| Election Name: | 1990 United States Senate elections |
| Country: | United States |
| Type: | legislative |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1988 United States Senate elections |
| Previous Year: | 1988 |
| Next Election: | 1992 United States Senate elections |
| Next Year: | 1992 |
| Majority Seats: | 51 |
| Election Date: | November 6, 1990 |
| 1Blank: | Seats up |
| 2Blank: | Races won |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Image1: | George J. Mitchell, U.S. District Court Judge (cropped).jpg |
| Leader Since1: | January 3, 1989 |
| Seats Before1: | 55 |
| Seats After1: | 56 |
| Seat Change1: | 1 |
| Popular Vote1: | 17,907,544 |
| Percentage1: | 51.1% |
| 1Data1: | 17 |
| 2Data1: | 18 |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Leader Since2: | January 3, 1985 |
| Seats Before2: | 45 |
| Seats After2: | 44 |
| Seat Change2: | 1 |
| Popular Vote2: | 16,494,624 |
| Percentage2: | 47.1% |
| 1Data2: | 18 |
| 2Data2: | 17 |
| Map Size: | 320px |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1990 United States Senate elections were held on Tuesday, November 6, 1990, with the 33 seats of Class 2 contested in regular elections. Special elections were also held to fill vacancies. The Democratic Party increased its majority with a net gain of one seat from the Republican Party. The election cycle took place in the middle of President George H. W. Bush's term, and as with most other midterm elections, the party not holding the presidency gained seats in Congress. This was the first time since 1980 that any party successfully defended all their own seats, and the first time Democrats did so since 1958.
These elections, along with 2022, featured the smallest seat change in history since the passage of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913 with only one seat changing parties. That election featured Democrat Paul Wellstone defeating incumbent Republican Rudy Boschwitz in Minnesota. To date, this is the last cycle in which Democratic candidates won U.S. Senate elections in Oklahoma and Tennessee.
| 56 | 44 | |
| Democratic | Republican |
| Parties | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Republican | Libertarian | Independent | Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last elections (1988) Before these elections | 55 | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not up | 38 | 27 | — | — | — | 65 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Up | 17 | 18 | — | — | — | 35 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| < | -- Gap for "Up" --> | 16 | 17 | — | — | — | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incumbent retired | 0 | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Result | 0 | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Incumbent ran | 17 | 15 | — | — | — | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | 14 | — | — | — | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 Republican replaced by 1 Democrat< | --MN--> | — | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Result | 18 | 14 | — | — | — | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total elected | 18 | 17 | — | — | — | 35 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net gain/loss | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationwide vote | 17,907,544 | 16,494,624 | 142,003 | 222,534 | 260,665 | 35,027,370 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share | 51.12% | 47.09% | 0.41% | 0.64% | 0.74% | 100% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Result | 56 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Source: Clerk of the United States House of Representatives[1]
Three Republicans retired instead of seeking re-election.
One Republican sought re-election but lost in the general election.
| D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | |||||||||||
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| width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | width=10% | D | |
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| D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | |||||||||||
| D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | |||||||||||
| Majority → | D | |||||||||||||||||||
| R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | ||||||||||||
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| R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |
| Key |
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|---|
In these special elections, the winners were elected in 1990.
Elections are sorted by date, then state and class.
| State | Incumbent | Result | Candidates | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senator | Party | Electoral history | |||||||
| Hawaii (Class 1) | Democratic | data-sort-value=1990 | 1990 | Interim appointee elected November 6, 1990. | nowrap | ||||
| Indiana (Class 3) | Republican | data-sort-value=1989 | 1989 | Interim appointee elected November 6, 1990. | nowrap | ||||
In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1991; ordered by state.
All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.
