hampshire that was unintentionally held after the 1974 election resulted in two recounts and an extended dispute in the Senate. Durkin's Senate term began in September 1975, following his victory in that election., this is the most recent election in which a Democrat has been elected Senator from Idaho.
Several other Republican incumbents won very close races; Milton Young of North Dakota won reelection against Democrat William L. Guy by only 186 votes and Henry Bellmon of Oklahoma won reelection against Democrat Ed Edmondson by half a percent of the vote. Bob Dole of Kansas survived the closest election of his career against Democratic Rep. William Roy, a race undoubtedly made close due to Dole's close association with Nixon as chairman of the Republican National Committee. It was the closest the Democrats have come to winning a Senate election in Kansas since George McGill won re-election in 1932.
| 61 | 1 | 1 | 37 | |
| Democratic | I | C | Republican |
| Parties | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Republican | Conservative | Independent | Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last elections (1972) | 56 | 42 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Before these elections | 57 | 41 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not up | 41 | 23 | 1 | 1 | — | 66 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Up | 20 | 14 | 0 | 0 | — | 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incumbent retired | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 Republicans replaced by 3 Democrats< | --FL, VT; NH later--> 1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican | — | — | — | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Result | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incumbent ran | 17 | 10 | — | — | — | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | 8 | — | — | — | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 Republicans replaced by 2 Democrats< | --CO, KY--> | — | — | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Result | 19 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total elected | 24 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net gain/loss | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationwide vote | 22,544,761 | 16,145,793 | 822,584 | 199,108 | 1,098,146 | 40,810,392 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share | 55.24% | 39.56% | 2.02% | 0.49% | 2.69% | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Result | 61 | 37 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Source: Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives
Four Republicans and three Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.
Two Republicans and two Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.
One Republican appointee did not seek to finish the term following the contested election and one Democrat was elected on September 16, 1975.
After the January 4, 1974 appointment in Ohio.
| D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | |||||||||||
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| Majority → | D | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Majority → | D | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Majority → | D | |||||||||||||||||||
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| D | I | C | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | |||||||||||
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| R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | |||||||||||
| Key |
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|---|
In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1975; ordered by state.
All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.
| State | Incumbent | Results | Candidates | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senator | Party | Electoral history | ||||||
| Alabama | Democratic | 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Alaska | Democratic | 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Arizona | Republican | 1952 1958 1964 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Arkansas | Democratic | 1944 1950 1956 1962 1968 | Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. | nowrap | ||||
| California | Democratic | 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Colorado | Republican | 1968 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | nowrap | ||||
| Connecticut | Democratic | 1962 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Florida | Republican | 1968 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic gain. Incumbent resigned December 31, 1974 to give successor preferential seniority. Winner appointed January 1, 1975. | nowrap | ||||
| Georgia | Democratic | 1956 1962 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Hawaii | Democratic | 1962 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Idaho | Democratic | 1956 1962 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Illinois | Democratic | 1970 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Indiana | Democratic | 1962 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Iowa | Democratic | 1968 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. | nowrap | ||||
| Kansas | Republican | 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Kentucky | Republican | 1968 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. Incumbent resigned December 27, 1974 to give successor preferential seniority. Winner appointed December 28, 1974. | nowrap | ||||
| Louisiana | Democratic | 1948 1950 1956 1962 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Maryland | Republican | 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Missouri | Democratic | 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Nevada | Democratic | 1954 1956 1962 1968 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican gain. Incumbent resigned December 17, 1974 to give successor preferential seniority. Winner appointed December 18, 1974. | nowrap | ||||
| New Hampshire | Republican | 1954 1956 1962 1968 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. Incumbent resigned December 31, 1974 and successor was appointed the same day. Election was later contested and voided. | nowrap | ||||
| New York | Republican | 1956 1962 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| North Carolina | Democratic | 1954 1954 1956 1962 1968 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. | nowrap | ||||
| North Dakota | Republican | 1945 1946 1950 1956 1962 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Ohio | Democratic | 1974 | Interim appointee lost nomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Incumbent resigned December 23, 1974 to give successor preferential seniority. Winner appointed December 24, 1974. | nowrap | ||||
| Oklahoma | Republican | 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Oregon | Republican | 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Pennsylvania | Republican | 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| South Carolina | Democratic | 1966 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| South Dakota | Democratic | 1962 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Utah | Republican | 1950 1956 1962 1968 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. Incumbent resigned December 20, 1974 to give successor preferential seniority. Winner appointed December 21, 1974. | nowrap | ||||
| Vermont | Republican | 1940 1944 1950 1956 1962 1968 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | nowrap | ||||
| Washington | Democratic | 1944 1944 1950 1956 1962 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Wisconsin | Democratic | 1962 1968 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
In fourteen races the margin of victory was under 10%.
