1972 United States Senate elections

* * *

| ← 1970 | November 7, 1972 | 1974 →

|
|

← 1966

1978 →

* * *

33 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate
51 seats needed for a majority
|   | Majority party  | Minority party

|
|

|  |
Leader  | Mike Mansfield | Hugh Scott
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Leader since  | January 3, 1961  | September 24, 1969
Leader's seat  | Montana | Pennsylvania
Seats before  | 54 | 44
Seats after  | 56 | 42
Seat change  |  2  |  2
Popular vote  | 17,199,567  | 19,821,203
Percentage  | 45.5%  | 52.4%
Seats up  | 14  | 19
Races won  | 16  | 17

* * *

| Third party  | Fourth party
|  |
Party  | Independent | Conservative
Seats before  | 1  | 1
Seats after  | 1[1] | 1
Seat change  |  |
Seats up  | 0  | 0
Races won  | 0  | 0

* * *

Results of the elections:
Democratic gain      Republican gain
Democratic hold      Republican hold
No election

* * *

| Majority Leader before election

Mike Mansfield
Democratic

| Elected Majority Leader

Mike Mansfield
Democratic

|

The 1972 United States Senate elections were held on November 7, with the 33 seats of Class 2 contested in regular elections. They coincided with the landslide re-election of Republican President Richard Nixon. Despite Nixon's landslide victory, Democrats increased their majority by two seats. The Democrats picked up open seats in Kentucky and South Dakota, and defeated four incumbent senators: Gordon Allott of Colorado, J. Caleb Boggs of Delaware, Jack Miller of Iowa, and Margaret Chase Smith of Maine. The Republicans picked up open seats in New Mexico, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, and defeated one incumbent, William B. Spong Jr. of Virginia.

After the elections, Democrats held 56 seats, and Republicans held 42 seats, with 1 Conservative and 1 independent senator in the chamber as well. These were the first elections in which all citizens at least 18 years of age (instead of 21 and older) could vote, due to the 1971 passage of the 26th Amendment.

As of 2025[update], this is the last time a Republican was elected to a Senate seat in New Jersey. Joe Biden, the 46th president of the United States (2021–2025) and 47th vice president (2009–2017), first won election to the United States Senate, defeating J. Caleb Boggs in the election in Delaware.

## Results summary

[edit]

↓  56 | 1 | 1 | 42

|
|
|

Democratic | I | C | Republican
Parties  |  |  |  |  |  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|

Democratic | Republican | Conservative | Independent  | Other
Last elections (1970)
Before these elections  | 54  | 44  | 1  | 1  | 0  | 100
Not up  | 40  | 25  | 1  | 1  | —  | 67

Class 2 (1966→1972) | 14  | 19  | 0  | 0  | —  | 33
Incumbent retired  | 3  | 3  | —  | —  | —  | 6
| Held by same party | 1  | 1  | —  | —  | —  | 2
Replaced by other party | 2 Republicans replaced by 2 Democrats
2 Democrats replaced by 2 Republicans  | —  | —  | —  | 4
Result  | 3  | 3  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 6
Incumbent ran  | 11  | 16  | —  | —  | —  | 27
| Won re-election | 8  | 12  | —  | —  | —  | 20
Lost re-election | 4 Republicans replaced by 4 Democrats
1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican  | —  | —  | —  | 5
Lost renomination,
but held by same party | 1  | 0  | —  | —  | —  | 1
Lost renomination,
and party lost | 1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican  | —  | —  | —  | 1
Result  | 13  | 14  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 27
Total elected  | 16  | 17  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 33
Net gain/loss  | 2  | 2  |  |  |  | 2
Nationwide vote  | 17,199,567  | 19,821,203  | 42,348  | 318,238  | 427,742  | 37,809,098
| Share  | 45.49%  | 52.42%  | 0.11%  | 0.84%  | 1.13%  | 100%
Result  | 56  | 42  | 1  | 1  | 0  | 100

Source: Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (1973). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 7, 1972" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved November 22, 2020.

## Gains, losses, and holds

[edit]

### Retirements

[edit]

Three Republicans and three Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.

State  | Senator  | Replaced by

|
|

Idaho | Leonard B. Jordan | James A. McClure
Kentucky | John Sherman Cooper | Walter Dee Huddleston
Louisiana | Elaine Edwards | J. Bennett Johnston
New Mexico | Clinton Anderson | Pete Domenici
Oklahoma | Fred R. Harris | Dewey F. Bartlett
South Dakota | Karl Mundt | James Abourezk

### Defeats

[edit]

Four Republicans and three Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.

State  | Senator  | Replaced by

|
|

Colorado | Gordon Allott | Floyd Haskell
Delaware | J. Caleb Boggs | Joe Biden
Georgia | David H. Gambrell | Sam Nunn
Iowa | Jack Miller | Dick Clark
Maine | Margaret Chase Smith | William Hathaway
North Carolina | B. Everett Jordan | Jesse Helms
Virginia | William Spong Jr. | William L. Scott

### Post-election changes

[edit]

State  | Senator  | Replaced by

|
|

Ohio
(Class 3)  | William B. Saxbe | Howard Metzenbaum

## Change in composition

[edit]

### Before the elections

[edit]

After the January 7, 1972, Vermont special election.

D1 | D2 | D3 | D4 | D5 | D6 | D7 | D8 | D9 | D10

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

D20 | D19 | D18 | D17 | D16 | D15 | D14 | D13 | D12 | D11
D21 | D22 | D23 | D24 | D25 | D26 | D27 | D28 | D29 | D30
D40 | D39 | D38 | D37 | D36 | D35 | D34 | D33 | D32 | D31
D41
Ala.
Ran | D42
Ark.
Ran | D43
Ga. (sp)
Ga. (reg)
Ran | D44
La.
Retired | D45
Minn.
Ran | D46
Miss.
Ran | D47
Mont.
Ran | D48
N.H.
Ran | D49
N.M.
Ran | D50
N.C.
Ran
Majority → | D51
Okla.
Ran
R41
S.D.
Ran | R42
Tenn.
Ran | R43
Texas
Retired | R44
Wyo.
Ran | C1 | I1 | D54
W.Va.
Ran | D53
Va.
Ran | D52
R.I.
Ran
R40
S.C.
Ran | R39
Ore.
Ran | R38
N.J.
Ran | R37
Neb.
Ran | R36
Mich.
Ran | R35
Mass.
Ran | R34
Maine
Ran | R33
Ky.
Retired | R32
Kan.
Ran | R31
Iowa
Ran
R21 | R22 | R23 | R24 | R25 | R26
Alaska
Ran | R27
Colo.
Ran | R28
Del.
Ran | R29
Idaho
Ran | R30
Ill.
Ran
R20 | R19 | R18 | R17 | R16 | R15 | R14 | R13 | R12 | R11
R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10

### Elections results

[edit]

D1 | D2 | D3 | D4 | D5 | D6 | D7 | D8 | D9 | D10

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

D20 | D19 | D18 | D17 | D16 | D15 | D14 | D13 | D12 | D11
D21 | D22 | D23 | D24 | D25 | D26 | D27 | D28 | D29 | D30
D40 | D39 | D38 | D37 | D36 | D35 | D34 | D33 | D32 | D31
D41
Ala.
Re-elected | D42
Ark.
Re-elected | D43
Ga. (sp)
Ga. (reg)
Hold | D44
La.
Hold | D45
Minn.
Re-elected | D46
Miss.
Re-elected | D47
Mont.
Re-elected | D48
N.H.
Re-elected | D49
R.I.
Re-elected | D50
W.Va.
Re-elected
Majority → | D51
Colo.
Gain
R41
Okla.
Gain | R42
Va.
Gain | C1 | I1 | D56
S.D.
Gain | D55
Maine
Gain | D54
Ky.
Gain | D53
Iowa
Gain | D52
Del.
Gain
R40
N.C.
Gain | R39
N.M.
Gain | R38
Wyo.
Re-elected | R37
Texas
Re-elected | R36
Tenn.
Re-elected | R35
S.C.
Re-elected | R34
Ore.
Re-elected | R33
N.J.
Re-elected | R32
Neb.
Re-elected | R31
Mich.
Re-elected
R21 | R22 | R23 | R24 | R25 | R26
Alaska
Re-elected | R27
Idaho
Hold | R28
Ill.
Re-elected | R29
Kan.
Re-elected | R30
Mass.
Re-elected
R20 | R19 | R18 | R17 | R16 | R15 | R14 | R13 | R12 | R11
R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10
Key:  |  | C# | Conservative

|

D# | Democratic
R# | Republican
I# | Independent

## Race summaries

[edit]

### Special elections during the 92nd Congress

[edit]

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1972 or before January 3, 1973; ordered by election date, then state.