| State | Incumbent | Result | Candidates | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senator | Party | Electoral history | |||||||
| Alabama | Democratic | data-sort-value=1978 | 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Alaska | Republican | data-sort-value=1968 | 1968 1970 1972 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Arkansas | Democratic | data-sort-value=1978 | 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Colorado | Republican | data-sort-value=1978 | 1978 1984 | Incumbent retired. Republican hold. | nowrap | ||||
| Delaware | Democratic | data-sort-value=1972 | 1972 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Georgia | Democratic | data-sort-value=1972 | 1972 1972 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Idaho | Republican | data-sort-value=1972 | 1972 1978 1984 | Incumbent retired. Republican hold. | nowrap | ||||
| Illinois | Democratic | data-sort-value=1984 | 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Iowa | Democratic | data-sort-value=1984 | 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Kansas | Republican | data-sort-value=1978 | 1978 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Kentucky | Republican | data-sort-value=1984 | 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Louisiana | Democratic | data-sort-value=1972 | 1972 1972 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Maine | Republican | data-sort-value=1972 | 1972 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Massachusetts | Democratic | data-sort-value=1984 | 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Michigan | Democratic | data-sort-value=1978 | 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Minnesota | Republican | data-sort-value=1978 | 1978 1978 1984 | Incumbent lost re-election. DFL gain. | nowrap | ||||
| Mississippi | Republican | data-sort-value=1978 | 1978 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Montana | Democratic | data-sort-value=1978 | 1978 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Nebraska | Democratic | data-sort-value=1978 | 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| New Hampshire | Republican | data-sort-value=1978 | 1978 1984 | Incumbent retired. Republican hold. Incumbent resigned December 4, 1990 to take a seat in the New Hampshire Senate. Winner appointed December 7, 1990. | nowrap | ||||
| New Jersey | Democratic | data-sort-value=1978 | 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| New Mexico | Republican | data-sort-value=1972 | 1972 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| North Carolina | Republican | data-sort-value=1972 | 1972 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Oklahoma | Democratic | data-sort-value=1978 | 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Oregon | Republican | data-sort-value=1966 | 1966 1972 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Rhode Island | Democratic | data-sort-value=1960 | 1960 1966 1972 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| South Carolina | Republican | data-sort-value=1954 | 1954 (write-in) 1954 1956 1956 1960 1966 1972 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| South Dakota | Republican | data-sort-value=1978 | 1978 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Tennessee | Democratic | data-sort-value=1984 | 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Texas | Republican | data-sort-value=1984 | 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Virginia | Republican | data-sort-value=1978 | 1978 1979 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| West Virginia | Democratic | data-sort-value=1984 | 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
| Wyoming | Republican | data-sort-value=1978 | 1978 1979 1984 | Incumbent re-elected. | nowrap | ||||
In eight races the margin of victory was under 10%.
| State | Party of winner | Margin | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | data-sort-value=1 | Democratic (flip) | 2.63% | |
| New Jersey | data-sort-value=.5 | Democratic | 3.04% | |
| Kentucky | data-sort-value=-1 | Republican | 4.38% | |
| North Carolina | data-sort-value=-0.5 | Republican | 5.19% | |
| South Dakota | data-sort-value=-1 | Republican | 7.32% | |
| Oregon | data-sort-value=-0.5 | Republican | 7.49% | |
| Iowa | data-sort-value=0.5 | Democratic | 9.05% | |
| Hawaii (special) | data-sort-value=0.5 | Democratic | 9.37% |
Michigan was the tipping point state with a margin of 16.3%.
| Election Name: | Alabama election |
| Country: | Alabama |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Alabama |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Alabama |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Election Date: | November 6, 1990 |
| Image1: | Heflin.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Howell Heflin |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 717,814 |
| Percentage1: | 60.6% |
| Nominee2: | Bill Cabaniss |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 467,190 |
| Percentage2: | 39.4% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Howell Heflin |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Howell Heflin |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Alabama.
See also: List of United States senators from Alabama.
Incumbent Democrat Howell Heflin won re-election to a third term over Republican Bill Cabaniss, State Senator and former State Representative. This was the last time the Democrats have won the Class 2 Senate Seat from Alabama until Doug Jones won the seat in 2017.
| Election Name: | Alaska election |
| Country: | Alaska |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Alaska |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Alaska |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | Ted Stevens 1997.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Ted Stevens |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 125,806 |
| Percentage1: | 66.23% |
| Nominee2: | Michael Beasley |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 61,152 |
| Percentage2: | 32.19% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Ted Stevens |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Ted Stevens |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 300px |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Alaska.
See also: List of United States senators from Alaska.
Incumbent Republican United States Senator Ted Stevens sought re-election to a fifth term in the United States Senate, which he won easily, besting his opponents in a landslide.
| Election Name: | Arkansas election |
| Country: | Arkansas |
| Flag Year: | 1924 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Arkansas |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Arkansas |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | AR Pryor David (cropped).jpg |
| Nominee1: | David Pryor |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 493,910 |
| Percentage1: | 99.83% |
| Map Size: | 200px |
| re-election | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Arkansas.
See also: List of United States senators from Arkansas.
Incumbent Democrat David Pryor won re-election uncontested.
| Election Name: | Colorado election |
| Country: | Colorado |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Colorado |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Colorado |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Election Date: | November 6, 1990 |
| Nominee1: | Hank Brown |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 569,048 |
| Percentage1: | 55.7% |
| Nominee2: | Josie Heath |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 425,746 |
| Percentage2: | 41.7% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | William L. Armstrong |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Hank Brown |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Colorado.
