1974 United States Senate elections

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox election The 1974 United States Senate elections were held on November 5, with the 34 seats of Class 3 contested in regular elections. They occurred in the wake of the Watergate scandal, Richard M. Nixon's resignation from the presidency, and Gerald Ford's subsequent pardon of Nixon. Economic issues, specifically inflation and stagnation, were also a factor that contributed to Republican losses.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As an immediate result of the November 1974 elections, Democrats made a net gain of three seats from the Republicans, as they defeated Republican incumbents in Colorado and Kentucky and picked up open seats in Florida and Vermont, while Republicans won the open seat in Nevada. Following the elections, at the beginning of the 94th U.S. Congress, the Democratic caucus controlled 60 seats (as well as one independent), and the Republican caucus controlled 38 seats (as well as one Conservative).

Democrats gained an additional seat, bringing the net pick-up to four seats, in 1975, when Democrat John A. Durkin won a disputed election in New Hampshire that was unintentionally held after the 1974 election resulted in two recounts and an extended dispute in the Senate. Durkin's Senate term began in September 1975, following his victory in that election. Template:As of, this is the most recent election in which a Democrat has been elected Senator from Idaho.

Several other Republican incumbents won very close races; Milton Young of North Dakota won reelection against Democrat William L. Guy by only 186 votes and Henry Bellmon of Oklahoma won reelection against Democrat Ed Edmondson by half a percent of the vote. Bob Dole of Kansas survived the closest election of his career against Democratic Rep. William Roy, a race undoubtedly made close due to Dole's close association with Nixon as chairman of the Republican National Committee. It was the closest the Democrats have come to winning a Senate election in Kansas since George McGill won re-election in 1932.

Results summary

style="background:Template:Party color; width:61%" | 61 style="background:Template:Party color; width:1%" | 1 style="background:Template:Party color; width:1%" | 1 style="background:Template:Party color; width:37%" | 37
Democratic I C Republican
Parties style="background-color:Template:Party color" | style="background-color:Template:Party color" | style="background-color:Template:Party color" | style="background-color:Template:Party color" | style="background-color:Template:Party color" | Total
Democratic Republican Conservative Independent Other
Last elections (1972) Template:Party shading/Democratic | 56 42 1 1 0 100
Before these elections Template:Party shading/Democratic | 57 41 1 1 0 100
Not up Template:Party shading/Democratic | 41 23 1 1 66
Up
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic | 20 14 0 0 34
Incumbent retired 3 Template:Party shading/Republican | 4 7
Template:Small Template:Party shading/Democratic | 2 1 3
Template:Small colspan=2 Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Decrease 3 Republicans replaced by Template:Increase 3 DemocratsTemplate:Efn
Template:Decrease 1 Democrat replaced by Template:Increase 1 Republican
4
Result Template:Party shading/Democratic | 5 2 0 0 0 7
Incumbent ran Template:Party shading/Democratic | 17Template:Efn 10 27
Template:Small Template:Party shading/Democratic | 15 8 23
Template:Small colspan=2 Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Decrease 2 Republicans replaced by Template:Increase 2 Democrats 2
Template:Small Template:Party shading/Democratic | 2 0 2
Result Template:Party shading/Democratic | 19 8 0 0 0 27
Total elected Template:Party shading/Democratic | 24 10 0 0 0 34
Net gain/loss Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Increase 4 Template:Decrease 4 Template:Steady Template:Steady Template:Steady 4
Nationwide vote Template:Party shading/Democratic | 22,544,761 16,145,793Template:Efn 822,584 199,108 1,098,146 40,810,392
Share Template:Party shading/Democratic | 55.24% 39.56% 2.02% 0.49% 2.69% 100%
Result Template:Party shading/Democratic | 61 37 1 1 0 100

Source: Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives<ref name="Clerk"/>

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

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

State Senator Replaced by
Florida Template:Party shading/Republican | Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Sortname
Iowa Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Sortname
Nevada Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Template:Sortname
New Hampshire (later voided) Template:Party shading/Republican | Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Template:Sortname
North Carolina Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Sortname
Utah Template:Party shading/Republican | Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Template:Sortname
Vermont Template:Party shading/Republican | Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Sortname

Defeats

Two Republicans and two Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.

State Senator Replaced by
Arkansas Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Sortname
Colorado Template:Party shading/Republican | Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Sortname
Kentucky Template:Party shading/Republican | Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Sortname
Ohio Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Sortname

Post-election changes

One Republican appointee did not seek to finish the term following the contested election and one Democrat was elected on September 16, 1975.

