1970 United States Senate elections

The 1970 United States Senate elections was an election for the United States Senate. It took place on November 3, with the 33 seats of Class 1 contested in regular elections. Special elections were also held to fill vacancies. These races occurred in the middle of Richard Nixon's first term as president. The Democrats lost a net of three seats, while the Republicans and the Conservative Party of New York picked up one net seat each, and former Democrat Harry F. Byrd Jr. was re-elected as an independent.

1970 United States Senate elections

← 1968 November 3, 1970 1972 →
35 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 57 43 Seats after 54 44 Seat change 3 1 Popular vote 25,435,247[1] 19,373,972[1][lower-alpha 1] Percentage 52.4% 39.9% Seats up 24 10 Races won 22 11   Third party Fourth party   Party Conservative Independent Seats before 0 0 Seats after 1 1[2] Seat change 1 1 Popular vote 2,183,572[1] 516,149[1] Percentage 4.5% 1.1% Seats up 0 1 Races won 1 1
Results of the elections:      Democratic gain      Democratic hold      Republican gain      Republican hold      Independent gain      Conservative gain      No election
Majority Leader before election Mike Mansfield Democratic Elected Majority Leader Mike Mansfield Democratic

This was the first time that Republicans gained Senate seats while losing House seats, which also occurred in 2018. This also occurred for Democrats in 1914, 1962, and 2022.^[3]

This was the most recent election in which a third party won a seat in the Senate until 2006. As of 2024^[update], this is also the most recent cycle in which Democrats won Senate elections in Utah and Wyoming, and the most recent in which Republicans won a Senate election in Hawaii.

Results summary

↓

54	1	1	44
Democratic	I	C	Republican

Parties							Total
		Democratic	Republican	Conservative	Independent	Other
Last elections (1968)		58	42	0	0	0	100
Before these elections		57	43	0	0	0	100
Not up		32	33	—	0	—	65
Up		25	10	—	—	—	35
Class 1 (1964→1970)		25	8	—	—	—	33
Special: Class 2		0	1	—	0	—	1
Special: Class 3		0	1	—	0	—	1
Incumbent retired		3	1	—	0	—	4
	Held by same party	2	1	—	—	—	3
	Replaced by other party	1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican		—	—	—	1
	Result	2	2	0	0	0	4
Incumbent ran		22[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3]	9[lower-alpha 3]	—	—	—	31
	Won re-election	17	6[lower-alpha 4]	—	—	—	23
	Won re-election but changed party	1 Democrat re-elected as an Independent				—	1
	Lost re-election	2 Republicans replaced by 2 Democrats 3 Democrats replaced by 3 Republicans 1 Republican replaced by 1 Conservative			—	—	6
	Lost renomination, but held by same party	1	0	—	—	—	1
	Result	20	9	1	1	0	31
Total elected		22	11	1	1	0	35
Net gain/loss		3	1	1	1		2
Nationwide vote		25,435,247	19,373,972[lower-alpha 1]	2,183,572	516,149	1,049,884	48,558,824
	Share	52.38%	39.90%	4.50%	1.06%	2.16%	100%
Result		54	44	1	1	0	100

Source: Office of the Clerk^[1]

Getting out the vote

President Nixon said that rather than violent protests, the best way for the American public to get their opinion heard was by voting:

The most powerful four letter word is a clean word, it’s the most powerful four letter word in the history of men, it's called vote. V-O-T-E. My friends, I say that the answer to those that engage in disruption, to those that shout their filthy slogans, to those that try to shout down speakers, it's not to answer in kind, but go to the polls in election day, and in the quiet of that ballot box, stand up and be counted, the great silent majority of America.

— Richard Nixon, "1970 Election: 1970 Year in Review". UPI.com.

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

One Republican and three Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.

State	Senator	Replaced by
Delaware	John J. Williams	William Roth
Florida	Spessard Holland	Lawton Chiles
Minnesota	Eugene McCarthy	Hubert Humphrey
Ohio	Stephen M. Young	Robert Taft Jr.

Defeats

One Republican and four Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election. One Republican sought election to finish the unexpired term but lost in the special election and one Republican sought election to a full term but lost in the general election.