See also: List of United States senators from Colorado.
Incumbent Republican senator William L. Armstrong did not seek re-election to another term. Republican congressman Hank Brown won the open seat, defeating Democratic nominee Josie Heath, former Boulder County Commissioner[2]
| Election Name: | Delaware election |
| Country: | Delaware |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Delaware |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Delaware |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | Joebiden2.png |
| Nominee1: | Joe Biden |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 112,918 |
| Percentage1: | 62.68% |
| Nominee2: | M. Jane Brady |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 64,554 |
| Percentage2: | 35.83% |
| Map Size: | 200px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Joe Biden |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Joe Biden |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Delaware.
See also: List of United States senators from Delaware.
Incumbent Democrat Joe Biden won re-election to a fourth term, defeating Republican challenger M. Jane Brady, Deputy Attorney General of Delaware.
| Election Name: | Georgia election |
| Country: | Georgia (U.S. state) |
| Flag Year: | 1956 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Georgia |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Georgia |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | Sam Nunn.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Sam Nunn |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,033,439 |
| Percentage1: | 100.0% |
| Map Size: | 200px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Georgia.
See also: List of United States senators from Georgia.
Incumbent Democrat Sam Nunn won re-election to a fourth term uncontested.
| Election Name: | Hawaii special election |
| Country: | Hawaii |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1988 United States Senate election in Hawaii |
| Previous Year: | 1988 |
| Next Election: | 1994 United States Senate election in Hawaii |
| Next Year: | 1994 |
| Image1: | Akakad.PNG |
| Nominee1: | Daniel Akaka |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 188,901 |
| Percentage1: | 53.7% |
| Nominee2: | Pat Saiki |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 155,978 |
| Percentage2: | 44.3% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Daniel Akaka |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Daniel Akaka |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate special election in Hawaii.
See also: List of United States senators from Hawaii.
Incumbent Democrat Daniel Akaka was elected to finish the term ending in 1995 over Republican U.S. Representative Pat Saiki. Akaka had been appointed by Governor John Waihee in April 1990 to serve temporarily after the death of Spark Matsunaga.[3]
| Election Name: | Idaho election |
| Country: | Idaho |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Idaho |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Idaho |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | Larry_Craig_official_portrait_-_cropped.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Larry Craig |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 193,641 |
| Percentage1: | 61.29% |
| Nominee2: | Ron Twilegar |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 122,295 |
| Percentage2: | 38.71% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Jim McClure |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Larry Craig |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 200px |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Idaho.
See also: List of United States senators from Idaho.
Republican Rep. Larry Craig defeated Democratic former state legislator Ron Twilegar for the seat of U.S. Senator Jim McClure, who did not seek re-election.
| Election Name: | Illinois election |
| Country: | Illinois |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Illinois |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Illinois |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | Paul Simon (US Senator from Illinois).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Paul Simon |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 2,115,377 |
| Percentage1: | 65.07% |
| Nominee2: | Lynn Morley Martin |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,135,628 |
| Percentage2: | 34.93% |
| Map Size: | 170px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Paul Simon |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Paul Simon |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Illinois.
See also: List of United States senators from Illinois.
Incumbent Democrat Paul Simon sought re-election to the United States Senate. Simon was opposed by Republican nominee Lynn Morley Martin, a United States Congresswoman from Illinois's 16th congressional district, whom he easily defeated to win a second and final term in the Senate.
| Election Name: | Indiana special election |
| Country: | Indiana |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1986 United States Senate election in Indiana |
| Previous Year: | 1986 |
| Next Election: | 1992 United States Senate election in Indiana |
| Next Year: | 1992 |
| Image1: | Dan Coats (R-IN) (cropped).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Dan Coats |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 806,048 |
| Percentage1: | 53.6% |
| Nominee2: | Baron Hill |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 696,639 |
| Percentage2: | 46.4% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Dan Coats |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Dan Coats |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 230px |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate special election in Indiana.
See also: List of United States senators from Indiana.
Incumbent Republican Dan Coats, who was recently appointed to this seat two years prior, won election to serve out the remainder of the term, beating Democratic State Representative Baron Hill.
During the 1988 presidential election, Republican nominee Vice President George H. W. Bush selected U.S. Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana as his vice presidential nominee. The Bush-Quayle ticket defeated the Dukakis–Bentsen ticket in the general election by a 53%-46% margin, capturing 40 states and 426 electoral votes.
In preparation for the pending vacancy, Governor Robert D. Orr appointed four-term U.S. Representative Dan Coats to fill Quayle's seat on December 12, 1988. Coats was a former aide to Quayle, whom he had succeeded as U.S. Representative for Indiana's 4th congressional district in 1981. Quayle eventually resigned his Senate seat on January 3, 1989, and Coats was immediately sworn into office.