State Senator Replaced by
New Hampshire
(Class 3)
Template:Party shading/Republican | Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Template:Sortname

Change in composition

Before the elections

After the January 4, 1974 appointment in Ohio.

Template:Party shading/Democratic | D1 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D2 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D3 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D4 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D5 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D6 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D7 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D8 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D9 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D10
width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D20 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D19 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D18 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D17 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D16 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D15 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D14 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D13 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D12 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D11
Template:Party shading/Democratic | D21 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D22 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D23 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D24 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D25 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D26 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D27 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D28 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D29 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D30
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D40
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D39
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D38
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic | D37 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D36 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D35 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D34 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D33 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D32 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D31
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D41
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D42
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D43
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D44
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D45
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D46
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D47
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D48
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D49
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D50
Template:Small
Template:Small
Majority → rowspan=2 Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D51
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R41
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Conservative (New York) | C1 Template:Party shading/Independent | I1 Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D57
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D56
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D55
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D54
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D53
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D52
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R40
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R39
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R38
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R37
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R36
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R35
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R34
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R33
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R32
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R31
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican | R21 Template:Party shading/Republican | R22 Template:Party shading/Republican | R23 Template:Party shading/Republican | R24 Template:Party shading/Republican | R25 Template:Party shading/Republican | R26 Template:Party shading/Republican | R27 Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R28
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R29
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R30
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican | R20 Template:Party shading/Republican | R19 Template:Party shading/Republican | R18 Template:Party shading/Republican | R17 Template:Party shading/Republican | R16 Template:Party shading/Republican | R15 Template:Party shading/Republican | R14 Template:Party shading/Republican | R13 Template:Party shading/Republican | R12 Template:Party shading/Republican | R11
Template:Party shading/Republican | R1 Template:Party shading/Republican | R2 Template:Party shading/Republican | R3 Template:Party shading/Republican | R4 Template:Party shading/Republican | R5 Template:Party shading/Republican | R6 Template:Party shading/Republican | R7 Template:Party shading/Republican | R8 Template:Party shading/Republican | R9 Template:Party shading/Republican | R10

After the general elections

Template:Party shading/Democratic | D1 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D2 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D3 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D4 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D5 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D6 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D7 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D8 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D9 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D10
width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D20 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D19 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D18 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D17 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D16 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D15 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D14 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D13 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D12 width=10% Template:Party shading/Democratic | D11
Template:Party shading/Democratic | D21 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D22 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D23 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D24 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D25 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D26 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D27 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D28 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D29 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D30
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D40
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D39
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D38
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic | D37 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D36 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D35 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D34 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D33 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D32 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D31
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D41
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D42
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D43
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D44
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D45
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D46
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D47
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D48
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D49
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D50
Template:Small
Template:Small
Majority → rowspan=2 Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D51
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D60
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D59
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D58
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D57
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D56
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D55
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D54
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D53
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D52
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Independent | I1 Vacant
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Conservative (New York) | C1 Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R37
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R36
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R35
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R34
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R33
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R32
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R31
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican | R21 Template:Party shading/Republican | R22 Template:Party shading/Republican | R23 Template:Party shading/Republican | R24 Template:Party shading/Republican | R25 Template:Party shading/Republican | R26 Template:Party shading/Republican | R27 Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R28
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R29
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican/active | R30
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Republican | R20 Template:Party shading/Republican | R19 Template:Party shading/Republican | R18 Template:Party shading/Republican | R17 Template:Party shading/Republican | R16 Template:Party shading/Republican | R15 Template:Party shading/Republican | R14 Template:Party shading/Republican | R13 Template:Party shading/Republican | R12 Template:Party shading/Republican | R11
Template:Party shading/Republican | R1 Template:Party shading/Republican | R2 Template:Party shading/Republican | R3 Template:Party shading/Republican | R4 Template:Party shading/Republican | R5 Template:Party shading/Republican | R6 Template:Party shading/Republican | R7 Template:Party shading/Republican | R8 Template:Party shading/Republican | R9 Template:Party shading/Republican | R10