State
(linked to
summaries below) | Incumbent  | Results  | Candidates

|
|
|

Senator  | Party  | Electoral history
Vermont
(Class 1)  | Robert Stafford | Republican  | 1971 (Appointed) | Interim appointee elected January 7, 1972.  |

* ▌Y Robert Stafford (Republican) 64.4%
* ▌Randolph T. Major (Democratic) 33.4%
* ▌Bernie Sanders (Liberty Union) 2.2%[2]

Georgia
(Class 2)  | David H. Gambrell | Democratic  | 1971 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost nomination.
New senator elected November 7, 1972.
Democratic hold.
Winner also elected to the next term, see below.  |

* ▌Y Sam Nunn (Democratic) 52.0%
* ▌Fletcher Thompson (Republican) 46.5%
* ▌Alice Conner (Independent) 1.0%
* ▌George Schmidt (Independent) 0.5%[3]

### Elections leading to the next Congress

[edit]

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1973; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.

State
(linked to
summaries below) | Incumbent  | Results  | Candidates

|
|
|

Senator  | Party  | Electoral history
Alabama | John Sparkman | Democratic  | 1946 (special)
1948
1954
1960
1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y John Sparkman (Democratic) 62.3%
* ▌Winton M. Blount (Republican) 33.1%
* ▌John L. LeFlore (National Democratic) 3.0%
* ▌Jerome Couch (Prohibition) 1.0%
* ▌Herbert Stone (Conservative) 0.6%

Alaska | Ted Stevens | Republican  | 1968 (Appointed)
1970 (special) | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Ted Stevens (Republican) 77.3%
* ▌Gene Guess (Democratic) 22.7%

Arkansas | John L. McClellan | Democratic  | 1942
1948
1954
1960
1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y John L. McClellan (Democratic) 60.8%
* ▌Wayne H. Babbitt (Republican) 39.1%

Colorado | Gordon Allott | Republican  | 1954
1960
1966 | Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.  |

* ▌Y Floyd Haskell (Democratic) 49.4%
* ▌Gordon Allott (Republican) 48.4%
* ▌Secundion Salazar (Raza Unida) 1.4%
* ▌Henry Olshaw (American) 0.8%

Delaware | J. Caleb Boggs | Republican  | 1960
1966 | Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.  |

* ▌Y Joe Biden (Democratic) 50.5%
* ▌J. Caleb Boggs (Republican) 49.1%

Georgia | David H. Gambrell | Democratic  | 1971 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost nomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Winner also elected to finish the term, see above.  |

* ▌Y Sam Nunn (Democratic) 54.0%
* ▌Fletcher Thompson (Republican) 46.0%[3]

Idaho | Leonard B. Jordan | Republican  | 1962 (Appointed)
1962 (special)
1966 | Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.  |

* ▌Y James A. McClure (Republican) 52.3%
* ▌William E. Davis (Democratic) 45.5%

Illinois | Charles H. Percy | Republican  | 1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Charles H. Percy (Republican) 62.2%
* ▌Roman Pucinski (Democratic) 37.4%

Iowa | Jack Miller | Republican  | 1960
1966 | Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.  |

* ▌Y Dick Clark (Democratic) 55.1%
* ▌Jack Miller (Republican) 44.1%

Kansas | James B. Pearson | Republican  | 1962 (Appointed)
1962 (special)
1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y James B. Pearson (Republican) 71.4%
* ▌Arch Tetzlaff (Democratic) 23.0%

Kentucky | John Sherman Cooper | Republican  | 1946 (special)
1948 (Lost)
1952 (special)
1954 (Lost)
1956 (special)
1960
1966 | Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.  |

* ▌Y Walter Dee Huddleston (Democratic) 50.9%
* ▌Louie Nunn (Republican) 47.6%

Louisiana | Elaine Edwards | Democratic  | 1972 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Interim appointee resigned November 13, 1972, to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed November 14, 1972.  |

* ▌Y J. Bennett Johnston (Democratic) 55.2%
* ▌John McKeithen (Independent) 23.1%
* ▌Ben Toledano (Republican) 16.1%
* ▌Hall M. Lyons (American) 2.7%

Maine | Margaret Chase Smith | Republican  | 1948
1954
1960
1966 | Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.  |

* ▌Y William Hathaway (Democratic) 53.2%
* ▌Margaret Chase Smith (Republican) 46.8%

Massachusetts | Edward Brooke | Republican  | 1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Edward Brooke (Republican) 63.5%
* ▌John J. Droney (Democratic) 34.7%
* ▌Donald Gurewitz (Socialist Workers) 1.7%

Michigan | Robert P. Griffin | Republican  | 1966 (Appointed)
1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Robert P. Griffin (Republican) 52.3%
* ▌Frank J. Kelley (Democratic) 46.3%

Minnesota | Walter Mondale | DFL  | 1964 (Appointed)
1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Walter Mondale (DFL) 56.7%
* ▌Phil Hansen (Republican) 42.9%

Mississippi | James Eastland | Democratic  | 1942
1948
1954
1960
1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y James Eastland (Democratic) 58.1%
* ▌Gil Carmichael (Republican) 38.7%

Montana | Lee Metcalf | Democratic  | 1960
1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Lee Metcalf (Democratic) 52.0%
* ▌Henry S. Hibbard (Republican) 48.0%

Nebraska | Carl Curtis | Republican  | 1954
1960
1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Carl Curtis (Republican) 53.1%
* ▌Terry Carpenter (Democratic) 46.8%

New Hampshire | Thomas J. McIntyre | Democratic  | 1962 (special)
1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Thomas J. McIntyre (Democratic) 56.9%
* ▌Wesley Powell (Republican) 43.1%

New Jersey | Clifford P. Case | Republican  | 1954
1960
1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Clifford P. Case (Republican) 62.5%
* ▌Paul J. Krebs (Democratic) 34.5%

New Mexico | Clinton Anderson | Democratic  | 1948
1954
1960
1966 | Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.  |

* ▌Y Pete Domenici (Republican) 54.0%
* ▌Jack Daniels (Democratic) 46.0%

North Carolina | B. Everett Jordan | Democratic  | 1958 (Appointed)
1958 (special)
1960
1966 | Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.  |

* ▌Y Jesse Helms (Republican) 54.0%
* ▌Nick Galifianakis (Democratic) 46.0%

Oklahoma | Fred R. Harris | Democratic  | 1964 (special)
1966 | Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.  |

* ▌Y Dewey F. Bartlett (Republican) 51.4%
* ▌Ed Edmondson (Democratic) 47.6%

Oregon | Mark Hatfield | Republican  | 1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Mark Hatfield (Republican) 53.7%
* ▌Wayne Morse (Democratic) 46.2%

Rhode Island | Claiborne Pell | Democratic  | 1960
1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Claiborne Pell (Democratic) 53.7%
* ▌John Chafee (Republican) 45.7%