Coats used television commercials that raised questions about Hill's consistency in opposing new taxes, and Hill gained notoriety for walking the length of the state to meet voters.
| Election Name: | Iowa election |
| Country: | Iowa |
| Flag Image: | Flag of Iowa (xrmap collection).svg |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Iowa |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Iowa |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Election Date: | November 5, 1990 |
| Nominee1: | Tom Harkin |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 535,975 |
| Percentage1: | 54.5% |
| Nominee2: | Tom Tauke |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 446,869 |
| Percentage2: | 45.4% |
| Map Size: | 220px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Tom Harkin |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Tom Harkin |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Iowa.
See also: List of United States senators from Iowa.
Incumbent Democrat Tom Harkin sought re-election to a second term in the United States Senate. Harkin was opposed by Republican United States Congressman Tom Tauke, from Iowa's 2nd congressional district, and both Harkin and Tauke won their primaries uncontested. Though Harkin performed slightly worse than he had six years earlier, he was successful in his re-election bid and defeated Tauke.
| Election Name: | Kansas election |
| Country: | Kansas |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Kansas |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Kansas |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Election Date: | November 6, 1990 |
| Nominee1: | Nancy Kassebaum |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 578,605 |
| Percentage1: | 73.6% |
| Nominee2: | Dick Williams |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 207,491 |
| Percentage2: | 26.4% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Nancy Kassebaum |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Nancy Kassebaum |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Kansas.
See also: List of United States senators from Kansas.
Incumbent Republican Nancy Kassebaum won re-election to her third full term, over Democrat Dick Williams, an educator at Wichita State University[4]
| Election Name: | Kentucky election |
| Country: | Kentucky |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Kentucky |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Kentucky |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | Mitch McConnell official photo.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Mitch McConnell |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 478,034 |
| Percentage1: | 52.2% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 437,976 |
| Percentage2: | 47.8% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Kentucky.
See also: List of United States senators from Kentucky.
Incumbent Republican Mitch McConnell won re-election to a second term over Democrat Harvey Sloane, former Mayor of Louisville
| Election Name: | Louisiana election |
| Country: | Louisiana |
| Flag Year: | 1912 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Louisiana |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Louisiana |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Election Date: | November 6, 1990 |
| Nominee1: | J. Bennett Johnston |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 753,198 |
| Percentage1: | 53.95% |
| Nominee2: | David Duke |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 607,051 |
| Percentage2: | 43.48% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | J. Bennett Johnston |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | J. Bennett Johnston |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Louisiana.
See also: List of United States senators from Louisiana.
Incumbent Democrat J. Bennett Johnston Jr. won re-election to a fourth term and avoided a runoff, beating Republican David Duke, State Representative and former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.
This election was viewed at the onset as potentially competitive, as Senator Johnston was viewed as vulnerable in light of Louisiana's economic troubles at the time and Senator Johnston's voting record viewed by Republicans as too liberal. The Republican Party leadership endorsed the candidacy of State Senator Ben Bagert, who was picked over Secretary of State Fox McKeithen, State Representative Quentin Dastugue and State Representative David Duke.[5] David Duke, however, continued his candidacy and slowly overtook Bagert in attention and in the polls. Duke attracted national attention to the race with his involvement with white supremacist groups and his appeals to white resentment over affirmative-action programs. With Bagert failing to gain traction, the National Republican Senatorial Committee tried to recruit former Governor David Treen to jump into the race. When Treen passed, the effort turned from supporting Bagert to stopping Duke.[6]
As the election drew near, polls showed Johnston firmly in first place, with Duke in second place and Bagert trailing far behind at third. National Republicans grew fearful that Bagert's candidacy would only serve to force a runoff and that a potential runoff election with Duke being the de facto Republican nominee would hurt the national brand. On October 4, eight Republican Senators endorsed Johnston, with Senator John Danforth saying at the press conference that "all of us would be embarrassed and mortified to have to serve in the United States Senate with David Duke masquerading as a Republican." Bagert dropped out of the race the next day, announcing that "it became more and more apparent, that instead of forcing a runoff between myself and Bennett Johnston, I might very well be forcing a runoff between somebody else and Bennett Johnston." He announced he would "reluctantly" vote for Johnston.[7] Bagert's name remained on the ballot, but under state law his votes could not be counted as part of the official tally.[8] After Bagert dropped out, HUD Secretary Jack Kemp endorsed Johnston, saying "there's no place in the Republican Party for someone who has practiced and practices racism, bigotry and anti-Semitism."[9]
| Election Name: | Maine election |
| Country: | Maine |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Maine |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Maine |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Election Date: | November 6, 1990 |
| Image1: | Senator William Cohen (R-ME).jpg |
| Nominee1: | William Cohen |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 319,167 |
| Percentage1: | 61.3% |
| Nominee2: | Neil Rolde |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 201,053 |
| Percentage2: | 38.6% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | William Cohen |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | William Cohen |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Maine.