Beginning of the next Congress

Template:Party shading/Democratic | D1 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D2 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D3 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D4 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D5 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D6 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D7 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D8 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D9 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D10
Template:Party shading/Democratic | D20 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D19 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D18 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D17 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D16 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D15 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D14 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D13 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D12 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D11
Template:Party shading/Democratic | D21 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D22 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D23 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D24 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D25 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D26 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D27 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D28 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D29 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D30
Template:Party shading/Democratic | D40 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D39 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D38 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D37 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D36 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D35 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D34 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D33 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D32 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D31
Template:Party shading/Democratic | D41 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D42 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D43 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D44 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D45 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D46 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D47 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D48 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D49 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D50
Majority → rowspan=2 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D51
Template:Party shading/Democratic | D60 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D59 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D58 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D57 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D56 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D55 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D54 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D53 Template:Party shading/Democratic | D52
Template:Party shading/Democratic/active | D61
Template:Small
Template:Small
Template:Party shading/Independent | I1 Template:Party shading/Conservative (New York) | C1 Template:Party shading/Republican | R37 Template:Party shading/Republican | R36 Template:Party shading/Republican | R35 Template:Party shading/Republican | R34 Template:Party shading/Republican | R33 Template:Party shading/Republican | R32 Template:Party shading/Republican | R31
Template:Party shading/Republican | R21 Template:Party shading/Republican | R22 Template:Party shading/Republican | R23 Template:Party shading/Republican | R24 Template:Party shading/Republican | R25 Template:Party shading/Republican | R26 Template:Party shading/Republican | R27 Template:Party shading/Republican | R28 Template:Party shading/Republican | R29 Template:Party shading/Republican | R30
Template:Party shading/Republican | R20 Template:Party shading/Republican | R19 Template:Party shading/Republican | R18 Template:Party shading/Republican | R17 Template:Party shading/Republican | R16 Template:Party shading/Republican | R15 Template:Party shading/Republican | R14 Template:Party shading/Republican | R13 Template:Party shading/Republican | R12 Template:Party shading/Republican | R11
Template:Party shading/Republican | R1 Template:Party shading/Republican | R2 Template:Party shading/Republican | R3 Template:Party shading/Republican | R4 Template:Party shading/Republican | R5 Template:Party shading/Republican | R6 Template:Party shading/Republican | R7 Template:Party shading/Republican | R8 Template:Party shading/Republican | R9 Template:Party shading/Republican | R10


Key
align=center Template:Party shading/Conservative (New York) | C# [[Conservative Party of New York State|Template:Party shortname]]
align=center Template:Party shading/Democratic | D# Democratic
align=center Template:Party shading/Republican | R# Republican
align=center Template:Party shading/Independent | I# Independent

Race summary

Elections leading to the next Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1975; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.

State
Template:Small
Incumbent Result Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Alabama Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 1968 Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Alaska Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 1968 Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Arizona Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 1952
1958
1964 Template:Small
1968
Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Arkansas Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 1944
1950
1956
1962
1968
Template:Party shading/Democratic/Hold | Incumbent lost renomination.
Democratic hold.
Template:Plainlist
California Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 1968 Incumbent re-elected. Template:PlainlistTemplate:Collapsible list
Colorado Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 1968 Template:Party shading/Democratic | Incumbent lost re-election.
Democratic gain.
Template:PlainlistTemplate:Collapsible list
Connecticut Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 1962
1968
Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Florida Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 1968 Template:Party shading/Democratic | Incumbent retired.
Democratic gain.
Incumbent resigned December 31, 1974 to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed January 1, 1975.
Template:Plainlist
Georgia Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 1956
1962
1968
Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Hawaii Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 1962
1968
Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Idaho Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 1956
1962
1968
Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Illinois Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic [[1970 United States Senate special election in Illinois|1970 Template:Small]] Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Indiana Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 1962
1968
Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Iowa Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 1968 Template:Party shading/Democratic/Hold | Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
Template:Plainlist
Kansas Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 1968 Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Kentucky Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 1968 Template:Party shading/Democratic | Incumbent lost re-election.
Democratic gain.
Incumbent resigned December 27, 1974 to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed December 28, 1974.
Template:Plainlist
Louisiana Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic [[1948 United States Senate special election in Louisiana|1948 Template:Small]]
1950
1956
1962
1968
Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Maryland Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 1968 Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Missouri Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 1968 Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Nevada Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic [[1954 United States Senate special election in Nevada|1954 Template:Small]]
1956
1962
1968
Template:Party shading/Republican | Incumbent retired.
Republican gain.
Incumbent resigned December 17, 1974 to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed December 18, 1974.
Template:Plainlist
New Hampshire Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican [[1954 United States Senate special election in New Hampshire|1954 Template:Small]]
1956
1962
1968
Template:Party shading/Hold | Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned December 31, 1974 and successor was appointed the same day.
Election was later contested and voided.
Template:Plainlist
New York Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 1956
1962
1968
Incumbent re-elected. Template:PlainlistTemplate:Collapsible list
North Carolina Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic [[1954 United States Senate special elections in North Carolina|1954 Template:Small]]
1954 Template:Small
1956
1962
1968
Template:Party shading/Democratic/Hold | Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
Template:Plainlist
North Dakota Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 1945 Template:Small
[[1946 United States Senate special election in North Dakota|1946 Template:Small]]
1950
1956
1962
1968
Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Ohio Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 1974 Template:Small Template:Party shading/Democratic/Hold | Interim appointee lost nomination.
Democratic hold.
Incumbent resigned December 23, 1974 to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed December 24, 1974.
Template:Plainlist
Oklahoma Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 1968 Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Oregon Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 1968 Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Pennsylvania Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 1968 Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
South Carolina Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic [[1966 United States Senate special election in South Carolina|1966 Template:Small]]
1968
Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
South Dakota Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 1962
1968
Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist
Utah Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 1950
1956
1962
1968
Template:Party shading/Republican/Hold | Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned December 20, 1974 to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed December 21, 1974.
Template:Plainlist
Vermont Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican [[1940 United States Senate special election in Vermont|1940 Template:Small]]
1944
1950
1956
1962
1968
Template:Party shading/Democratic | Incumbent retired.
Democratic gain.
Template:Plainlist
Washington Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 1944
1944 Template:Small
1950
1956
1962
1968
Incumbent re-elected. Template:PlainlistTemplate:Collapsible list
Wisconsin Template:Sortname Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 1962
1968
Incumbent re-elected. Template:Plainlist