State	Senator	Replaced by
California	George Murphy	John V. Tunney
Connecticut	Thomas J. Dodd	Lowell Weicker
Illinois	Ralph Tyler Smith	Adlai Stevenson III
Maryland	Joseph Tydings	J. Glenn Beall Jr.
New York	Charles Goodell	James L. Buckley
Tennessee	Albert Gore Sr.	Bill Brock
Texas	Ralph Yarborough	Lloyd Bentsen

Independent gain

One Democrat ran as an Independent in the general election.

State	Senator	Replaced by
Virginia	Harry F. Byrd Jr.	Harry F. Byrd Jr.

Post-election changes

State	Senator	Replaced by
Georgia	Richard Russell Jr.	David H. Gambrell
Louisiana	Allen J. Ellender	Elaine Edwards
Vermont	Winston L. Prouty	Robert Stafford

Change in composition

Before the elections

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 Minn. Retired	D39 Mich. Ran	D38 Mass. Ran	D37 Md. Ran	D36 Maine Ran	D35 Ind. Ran	D34 Fla. Retired	D33 Conn. Ran	D32	D31
D41 Miss. Ran	D42 Mo. Ran	D43 Mont. Ran	D44 Nev. Ran	D45 N.J. Ran	D46 N.M. Ran	D47 N.D. Ran	D48 Ohio Ran	D49 R.I. Ran	D50 Tenn. Ran
Majority →									D51 Texas Ran
R41 N.Y. Ran	R42 Pa. Ran	R43 Vt. Ran	D51 Va. Ran	D56 Wyo. Ran	D55 Wis. Retired	D54 W.Va. Ran	D53 Wash. Ran	D52 Utah Ran
R40 Neb. Ran	R39 Ill. (sp) Ran	R38 Hawaii Ran	R37 Del. Retired	R36 Calif. Ran	R35 Ariz. Ran	R34 Alaska (sp) Ran	R33	R32	R31
R21	R22	R23	R24	R25	R26	R27	R28	R29	R30
R20	R19	R18	R17	R16	R15	R14	R13	R12	R11
R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	R9	R10

After the elections

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 Mo. Re-elected	D39 Miss. Re-elected	D38 Minn. Hold	D37 Mich. Re-elected	D36 Mass. Re-elected	D35 Maine Re-elected	D34 Ind. Re-elected	D33 Fla. Hold	D32	D31
D41 Mont. Re-elected	D42 Nev. Re-elected	D43 N.J. Re-elected	D44 N.M. Re-elected	D45 N.D. Re-elected	D46 R.I. Re-elected	D47 Texas Hold	D48 Utah Re-elected	D49 Wash. Re-elected	D50 W.Va. Re-elected
Majority →									D51 Wis. Re-elected
R41 Conn. Gain	R42 Md. Gain	R43 Ohio Gain	R44 Tenn. Gain	C1 N.Y. Gain[lower-alpha 5]	I1 Va. Re-elected/Gain	D54 Ill. (sp) Gain[lower-alpha 5]	D53 Calif. Gain	D52 Wyo. Re-elected
R40 Vt. Re-elected	R39 Pa. Re-elected	R38 Neb. Re-elected	R37 Hawaii Re-elected	R36 Del. Hold	R35 Ariz. Re-elected	R34 Alaska (sp) Elected[lower-alpha 6]	R33	R32	R31
R21	R22	R23	R24	R25	R26	R27	R28	R29	R30
R20	R19	R18	R17	R16	R15	R14	R13	R12	R11
R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	R9	R10

Key:	C# Conservative (New York) D# Democratic R# Republican I# Independent

Race summary

Special elections during the 91st Congress

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1970 or before January 3, 1971; ordered by election date, then state.

State	Incumbent			Results	Candidates
	Senator	Party	Electoral history
Alaska (Class 2)	Ted Stevens	Republican	1968 (Appointed)	Interim appointee elected November 3, 1970.	▌Y Ted Stevens (Republican) 59.6% ▌Wendell P. Kay (Democratic) 40.4%
Illinois (Class 3)	Ralph Tyler Smith	Republican	1969 (Appointed)	Interim appointee lost election. New senator elected November 3, 1970. Democratic gain.	▌Y Adlai Stevenson III (Democratic) 57.4% ▌Ralph Tyler Smith (Republican) 42.2%

Elections leading to the next Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1971; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.