See also: List of United States senators from Maine.
Incumbent Republican William Cohen won re-election to a third term over Democratic State Representative Neil Rolde.
| Election Name: | Massachusetts election |
| Country: | Massachusetts |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Massachusetts |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Massachusetts |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | JohnKerry.jpg |
| Nominee1: | John Kerry |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,321,712 |
| Percentage1: | 54.5% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 992,917 |
| Percentage2: | 41.0% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Massachusetts.
See also: List of United States senators from Massachusetts.
Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator John Kerry was re-elected to his second term over Republican real estate developer Jim Rappaport.
| Election Name: | Michigan election |
| Country: | Michigan |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Michigan |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Michigan |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | CarlLevin--100thCongress--.png |
| Nominee1: | Carl Levin |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,471,753 |
| Percentage1: | 57.5% |
| Nominee2: | Bill Schuette |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,055,695 |
| Percentage2: | 41.2% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Carl Levin |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Carl Levin |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 280px |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Michigan.
See also: List of United States senators from Michigan.
Incumbent Democrat Carl Levin won re-election to a third term, beating Republican U.S. Representative Bill Schuette.
| Election Name: | Minnesota election |
| Country: | Minnesota |
| Flag Image: | File:Flag of Minnesota (1983-2024).svg |
| Flag Year: | 1983 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Minnesota |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Minnesota |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Election Date: | November 6, 1990 |
| Image1: | Paul Wellstone.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Paul Wellstone |
| Party1: | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party |
| Popular Vote1: | 911,999 |
| Percentage1: | 50.5% |
| Nominee2: | Rudy Boschwitz |
| Party2: | Independent-Republicans of Minnesota |
| Popular Vote2: | 864,375 |
| Percentage2: | 47.9% |
| Map Size: | 260px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Rudy Boschwitz |
| Before Party: | Independent-Republicans of Minnesota |
| After Election: | Paul Wellstone |
| After Party: | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Minnesota.
See also: List of United States senators from Minnesota.
Incumbent Republican Rudy Boschwitz was defeated by Democratic challenger Paul Wellstone in a tight race. Widely considered an underdog and outspent by a 7-to-1 margin, Wellstone, a professor at Carleton College and nominee for Minnesota State Auditor in 1982 was the only candidate to defeat an incumbent senator in the 1990 election cycle and gained national attention after his upset victory.
| Election Name: | Mississippi election |
| Country: | Mississippi |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Mississippi |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Mississippi |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Flag Year: | 1894 |
| Image1: | Thad Cochran official photo.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Thad Cochran |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 274,244 |
| Percentage1: | 100.0% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Thad Cochran |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Thad Cochran |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 200px |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Mississippi.
See also: List of United States senators from Mississippi.
Incumbent Republican Thad Cochran won re-election to a third term.
| Election Name: | Montana election |
| Country: | Montana |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Montana |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Montana |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | Max Baucus 2004.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Max Baucus |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 217,563 |
| Percentage1: | 68.13% |
| Nominee2: | Allen Kolstad |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 93,836 |
| Percentage2: | 29.38% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Max Baucus |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Max Baucus |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Montana.
See also: List of United States senators from Montana.
Incumbent United States Senator Max Baucus, who was first elected in 1978 and was re-elected in 1984, ran for re-election. After winning the Democratic primary, he moved on to the general election, where he was opposed by Allen Kolstad, the Lieutenant Governor of Montana and the Republican nominee. Baucus ultimately ended up defeating Kolstad in a landslide, winning his third term with ease.
| Election Name: | Nebraska election |
| Country: | Nebraska |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Nebraska |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Nebraska |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | Jim exon.jpg |
| Nominee1: | J. James Exon |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 349,779 |
| Percentage1: | 58.9% |
| Nominee2: | Hal Daub |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 243,013 |
| Percentage2: | 40.9% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | J. James Exon |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | J. James Exon |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 250px |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Nebraska.
See also: List of United States senators from Nebraska.
Incumbent Democrat J. James Exon won re-election to a third term, beating Republican U.S. Representative Hal Daub.
| Election Name: | New Hampshire election |
| Country: | New Hampshire |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in New Hampshire |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in New Hampshire |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | Robert C Smith.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Bob Smith |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 189,792 |
| Percentage1: | 65.1% |
| Nominee2: | John A. Durkin |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 91,299 |
| Percentage2: | 31.3% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Gordon J. Humphrey |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Bob Smith |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in New Hampshire.