| State | Party of winner | Margin | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | data-sort-value=0 | Republican (Later Overturned) | 0.0009% | |
| North Dakota | data-sort-value=1 | Republican | 0.07% | |
| Nevada | data-sort-value=.5 | Republican (flip) | 0.37% | |
| Oklahoma | data-sort-value=1 | Republican | 0.48% | |
| Iowa | data-sort-value=-1 | Democratic | 0.75% | |
| Kansas | data-sort-value=1 | Republican | 1.70% | |
| Vermont | data-sort-value=-.5 | Democratic (flip) | 3.09% | |
| Florida | data-sort-value=-.5 | Democratic (flip) | 3.32% | |
| Indiana | data-sort-value=-1 | Democratic | 4.29% | |
| Utah | data-sort-value=1 | Republican | 5.92% | |
| South Dakota | data-sort-value=-1 | Democratic | 6.08% | |
| New York | data-sort-value=1 | Republican | 7.09% | |
| Pennsylvania | data-sort-value=1 | Republican | 7.11% | |
| Kentucky | data-sort-value=-.5 | Democratic (flip) | 9.48% |
Illinois was the tipping point state with a margin of 25%.
| Election Name: | 1974 Democratic Senate primary election in Alabama |
| Country: | Alabama |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Alabama |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1978 United States Senate special election in Alabama |
| Next Year: | 1978 (special) |
| Election Date: | August 6, 1974 |
| Image1: | File:JamesAllenVA.jpg |
| Nominee1: | James B. Allen |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 572,584 |
| Percentage1: | 82.81% |
| Nominee2: | John Taylor |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 118,848 |
| Percentage2: | 17.19% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| Before Election: | James B. Allen |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Election: | James B. Allen |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Alabama.
See also: List of United States senators from Alabama.
Democratic United States senator James Allen won re-election to a second term, faced no Republican opponent in the general election, defeating Prohibition Party nominee Alvin Abercrombie.
| Election Name: | Alaska election |
| Country: | Alaska |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Alaska |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Alaska |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | Mikegravel_(cropped).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Mike Gravel |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 54,361 |
| Percentage1: | 58.28% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 38,914 |
| Percentage2: | 41.72% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Alaska.
See also: List of United States senators from Alaska and 1974 United States House of Representatives election in Alaska.
Incumbent Democrat Mike Gravel won re-election to a second term over Republican State Senator Clyde "C.R." Lewis.
| Election Name: | Arizona election |
| Country: | Arizona |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Arizona |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Arizona |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | Senator Goldwater 1960.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Barry Goldwater |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 320,396 |
| Percentage1: | 58.26% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 229,523 |
| Percentage2: | 41.74% |
| Map Size: | 210px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Arizona.
See also: List of United States senators from Arizona and 1974 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona. Incumbent Republican Barry Goldwater decided to run for reelection to a fourth term, after returning to the U.S. Senate in 1968 following his failed Presidential run in 1964 against Lyndon B. Johnson. Goldwater defeated Democratic Party nominee philanthropist Jonathan Marshall in the general election.
| Election Name: | Arkansas election |
| Country: | Arkansas |
| Flag Year: | 1924 |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Arkansas |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Arkansas |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | Dale Bumpers AR.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Dale Bumpers |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 461,056 |
| Percentage1: | 84.90% |
| Nominee2: | John H. Jones |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 82,026 |
| Percentage2: | 15.10% |
| Map Size: | 200px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Arkansas.
See also: List of United States senators from Arkansas and 1974 United States House of Representatives elections in Arkansas. Incumbent Democrat J. William Fulbright lost renomination to Governor of Arkansas Dale Bumpers. Bumpers then won the general election easily.
| Election Name: | California election |
| Country: | California |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in California |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in California |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | Alan Cranston, 1963.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Alan Cranston |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 3,693,160 |
| Percentage1: | 60.52% |
| Nominee2: | H. L. Richardson |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 2,210,267 |
| Percentage2: | 36.22% |
| Map Size: | 260px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Alan Cranston |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Alan Cranston |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in California.
See also: List of United States senators from California.
Incumbent Democrat Alan Cranston won re-election to a second term over Republican H. L. Richardson, California State Senator.
| Election Name: | Colorado election |
| Country: | Colorado |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Colorado |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Colorado |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Nominee1: | Gary Hart |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 471,691 |
| Percentage1: | 57.23% |
| Nominee2: | Peter Dominick |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 325,508 |
| Percentage2: | 39.50% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Peter Dominick |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Gary Hart |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Colorado.