South Carolina | Strom Thurmond | Republican  | 1954 (write-in)[a]
1954 (Appointed)
1956 (Resigned)
1956 (special)
1960
1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Strom Thurmond (Republican) 63.3%
* ▌Eugene N. Zeigler (Democratic) 36.7%

South Dakota | Karl Mundt | Republican  | 1948
1948 (Appointed)
1954
1960
1966 | Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.  |

* ▌Y James Abourezk (Democratic) 57.0%
* ▌Robert W. Hirsch (Republican) 42.9%

Tennessee | Howard Baker | Republican  | 1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Howard Baker (Republican) 61.6%
* ▌Ray Blanton (Democratic) 37.9%

Texas | John Tower | Republican  | 1961 (special)
1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y John Tower (Republican) 53.4%
* ▌Barefoot Sanders (Democratic) 44.3%

Virginia | William Spong Jr. | Democratic  | 1966 | Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.  |

* ▌Y William L. Scott (Republican) 51.5%
* ▌William Spong Jr. (Democratic) 46.1%

West Virginia | Jennings Randolph | Democratic  | 1958 (special)
1960
1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Jennings Randolph (Democratic) 66.5%
* ▌Louise Leonard (Republican) 33.6%

Wyoming | Clifford Hansen | Republican  | 1966 | Incumbent re-elected.  |

* ▌Y Clifford Hansen (Republican) 71.3%
* ▌Mike Vinich (Democratic) 28.7%

## Closest races

[edit]

Seventeen races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State  | Party of winner  | Margin

|
|

Colorado | Democratic (flip)  | 1.0%
Delaware | Democratic (flip)  | 1.4%
Kentucky | Democratic (flip)  | 3.3%
Oklahoma | Republican (flip)  | 3.8%
Montana | Democratic  | 3.9%
Virginia | Republican (flip)  | 5.4%
Georgia (special) | Democratic  | 5.5%
Michigan | Republican  | 6.0%
Nebraska | Republican  | 6.3%
Maine | Democratic (flip)  | 6.4%
Idaho | Republican  | 6.8%
Oregon | Republican  | 7.5%
Georgia | Democratic  | 7.95%[b]
Rhode Island | Democratic  | 8.0%
New Mexico | Republican (flip)  | 8.0%
North Carolina | Republican (flip)  | 8.0%
Texas | Republican  | 9.1%

## Alabama

[edit]

Alabama election

* * *

← 1966

1978 →

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | John Sparkman | Winton Blount |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 654,491 | 347,523
Percentage  | 62.27% | 33.06%

* * *

County results
Sparkman:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Blount:      50–60%
LeFlore:      40–50%      60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

John Sparkman
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

John Sparkman
Democratic

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Alabama

See also: List of United States senators from Alabama

In 1946, John H. Bankhead II suffered a stroke during a U.S. Senate hearing and died three weeks later. John Sparkman, who had served as U.S. Representative since 1937 and was House Majority Whip, secured the endorsements of party leaders and ran unopposed to win the remainder of Bankhead's term. Sparkman was then re-elected in 1948, 1954, 1960, and 1966 all by wide margins. At the time, the Democratic Party was dominant in Alabama; winning the Democratic primary virtually guaranteed a general election victory. Until 1966, Sparkman never faced an opponent in the general election who garnered more than 30% of the vote. Sparkman also served as the running mate of Adlai Stevenson II in an unsuccessful 1952 presidential campaign.

However, in 1966, the Democratic Party began to feel the backlash of Civil rights legislation in the South, and Sparkman faced his closest political contest to date. He defeated John Grenier with just 60% of the vote. Richard Nixon's election in 1968 also helped Republicans gain recognition in Alabama. In 1972, Sparkman faced Winton M. Blount, who was serving as Postmaster General.[4]

Sparkman ultimately increased his vote share in a lopsided victory over Blount, who won just two counties, Houston county and, fittingly, the phonetically similar Winston county. This would be Sparkman's final term as U.S. senator. He retired in 1979 and was succeeded by Howell Heflin.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Alabama[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | John Sparkman (Incumbent)  | 654,491  | 62.27
| Republican | Winton M. Blount | 347,523  | 33.06
| NDPA | John L. LeFlore | 31,421  | 2.99
| Prohibition | Jerome B. Couch  | 10,826  | 1.03
| Conservative | Herbert W. Stone  | 6,838  | 0.65
Majority  | 306,968  | 29.21
Turnout | 1,051,099  |
| Democratic hold

## Alaska

[edit]

Alaska election

* * *

← 1970 (special)

1978 →

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Ted Stevens | Gene Guess |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 74,216 | 21,791
Percentage  | 77.30% | 22.70%

* * *

Results by state house district
Stevens:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Ted Stevens
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Ted Stevens
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Alaska

See also: List of United States senators from Alaska

Republican Ted Stevens was originally elected to the U.S. Senate in 1970, succeeding Democrat Bob Bartlett. He won election to the remainder of Barlett's term with nearly 60% of the vote.

In 1972, he faced Democrat Gene Guess in the general election. Stevens won re-election in a landslide even as Democrat Mike Gravel served as the state's other senator. On election day, Stevens won re-election to a second term (his first full term) against Guess, 77–23%. Stevens would be re-elected in 1978, 1984, 1990, 1996, and 2002 with at least 66% of the vote before losing re-election in 2008 amid criminal charges.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Alaska[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Ted Stevens (Incumbent)  | 74,216  | 77.30
| Democratic | Gene Guess  | 21,791  | 22.70
Majority  | 52,425  | 54.60
Turnout | 96,007  |
| Republican hold

## Arkansas

[edit]

Arkansas election

* * *

← 1966

1978 →

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | John L. McClellan | Wayne Babbitt  |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 386,398 | 248,238
Percentage  | 60.89% | 39.12%

* * *

County results
McClellan:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Babbitt:      50–60%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

John L. McClellan
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

John L. McClellan
Democratic

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Arkansas

See also: List of United States senators from Arkansas

Incumbent Democrat John Little McClellan was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Arkansas[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | John Little McClellan (Incumbent)  | 386,398  | 60.88
| Republican | Wayne H. Babbitt  | 248,238  | 39.12
Majority  | 138,160  | 21.76
Turnout | 634,636  |
| Democratic hold

## Colorado

[edit]

Colorado election

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Floyd Haskell | Gordon Allott |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 457,545 | 447,957
Percentage  | 49.41% | 48.37%

* * *

County results
Haskell:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Allott:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Gordon Allott
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Floyd Haskell
Democratic

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Colorado

See also: List of United States senators from Colorado

Incumbent Republican Gordon Allott was defeated by Floyd K. Haskell.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Colorado[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Floyd K. Haskell | 457,545  | 49.41
| Republican | Gordon L. Allott (Incumbent)  | 447,957  | 48.37
| Raza Unida | Secundion 'Sal' Salazar  | 13,228  | 1.43
| American | Henry Olshaw  | 7,353  | 0.79
Majority  | 9,588  | 1.04
Turnout | 926,083  |
| Democratic gain from Republican

## Delaware

[edit]

Delaware election

* * *

← 1966

1978 →

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Joe Biden | J. Caleb Boggs |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 116,006 | 112,844
Percentage  | 50.5% | 49.1%

* * *

County results

State House district results

Map key

Biden:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Boggs:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

J. Caleb Boggs
Republican

| Elected U.S. senator

Joe Biden
Democratic

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Delaware

See also: List of United States senators from Delaware

Incumbent Republican J. Caleb Boggs, running for a third term, faced off against future President Joe Biden, then a New Castle County Councilman. Though Boggs was expected to easily win a third term over the then-unknown Biden, it ended up being the closest Senate election in 1972, and Biden narrowly beat out Boggs by a little over three thousand votes, winning what would be his first of seven terms.

Boggs, a longtime Delaware political figure, was considering retirement which would likely have led to a primary campaign between two Republicans, U.S. Representative Pete du Pont and Wilmington Mayor Harry G. Haskell Jr. To avoid the anticipated divisive primary fight, U.S. President Richard M. Nixon helped convince Boggs to run again with full party support.