State	Incumbent			Results	Candidates
	Senator	Party	Electoral history
Arizona	Paul Fannin	Republican	1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Paul Fannin (Republican) 56.0% ▌Sam Grossman (Democratic) 44.0%
California	George Murphy	Republican	1964 1964 (Appointed)	Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain Incumbent resigned January 1, 1971 to give successor preferential seniority. Winner appointed January 2, 1971.	▌Y John V. Tunney (Democratic) 53.9% ▌George Murphy (Republican) 44.3% ▌Robert Scheer (Peace and Freedom) 0.9% ▌Charles C. Ripley (American Independent) 0.9%
Connecticut	Thomas J. Dodd	Democratic	1958 1964	Incumbent lost renomination, then ran as an Independent candidate but lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain.	▌Y Lowell Weicker (Republican) 41.7% ▌Joseph Duffey (Democratic) 33.8% ▌Thomas J. Dodd (Independent) 24.5%
Delaware	John J. Williams	Republican	1946 1952 1958 1964	Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. Incumbent resigned December 31, 1970 to give successor preferential seniority. Winner appointed January 1, 1971.	▌Y William Roth (Republican) 58.8% ▌Jacob Zimmerman (Democratic) 40.1%
Florida	Spessard Holland	Democratic	1946 (Appointed) 1946 1952 1958 1964	Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold.	▌Y Lawton Chiles (Democratic) 53.9% ▌William C. Cramer (Republican) 46.1%
Hawaii	Hiram Fong	Republican	1959 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Hiram Fong (Republican) 51.6% ▌Cecil Heftel (Democratic) 48.4%
Indiana	Vance Hartke	Democratic	1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Vance Hartke (Democratic) 50.1% ▌Richard L. Roudebush (Republican) 49.9%
Maine	Edmund Muskie	Democratic	1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Edmund Muskie (Democratic) 61.9% ▌Neil S. Bishop (Republican) 38.3%
Maryland	Joseph Tydings	Democratic	1964	Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain.	▌Y J. Glenn Beall Jr. (Republican) 50.7% ▌Joseph Tydings (Democratic) 48.1%
Massachusetts	Ted Kennedy	Democratic	1962 (special) 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Ted Kennedy (Democratic) 62.1% ▌Josiah Spaulding (Republican) 37.0%
Michigan	Philip Hart	Democratic	1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Philip Hart (Democratic) 66.8% ▌Lenore Romney (Republican) 32.9%
Minnesota	Eugene McCarthy	DFL[4]	1958 1964	Incumbent retired. New senator elected. DFL hold.	▌Y Hubert Humphrey (DFL) 57.8% ▌Clark MacGregor (Republican) 41.6%
Mississippi	John C. Stennis	Democratic	1947 (special) 1952 1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y John C. Stennis (Democratic) 88.4% ▌William R. Thompson (Independent) 11.6%
Missouri	Stuart Symington	Democratic	1952 1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Stuart Symington (Democratic) 51.1% ▌John Danforth (Republican) 48.1% Others ▌Gene Chapman (American Independent) 0.8% ▌E. J. DiGirolamo (Independent) 0.04%
Montana	Mike Mansfield	Democratic	1952 1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Mike Mansfield (Democratic) 60.5% ▌Harold E. Wallace (Republican) 39.5%
Nebraska	Roman Hruska	Republican	1954 (special) 1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Roman Hruska (Republican) 52.5% ▌Frank B. Morrison (Democratic) 47.5%
Nevada	Howard Cannon	Democratic	1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Howard Cannon (Democratic) 57.7% ▌William Raggio (Republican) 41.2%
New Jersey	Harrison A. Williams	Democratic	1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Harrison A. Williams (Democratic) 54.0% ▌Nelson G. Gross (Republican) 42.2%
New Mexico	Joseph Montoya	Democratic	1964 (special) 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Joseph Montoya (Democratic) 52.3% ▌Anderson Carter (Republican) 46.6%
New York	Charles Goodell	Republican	1968 (Appointed)	Interim appointee lost election. New senator elected. Conservative gain.	▌Y James L. Buckley (Conservative) 38.8% ▌Richard Ottinger (Democratic) 36.8% ▌Charles Goodell (Republican) 24.3%
North Dakota	Quentin Burdick	Democratic-NPL	1960 (special) 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Quentin Burdick (Democratic-NPL) 61.3% ▌Thomas S. Kleppe (Republican) 37.8%
Ohio	Stephen M. Young	Democratic	1958 1964	Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican gain.	▌Y Robert Taft Jr. (Republican) 49.7% ▌Howard Metzenbaum (Democratic) 47.5%
Pennsylvania	Hugh Scott	Republican	1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Hugh Scott (Republican) 51.4% ▌William Sesler (Democratic) 45.4%
Rhode Island	John Pastore	Democratic	1950 (special) 1952 1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y John Pastore (Democratic) 67.5% ▌John McLaughlin (Republican) 31.5%
Tennessee	Albert Gore Sr.	Democratic	1952 1958 1964	Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain.	▌Y Bill Brock (Republican) 51.3% ▌Albert Gore Sr. (Democratic) 47.4%
Texas	Ralph Yarborough	Democratic	1957 (special) 1958 1964	Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold.	▌Y Lloyd Bentsen (Democratic) 53.5% ▌George H. W. Bush (Republican) 46.4%
Utah	Frank Moss	Democratic	1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Frank Moss (Democratic) 56.2% ▌Laurence J. Burton (Republican) 42.5% ▌Clyde B. Freeman (American Independent) 1.4%
Vermont	Winston L. Prouty	Republican	1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Winston L. Prouty (Republican) 58.9% ▌Philip H. Hoff (Democratic) 40.2%
Virginia	Harry F. Byrd Jr.	Democratic	1965 (Appointed) 1966 (special)	Incumbent ran as an Independent and was re-elected. Independent gain.	▌Y Harry F. Byrd Jr. (Independent) 53.5% ▌George Rawlings (Democratic) 31.2% ▌Ray Garland (Republican) 15.3%
Washington	Henry M. Jackson	Democratic	1952 1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Henry M. Jackson (Democratic) 82.4% ▌Charles W. Elicker (Republican) 16.0% Others ▌Bill Massey (Socialist Workers) 0.9% ▌E.S. "Pinky" Fisk (Buffalo) 0.7%
West Virginia	Robert Byrd	Democratic	1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Robert Byrd (Democratic) 77.6% ▌Elmer H. Dodson (Republican) 22.4%
Wisconsin	William Proxmire	Democratic	1957 (special) 1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y William Proxmire (Democratic) 70.8% ▌John E. Erickson (Republican) 28.5%
Wyoming	Gale W. McGee	Democratic	1958 1964	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Gale W. McGee (Democratic) 55.8% ▌John S. Wold (Republican) 44.2%