Closest races

In fourteen races the margin of victory was under 10%.

State Party of winner Margin
New Hampshire data-sort-value=0 Template:Party shading/Independent | Republican (later overturned) 0.0009%
North Dakota data-sort-value=1 Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 0.07%
Nevada data-sort-value=.5 Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican (flip) 0.37%
Oklahoma data-sort-value=1 Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 0.48%
Kansas data-sort-value=1 Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 1.70%
Vermont data-sort-value=-.5 Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic (flip) 3.09%
Florida data-sort-value=-.5 Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic (flip) 3.32%
Indiana data-sort-value=-1 Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 4.29%
Iowa data-sort-value=-1 Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 4.76%
Utah data-sort-value=1 Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 5.92%
South Dakota data-sort-value=-1 Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic 6.08%
New York data-sort-value=1 Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 7.09%
Pennsylvania data-sort-value=1 Template:Party shading/Republican | Republican 7.11%
Kentucky data-sort-value=-.5 Template:Party shading/Democratic | Democratic (flip) 9.48%

Illinois was the tipping point state with a margin of 25%.

Alabama

Template:Infobox election

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

Democratic United States senator James Allen won re-election to a second term, faced no Republican opponent in the general election, defeating Prohibition Party nominee Alvin Abercrombie.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Alaska

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

Incumbent Democrat Mike Gravel won re-election to a second term over Republican State Senator Clyde "C.R." Lewis.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Arizona

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also Incumbent Republican Barry Goldwater decided to run for reelection to a fourth term, after returning to the U.S. Senate in 1968 following his failed Presidential run in 1964 against Lyndon B. Johnson. Goldwater defeated Democratic Party nominee philanthropist Jonathan Marshall in the general election.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box total no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Arkansas

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also Incumbent Democrat J. William Fulbright lost renomination to Governor of Arkansas Dale Bumpers. Bumpers then won the general election easily.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box total no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Template:Election box begin Template:Election box winning candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box majority Template:Election box total Template:Election box turnout Template:Election box hold with party link

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

California

Template:Infobox election

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

Incumbent Democrat Alan Cranston won re-election to a second term over Republican H. L. Richardson, California State Senator.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Colorado

Template:Infobox election

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

Incumbent Republican Peter H. Dominick ran for re-election to a third term, but was defeated by Democratic challenger Gary Hart, the campaign manager for George McGovern in 1972.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box gain with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Connecticut

Template:Infobox election

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

Incumbent Democrat Abraham Ribicoff won re-election to a third term over Republican challenger James Brannen III.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Florida

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also Incumbent Republican Edward Gurney declined to seek a second term after being indicted for taking bribes in return for his influence with the Federal Housing Administration.