No other Democrat wanted to run against Boggs besides Biden.[6] Biden's campaign had virtually no money and was given no chance of winning.[7] It was managed by his sister Valerie Biden Owens (who would go on to manage his future campaigns as well) and staffed by other members of his family, and relied upon handed-out newsprint position papers.[8] Biden did receive some assistance from the AFL–CIO and Democratic pollster Patrick Caddell.[6] Biden's campaign issues focused on withdrawal from Vietnam, the environment, civil rights, mass transit, more equitable taxation, health care, the public's dissatisfaction with politics-as-usual, and "change".[6][8]

During the summer Biden trailed by almost 30 percentage points,[6] but his energetic campaign, his attractive young family, and his ability to connect with voters' emotions gave the surging Biden an advantage over the ready-to-retire Boggs.[9] Biden won the November 7, 1972, election in an upset by a margin of 3,162 votes.[8]

At the time of the election Biden was a little less than 30 years old; age 30 is a constitutional requirement for the U.S. Senate, and he reached that on November 20, in time for the Senate term beginning January 3. After his election he became the sixth-youngest senator in history.[10]

1972 U.S. Senate election in Delaware[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic | Joe Biden | 116,006  | 50.48  | +9.59%
| Republican | J. Caleb Boggs (Incumbent)  | 112,844  | 49.10  | −10.02%
| American | Henry Majka  | 803  | 0.35  |
| Prohibition | Herbert B. Wood  | 175  | 0.07  |
Majority | 3,162  | 1.38  | −16.86%
Turnout | 229,828  |  |
| Democratic gain from Republican

## Georgia

[edit]

Main article: 1972 United States Senate elections in Georgia

See also: List of United States senators from Georgia and 1972 United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia

Seven-term Democrat Richard Russell Jr. had served as U.S. senator since 1933, but he died January 21, 1971, while serving as President pro tempore. Russell supported segregation in the South and opposed Civil Rights legislation as was common among Southern Democrats of the time. Governor of Georgia Jimmy Carter appointed Democrat David H. Gambrell, the chair of the Georgia Democratic Party as interim senator, pending a special election.

### Georgia (special)

[edit]

Georgia special election

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Sam Nunn | Fletcher Thompson |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 404,890 | 362,501
Percentage  | 51.98% | 46.54%

* * *

Nunn:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >90%
Thompson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
No Vote:

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

David H. Gambrell
Democratic

| Elected U.S. senator

Sam Nunn
Democratic

|

Sam Nunn, a Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives, won both the special and the regular elections. Nunn beat Gambrell in the August 29 special and regular primary run-off elections[11] despite trailing Gambrell initially 31-23% in the first round of voting.

In the special election to fill the remainder of Russell's term, Nunn faced Republican congressman Fletcher Thompson. Nunn's campaign was noted to be more organized than was Thompson's. Nunn had support from numerous prominent Georgia Democrats, including Gambrell and Carter. Thompson's campaign was "almost literally a one-man effort", and he started the race with almost no footprint outside of his own district.[12] Thompson was endorsed by Barry Goldwater, James L. Buckley, and Spiro Agnew.[13]

On the day of the special election, Nunn defeated Thompson 52-47%. Though Thompson performed well in the Atlanta metro area, Nunn swept most rural counties en route to a victory.

Georgia special election[14] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Sam Nunn | 404,890  | 51.98
| Republican | Fletcher Thompson  | 362,501  | 46.54
| Independent | Alice Conner | 7,587  | 0.97
| Independent | George E. Schmidt | 3,932  | 0.51
Majority  | 42,389  | 7.94
Turnout |  | 25.69%
| Democratic hold

### Georgia (regular)

[edit]

Georgia regular election

* * *

← 1966

1978 →

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Sam Nunn | Fletcher Thompson |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 636,060 | 542,291
Percentage  | 53.96% | 46.01%

* * *

Nunn:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Thompson:      50–60%      60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

David H. Gambrell
Democratic

| Elected U.S. senator

Sam Nunn
Democratic

|

In the general election held later that year, Nunn again defeated Thompson this time by almost 8 percentage points. Nonetheless, this marked a turning point in Georgia electoral politics: Nunn became the first Democrat to win a Senate race in Georgia despite losing the white vote.[12] Nunn also proved to be more moderate than his predecessor Russell, voting in favor of abortion rights, gun control, affirmative action, and environmental regulations.

Nunn would be re-elected in 1978, 1984, and 1990 before retiring in 1997. This was the last time he won less than 79% of the vote in a U.S. Senate election. In 1996, he was succeeded by Democrat Max Cleland.

Georgia regular election[5][15] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Sam Nunn | 635,970  | 53.96
| Republican | Fletcher Thompson  | 542,331  | 46.01
| None  | Write-Ins  | 407  | 0.03
Majority  | 93,639  | 7.94
Turnout | 1,178,708  | 25.69%
| Democratic hold

## Idaho

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Idaho

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | James McClure | Bud Davis |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 161,804 | 140,915
Percentage  | 52.26% | 45.52%

* * *

County results
McClure:      50–60%      60–70%
Davis:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Leonard B. Jordan
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

James McClure
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Idaho

See also: List of United States senators from Idaho

The incumbent Republican Leonard B. Jordan retired, and was succeeded by James A. McClure.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Idaho[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | James A. McClure | 161,804  | 52.26
| Democratic | William E. Davis | 140,913  | 45.51
| American | Jean L. Stoddard  | 6,885  | 2.22
Majority  | 20,891  | 6.75
Turnout | 309,602  |
| Republican hold

## Illinois

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Illinois

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

Turnout| 51.24%
|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Charles Percy | Roman Pucinski |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 2,867,078 | 1,721,031
Percentage  | 62.21% | 37.35%

* * *

County Results
Percy:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Charles H. Percy
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Charles H. Percy
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Illinois

See also: List of United States senators from Illinois

Incumbent Republican Charles H. Percy sought re-election. Percy was opposed by: Democratic nominee Roman Pucinski, a Congressman from Illinois's 11th congressional district, Edward C. Gross (SL) and Arnold Becchetti (C). Percy handily won a second term.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Illinois[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Charles H. Percy (Incumbent)  | 2,867,078  | 61.21  | +7.27%
| Democratic | Roman Pucinski | 1,721,031  | 37.35  | −6.55%
| Socialist Labor | Edward C. Gross  | 13,384  | 0.29  |
| Communist | Arnold Becchetti  | 6,103  | 0.13  |
| Write-in  |  | 784  | 0.02  |
Majority | 1,146,047  | 24.87  | +13.82%
Turnout | 3,822,724  |  |
| Republican hold

## Iowa

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Iowa

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Dick Clark | Jack Miller |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 662,637 | 530,525
Percentage  | 55.07% | 44.09%

* * *

County results
Clark:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Miller:      50–60%      60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Jack Miller
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Dick Clark
Democratic

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Iowa

See also: List of United States senators from Iowa

The incumbent Republican Jack Miller was defeated by Dick Clark.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Iowa[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Dick Clark | 662,637  | 55.07
| Republican | Jack Miller (Incumbent)  | 530,525  | 44.09
| American | William A. Rocap Jr.  | 8,954  | 0.74
| By Petition  | Fred Richard Benton  | 1,203  | 0.10
| None  | Scattering  | 14  | 0.00
Majority  | 132,112  | 10.98
Turnout | 1,203,333  |
| Democratic gain from Republican

## Kansas

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Kansas

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | James B. Pearson | Archibald O. Tetzlaff  |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 622,591 | 200,764
Percentage  | 71.42% | 23.03%

* * *

County results
Pearson:      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