Closest races

Fourteen races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State	Party of winner	Margin
Indiana	Democratic	0.2%
New York	Conservative (flip)	2.0%
Ohio	Republican (flip)	2.2%
Maryland	Republican (flip)	2.6%
Missouri	Democratic	3.0%
Hawaii	Republican	3.2%
Tennessee	Republican (flip)	3.9%
Nebraska	Republican	5.0%
New Mexico	Democratic	5.7%
Pennsylvania	Republican	6.0%
Texas	Democratic	7.1%
Florida	Democratic	7.8%[lower-alpha 7]
Connecticut	Republican (flip)	7.9%
California	Democratic (flip)	9.6%

Alaska (special)

Alaska special election

← 1966 1972 →

Nominee Ted Stevens Wendell P. Kay Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 47,908 32,456 Percentage 59.61% 40.39%

Results by state house district Stevens:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Kay:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Ted Stevens Republican Elected U.S. senator Ted Stevens Republican

Main article: 1970 United States Senate special election in Alaska

See also: List of United States senators from Alaska

Republican Ted Stevens was appointed December 24, 1968 to finish the term of Democrat Bob Bartlett, who had died in office. The open primary was held August 25, 1970, in which Stevens received 40,411 votes (55.91%), Key received 29,459 votes (23.94%), State senator Joe Josephson received 12,730 votes (18.22%) and Fritz Singer (R) received 1,349 votes (1.93%).^[5][6] In the November 3, 1970 special election to finish the term, he ran against the Democratic Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives Wendell P. Kay. Stevens easily won with almost 60% of the vote.^[7]

1970 United States Senate special election in Alaska^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ted Stevens (Incumbent)	47,908	59.61
	Democratic	Wendell P. Kay	32,456	40.39
Majority			14,452	18.22
Turnout			80,364
	Republican hold

Arizona

Arizona election

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee Paul Fannin Sam Grossman Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 228,284 179,512 Percentage 55.98% 44.02%

County results Fannin:      50–60%      60–70% Grossman:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Paul Fannin Republican Elected U.S. senator Paul Fannin Republican

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Arizona

See also: List of United States senators from Arizona

Incumbent Republican Paul Fannin decided to run for re-election to a second term, running unopposed in the Republican primary. Fannin defeated Democratic businessman Sam Grossman in the general election.