See also: List of United States senators from New Hampshire.
Incumbent Republican Gordon J. Humphrey decided to retire and not run for re-election to a third term. Republican Bob Smith won the open seat, beating Democratic former Senator John A. Durkin.
| Election Name: | New Jersey election |
| Country: | New Jersey |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in New Jersey |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in New Jersey |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | Sen. Bill Bradley (NJ) (cropped).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Bill Bradley |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 977,810 |
| Percentage1: | 50.44% |
| Nominee2: | Christine Todd Whitman |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 918,874 |
| Percentage2: | 47.40% |
| Map Size: | 230px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Bill Bradley |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Bill Bradley |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in New Jersey.
See also: List of United States senators from New Jersey.
Democratic Senator Bill Bradley decided to seek re-election and narrowly edged out little-known Republican Christine Todd Whitman, President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
Senator Bill Bradley didn't realize he was in trouble of winning re-election and the New Jersey voters' anger over taxes and economy until the week prior to the election.
The senator had a major image problem. In the early part of the campaign Bradley was winning easily in the polls, so his staffers told him to play it safe. He sent out television advertisements of himself walking on the beach, shooting a perfect shot on the court, and sitting back in his office with his basketball shoes onto his desk. The advertisements backfired as voters were turned off and thought that he hadn't taken his job as Senator seriously, at a time when New Jersey voters were suffering.
Another major problem with Bradley was how Democratic Governor Jim Florio implemented a $2.8 billion tax increase, hurting the state's economy. In addition, Bradley refused to answer questions pertaining to Florio's tax policies.
After Bradley realized he was in trouble he released negative advertisements. They attacked Whitman's own record on taxes, accusing her of favoring tax increases when she was a Somerset County Freeholder. Bradley's image may have been further damaged by his newer advertisements.[10]
| Election Name: | New Mexico election |
| Country: | New Mexico |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in New Mexico |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in New Mexico |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Election Date: | November 5, 1990 |
| Nominee1: | Pete Domenici |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 296,712 |
| Percentage1: | 72.9% |
| Nominee2: | Tom Benavidez |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 110,033 |
| Percentage2: | 27.0% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Pete Domenici |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Pete Domenici |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Map Size: | 200px |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in New Mexico.
See also: List of United States senators from New Mexico.
Incumbent Republican Pete Domenici won re-election to a fourth term over Democratic State Senator Tom Benavidez.[11]
| Election Name: | North Carolina election |
| Country: | North Carolina |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in North Carolina |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in North Carolina |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Flag Year: | 1885 |
| Image1: | JesseHelms.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Jesse Helms |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 1,089,012 |
| Percentage1: | 52.58% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 981,573 |
| Percentage2: | 47.39% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in North Carolina.
See also: List of United States senators from North Carolina.
The election was fought between the Republican incumbent Jesse Helms and the Democratic nominee Mayor of Charlotte Harvey Gantt. Helms won re-election to a fourth term by a slightly wider margin than the close election in 1984.
Helms drew controversy for airing what became known as the "Hands" ad produced by Alex Castellanos. It showed a pair of white hands with the voiceover saying "You needed that job, and you were the best qualified. But they had to give it to a minority because of a racial quota." The ad prompted allegations of racism.[12]
| Election Name: | Oklahoma election |
| Country: | Oklahoma |
| Flag Year: | 1988 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Oklahoma |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1994 United States Senate special election in Oklahoma |
| Next Year: | 1994 (special) |
| Election Date: | November 6, 1990 |
| Nominee1: | David Boren |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 735,684 |
| Percentage1: | 83.2% |
| Nominee2: | Stephen Jones |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 148,814 |
| Percentage2: | 16.8% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| Before Election: | David Boren |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | David Boren |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Oklahoma.
See also: List of United States senators from Oklahoma.
Incumbent Democrat David Boren won re-election to a third term over Republican attorney Stephen Jones.
| Election Name: | Oregon election |
| Country: | Oregon |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Oregon |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Oregon |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | Mark hatfield.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Mark Hatfield |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 590,095 |
| Percentage1: | 53.7% |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 507,743 |
| Percentage2: | 46.2% |
| Map Size: | 240px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Oregon.
See also: List of United States senators from Oregon.
Republican Mark Hatfield was re-elected to a fifth term, defeating Democratic businessman Harry Lonsdale.