The primary for the Republican nomination pitted Eckerd drug store owner Jack Eckerd against Florida Public Service Commissioner Paula Hawkins. Eckerd won handily, receiving approximately 67.5% of the vote. Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box total no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

The Democratic primary, however, was a crowded field with eleven candidates vying for the nomination. Because no candidate received a majority of the votes, U.S. Representative Bill Gunter and Secretary of State of Florida Richard Stone advanced to a run-off election. Stone won by a small margin of 1.68%.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box total no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box total no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Thus, Eckerd and Stone faced off in the general election. John Grady, a family physician and member of George Wallace's American Independent Party, performed exceptionally well for a third party candidate. Grady may have split the conservative vote, allowing for Stone to win. On election day, Stone received 43.38% of the vote, Eckerd garnered 40.91% of the vote, and Grady acquired 15.7% of the vote.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box gain with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Georgia

Template:Infobox election

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

Incumbent Democrat Herman Talmadge won re-election to a fourth term over Republican challenger Jerry Johnson.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Hawaii

Template:Infobox election

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

Incumbent Democrat Daniel Inouye won re-election to a third term over Populist challenger James D. Kimmel.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Idaho

Template:Infobox election

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

Incumbent Democrat Frank Church won re-election to a fourth term in office, defeating Republican Bob Smith.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Illinois

Template:Infobox election

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Adlai Stevenson III, who was first elected in a special election in 1970, was re-elected to a second term in office, defeating Republican George Burditt by a large margin of nearly 800,000 votes.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Indiana

Template:Infobox election

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Birch Bayh was re-elected to a third consecutive term in office, defeating Mayor of Indianapolis Richard Lugar.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Iowa

Template:Infobox election

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Harold E. Hughes retired instead of seeking a second term. This open seat was won by five-term U.S. Representative John C. Culver, defeating Republican State Representative David M. Stanley. Culver defeated Stanley by a margin of nearly five points.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Kansas

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also U.S. Senator Bob Dole was first elected in 1968 after Frank Carlson retired by a margin of 60-39% over his Democratic opponent. However, in 1974 he faced a closer challenge as he sought a second term. Dole was closely associated with Richard Nixon as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1971-1972. Dole himself even admitted he was "prepared to lose" the election to William R. Roy, a Topeka physician and two-term Representative from Kansas's 2nd Congressional District. Roy's advertisements contrasted Dole, "who put loyalty to Nixon and his party ahead of loyalty to his state," with Roy, a moderate and former Republican whom they described as "a respected voice for Kansas." Roy's campaign to be the first Democratic Senator from Kansas in decades received an enthusiastic response, and he led in polling for months. "I could go to any event and feel like Caesar coming back to Rome," Roy said. Still, Dole's campaign capitalized on the issue of abortion rights, which was fresh on voters minds in the wake of the Roe v. Wade decision. Roy himself had performed abortions as a physician, and Dole used this to build momentum and overtake Roy in polling.<ref name="nyt7.8.96">Template:Cite news</ref>

In the end, Dole narrowly prevailed over Roy by 15,533 votes in the closest election of his 35-year Congressional career. Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Kentucky

Template:Infobox election

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Marlow Cook ran for a second term in office but was defeated by Democratic Governor of Kentucky Wendell Ford.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box gain with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Louisiana

Template:Infobox election

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

Incumbent Democratic Senator Russell B. Long was unopposed for re-election to a sixth term in office.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box total no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Maryland

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also Template:Infobox election Incumbent Republican Charles Mathias won re-election to a second term. As a Republican representing heavily-Democratic Maryland, Mathias faced a potentially difficult re-election bid for the 1974 election. State Democrats nominated Barbara Mikulski, then a Baltimore City Councilwoman who was well-known to residents in her city as a social activist, but with limited name recognition in the rest of the state.<ref name="Barker-6Nov1974">Template:Cite news</ref> Mathias was renominated by Republicans, fending off a primary election challenge from conservative doctor Ross Pierpont. Pierpont was never a substantial threat to Mathias, whose lack of competition was due in part to fallout from the Watergate scandal.<ref name="Watson-15Aug1974">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Barker-11Sep1974">Template:Cite news</ref>

As an advocate for campaign finance reform, Mathias refused to accept any contribution over $100 to "avoid the curse of big money that has led to so much trouble in the last year".<ref name="Richards-3Feb1974">Template:Cite news</ref> However, he still managed to raise over $250,000, nearly five times Mikulski's total. Ideologically, Mikulski and Mathias agreed on many issues, such as closing tax loopholes and easing taxes on the middle class. On two issues, however, Mathias argued to reform Congress and the U.S. tax system to address inflation and corporate price fixing, contrary to Mikulski.<ref name="Barker-6Nov1974" /> In retrospect, The Washington Post felt the election was "an intelligent discussion of state, national, and foreign affairs by two smart, well-informed people".<ref name="WaPo-22Oct1980">Template:Cite news</ref>