Democratic primary results^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Sam Grossman	78,006	65.24
	Democratic	John Kruglick, Doctor	27,324	22.85
	Democratic	H. L. Kelly	14,238	11.91
Total votes			119,568	100.00

1970 United States Senate election in Arizona^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Paul Fannin (Incumbent)	228,284	55.98
	Democratic	Sam Grossman	179,512	44.02
Majority			48,772	11.96
Turnout			407,796
	Republican hold

California

California election

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee John V. Tunney George Murphy Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 3,496,558 2,877,617 Percentage 53.86% 44.33%

County results Tunney:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Murphy:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election George Murphy Republican Elected U.S. senator John V. Tunney Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in California

See also: List of United States senators from California

In 1964, Republican actor George Murphy defeated Democrat and Lyndon B. Johnson's Press Secretary, Pierre Salinger, in a close contest with about 52% of the vote. Murphy faced a primary challenge from billionaire Norton Simon, who took nearly 33% of the vote in the Republican primary. Democrats nominated John V. Tunney after a close-fought contest between Tunney and Representative George Brown Jr..

In the general election, Murphy lost re-election to Tunney by nearly ten points. Murphy's recent surgery and staunch support for the lingering Vietnam War worked against him, as did reports that he had continued to receive a salary from Technicolor after taking office.^[10] Tunney's successful Senate race in 1970 was reportedly the inspiration for the 1972 Robert Redford film The Candidate.^[11]

1970 United States Senate election in California^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John V. Tunney	3,496,558	53.86
	Republican	George Murphy (Incumbent)	2,877,617	44.32
	Peace and Freedom	Robert Scheer	61,251	0.94
	American Independent	Charles C. Ripley	56,731	0.87
Majority			618,941	9.54
Turnout			6,492,157
	Democratic gain from Republican

Connecticut

Connecticut election

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee Lowell P. Weicker Jr. Joseph Duffey Thomas J. Dodd Party Republican Democratic Independent Popular vote 454,721 368,111 266,497 Percentage 41.74% 33.79% 24.46%

County results Municipality results Weicker:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Duffey:      30–40%      40–50% Dodd:      30–40%      40–50%

U.S. senator before election Thomas J. Dodd Democratic Elected U.S. senator Lowell P. Weicker Jr. Republican

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Connecticut

See also: List of United States senators from Connecticut

Republican Lowell P. Weicker Jr. defeated Democrat Joseph Duffey and incumbent Thomas J. Dodd who ran this time as an independent. Dodd entered the race at the last minute and split the Democratic vote, allowing Weicker to win with only 42% of the vote.

Connecticut general election^[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Lowell P. Weicker Jr.	454,721	41.74
	Democratic	Joseph Duffey	368,111	33.79
	Independent	Thomas J. Dodd (Incumbent)	266,497	24.46
Majority			86,610	7.95
Turnout			1,089,329
	Republican hold

Delaware

1970 United States Senate election in Delaware

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee William Roth Jacob W. Zimmerman Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 94,979 64,740 Percentage 58.83% 40.10%

County Results Roth:      50-60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election John J. Williams Republican Elected U.S. senator William Roth Republican

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Delaware

See also: List of United States senators from Delaware

Republican John J. Williams was originally elected in 1946 to the U.S. Senate. Williams was easily re-elected three more times but decided to retire in 1971. Republican Representative William Roth faced Democrat potato farmer Jacob Zimmerman in the general election. Roth defeated Zimmerman by a landslide eighteen percentage points in the general election. He was re-elected in 1976, 1982, 1988, and 1994 before losing re-election to Democrat Tom Carper in 2000. This was despite the state trending Democratic; Roth himself served most of his tenure with future President Joe Biden. Four-term Republican John J. Williams decided to retire, rather than run for re-election. Republican William Roth easily defeated Democrat Jacob Zimmerman by a margin of eighteen percentage points, and went on to serve thirty years in the Senate.