James B. Pearson
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

James B. Pearson
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Kansas

See also: List of United States senators from Kansas

The incumbent Republican James B. Pearson was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Kansas[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | James B. Pearson (Incumbent)  | 622,591  | 71.42
| Democratic | Archibald O. Tetzlaff  | 200,764  | 23.03
| Conservative | Gene F. Miller  | 35,510  | 4.07
| Prohibition | Howard Hadin  | 12,857  | 1.47
Majority  | 421,827  | 48.39
Turnout | 871,722  |
| Republican hold

## Kentucky

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Kentucky

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Walter Huddleston | Louie Nunn |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 528,550 | 494,337
Percentage  | 50.93% | 47.63%

* * *

County results
Huddleston:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Nunn:      50-60%      60-70%      70–80%      80–90%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

John Sherman Cooper
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Walter Huddleston
Democratic

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Kentucky

See also: List of United States senators from Kentucky

The incumbent Republican John Sherman Cooper retired, and was succeeded by Democrat Walter Dee Huddleston.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Kentucky[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Walter D. Huddleston | 528,550  | 50.93
| Republican | Louie B. Nunn | 494,337  | 47.63
| American | Helen Breeden  | 8,707  | 0.84
| Populist | William E. Bartley Jr.  | 6,267  | 0.60
Majority  | 34,223  | 3.30
Turnout | 1,037,861  |
| Democratic gain from Republican

## Louisiana

[edit]

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Louisiana

See also: List of United States senators from Louisiana

In the midst of his campaign for a seventh term, Allen J. Ellender, the President Pro Tempore and chairman of the Appropriations Committee, suffered a fatal heart attack on July 27, 23 days prior to the Democratic primary. Ellender, first elected in 1936 as the permanent successor to the assassinated Huey P. Long, was slated to face former state senator and 1971 gubernatorial candidate J. Bennett Johnston and minor candidate Frank Allen in the primary.

Governor Edwin Washington Edwards, who defeated Johnston by less than 4,500 votes in the 1971 Democratic runoff, nominated his wife, Elaine Edwards, to fill the remainder of Ellender's term, with the agreement Mrs. Edwards would resign immediately following the general election to allow the winner to gain seniority over other new senators.

On the same day as Edwards' inauguration on Capitol Hill, the Louisiana Democratic Party rejected a challenge by former Governor John McKeithen to reopen qualifying following Ellender's death, ordering the primary to be held August 19 as scheduled, ignoring an opinion to the contrary by Louisiana Attorney General William J. Guste Jr. Ellender's name was not removed from the ballot and he received 10 percent of the primary vote as a tribute. McKeithen, whose eight-year gubernatorial tenure ended May 9, 1972, ran as an independent with support of the Ellender family, incensed by Johnston's primary challenge.

Johnston easily won the Democratic primary, nullifying the need for a September 30 runoff. In the general election, the Shreveport native trounced McKeithen by 32 points to win the first of his four terms. He was sworn in on November 13, 1972.

Louisiana election

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |  |

|
|
|

Nominee  | J. Bennett Johnston | John McKeithen | Ben Toledano
Party  | Democratic | Independent | Republican
Popular vote  | 598,987 | 250,161  | 206,846
Percentage  | 55.21% | 23.06%  | 19.07%

* * *

Parish Results
Johnston:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
McKeithen:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Elaine Edwards
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

J. Bennett Johnston
Democratic

|

1972 U.S. Senate election in Louisiana[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | J. Bennett Johnston | 598,987  | 55.21
| Independent | John McKeithen | 250,161  | 23.06
| Republican | Ben C. Toledano  | 206,846  | 19.07
| American | Hall M. Lyons  | 28,910  | 2.66
Majority  | 348,826  | 32.15
Turnout | 1,084,904  |
| Democratic hold

## Maine

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Maine

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | William Hathaway | Margaret Chase Smith |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 224,270 | 197,040
Percentage  | 53.2% | 46.8%

* * *

County Results
Hathaway:      50–60%      60–70%
Smith:      50–60%      60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Margaret Chase Smith
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

William Hathaway
Democratic

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Maine

See also: List of United States senators from Maine

Incumbent Republican Margaret Chase Smith ran for re-election to a fifth term, but was defeated by Democrat William Hathaway, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine's 2nd congressional district.

General election results[16] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | William Hathaway | 224,270  | 53.23
| Republican | Margaret Chase Smith (Incumbent)  | 197,040  | 46.77
Majority  | 27,230  | 6.46
Turnout | 421,310  |
| Democratic gain from Republican

## Massachusetts

[edit]

Massachusetts election

* * *

← 1966

1978 →

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Edward Brooke | John J. Droney  |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 1,505,932 | 823,278
Percentage  | 63.53% | 34.73%

* * *

County results

Municipality results

Brooke

40–50%

50–60%

60–70%

70–80%

80–90%

90–100%

Droney

40–50%

50–60%

|

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Edward Brooke
Republican

| Elected U.S. senator

Edward Brooke
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

See also: List of United States senators from Massachusetts

Incumbent Republican Edward Brooke, first elected in 1966 as the first African-American elected to the Senate by popular vote,[17] defeated his challengers, among them: John J. Droney, the Middlesex County District Attorney.[18]

Democratic Primary  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | John J. Droney | 215,523  | 45.05
| Democratic | Gerald O'Leary | 169,876  | 35.51
| Democratic | John P. Lynch | 92,979  | 19.43
General election[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Edward Brooke (Incumbent)  | 1,505,932  | 63.53
| Democratic | John J. Droney  | 823,278  | 34.73
| Socialist Workers | Donald Gurewitz  | 41,369  | 1.75
| None  | Scattering  | 97  | 0.00
Majority  | 682,654  | 28.80
Turnout | 2,370,676  |
| Republican hold

## Michigan

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Michigan

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Robert P. Griffin | Frank J. Kelley |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 1,781,065 | 1,577,178
Percentage  | 52.28% | 46.29%

* * *

County Results
Griffin:
50-60%      60-70%      70-80%
Kelley:      50–60%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Robert P. Griffin
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Robert P. Griffin
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Michigan

See also: List of United States senators from Michigan

The incumbent Republican Robert P. Griffin was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Michigan[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Robert P. Griffin (Incumbent)  | 1,781,065  | 52.28
| Democratic | Frank J. Kelley | 1,577,178  | 46.29
| American Independent | Patrick Dillinger  | 23,121  | 0.68
| Human Rights  | Barbara Halpert  | 19,118  | 0.56
| Socialist Workers | Linda Nordquist  | 2,389  | 0.07
| Socialist Labor | James Sim  | 2,217  | 0.06
| Communist | Thomas D. Dennis Jr.  | 1,908  | 0.06
Majority  | 203,887  | 5.99
Turnout | 3,406,906  |
| Republican hold

## Minnesota

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Minnesota

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Walter Mondale | Phil Hansen  |
Party  | Democratic (DFL) | Republican
Popular vote  | 981,320 | 742,121
Percentage  | 56.67% | 42.86%

* * *

County results
Mondale:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Hansen:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Walter Mondale
Democratic (DFL)

| Elected U.S. Senator

Walter Mondale
Democratic (DFL)

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Minnesota

See also: List of United States senators from Minnesota

Incumbent Democrat Walter Mondale, who was originally appointed in 1964 (to fill the vacancy created when Hubert Humphrey was elected to the office of Vice President) and elected to a full term in 1966, defeated Republican challenger Phil Hansen.