See also: List of United States senators from Colorado.
Incumbent Republican Peter H. Dominick ran for re-election to a third term, but was defeated by Democratic challenger Gary Hart, the campaign manager for George McGovern in 1972.
| Election Name: | Connecticut election |
| Country: | Connecticut |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Connecticut |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Connecticut |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | File:Abraham ribicoff.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Abraham Ribicoff |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 690,820 |
| Percentage1: | 63.68% |
| Nominee2: | James Brannen III |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 372,055 |
| Percentage2: | 34.29% |
| Map Size: | 200px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Abraham Ribicoff |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Abraham Ribicoff |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Connecticut.
See also: List of United States senators from Connecticut.
Incumbent Democrat Abraham Ribicoff won re-election to a third term over Republican challenger James Brannen III.
| Election Name: | Florida election |
| Country: | Florida |
| Flag Year: | 1900 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Florida |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Florida |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | Richardbernardstone.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Richard Stone |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 781,031 |
| Percentage1: | 43.38% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 736,674 |
| Percentage2: | 40.91% |
| Nominee4: | John Grady |
| Party4: | American Independent Party |
| Popular Vote4: | 282,659 |
| Percentage4: | 15.70% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Florida.
See also: List of United States senators from Florida and 1974 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida. Incumbent Republican Edward Gurney declined to seek a second term after being indicted for taking bribes in return for his influence with the Federal Housing Administration.
The primary for the Republican nomination pitted Eckerd drug store owner Jack Eckerd against Florida Public Service Commissioner Paula Hawkins. Eckerd won handily, receiving approximately 67.5% of the vote.
The Democratic primary, however, was a crowded field with eleven candidates vying for the nomination. Because no candidate received a majority of the votes, U.S. Representative Bill Gunter and Secretary of State of Florida Richard Stone advanced to a run-off election. Stone won by a small margin of 1.68%.
Thus, Eckerd and Stone faced off in the general election. John Grady, a family physician and member of George Wallace's American Independent Party, performed exceptionally well for a third party candidate. Grady may have split the conservative vote, allowing for Stone to win. On election day, Stone received 43.38% of the vote, Eckerd garnered 40.91% of the vote, and Grady acquired 15.7% of the vote.
| Election Name: | Georgia election |
| Country: | Georgia (U.S. state) |
| Flag Year: | 1956 |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Georgia |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Georgia |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | File:HermanTalmadge.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Herman Talmadge |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 627,376 |
| Percentage1: | 71.76% |
| Nominee2: | Jerry R. Johnson |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 246,865 |
| Percentage2: | 28.24% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Herman Talmadge |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Herman Talmadge |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Georgia.
See also: List of United States senators from Georgia.
Incumbent Democrat Herman Talmadge won re-election to a fourth term over Republican challenger Jerry Johnson.
| Election Name: | Hawaii election |
| Country: | Hawaii |
| Flag Year: | 1956 |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Hawaii |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Hawaii |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | File:Daniel Inouye – 1963.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Daniel Inouye |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 207,454 |
| Percentage1: | 82.91% |
| Nominee2: | James Kimmel |
| Party2: | People's Party (US, 1971) |
| Popular Vote2: | 42,767 |
| Percentage2: | 17.09% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Daniel Inouye |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Daniel Inouye |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Hawaii.
See also: List of United States senators from Hawaii.
Incumbent Democrat Daniel Inouye won re-election to a third term over Populist challenger James D. Kimmel.
| Election Name: | Idaho election |
| Country: | Idaho |
| Flag Year: | 1956 |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Idaho |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Idaho |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | File:FrankChurch.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Frank Church |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 145,140 |
| Percentage1: | 56.07% |
| Nominee2: | Robert L. Smith |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 109,072 |
| Percentage2: | 42.14% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Frank Church |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Frank Church |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Idaho.
See also: List of United States senators from Idaho.
Incumbent Democrat Frank Church won re-election to a fourth term in office, defeating Republican Bob Smith.
| Election Name: | Illinois election |
| Country: | Illinois |
| Flag Year: | 1956 |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1970 United States Senate special election in Illinois |
| Previous Year: | 1970 (special) |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Illinois |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | File:Adlai Stevenson III 50334a (1).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Adlai Stevenson III |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,811,496 |
| Percentage1: | 62.15% |
| Nominee2: | George Burditt |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,084,884 |
| Percentage2: | 37.22% |
| Map Size: | 170px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Adlai Stevenson III |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Adlai Stevenson III |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Turnout: | 49.35% |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Illinois.
See also: List of United States senators from Illinois.
Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Adlai Stevenson III, who was first elected in a special election in 1970, was re-elected to a second term in office, defeating Republican George Burditt by a large margin of nearly 800,000 votes.
| Election Name: | Indiana election |
| Country: | Indiana |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Indiana |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Indiana |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Nominee1: | Birch Bayh |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 889,269 |
| Percentage1: | 50.73% |
| Nominee2: | Richard Lugar |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 814,117 |
| Percentage2: | 46.44% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Birch Bayh |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Birch Bayh |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Indiana.
See also: List of United States senators from Indiana.
Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Birch Bayh was re-elected to a third consecutive term in office, defeating Mayor of Indianapolis Richard Lugar.
| Election Name: | Iowa election |
| Country: | Iowa |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Iowa (xrmap collection).svg |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Iowa |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Iowa |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Nominee1: | John Culver |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 426,947 |
| Percentage1: | 50.02% |
| Nominee2: | David M. Stanley |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 420,546 |
| Percentage2: | 49.27% |
| Map Size: | 220px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Harold E. Hughes |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | John C. Culver |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Iowa.
See also: List of United States senators from Iowa.
Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Harold E. Hughes retired instead of seeking a second term. This open seat was won by five-term U.S. Representative John C. Culver, defeating Republican State Representative David M. Stanley. Culver just like Hughes six years prior, defeated Stanley by a margin of less than one point.
| Election Name: | Kansas election |
| Country: | Kansas |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Kansas |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Kansas |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | Robert J. Dole (cropped2).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Bob Dole |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 403,983 |
| Percentage1: | 50.85% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 390,451 |
| Percentage2: | 49.15% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Kansas.
See also: List of United States senators from Kansas and 1974 United States House of Representatives elections in Kansas. U.S. Senator Bob Dole was first elected in 1968 after Frank Carlson retired by a margin of 60-39% over his Democratic opponent. However, in 1974 he faced a closer challenge as he sought a second term. Dole was closely associated with Richard Nixon as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1971-1972. Dole himself even admitted he was "prepared to lose" the election to William R. Roy, a Topeka physician and two-term Representative from Kansas's 2nd Congressional District. Roy's advertisements contrasted Dole, "who put loyalty to Nixon and his party ahead of loyalty to his state," with Roy, a moderate and former Republican whom they described as "a respected voice for Kansas." Roy's campaign to be the first Democratic Senator from Kansas in decades received an enthusiastic response, and he led in polling for months. "I could go to any event and feel like Caesar coming back to Rome," Roy said. Still, Dole's campaign capitalized on the issue of abortion rights, which was fresh on voters minds in the wake of the Roe v. Wade decision. Roy himself had performed abortions as a physician, and Dole used this to build momentum and overtake Roy in polling.[2]
In the end, Dole narrowly prevailed over Roy by 15,533 votes in the closest election of his 35-year Congressional career.
| Election Name: | Kentucky election |
| Country: | Kentucky |
| Flag Year: | 1956 |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Kentucky |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Kentucky |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | File:Wendell-H-Ford.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Wendell Ford |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 398,887 |
| Percentage1: | 53.56% |
| Nominee2: | Marlow Cook |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 328,260 |
| Percentage2: | 44.08% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Marlow Cook |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Wendell Ford |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Kentucky.
See also: List of United States senators from Kentucky.
Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Marlow Cook ran for a second term in office but was defeated by Democratic Governor of Kentucky Wendell Ford.
| Election Name: | 1974 Democratic Senate primary election in Louisiana |
| Country: | Louisiana |
| Flag Year: | 1912 |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Louisiana |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Louisiana |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Election Date: | August 17, 1974 |
| Nominee1: | Russell B. Long |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 520,606 |
| Percentage1: | 74.75% |
| Nominee2: | Sherman A. Bernard |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 131,540 |
| Percentage2: | 18.89% |
| Nominee3: | Annie Smart |
| Party3: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote3: | 44,341 |
| Percentage3: | 6.37% |
| Map Size: | 285px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Russell Long |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Russell Long |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Louisiana.
See also: List of United States senators from Louisiana.
Incumbent Democratic Senator Russell B. Long was unopposed for re-election to a sixth term in office.
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Maryland.