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box total no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box hold with party link without swing

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Missouri

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See alsoThomas Eagleton was first elected in 1968, defeating incumbent U.S. senator Edward V. Long in an upset three-way primary victory. He then defeated Republican Representative Thomas B. Curtis by just over two percentage points. Eagleton served as the initial vice presidential nominee for George McGovern's campaign against incumbent Richard Nixon in 1972. However, Eagleton resigned from the ticket and was replaced by Sargent Shriver after reports surfaced that Eagleton had received electroshock therapy for clinical depression. McGovern, who was trailing Nixon badly in the polls, requested Eagleton's resignation.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Despite negative publicity from his vice presidential nomination withdrawal, Eagleton cruised to re-election in a rematch over Curtis, taking over 60% of the vote. This would be Eagleton's largest victory margin for U.S. Senate. In 1980, he faced a close re-election battle against Gene McNary, winning by only about 5 percentage points.Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Nevada

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also Incumbent Democrat Alan Bible decided to retire instead of seeking a fifth term. Republican nominee Paul Laxalt won the open seat.

Former Governor Paul Laxalt won by less than 700 votes, becoming one of the few bright spots in a bad year for Republicans. He beat Lieutenant Governor Harry Reid. Reid would succeed Laxalt twelve years later.

Template:Election box begin Template:Election box winning candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box majority Template:Election box turnout Template:Election box gain with party link without swing

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

New Hampshire

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also The New Hampshire election resulted in the longest contested election for the U.S. Congress in United States history.

In 1973, then-incumbent senator Norris Cotton announced he would not seek re-election. Republican strategists admitted that it would be tough for their party to hold on to the seat.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The campaign of 1974 pitted Democrat John A. Durkin, who had served as New Hampshire's Insurance Commissioner and as Attorney General, against Republican Louis C. Wyman, a conservative, widely known member of the United States House of Representatives from New Hampshire's 1st congressional district. As Wyman was the more experienced politician, he was predicted by many to win handily.<ref name="time">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

On election day, Wyman won with a margin of just 355 votes.Template:Citation needed Durkin immediately demanded a recount, which, completed November 27, 1974, declared Durkin the winner by a margin of 10 votes. Republican Governor Meldrim Thomson Jr. awarded Durkin a provisional certificate of election. However, Wyman demanded another recount in which he prevailed by two votes.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box plurality no change Template:Election box turnout no change with votes

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Wyman promptly appealed to the New Hampshire State Ballot Law Commission. Durkin tried to defeat the appeal in the New Hampshire courts. The state ballot commission conducted its own partial recount and announced on December 24, 1974, that Wyman had won by just two votes. Governor Thomson rescinded Durkin’s certificate, and awarded a new credential to Wyman.

Senator Cotton resigned on December 31, 1974, and Governor Thomson appointed Wyman to fill the remainder of the term, which would expire January 3, 1975.

The election contest was not settled, however, and eventually a new election would be called in 1975.

New York

Template:Infobox election

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Jacob Javits won against Democratic challenger Ramsey Clark in a three way election.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

North Carolina

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also Incumbent Democrat Sam Ervin chose to retire. The general election was fought between the Democratic nominee Robert Morgan and the Republican nominee William Stevens.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box turnout no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box turnout no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Template:Election box begin Template:Election box winning candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate Template:Election box turnout Template:Election box majority Template:Election box hold with party link

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

North Dakota

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also Incumbent Republican Milton Young was re-elected to his sixth term, defeating North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party candidate William L. Guy, a former Governor of North Dakota.<ref name=Clerk/>

Only Young filed as a Republican, and the endorsed Democratic candidate was William L. Guy of Bismarck, North Dakota, who had served as Governor of the state from 1961 to 1973; and had presumably left the office to seek the senate seat. Young and Guy won the primary elections for their respective parties. Guy, who was very popular as governor throughout the state, and Young, who had a high approval rating as senator for the state, created the closest ever election for one of North Dakota's senate seats. Young won the election by only 177 votes, and Guy retired from politics.