1970 United States Senate election in Delaware^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William Roth	94,979	58.83
	Democratic	Jacob W. Zimmerman	64,740	40.10
	American Independent	Donald G. Gies	1,720	1.07
Majority			30,239	18.73
Turnout			161,439
	Republican hold

Florida

1970 United States Senate election in Florida

← 1964 November 3, 1970 1976 →

Nominee Lawton Chiles Bill Cramer Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 902,438 772,817 Percentage 53.9% 46.1%

County results Chiles:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Cramer:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Spessard Holland Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Lawton Chiles Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Florida

See also: List of United States senators from Florida

Incumbent Democrat Spessard Holland retired instead of seeking a fifth term. During the Democratic primary, former Governor C. Farris Bryant and State senator Lawton Chiles advanced to a run-off, having received more votes than Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Frederick H. Schultz, attorney Alcee Hastings, and State Representative Joel T. Daves, III. Chiles soundly defeated Bryant in the run-off election, scoring a major upset due to his comparatively small name recognition prior to the election. To acquire name recognition and media coverage, Chiles walked about 1,003 miles (1,614 km) across the state of Florida and was given the nickname "Walkin' Lawton".

The Republican primary exposed an in-party feud between Governor Claude R. Kirk Jr. and U.S. Representative William C. Cramer. In the election, Cramer handily defeated G. Harrold Carswell and body shop owner George Balmer; the former was a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals judge favored by Kirk and had been rejected as a Supreme Court of the United States nominee a few months prior to the primary. Chiles won the election by a relatively small margin of 7.8%, receiving 902,438 votes against Cramer's 772,817 votes.

Incumbent Spessard Holland, who served in the Senate since 1946, decided to retire rather than seek a fifth term.^[13] Although the Democratic Party had dominated state elections since the Reconstruction Era, Claude R. Kirk Jr. and Edward Gurney, both Republicans, were elected senator and Governor in 1966 and 1968, respectively.^[14]

Democratic Party primary results^[15]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	C. Farris Bryant	240,222	32.90
	Democratic	Lawton Chiles	188,300	25.79
	Democratic	Frederick H. Schultz	175,745	24.07
	Democratic	Alcee Hastings	91,948	12.59
	Democratic	Joel Daves	33,939	4.65
Total votes			730,154	100.00

Democratic Party primary runoff results^[15]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Lawton Chiles	474,420	65.74
	Democratic	Farris Bryant	247,211	34.26
Total votes			721,631	100.00

Republican Primary results^[15]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William C. Cramer	220,553	62.52
	Republican	G. Harrold Carswell	121,281	34.38
	Republican	George Balmer, body shop owner	10,947	3.10
Total votes			352,781	100.00

1970 United States Senate election in Florida^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Lawton Chiles	902,438	53.87	−10.09%
	Republican	William C. Cramer	772,817	46.13	+10.09%
Majority			129,621	7.74	−20.17%
Turnout			1,675,255	[?]	[?]
	Democratic hold		Swing

Hawaii

1970 United States Senate election in Hawaii

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee Hiram Fong Cec Heftel Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 124,163 116,597 Percentage 51.57% 48.43%

Fong:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Hiram Fong Republican Elected U.S. senator Hiram Fong Republican

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Hawaii

See also: List of United States senators from Hawaii

Republican Hiram Fong had served as the inaugural Class 1 senator from the state of Hawaii since 1959. From the state's admission into the union, voters tended to lean Democratic, and this trend only continued over time. Fong initially won election to each of his first two terms with 53% of the vote, but in 1970 he faced backlash from voters for his support of the Vietnam War. Cecil Heftel, owner of a radio conglomerate, won the Democratic nomination.

Fong was narrowly re-elected over Heftel with 52% of the vote in what would prove to be the closest election of his career. This would ultimately mark the last time that Republicans won a U.S. Senate seat in the state of Hawaii or win more than 44% of the vote.

1970 United States Senate election in Hawaii^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Hiram Fong (Incumbent)	124,163	51.57
	Democratic	Cecil Heftel	116,597	48.43
Majority			7,566	3.14
Turnout			240,760
	Republican hold

Illinois (special)

Illinois special election

← 1968 1974 →
Turnout	67.43%
Nominee Adlai Stevenson III Ralph Tyler Smith Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,065,054 1,519,718 Percentage 57.37% 42.22%
County Results Stevenson:      50–60%      60–70% Smith:      50–60%      60–70%
U.S. senator before election Ralph Tyler Smith Republican Elected U.S. senator Adlai Stevenson III Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate special election in Illinois

See also: List of United States senators from Illinois

A special election was held to fill the remainder of the term of Republican Everett Dirksen, who had died in office. Republican Ralph Tyler Smith had been appointed to fill the seat after Dirksen's death, and he lost the special election to Democrat Adlai Stevenson III.