See also: List of United States senators from Maryland.
| Election Name: | Maryland election |
| Country: | Maryland |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Maryland |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Maryland |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Nominee1: | Charles Mathias |
| Image1: | Charlesmathiasjr (cropped).jpg |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 503,223 |
| Percentage1: | 57.32% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 374,663 |
| Percentage2: | 42.68% |
| Map Size: | 275px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
Incumbent Republican Charles Mathias won re-election to a second term. As a Republican representing heavily-Democratic Maryland, Mathias faced a potentially difficult re-election bid for the 1974 election. State Democrats nominated Barbara Mikulski, then a Baltimore City Councilwoman who was well-known to residents in her city as a social activist, but with limited name recognition in the rest of the state.[3] Mathias was renominated by Republicans, fending off a primary election challenge from conservative doctor Ross Pierpont. Pierpont was never a substantial threat to Mathias, whose lack of competition was due in part to fallout from the Watergate scandal.[4] [5]
As an advocate for campaign finance reform, Mathias refused to accept any contribution over $100 to "avoid the curse of big money that has led to so much trouble in the last year".[6] However, he still managed to raise over $250,000, nearly five times Mikulski's total. Ideologically, Mikulski and Mathias agreed on many issues, such as closing tax loopholes and easing taxes on the middle class. On two issues, however, Mathias argued to reform Congress and the U.S. tax system to address inflation and corporate price fixing, contrary to Mikulski. In retrospect, The Washington Post felt the election was "an intelligent discussion of state, national, and foreign affairs by two smart, well-informed people".[7]
| Election Name: | Missouri election |
| Country: | Missouri |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Missouri |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Missouri |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | ThomasEagleton.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Thomas Eagleton |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 735,433 |
| Percentage1: | 60.07% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 480,900 |
| Percentage2: | 39.28% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Missouri.
See also: List of United States senators from Missouri and 1974 United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri. Thomas Eagleton was first elected in 1968, defeating incumbent U.S. senator Edward V. Long in an upset three-way primary victory. He then defeated Republican Representative Thomas B. Curtis by just over two percentage points. Eagleton served as the initial vice presidential nominee for George McGovern's campaign against incumbent Richard Nixon in 1972. However, Eagleton resigned from the ticket and was replaced by Sargent Shriver after reports surfaced that Eagleton had received electroshock therapy for clinical depression. McGovern, who was trailing Nixon badly in the polls, requested Eagleton's resignation.[8]
Despite negative publicity from his vice presidential nomination withdrawal, Eagleton cruised to re-election in a rematch over Curtis, taking over 60% of the vote. This would be Eagleton's largest victory margin for U.S. Senate. In 1980, he faced a close re-election battle against Gene McNary, winning by only about 5 percentage points.
| Election Name: | Nevada election |
| Country: | Nevada |
| Flag Year: | 1929 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Nevada |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Nevada |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Nominee1: | Paul Laxalt |
| Image1: | PaulLaxalt.JPG |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 79,605 |
| Percentage1: | 47.0% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 78,981 |
| Percentage2: | 46.6% |
| Nominee4: | Jack C. Doyle |
| Party4: | Independent American Party (Nevada) |
| Popular Vote4: | 10,887 |
| Percentage4: | 6.42% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Nevada.
See also: List of United States senators from Nevada and 1974 United States House of Representatives election in Nevada. Incumbent Democrat Alan Bible decided to retire instead of seeking a fifth term. Republican nominee Paul Laxalt won the open seat.
Former Governor Paul Laxalt won by less than 700 votes, becoming one of the few bright spots in a bad year for Republicans. He beat Lieutenant Governor Harry Reid. Reid would succeed Laxalt twelve years later.
| Election Name: | New Hampshire election |
| Country: | New Hampshire |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in New Hampshire |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1974–75 United States Senate elections in New Hampshire#Special election: September 1975 |
| Next Year: | 1975 (special) |
| Image1: | WymanLouis(R-NH).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Louis C. Wyman |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 110,926 |
| Percentage1: | 49.66% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 110,924 |
| Percentage2: | 49.66% |
| Map Size: | 220px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Election: | Louis C. Wyman |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
See main article: 1974–75 United States Senate elections in New Hampshire.
See also: List of United States senators from New Hampshire and 1974 United States House of Representatives elections in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire election resulted in the longest contested election for the U.S. Congress in United States history.
In 1973, then-incumbent senator Norris Cotton announced he would not seek re-election. Republican strategists admitted that it would be tough for their party to hold on to the seat.[9]
The campaign of 1974 pitted Democrat John A. Durkin, who had served as New Hampshire's Insurance Commissioner and as Attorney General, against Republican Louis C. Wyman, a conservative, widely known member of the United States House of Representatives from New Hampshire's 1st congressional district. As Wyman was the more experienced politician, he was predicted by many to win handily.[10]
On election day, Wyman won with a margin of just 355 votes. Durkin immediately demanded a recount, which, completed November 27, 1974, declared Durkin the winner by a margin of 10 votes. Republican Governor Meldrim Thomson Jr. awarded Durkin a provisional certificate of election. However, Wyman demanded another recount in which he prevailed by two votes.