Democratic primary election results[20][21] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic (DFL) | Walter F. Mondale (Incumbent)  | 230,679  | 89.88
| Democratic (DFL) | Tom Griffin  | 11,266  | 4.39
| Democratic (DFL) | Richard "Dick" Leaf  | 7,750  | 3.02
| Democratic (DFL) | Ralph E. Franklin  | 6,946  | 2.71
Republican primary election results[20] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Phil Hansen  | 165,093  | 100.00
General election results[22] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic (DFL) | Walter F. Mondale (Incumbent)  | 981,320  | 56.67
| Republican | Phil Hansen  | 742,121  | 42.86
| Industrial Government | Karl H. Heck  | 8,192  | 0.47
Majority  | 239,199  | 13.81
Turnout | 1,731,633  |
| Democratic (DFL) hold

## Mississippi

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Mississippi

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | James Eastland | Gil Carmichael |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 375,102 | 249,779
Percentage  | 58.1% | 38.7%

* * *

County results
Eastland:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%
Carmichael:      40-50%      50-60%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

James Eastland
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

James Eastland
Democratic

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Mississippi

See also: List of United States senators from Mississippi

The incumbent Democrat James Eastland was re-elected.

General election results[23] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | James Eastland (Incumbent)  | 375,102  | 58.09
| Republican | Gil Carmichael  | 249,779  | 38.68
| Independent | Prentiss Walker | 14,662  | 2.27
| Independent | C. L. McKinley  | 6,203  | 0.96
Majority  | 126,323  | 19.41
Turnout | 645,746  |
| Democratic hold

## Montana

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Montana

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Lee Metcalf | Hank Hibbard  |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 163,609 | 151,316
Percentage  | 51.95% | 48.05%

* * *

County results
Metcalf:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Hibbard:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Lee Metcalf
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

Lee Metcalf
Democratic

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Montana

See also: List of United States senators from Montana

Incumbent Democrat Lee Metcalf, who was first elected to the Senate in 1960 and was re-elected in 1966, ran for re-election. After winning the Democratic primary, he moved on to the general election, where he faced Hank Hibbard, a State senator and the Republican nominee. Following a close campaign, Metcalf managed to narrowly win re-election to his third term in the Senate over Hibbard.

Democratic Party primary results[24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Lee Metcalf (Incumbent)  | 106,491  | 86.42
| Democratic | Jerome Peters  | 16,729  | 13.58
Total votes | 123,220  | 100.00
Republican Primary results[24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Hank Hibbard State senator | 43,028  | 49.70
| Republican | Harold E. Wallace | 26,463  | 30.57
| Republican | Norman C. Wheeler  | 13,826  | 15.97
| Republican | Merrill K. Riddick | 3,259  | 3.76
Total votes | 86,576  | 100.00
1972 U.S. Senate election in Montana[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic | Lee Metcalf (Incumbent)  | 163,609  | 51.95  | −1.22%
| Republican | Hank Hibbard  | 151,316  | 48.05  | +1.22%
Majority | 12,293  | 3.90  | −2.43%
Turnout | 314,925  |  |
| Democratic hold

## Nebraska

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Nebraska

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Carl Curtis | Terry Carpenter |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 301,841 | 265,922
Percentage  | 53.16% | 46.84%

* * *

County results
Curtis:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Carpenter:      50–60%      60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Carl Curtis
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Carl Curtis
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Nebraska

See also: List of United States senators from Nebraska

Incumbent Republican Carl Curtis won re-election over former congressman Terry Carpenter.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Nebraska[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Carl Curtis (Incumbent)  | 301,841  | 53.16  | −7.88%
| Democratic | Terry Carpenter | 265,922  | 46.84  | +8.09%
Majority | 35,919  | 6.33  | −15.97%
Turnout | 567,763  |  |
| Republican hold

## New Hampshire

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Thomas J. McIntyre | Wesley Powell |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 184,495 | 139,852
Percentage  | 56.88% | 43.12%

* * *

County results

Municipality results

McIntyre:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      90-100%
Powell:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90-100%
No Data/Vote:

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Thomas J. McIntyre
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

Thomas J. McIntyre
Democratic

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

See also: List of United States senators from New Hampshire

The incumbent Democratic Senator Thomas J. McIntyre was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in New Hampshire[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Thomas J. McIntyre (Incumbent)  | 184,495  | 56.88
| Republican | Wesley Powell | 139,852  | 43.12
| None  | Scattering  | 7  | 0.00
Majority  | 44,643  | 13.76
Turnout | 324,354  |
| Democratic hold

## New Jersey

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in New Jersey

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Clifford P. Case | Paul J. Krebs |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 1,743,854 | 963,573
Percentage  | 62.46% | 34.51%

* * *

County results
Case:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Clifford P. Case
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Clifford P. Case
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in New Jersey

See also: List of United States senators from New Jersey

The incumbent Republican Clifford P. Case was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in New Jersey[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Clifford P. Case (Incumbent)  | 1,743,854  | 62.46
| Democratic | Paul J. Krebs | 963,753  | 34.52
| American | A. Howard Freund  | 40,980  | 1.47
| Concerned Voter's Voice  | Charles W. Wiley  | 33,442  | 1.20
| Socialist Labor | Julius Levin | 10,058  | 0.36
Majority  | 780,101  | 27.94
Turnout | 2,792,087  |
| Republican hold

## New Mexico

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in New Mexico

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Pete Domenici | Jack Daniels |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 204,253 | 173,815
Percentage  | 54.0% | 46.0%

* * *

County results
Domenici:      50–60%      60–70%
Daniels:      50–60%      60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Clinton Anderson
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

Pete Domenici
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in New Mexico

See also: List of United States senators from New Mexico

The incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Clinton Presba Anderson retired, and was succeeded by Republican Pete Domenici.

1972 U.S. Senate election in New Mexico[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Pete Domenici | 204,253  | 54.03
| Democratic | Jack Daniels | 173,815  | 45.97
Majority  | 30,438  | 8.06
Turnout | 378,068  |
| Republican gain from Democratic

## North Carolina

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in North Carolina

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Jesse Helms | Nick Galifianakis |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 795,247 | 677,293
Percentage  | 54.0% | 46.0%

* * *

County results
Helms:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Galifianakis:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

B. Everett Jordan
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

Jesse Helms
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in North Carolina

See also: List of United States senators from North Carolina

The incumbent Democratic senator B. Everett Jordan was defeated in the primary by Nick Galifianakis. Galifianakis went on to lose the election to Jesse Helms, making Helms the first Republican Senator from the state in the 20th century.

1972 Democratic Senate primary  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Nick Galifianakis | 377,993  | 49.25%
| Democratic | B. Everett Jordan (incumbent)  | 340,391  | 44.35%
| Democratic | J. R. Brown  | 27,009  | 3.52%
| Democratic | Eugene Grace  | 22,156  | 2.89%
Total votes | 767,549  | 100.00%
1972 Democratic Senate runoff  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic | Nick Galifianakis | 338,558  | 55.82%  | 6.57
| Democratic | B. Everett Jordan (incumbent)  | 267,997  | 44.18%  | 0.17
Total votes  | 606,555  | 100.00%  |
1972 Republican Senate primary  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Jesse Helms | 92,496  | 60.13%
| Republican | James Johnson  | 45,303  | 29.45%
| Republican | William Booe  | 16,032  | 10.42%
Total votes | 153,831  | 100.00%
1972 U.S. Senate election in North Carolina[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Jesse Helms | 795,248  | 54.01
| Democratic | Nick Galifianakis | 677,293  | 45.99
Majority  | 117,955  | 8.02
Turnout | 1,472,541  |
| Republican gain from Democratic

## Oklahoma

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Dewey F. Bartlett | Ed Edmondson |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 516,934 | 478,212
Percentage  | 51.43% | 47.58%

* * *

County results
Bartlett:      50–60%      60–70%
Edmondson:      50–60%      60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Fred R. Harris
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

Dewey F. Bartlett
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

See also: List of United States senators from Oklahoma

The incumbent Democratic Senator Fred R. Harris retired, and was succeeded by Republican Dewey F. Bartlett.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Oklahoma[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Dewey F. Bartlett | 516,934  | 51.43
| Democratic | Ed Edmondson | 478,212  | 47.58
| American | William G. Roach  | 5,769  | 0.57
| Independent | Joe C. Phillips  | 2,264  | 0.23
| Independent | Paul E. Trent  | 1,969  | 0.20
Majority  | 38,722  | 3.85
Turnout | 1,005,148  |
| Republican gain from Democratic