The front-runners emerged quickly: for the Republicans, Hatfield was in his fourth term and was the 8th most senior U.S. Senator, having previously served as Governor of Oregon for two terms and Oregon Secretary of State. For the Democrats, Harry Lonsdale, who had founded the biotechnology company Bend Research, announced in early 1990 that he intended to aggressively challenge Hatfield over the incumbent's ties to special interests, and his positions on abortion rights and timber management.[13]
In the Republican primary, Hatfield received a token challenge from Randy Prince, an environmentalist and former Eugene mayoral candidate who had once protested old-growth forest logging by tree sitting for 40 days.[14] Despite an early miscue by Hatfield in which he missed the deadline for submitting a photograph for the primary voter's guide,[14] Hatfield handily defeated Prince to move on to the general election.[15]
U.S. Congressman Ron Wyden considered challenging Hatfield, but decided against it.[16] Lonsdale, who was unknown as a politician, announced his campaign in March, and came out swinging directly at Hatfield and mostly ignored his primary challengers. Lonsdale's main campaign themes were abortion rights, which Hatfield opposed; and timber management, in which Lonsdale opposed exporting timber from Oregon forests and wanted to restrict logging in old-growth forests.[13] Lonsdale also criticized Hatfield as being out-of-touch with Oregonians after so many years in the Senate. Lonsdale announced that he would refuse to take special-interest contributions in his campaign, and would finance the campaign himself with the millions he had made from Bend Research.[13] Lonsdale easily defeated his competition: Salem attorney Steve Anderson, Pleasant Hill computer programmer Neale S. Hyatt, Milwaukie retired truck driver Brooks Washburne, Eugene activist Bob Reuschlein, and Frank A. Clough, also of Eugene.[13] [17] [18]
Once the primaries concluded, Hatfield, who had been first elected U.S. Senator in 1966, rolled out his usual campaign honed from his decades of experience: he refused debates, never engaged his opponent directly, and focused on small, friendly campaign appearances that stressed the influence he wielded as a U.S. Senator with seniority and influence.[16]
Lonsdale's self-financed campaign made heavy use of TV attack ads, criticizing Hatfield as being out of step with Oregonians on every issue, but primarily in terms of timber and abortion. He also made use of a nationwide anti-incumbency sentiment, and tore into Hatfield for being too closely tied to Washington special interests, and attempted to tie Hatfield to the Savings and loan crisis of the mid-1980s through his advisor Gerry Frank, who had ties to a Salem savings and loan.[16] By early October, polls showed the gap closing from 25 down to about 4 points in an early October poll conducted by The Oregonian newspaper, and by the end of October, some polls showed Lonsdale in the lead.[19]
With the polls running against him and time running out, Hatfield, who had not been seriously challenged since first being elected in 1966 and had never lost an election,[20] abandoned his tactic of staying above the fray and not engaging Lonsdale directly. In the media and in television ads, he charged Lonsdale with hypocrisy in his environmental stand, alleging that Lonsdale had allowed his company to illegally dump toxic chemicals into the environment.[21] Lonsdale vigorously denied the charges, which were later shown to have violated no laws, but the tactic may have stalled Lonsdale's momentum.[22] Hatfield went on to win in all but Multnomah, Jackson, Baker, and Lincoln counties to win by more than 7 percentage points statewide.[20]
| Election Name: | Rhode Island election |
| Country: | Rhode Island |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Rhode Island |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Rhode Island |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | Claiborne Pell.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Claiborne Pell |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 225,105 |
| Percentage1: | 61.8% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 138,947 |
| Percentage2: | 38.2% |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Rhode Island.
See also: List of United States senators from Rhode Island.
Democratic Incumbent Claiborne Pell defeated Republican Representative Claudine Schneider in a landslide.[23]
| Election Name: | South Carolina election |
| Country: | South Carolina |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in South Carolina |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in South Carolina |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Election Date: | November 6, 1990 |
| Image1: | Strom Thurmond.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Strom Thurmond |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 482,032 |
| Percentage1: | 64.2% |
| Nominee2: | Bob Cunningham |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 244,112 |
| Percentage2: | 32.5% |
| 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: 1990 United States Senate election in South Carolina.
See also: List of United States senators from South Carolina.
Popular incumbent Republican Strom Thurmond cruised to re-election against Democratic challenger and perennial candidate Bob Cunningham.
Senator Strom Thurmond faced no opposition from South Carolina Republicans and avoided a primary election. The state Democrats saw this as an unwinnable race so when Bob Cunningham sought the Democratic nomination, he was unopposed in his bid.