1970 United States Senate special election in Illinois^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Adlai Stevenson III	2,065,054	57.37
	Republican	Ralph Tyler Smith (Incumbent)	1,519,718	42.22
	Socialist Workers	Lynn Henderson	8,859	0.25
	Socialist Labor	Louis Fisher	5,564	0.15
	None	Scattering	77	0.00
Majority			545,336	15.15
Turnout			3,599,272
	Democratic gain from Republican

Indiana

Indiana election

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee Vance Hartke Richard Roudebush Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 870,990 866,707 Percentage 50.12% 49.88%

County Results Hartke:      50–60%      60–70% Roudebush:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Vance Hartke Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Vance Hartke Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Indiana

See also: List of United States senators from Indiana

Democrat Vance Hartke was first elected in 1958 over Republican Harold W. Handley with 56% of the vote. He won re-election in 1964 (a landslide year for Democrats) with a lower share of 54%.

In 1970, he faced his closest contest to date against Republican Representative Richard L. Roudebush. Unlike voters in Hawaii, Indiana voters generally supported the Vietnam War, but Hartke opposed the war. This led Roudebush to run a close race that ultimately was decided after a recount. Hartke won by just about 4,200 votes.

This would be Hartke's last win in a U.S. Senate election. In 1976, he was defeated by Republican Richard Lugar.

1970 United States Senate election in Indiana^[1][16]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Vance Hartke (Incumbent)	870,990	50.12
	Republican	Richard L. Roudebush	866,707	49.88
Majority			4,283	0.24
Turnout			1,737,697
	Democratic hold

Maine

Maine election

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee Edmund Muskie Neil S. Bishop Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 199,954 123,906 Percentage 61.74% 38.26%

County results Muskie:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Bishop:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Edmund Muskie Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Edmund Muskie Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Maine

See also: List of United States senators from Maine

1970 United States Senate election in Maine^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Edmund S. Muskie (Incumbent)	199,954	61.74
	Republican	Neil S. Bishop	123,906	38.26
Majority			76,048	23.48
Turnout			323,860
	Democratic hold

Maryland

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Maryland

See also: List of United States senators from Maryland

Maryland election

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee J. Glenn Beall Jr. Joseph Tydings Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 484,960 460,422 Percentage 50.71% 48.14%

County results Beall:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Tydings:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Joseph Tydings Democratic Elected U.S. Senator J. Glenn Beall Jr. Republican

In 1970, Republican J. Glenn Beall ran for re-election to a third term in the U.S. Senate but was defeated by Democrat Joseph Tydings in a landslide, 63-37%. Tydings ran for re-election to a second term in 1970.

Republicans nominated Representative J. Glenn Beall Jr., the son of J. Glenn Beall. Tydings faced a primary challenge from segregationist George P. Mahoney but won with 53% of the vote. However, Republican Glenn Beall Jr. won the general election with nearly 51% of the vote to 48% for Tydings. He would serve just one term, losing in 1976 to Democrat Paul Sarbanes.

1970 United States Senate election in Maryland^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Glenn Beall Jr.	484,960	50.71
	Democratic	Joseph D. Tydings (Incumbent)	460,422	48.14
	American Independent	Harvey Wilder	10,988	1.15
Majority			24,538	2.57
Turnout			956,370
	Republican gain from Democratic

Massachusetts

Massachusetts election

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee Ted Kennedy Josiah Spaulding Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,202,856 715,978 Percentage 62.2% 37.0%

County Results Municipality Results Kennedy   40–50%   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90% Spaulding   40–50%   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90%

U.S. senator before election Ted Kennedy Democratic Elected U.S. senator Ted Kennedy Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

See also: List of United States senators from Massachusetts

Incumbent Democrat Ted Kennedy defeated his challengers. This was Kennedy's first election run since the 1969 Chappaquiddick incident. Kennedy won 62.2%, down from 74.3% that he won in the previous election in 1964; this decrease was due to numerous factors including Chappaquiddick and a far more favorable environment for the Republicans than the Democratic landslide year of 1964.