## Oregon

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Oregon

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Mark Hatfield | Wayne Morse |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 494,671 | 425,036
Percentage  | 53.72% | 46.16%

* * *

County results
Hatfield:      50-60%      60-70%
Morse:      50–60%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Mark Hatfield
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Mark Hatfield
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Oregon

See also: List of United States senators from Oregon

The incumbent Republican Mark Hatfield was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Oregon[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Mark Hatfield (Incumbent)  | 494,671  | 53.72
| Democratic | Wayne Morse | 425,036  | 46.16
| None  | Write-Ins  | 1,126  | 0.12
Majority  | 69,635  | 7.56
Turnout | 920,833  |
| Republican hold

## Rhode Island

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Rhode Island

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Claiborne Pell | John Chafee |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 221,942 | 188,990
Percentage  | 53.7% | 45.7%

* * *

County results

Municipality results

Pell:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Chafee:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Claiborne Pell
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

Claiborne Pell
Democratic

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Rhode Island

See also: List of United States senators from Rhode Island

The incumbent Democratic Senator Claiborne Pell was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Rhode Island[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Claiborne Pell (Incumbent)  | 221,942  | 53.68
| Republican | John Chafee | 188,990  | 45.71
| Independent | John Quattrocchi  | 2,041  | 0.49
| Socialist Workers | Patrick M. DeTemple  | 458  | 0.11
Majority  | 32,952  | 7.97
Turnout | 413,431  |
| Democratic hold

## South Carolina

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in South Carolina

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Strom Thurmond | Eugene N. Zeigler  |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 415,806 | 241,056
Percentage  | 63.3% | 36.7%

* * *

County results

Thurmond:      50-59%      60-69%      70-79%

Zeigler:      50-59%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Strom Thurmond
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Strom Thurmond
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in South Carolina

See also: List of United States senators from South Carolina

The incumbent Republican Strom Thurmond was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in South Carolina[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Strom Thurmond (Incumbent)  | 415,806  | 63.29
| Democratic | Eugene N. Zeigler  | 241,056  | 36.69
| None  | Write-Ins  | 172  | 0.03
Majority  | 174,750  | 27.60
Turnout | 657,034  |
| Republican hold

## South Dakota

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in South Dakota

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | James Abourezk | Robert W. Hirsch  |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 174,773 | 131,613
Percentage  | 57.04% | 42.96%

* * *

County results
Abourezk:      50–60%      60–70%      80–90%
Hirsch:      50–60%      70–80%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Karl E. Mundt
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

James Abourezk
Democratic

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in South Dakota

See also: List of United States senators from South Dakota

The incumbent Republican Karl E. Mundt retired, and was succeeded by James Abourezk.

1972 U.S. Senate election in South Dakota[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | James Abourezk | 174,773  | 57.04
| Republican | Robert W. Hirsch  | 131,613  | 42.96
Majority  | 43,160  | 14.08
Turnout | 306,386  |
| Democratic gain from Republican

## Tennessee

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Tennessee

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Howard Baker | Ray Blanton |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 716,539 | 440,599
Percentage  | 61.5% | 37.8%

* * *

County results
Baker:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Blanton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

* * *

| Senator before election

Howard Baker
Republican

| Elected Senator

Howard Baker
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Tennessee

See also: List of United States senators from Tennessee

One-term Republican Howard Baker was re-elected. He defeated Democrat Ray Blanton.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Tennessee[25] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Republican | Howard Baker (Incumbent)  | 716,539  | 61.55  | +5.85%
| Democratic | Ray Blanton | 440,599  | 37.85  | +6.46%
| Independent | Dan East  | 7,026  | 0.60  | n/a
| None  | Write-Ins  | 31  | 0.00  | n/a
Majority | 275,940  | 23.70  | +12.30%
Turnout | 1,164,195  |  |
| Republican hold

## Texas

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Texas

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | John Tower | Barefoot Sanders |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 1,822,877 | 1,511,985
Percentage  | 53.4% | 44.3%

* * *

County results

Tower:      40–50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Sanders:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
70–80%      80–90%
Amaya:      40–30%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

John Tower
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

John Tower
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Texas

See also: List of United States senators from Texas

Incumbent Republican John Tower was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Texas[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | John Tower (Incumbent)  | 1,822,877  | 53.40
| Democratic | Barefoot Sanders  | 1,511,985  | 44.29
| Raza Unida | Flores N. Amaya  | 63,543  | 1.86
| Socialist Workers | Tom Leonard  | 14,464  | 0.42
| Write-in  | Write-Ins  | 1,034  | 0.03
Majority  | 310,892  | 9.11
Turnout | 3,413,903  |
| Republican hold

## Vermont (special)

[edit]

1972 United States Senate special election in Vermont

* * *

| ← 1970 | January 7, 1972 (1972-01-07) | 1976 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Robert Stafford | Randolph Major  |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 45,888 | 23,842
Percentage  | 64.4% | 33.4%

* * *

County results
Stafford:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Robert Stafford
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Robert Stafford
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate special election in Vermont

See also: List of United States senators from Vermont

The special election was held January 7, 1972. Incumbent Republican Robert Stafford, appointed in September 1971 to fill the vacancy created by the death of Winston L. Prouty, successfully ran for re-election to the remainder of Prouty's term. Stafford defeated Democratic candidate Randolph T. Major. Bernie Sanders, the Liberty Union candidate,[26] was later elected to this seat in 2006, serving as an Independent.

1972 U.S. Senate special election in Vermont[2] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Robert Stafford (Incumbent)  | 45,888  | 64.36
| Democratic | Randolph T. Major  | 23,842  | 33.44
| Liberty Union | Bernie Sanders | 1,571  | 2.20
Majority  | 22,046  |
Turnout | 71,301  | 30.92
| Republican hold

## Virginia

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Virginia

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

Turnout| 44.7%[27]
|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | William L. Scott | William Spong, Jr. |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 718,337 | 643,963
Percentage  | 51.5% | 46.1%

* * *

County and independent city results
Scott:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Spong:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

William B. Spong, Jr.
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

William Lloyd Scott
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Virginia

See also: List of United States senators from Virginia

The incumbent Democratic senator William B. Spong Jr. was defeated by Republican William L. Scott, making Scott the first Republican Senator from the state since John F. Lewis in 1870.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Virginia[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | William L. Scott | 718,337  | 51.45
| Democratic | William B. Spong Jr. (Incumbent)  | 643,963  | 46.12
| Independent | Horace E. Henderson  | 33,912  | 2.43
| None  | Scattering  | 56  | 0.00
Majority  | 74,374  | 5.33
Turnout | 1,396,268  |
| Republican gain from Democratic

## West Virginia

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in West Virginia

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Jennings Randolph | Louise Leonard  |
Party  | Democratic | Republican
Popular vote  | 486,310 | 245,531
Percentage  | 66.5% | 33.5%

* * *

County results
Randolph:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Leonard:      50–60%      60–70%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Jennings Randolph
Democratic

| Elected U.S. Senator

Jennings Randolph
Democratic

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in West Virginia

See also: List of United States senators from West Virginia

The incumbent Democratic Senator Jennings Randolph was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in West Virginia[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Democratic | Jennings Randolph (Incumbent)  | 486,310  | 66.45
| Republican | Louise Leonard  | 245,531  | 33.55
Majority  | 240,779  | 32.90
Turnout | 731,841  |
| Democratic hold

## Wyoming

[edit]

1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming

* * *

| ← 1966 | November 7, 1972 | 1978 →

|
|

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Clifford Hansen | Mike Vinich  |
Party  | Republican | Democratic
Popular vote  | 101,314 | 40,753
Percentage  | 71.31% | 28.69%

* * *

County results
Hansen:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

* * *

| U.S. senator before election

Clifford Hansen
Republican

| Elected U.S. Senator

Clifford Hansen
Republican

|

Main article: 1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming

See also: List of United States senators from Wyoming

Incumbent Republican Clifford Hansen was re-elected.