Two independent candidates, James R. Jungroth and Kenneth C. Gardner, also filed before the deadline. Jungroth's platform was based on his opposition to strip mining the state's coal reserves.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Gardner would later run for the state's other seat in 1988 against then incumbent Quentin Burdick.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Ohio

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also Incumbent Democrat Howard Metzenbaum was running for election to a full term after he was appointed in 1974 by Ohio governor John J. Gilligan to fill out the Senate term of William B. Saxbe, who had resigned to become United States Attorney General. Metzenbaum lost the primary election to retired astronaut John Glenn, who went on to win the general election and win every county in the state over Republican Ralph Perk, Mayor of Cleveland.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Oklahoma

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also Incumbent Republican Henry Bellmon narrowly won re-election to a second term, beating Representative Ed Edmondson by nearly 4,000 votes.

Template:Election box begin no change

Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change
Template:Election box candidate with party link no change
Template:Election box candidate with party link no change

Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Oregon

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also Incumbent Republican Bob Packwood won re-election to a second term. Betty Roberts was chosen to replace former U.S. senator Wayne Morse, who won the Democratic primary but died before the general election.<ref name=nodebate/><ref name=claim/>

Wayne Morse won the Democratic primary, but died prior to the general election.

The Democratic primaries were held on May 28, 1974. Incumbent senator Bob Packwood was running for re-election after his upset victory against popular incumbent Democrat Wayne Morse in 1968 made him the youngest member of the Senate.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref>

In the Democratic primary, former senator Morse, trying to win back the seat he had for 24 years before losing to Packwood six years earlier, faced Oregon State Senate President Jason Boe and several other candidates for a chance to take back his Senate seat.<ref name=ORprimary/> Boe, who was 45, made Morse's age, 73, an issue in the race while Morse said his experience in the Senate made him a stronger candidate.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Boe called for a series of debates around the state, but Morse refused. He went on to defeat Boe 49% to 39%, and planned to use the same strategy in the general election against Packwood, whose narrow victory over Morse 6 years earlier was attributed to Packwood's superior performance at a debate in Portland late in the campaign.<ref name="nodebate">Template:Cite news</ref>

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box total no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

In July, Morse was hospitalized in Portland with what was originally described as a serious urinary tract infection. His condition deteriorated and he died on July 22.<ref name="claim">Template:Cite news Template:Dead link</ref> The death was originally reported to have been caused by kidney failure, but it was later revealed that Morse died of leukemia; Boe apparently knew of the diagnosis during the campaign but did not make it a campaign issue.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref>

The Oregon Democratic State Central Committee met on August 11, two days after Richard Nixon resigned the Presidency. They chose State senator Betty Roberts over Boe to replace Morse as the Democratic nominee.<ref name="odcc">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> Roberts, an Oregon State Senator, had run for the Democratic nomination for Governor that year, but lost in the May primary to eventual general election winner Robert W. Straub.<ref name=odcc/>

Outgoing Oregon governor Tom McCall, who had decided not to run in 1968, had pledged to Packwood a year earlier that he would not challenge him in 1974.<ref name="walth">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> But as his term as governor ended, McCall began reconsidering his decision, believing he would bring more integrity to the job. In March 1974, at a dinner party held at Packwood's Washington D.C. home in McCall's honor, McCall informed Packwood that he would challenge him.<ref name=walth/> The news of McCall's change of plans soon reached the media. Eventually, McCall decided that he had little chance against Packwood, who had similar positions to his own and had a reputation for ruthless campaigning that McCall did not share.<ref name=walth/><ref name="mccall">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> McCall did not run, and Packwood was unopposed in the Republican primary.<ref name="ORprimary">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref>

Strong Democratic gains were predicted, giving Roberts a good chance at an upset. In addition, the Senate had no female members and Roberts was one of three women (along with Barbara Mikulski in Maryland and Gwenyfred Bush in South Carolina) seeking a Senate seat.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> But on the issues, Packwood and Roberts shared many positions, such as on abortion, military spending, and the environment.<ref name="aarons">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> Moreover, Packwood had distanced himself from Watergate, calling for Nixon's impeachment and denouncing Gerald Ford's pardon of Nixon.<ref name=aarons/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Roberts was also at a financial disadvantage, having entered the race late and facing debt from her failed gubernatorial run; Packwood was able to use money he had raised for a primary challenge that never materialized, and led in most polls by a double-digit margin.<ref name=aarons/>