Wyman promptly appealed to the New Hampshire State Ballot Law Commission. Durkin tried to defeat the appeal in the New Hampshire courts. The state ballot commission conducted its own partial recount and announced on December 24, 1974, that Wyman had won by just two votes. Governor Thomson rescinded Durkin’s certificate, and awarded a new credential to Wyman.
Senator Cotton resigned on December 31, 1974, and Governor Thomson appointed Wyman to fill the remainder of the term, which would expire January 3, 1975.
The election contest was not settled, however, and eventually a new election would be called in 1975.
| Election Name: | New York election |
| Country: | New York |
| Flag Image: | Flag of New York (1901-2020).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in New York |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in New York |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Nominee1: | Jacob Javits |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Alliance1: | Liberal |
| Popular Vote1: | 2,340,188 |
| Percentage1: | 45.32% |
| Nominee2: | Ramsey Clark |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,973,781 |
| Percentage2: | 38.23% |
| Nominee3: | Barbara A. Keating |
| Party3: | Conservative Party of New York |
| Popular Vote3: | 822,584 |
| Percentage3: | 15.93% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Jacob Javits |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Jacob Javits |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in New York.
See also: List of United States senators from New York.
Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Jacob Javits won against Democratic challenger Ramsey Clark in a three way election.
| Election Name: | North Carolina election |
| Country: | North Carolina |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in North Carolina |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in North Carolina |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Flag Year: | 1885 |
| Election Date: | November 5, 1974 |
| Image1: | Robert Burren Morgan.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Robert Morgan |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 633,647 |
| Percentage1: | 61.6% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 386,720 |
| Percentage2: | 37.6% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in North Carolina.
See also: List of United States senators from North Carolina and 1974 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina. Incumbent Democrat Sam Ervin chose to retire. The general election was fought between the Democratic nominee Robert Morgan and the Republican nominee William Stevens.
| Election Name: | North Dakota election |
| Country: | North Dakota |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in North Dakota |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in North Dakota |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | Milton Young.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Milton R. Young |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 114,852 |
| Percentage1: | 48.45% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 114,675 |
| Percentage2: | 48.37% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in North Dakota.
See also: List of United States senators from North Dakota. Incumbent Republican Milton Young was re-elected to his sixth term, defeating North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party candidate William L. Guy, a former Governor of North Dakota.
Only Young filed as a Republican, and the endorsed Democratic candidate was William L. Guy of Bismarck, North Dakota, who had served as Governor of the state from 1961 to 1973; and had presumably left the office to seek the senate seat. Young and Guy won the primary elections for their respective parties. Guy, who was very popular as governor throughout the state, and Young, who had a high approval rating as senator for the state, created the closest ever election for one of North Dakota's senate seats. Young won the election by only 177 votes, and Guy retired from politics.
Two independent candidates, James R. Jungroth and Kenneth C. Gardner, also filed before the deadline. Jungroth's platform was based on his opposition to strip mining the state's coal reserves.[11] Gardner would later run for the state's other seat in 1988 against then incumbent Quentin Burdick.
| Election Name: | Ohio election |
| Country: | Ohio |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Ohio |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Ohio |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | John Glenn 97th Congress 1981.jpg |
| Nominee1: | John Glenn |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,930,670 |
| Percentage1: | 64.6% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 918,133 |
| Percentage2: | 30.7% |
| Map Size: | 210px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Ohio.
See also: List of United States senators from Ohio. Incumbent Democrat Howard Metzenbaum was running for election to a full term after he was appointed in 1974 by Ohio governor John J. Gilligan to fill out the Senate term of William B. Saxbe, who had resigned to become United States Attorney General. Metzenbaum lost the primary election to retired astronaut John Glenn, who went on to win the general election and win every county in the state over Republican Ralph Perk, Mayor of Cleveland.
| Election Name: | Oklahoma election |
| Country: | Oklahoma |
| Flag Year: | 1941 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Oklahoma |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Oklahoma |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | BellmonHL.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Henry Bellmon |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 390,997 |
| Percentage1: | 49.4% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 387,162 |
| Percentage2: | 48.9% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Oklahoma.
See also: List of United States senators from Oklahoma. Incumbent Republican Henry Bellmon narrowly won re-election to a second term, beating Representative Ed Edmondson by nearly 4,000 votes.
| Election Name: | Oregon election |
| Country: | Oregon |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Oregon |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Oregon |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | Bob Packwood.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Bob Packwood |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 420,964 |
| Percentage1: | 54.9% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 338,591 |
| Percentage2: | 44.2% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Oregon.