1972 U.S. Senate election in Wyoming[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Republican | Clifford Hansen (Incumbent)  | 101,314  | 71.31
| Democratic | Mike Vinch  | 40,753  | 28.69
Majority  | 60,561  | 42.62
Turnout | 142,067  |
| Republican hold

## See also

[edit]

* 1972 United States elections
* 1972 United States gubernatorial elections
* 1972 United States presidential election
* 1972 United States House of Representatives elections
* 92nd United States Congress
* 93rd United States Congress

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Senator Strom Thurmond was originally elected as a Democrat in 1954, but as a write-in candidate, a special election in 1956 and 1960 before switching to a Republican in 1964. Thurmond won re-election as a Republican in 1966.
2. ^ Georgia was the "tipping-point state".

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Harry F. Byrd, Jr. (VA), was an Independent who caucused with the Democrats. In some circles, he is called an "Independent Democrat", but his actual registration was listed as "Independent". See, e. g., United States Congress. "Harry Flood Byrd, Jr. (id: B001209)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
2. ^ a b "General Election Results - U.S. Senator - 1914-2014" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
3. ^ a b "GA US Senate - Special Election" – via OurCampaigns.com.
4. ^ Hathorn, Billy (1994). A Dozen Years in the Political Wilderness: The Alabama Republican Party, 1966–1978. Gulf Coast Historical Review, Vol. 9, No. 2. pp. 33–34.
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 7, 1972" (PDF). United States Government Printing Office. Retrieved April 4, 2015 – via Clerk.house.gov.
6. ^ a b c d Moritz, Charles, ed. (1987). Current Biography Yearbook 1987. New York: H. W. Wilson Company., p. 43.
7. ^ Broder, John M. (October 23, 2008). "Father's Tough Life an Inspiration for Biden". The New York Times. Retrieved October 24, 2008.
8. ^ a b c Naylor, Brian (October 8, 2007). "Biden's Road to Senate Took Tragic Turn". NPR. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
9. ^ Barone, Michael; Cohen, Richard E. (2008). The Almanac of American Politics. Washington: National Journal Group. ISBN 978-0-89234-117-7., p. 364.
10. ^ "Youngest Senator". United States Senate Historical Office – via senate.gov.
11. ^ "Our Campaigns - GA US Senate - D Runoff Race - Aug 29, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.
12. ^ a b Black, Earl; Black, Merle (June 30, 2009). The Rise of Southern Republicans. Harvard University Press. pp. 120–122\. ISBN 9780674020986.
13. ^ Hemphill, John (November 8, 1972). "Nunn, a Conservative Democrat, Defeats Rep. Thompson in Georgia Contest for Senate Seat". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
14. ^ "Our Campaigns - GA US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 07, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.
15. ^ "Our Campaigns - GA US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.
16. ^ "Our Campaigns - ME US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.
17. ^ Edward Brooke at ourcampaigns.com
18. ^ John Droney at ourcampaigns.com
19. ^ Massachusetts race details at ourcampaigns.com
20. ^ a b "Minnesota Legislative Manual: Primary Election Returns September 12, 1972" (PDF). Minnesota Legislature. 1973–1974. pp. 510 & 511.
21. ^ "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate- D Primary Race - Sep 12, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.
22. ^ "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.
23. ^ "Our Campaigns - MS US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.
24. ^ a b "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana and of the Vote Cast at the Separate Election for Ratification or Rejection of the Proposed Constitution, June 6, 1972" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 15, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
25. ^ Cook, Rhodes (October 26, 2017). America Votes 32: 2015–2016, Election Returns by State. ISBN 9781506368993.
26. ^ McCullum, April (May 21, 2015). "McKibben to speak at Sanders kickoff". USA Today. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
27. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 7, 2013.

## External links

[edit]

* Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 7, 1972" (PDF). United States Government Printing Office. Retrieved April 4, 2015 – via Clerk.house.gov.

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* 1921
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* 1949
* 1957
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* 1974–75
* 1983
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* 2013
* 2017
* 2020–21
* List of all specials

Elections by state|

* Alabama
* Alaska
* Arizona
* Arkansas
* California
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Delaware
* District of Columbia
* Florida
* Georgia
* Hawaii
* Idaho
* Illinois
* Indiana
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Maine
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Mississippi
* Missouri
* Montana
* Nebraska
* Nevada
* New Hampshire
* New Jersey
* New Mexico
* New York
* North Carolina
* North Dakota
* Ohio
* Oklahoma
* Oregon
* Pennsylvania
* Rhode Island
* South Carolina
* South Dakota
* Tennessee
* Texas
* Utah
* Vermont
* Virginia
* Washington
* West Virginia
* Wisconsin
* Wyoming

* Special elections
* Election disputes
* Results by state
* List of US elections
* House elections
* Presidential elections
* Gubernatorial elections

* v
* t
* e

(1970 ←)   1972 United States elections   (→ 1974)

President|

* 1972 United States presidential election
* Democratic primaries
* Republican primaries
* Democratic convention
* Republican convention

U.S.
Senate|

* Alabama
* Alaska
* Arkansas
* Colorado
* Delaware
* Georgia
* Georgia (special)
* Idaho
* Illinois
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Maine
* Massachusetts
* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Mississippi
* Montana
* Nebraska
* New Hampshire
* New Jersey
* New Mexico
* North Carolina
* Oklahoma
* Oregon
* Rhode Island
* South Carolina
* South Dakota
* Tennessee
* Texas
* Vermont (special)
* Virginia
* West Virginia
* Wyoming

U.S.
House|

* Alabama
* Alaska
* Arkansas
* Arizona
* California
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Delaware
* District of Columbia
* Florida
* Georgia
* Hawaii
* Idaho
* Illinois
* Indiana
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Maine
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Mississippi
* Missouri
* Montana
* Nebraska
* Nevada
* New Hampshire
* New Jersey
* New Mexico
* New York
* North Carolina
* North Dakota
* Ohio
* Oklahoma
* Oregon
* Pennsylvania
* Rhode Island
* South Carolina
* South Dakota
* Tennessee
* Texas
* Utah
* Vermont
* Virginia
* Washington
* West Virginia
* Wisconsin
* Wyoming

State
governors|

* Arkansas
* Delaware
* Illinois
* Indiana
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Louisiana
* Missouri
* Lt. Gov
* Montana
* New Hampshire
* North Carolina
* Lt. Gov
* North Dakota
* Rhode Island
* South Dakota
* Texas
* Utah
* Vermont
* Washington
* West Virginia

State
legislatures|

* Arizona
* Arizona House
* Arizona Senate
* Iowa Senate

*[Ala.]: Alabama
*[Ark.]: Arkansas
*[Ga. (sp)]: Georgia (special)
*[Ga. (reg)]: Georgia (Regular)
*[La.]: Louisiana
*[Minn.]: Minnesota
*[Miss.]: Mississippi
*[Mont.]: Montana
*[N.H.]: New Hampshire
*[N.M.]: New Mexico
*[N.C.]: North Carolina
*[Okla.]: Oklahoma
*[S.D.]: South Dakota
*[Tenn.]: Tennessee
*[Wyo.]: Wyoming
*[W.Va.]: West Virginia
*[Va.]: Virginia
*[R.I.]: Rhode Island
*[S.C.]: South Carolina
*[Ore.]: Oregon
*[N.J.]: New Jersey
*[Neb.]: Nebraska
*[Mich.]: Michigan
*[Mass.]: Massachusetts
*[Ky.]: Kentucky
*[Kan.]: Kansas
*[Colo.]: Colorado
*[Del.]: Delaware
*[Ill.]: Illinois
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