Roberts lost the election to Packwood 54% to 44%.<ref name="ge">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> Packwood was the only Oregon Republican up for re-election to keep his seat: Democrats won every other available seat. In the Governor's race, Bob Straub, who beat Roberts in the Democratic primary, defeated Vic Atiyeh to become the first elected Democratic governor since 1956; in the U. S. House of Representatives races, Les AuCoin won an open seat in the 1st district and in the 4th district, Jim Weaver upset incumbent John Dellenback.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref>

After the election, Roberts, whose criticism of Packwood's ethics was a theme in her campaign, considered filing a lawsuit against Packwood for misrepresenting her positions on gun control, abortion, and Social Security in campaign advertisements, but later dropped the idea.<ref name="suit">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref>

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate no change Template:Election box candidate no change Template:Election box total no change Template:Election box hold with party link without swing

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Pennsylvania

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also Incumbent Republican Richard Schweiker won re-election, defeating Democratic nominee Peter F. Flaherty, Mayor of Pittsburgh.

In the general election campaign, Schweiker faced popular Pittsburgh mayor Peter Flaherty. Both candidates, as highlighted by a New York Times article, "[took] firm stands against inflation, recession, big spending by the Federal Government and abortion on demand."<ref name="lamis">Template:Cite book</ref> Schweiker, who was endorsed by the AFL–CIO, distanced himself from the Richard Nixon administration, specifically the Watergate scandal, by emphasizing his early calls for Nixon's resignation and the fact that he was on Nixon's "enemies list."<ref name=lamis/>

In the end, Schweiker won re-election with 53% of the popular vote, with Flaherty winning 45.9%. Schweiker carried 53 of Pennsylvania's counties, a decrease from the 59 counties he carried in the 1968 election. Flaherty had a strong showing in Allegheny County, which contains his home town of Pittsburgh, which Schweiker had won in 1968. The final election results represented a political divide between the eastern and western portions of the state, Schweiker in the east and Flaherty in the west, with the exception of Flaherty's slim 4,491 vote victory in Philadelphia.<ref name=lamis/>

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

South Carolina

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also The 1974 South Carolina United States Senate election was held on November 5, 1974 to select the U.S. Senator from the state of South Carolina. Incumbent Democratic senator Fritz Hollings easily defeated Republican challenger Gwen Bush to win his third term. Both Hollings and Bush faced no opposition in their party's primaries which allowed both candidates to concentrate solely on the general election. The Watergate scandal caused the Republicans to perform poorly nationwide in 1974 and Gwen Bush was little more than a sacrificial lamb. The main focus of the voters in South Carolina was on the competitive gubernatorial contest and Hollings easily cruised to a comfortable re-election.

Template:Election box begin

Template:Election box winning candidate with party link

Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box candidate with party link Template:Election box majority Template:Election box turnout |- | Template:Party color cell | colspan=5 |Democratic hold |-

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

South Dakota

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Utah

Template:Infobox election

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also

Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Wallace F. Bennett did not run for re-election to a fifth term, but retired. Salt Lake City mayor Jake Garn won the Republican nomination, while U.S. representative Wayne Owens won the Democratic nomination. Garn defeated Owens, 50% to 44%, with third-party candidate Bruce Bangerter winning 6% of the vote.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Vermont

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

Incumbent Republican George Aiken did not run for re-election to another term in the United States Senate. Democratic candidate, attorney and prosecutor Patrick Leahy defeated the Republican candidate, congressman Richard W. Mallary to succeed him. Leahy was the first Democrat ever elected to the senate from Vermont.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box total no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box total no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate no change Template:Election box total no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box gain with party link

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Washington

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

Wisconsin

Template:Infobox election {{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:See also Incumbent Democrat Gaylord Nelson won re-election to a third term over Tom Petri, State senator since 1973.

Template:Election box begin no change Template:Election box winning candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate with party link no change Template:Election box candidate no change Template:Election box candidate no change Template:Election box majority no change Template:Election box turnout no change Template:Election box hold with party link no change

{{safesubst:#if:|||} }}{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:End with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| html | 1 }}

See also

Notes

Template:Notelist Template:Reflist

References

{{#invoke:Navbox|navbox | name = United States Senate elections | title = United States Senate elections | state = autocollapse | bodyclass = hlist

|group1 = 1788–1913
Template:Nobold |list1 =

|group2 = 1914–present
Template:Nobold |list2 = child

| 2_group1 = Regulars
and
even-year
specials | 2_list1 =

| 2_group2 = Odd-year
specials | 2_list2 =


| group3 = Elections by state | list3 =

| below =

}} Template:1974 United States elections