See also: List of United States senators from Oregon and 1974 United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon. Incumbent Republican Bob Packwood won re-election to a second term. Betty Roberts was chosen to replace former U.S. senator Wayne Morse, who won the Democratic primary but died before the general election.
The Democratic primaries were held on May 28, 1974. Incumbent senator Bob Packwood was running for re-election after his upset victory against popular incumbent Democrat Wayne Morse in 1968 made him the youngest member of the Senate.[12]
In the Democratic primary, former senator Morse, trying to win back the seat he had for 24 years before losing to Packwood six years earlier, faced Oregon State Senate President Jason Boe and several other candidates for a chance to take back his Senate seat. Boe, who was 45, made Morse's age, 73, an issue in the race while Morse said his experience in the Senate made him a stronger candidate.[13] Boe called for a series of debates around the state, but Morse refused. He went on to defeat Boe 49% to 39%, and planned to use the same strategy in the general election against Packwood, whose narrow victory over Morse 6 years earlier was attributed to Packwood's superior performance at a debate in Portland late in the campaign.[14]
In July, Morse was hospitalized in Portland with what was originally described as a serious urinary tract infection. His condition deteriorated and he died on July 22.[15] The death was originally reported to have been caused by kidney failure, but it was later revealed that Morse died of leukemia; Boe apparently knew of the diagnosis during the campaign but did not make it a campaign issue.[16]
The Oregon Democratic State Central Committee met on August 11, two days after Richard Nixon resigned the Presidency. They chose State senator Betty Roberts over Boe to replace Morse as the Democratic nominee.[17] Roberts, an Oregon State Senator, had run for the Democratic nomination for Governor that year, but lost in the May primary to eventual general election winner Robert W. Straub.[17]
Outgoing Oregon governor Tom McCall, who had decided not to run in 1968, had pledged to Packwood a year earlier that he would not challenge him in 1974.[18] But as his term as governor ended, McCall began reconsidering his decision, believing he would bring more integrity to the job. In March 1974, at a dinner party held at Packwood's Washington D.C. home in McCall's honor, McCall informed Packwood that he would challenge him.[18] The news of McCall's change of plans soon reached the media. Eventually, McCall decided that he had little chance against Packwood, who had similar positions to his own and had a reputation for ruthless campaigning that McCall did not share.[18] [19] McCall did not run, and Packwood was unopposed in the Republican primary.[20]
Strong Democratic gains were predicted, giving Roberts a good chance at an upset. In addition, the Senate had no female members and Roberts was one of three women (along with Barbara Mikulski in Maryland and Gwenyfred Bush in South Carolina) seeking a Senate seat.[21] But on the issues, Packwood and Roberts shared many positions, such as on abortion, military spending, and the environment.[22] Moreover, Packwood had distanced himself from Watergate, calling for Nixon's impeachment and denouncing Gerald Ford's pardon of Nixon.[22] [23] Roberts was also at a financial disadvantage, having entered the race late and facing debt from her failed gubernatorial run; Packwood was able to use money he had raised for a primary challenge that never materialized, and led in most polls by a double-digit margin.[22]
Roberts lost the election to Packwood 54% to 44%.[24] Packwood was the only Oregon Republican up for re-election to keep his seat: Democrats won every other available seat. In the Governor's race, Bob Straub, who beat Roberts in the Democratic primary, defeated Vic Atiyeh to become the first elected Democratic governor since 1956; in the U. S. House of Representatives races, Les AuCoin won an open seat in the 1st district and in the 4th district, Jim Weaver upset incumbent John Dellenback.[25]
After the election, Roberts, whose criticism of Packwood's ethics was a theme in her campaign, considered filing a lawsuit against Packwood for misrepresenting her positions on gun control, abortion, and Social Security in campaign advertisements, but later dropped the idea.[26]
| Election Name: | Pennsylvania election |
| Country: | Pennsylvania |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Nominee1: | Richard Schweiker |
| Image1: | RichardSchweiker.jpg |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,843,317 |
| Percentage1: | 53.0% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,596,121 |
| Percentage2: | 45.9% |
| Map Size: | 230px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania.
See also: List of United States senators from Pennsylvania. Incumbent Republican Richard Schweiker won re-election, defeating Democratic nominee Peter F. Flaherty, Mayor of Pittsburgh.