Cunningham launched his second bid to unseat Republican Sen. Strom Thurmond after switching from the GOP to the Democratic Party in early 1990. Though he faced a formidable opponent, Cunningham planned no fund-raising activities. "I don't plan to ask for anything and I won't accept any money from PACs", he said. Cunninghman said his campaign strategy was to "go to places where I was invited and spread out my ideas." If elected, Cummingham said he would push to limit consecutive congressional service to 12 years and reform the tax system. He supported greater environmental activism. "I think we're going at it in much too lukewarm a fashion. I think we should work hard to find a substitute for the internal combustion engine."
The election was never a serious contest. Thurmond overwhelmingly outspent Cunningham in his re-election campaign.
| Election Name: | South Dakota election |
| Country: | South Dakota |
| Flag Year: | 1963 |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in South Dakota |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Election Date: | November 6, 1990 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in South Dakota |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | Larry Pressler.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Larry Pressler |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 135,682 |
| Percentage1: | 52.4% |
| Map Size: | 240px |
| Before Election: | Larry Pressler |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Larry Pressler |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Nominee2: | Ted Muenster |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 116,727 |
| Percentage2: | 45.1% |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in South Dakota.
See also: List of United States senators from South Dakota.
Incumbent Republican Larry Pressler won a narrow re-election battle against Democratic opponent Ted Muenster and Independent candidate Dean Sinclair, in contrast to his easy win in 1984.
| Election Name: | Tennessee election |
| Country: | Tennessee |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Tennessee |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1994 United States Senate special election in Tennessee |
| Next Year: | 1994 (special) |
| Election Date: | November 6, 1990 |
| Image1: | Al Gore Senate portrait (cropped).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Al Gore |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 529,914 |
| Percentage1: | 67.72% |
| Nominee2: | William R. Hawkins |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 233,324 |
| Percentage2: | 29.82% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Al Gore |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Al Gore |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Tennessee.
See also: List of United States senators from Tennessee.
Democratic Senator Al Gore won re-election to a second term over Republican William R. Hawkins, a conservative author. As of 2023, this is the last Senate election in Tennessee that was won by a Democrat and the last time they won the state's Class 2 Senate Seat.
| Election Name: | Texas election |
| Country: | Texas |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Texas |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Texas |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Image1: | PhilGramm (1).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Phil Gramm |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 2,302,357 |
| Percentage1: | 60.2% |
| Nominee2: | Hugh Parmer |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 1,429,986 |
| Percentage2: | 37.4% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Texas.
See also: List of United States senators from Texas.
Incumbent Republican Phil Gramm won re-election to a second term, beating Hugh Parmer, State Senator and former Mayor of Fort Worth[24]
Gramm, a popular incumbent who switched parties a few years prior, had over $5 million on hand.[25]
| Election Name: | Virginia election |
| Country: | Virginia |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Virginia |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Virginia |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Turnout: | 25.5% (voting eligible)[26] |
| Image1: | Warner(R-VA).jpg |
| Nominee1: | John Warner |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 876,782 |
| Percentage1: | 80.9% |
| Nominee2: | Nancy Spannaus |
| Party2: | Independent (US) |
| Popular Vote2: | 196,755 |
| Percentage2: | 18.2% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Virginia.
See also: List of United States senators from Virginia.
Incumbent Republican John W. Warner won re-election to a third term. No Democrat filed to run against him as he won every single county and city in the state with over 60% of the vote. Independent Nancy B. Spannaus (an affiliate of the controversial Lyndon LaRouche) got 18% of the vote, as she was the only other candidate on the ballot besides Warner.
| Election Name: | West Virginia election |
| Country: | West Virginia |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in West Virginia |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in West Virginia |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Election Date: | November 6, 1990 |
| Image1: | John rockefeller.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Jay Rockefeller |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 276,234 |
| Percentage1: | 68.32% |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 128,071 |
| Percentage2: | 31.68% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in West Virginia.
See also: List of United States senators from West Virginia. The 1990 United States Senate election in West Virginia was held November 6, 1990. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller won re-election to a second term.
| Election Name: | Wyoming election |
| Country: | Wyoming |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1984 United States Senate election in Wyoming |
| Previous Year: | 1984 |
| Next Election: | 1996 United States Senate election in Wyoming |
| Next Year: | 1996 |
| Election Date: | November 6, 1990 |
| Image1: | Alan Kooi Simpson.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Alan K. Simpson |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 100,784 |
| Percentage1: | 63.94% |
| Nominee2: | Kathy Helling |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 56,848 |
| Percentage2: | 36.06% |
| Map Size: | 255px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Alan K. Simpson |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Alan K. Simpson |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
See main article: 1990 United States Senate election in Wyoming.
See also: List of United States senators from Wyoming. Incumbent Republican Alan Simpson easily won re-election to a third term over Democratic challenger Kathy Helling.