In the general election campaign, Schweiker faced popular Pittsburgh mayor Peter Flaherty. Both candidates, as highlighted by a New York Times article, "[took] firm stands against inflation, recession, big spending by the Federal Government and abortion on demand."[27] Schweiker, who was endorsed by the AFL–CIO, distanced himself from the Richard Nixon administration, specifically the Watergate scandal, by emphasizing his early calls for Nixon's resignation and the fact that he was on Nixon's "enemies list."[27]
In the end, Schweiker won re-election with 53% of the popular vote, with Flaherty winning 45.9%. Schweiker carried 53 of Pennsylvania's counties, a decrease from the 59 counties he carried in the 1968 election. Flaherty had a strong showing in Allegheny County, which contains his home town of Pittsburgh, which Schweiker had won in 1968. The final election results represented a political divide between the eastern and western portions of the state, Schweiker in the east and Flaherty in the west, with the exception of Flaherty's slim 4,491 vote victory in Philadelphia.[27]
| Election Name: | South Carolina election |
| Country: | South Carolina |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in South Carolina |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in South Carolina |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | Ernest Hollings 91st Congress.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Ernest Hollings |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 355,107 |
| Percentage1: | 69.4% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 146,649 |
| Percentage2: | 28.7% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in South Carolina.
See also: List of United States senators from South Carolina and 1974 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina. The 1974 South Carolina United States Senate election was held on November 5, 1974 to select the U.S. Senator from the state of South Carolina. Incumbent Democratic senator Fritz Hollings easily defeated Republican challenger Gwen Bush to win his third term. Both Hollings and Bush faced no opposition in their party's primaries which allowed both candidates to concentrate solely on the general election. The Watergate scandal caused the Republicans to perform poorly nationwide in 1974 and Gwen Bush was little more than a sacrificial lamb. The main focus of the voters in South Carolina was on the competitive gubernatorial contest and Hollings easily cruised to a comfortable re-election.
|-| | colspan=5 |Democratic hold|-
| Election Name: | 1974 South Dakota Senate election |
| Country: | South Dakota |
| Flag Year: | 1963 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in South Dakota |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in South Dakota |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Nominee1: | George McGovern |
| Image1: | George_McGovern_bioguide.jpg |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 147,929 |
| Percentage1: | 53.04% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 130,955 |
| Percentage2: | 46.96% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in South Dakota.
See also: List of United States senators from South Dakota.
| Election Name: | Utah election |
| Country: | Utah |
| Flag Year: | 1913 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Utah |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Utah |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Nominee1: | Jake Garn |
| Image1: | Jake_Garn.jpg |
| Party1: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 210,299 |
| Percentage1: | 49.99% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 185,377 |
| Percentage2: | 44.07% |
| Nominee3: | Bruce Bangerter |
| Party3: | American Party (1969) |
| Popular Vote3: | 24,966 |
| Percentage3: | 5.94% |
| Map Size: | 200px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Utah.
See also: List of United States senators from Utah.
Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Wallace F. Bennett did not run for re-election to a fifth term, but retired. Salt Lake City mayor Jake Garn won the Republican nomination, while U.S. representative Wayne Owens won the Democratic nomination. Garn defeated Owens, 50% to 44%, with third-party candidate Bruce Bangerter winning 6% of the vote.
| Election Name: | Vermont election |
| Country: | Vermont |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Vermont |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Vermont |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Nominee1: | Patrick Leahy |
| Image1: | Patrick Leahy 1979 congressional photo.jpg |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 70,629 |
| Percentage1: | 49.5% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 66,223 |
| Percentage2: | 46.4% |
| Map Size: | 219px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Vermont.
Incumbent Republican George Aiken did not run for re-election to another term in the United States Senate. Democratic candidate, attorney and prosecutor Patrick Leahy defeated the Republican candidate, congressman Richard W. Mallary to succeed him. Leahy was the first Democrat ever elected to the senate from Vermont.
| Election Name: | Washington Election |
| Country: | Washington |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate elections#Washington |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Washington |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | Warren Magnuson (D-WA) (cropped).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Warren Magnuson |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 611,811 |
| Percentage1: | 60.70% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 363,626 |
| Percentage2: | 36.08% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Washington.
See also: List of United States senators from Washington and 1974 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington.
| Election Name: | Wisconsin election |
| Country: | Wisconsin |
| Flag Year: | 1913 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1968 United States Senate election in Wisconsin |
| Previous Year: | 1968 |
| Next Election: | 1980 United States Senate election in Wisconsin |
| Next Year: | 1980 |
| Image1: | GaylordNelson.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Gaylord Nelson |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (US) |
| Popular Vote1: | 740,700 |
| Percentage1: | 61.8% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 429,327 |
| Percentage2: | 35.8% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (US) |
See main article: 1974 United States Senate election in Wisconsin.
See also: List of United States senators from Wisconsin and 1974 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin. Incumbent Democrat Gaylord Nelson won re-election to a third term over Tom Petri, State senator since 1973.