The Republican nominee was Josiah Spaulding, a businessman and Republican leader in Massachusetts. He led a group of delegates at the 1968 Republican National Convention who unsuccessfully sought to nominate Nelson A. Rockefeller over Richard Nixon.^[17]

Other candidates were Lawrence Gilfedder (Socialist Labor) and Mark R. Shaw (Prohibition), a former Prohibition Party candidate for U.S. senator from Massachusetts in 1946, 1952, 1958, 1969, 1962, and 1966. He was the party's candidate for governor of Massachusetts in 1948 and 1956. In 1964, he was the Prohibition Party's candidate for vice-president of the United States.^[18]

General election^[19]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Edward M. Kennedy (Incumbent)	1,202,856	62.16	−12.1
	Republican	Josiah Spaulding	715,978	37.00	+11.58
	Socialist Labor	Lawrence Gilfedder	10,378	0.54	+0.33
	Prohibition	Mark R. Shaw	5,944	0.31	+0.19
	None	Scattering	451	0.02	+0.02
Majority			486,878	25.16
Turnout			1,935,607
	Democratic hold		Swing

Michigan

1970 United States Senate election in Michigan

← 1964 November 3, 1970 1976 →

Nominee Philip Hart Lenore Romney Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,744,672 858,438 Percentage 66.84% 32.89%

County results Hart:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Romney:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Philip Hart Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Philip Hart Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Michigan

See also: List of United States senators from Michigan

1970 United States Senate election in Michigan^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Philip Hart (Incumbent)	1,744,672	66.83
	Republican	Lenore Romney	858,438	32.88
	Socialist Workers	Paul Ludieu	3,861	0.15
	Socialist Labor	James Sim	3,254	0.12
	None	Scattering	538	0.02
Majority			886,234	33.95
Turnout			2,610,763
	Democratic hold

Minnesota

1970 United States Senate election in Minnesota

← 1964 November 3, 1970 1976 →

Nominee Hubert H. Humphrey Clark MacGregor Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 788,256 568,025 Percentage 57.75% 41.62%

County results Humphrey:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% MacGregor:      50-60%

U.S. senator before election Eugene J. McCarthy Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Senator Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic (DFL)

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Minnesota

See also: List of United States senators from Minnesota

Incumbent Democrat Eugene McCarthy retired instead of seeking a third term. Former Democratic U.S. senator, Vice President and 1968 presidential nominee Hubert Humphrey defeated Republican U.S. Representative Clark MacGregor.

Democratic primary election results^[20]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Hubert H. Humphrey	338,705	79.25
	Democratic (DFL)	Earl D. Craig	88,709	20.76

Republican primary election results^[21]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Clark MacGregor	220,353	93.31
	Republican	John D. Baucom	15,797	6.69

General election results^[22][23]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Hubert H. Humphrey	788,256	57.75
	Republican	Clark MacGregor	568,025	41.62
	Socialist Workers	Nancy Strebe	6,122	0.45
	Industrial Government	William Braatz	2,484	0.18
Majority			220,231	16.13
Turnout			1,364,887
	Democratic (DFL) hold

Mississippi

1970 United States Senate election in Mississippi

← 1964 November 3, 1970 1976 →

Nominee John C. Stennis William Richard Thompson Party Democratic Independent Popular vote 286,622 37,593 Percentage 88.40% 11.60%

County results Stennis:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. senator before election John C. Stennis Democratic Elected U.S. Senator John C. Stennis Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Mississippi

See also: List of United States senators from Mississippi

1970 United States Senate election in Mississippi^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John C. Stennis (Incumbent)	286,622	88.40
	Independent	William Richard Thompson	37,593	11.60
Majority			249,029	76.80
Turnout			324,215
	Democratic hold

Missouri

1970 United States Senate election in Missouri

← 1964 November 3, 1970 1976 →

Nominee Stuart Symington John Danforth Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,090,067 813,571 Percentage 51.03% 48.15%

County Results Symington:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Danforth:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

U.S. senator before election Stuart Symington Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Stuart Symington Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Missouri

See also: List of United States senators from Missouri

Incumbent Democrat Stuart Symington was originally elected in 1952 over Republican James P. Kem with 54% of the vote. He won re-election in landslide victories with 66% of the vote in 1958 and 1964. He ran for a fourth term in 1970.

Symington faced little primary opposition. Republican Missouri Attorney General John Danforth won the Republican primary. In the general election, Symington led in polling, but Danforth closed the gap during the campaign and ran closely against Symington. Symington defeated Danforth 51-48%. This would be Symington's closest election to the U.S. Senate, and Danforth would succeed him in 1976, serving for three terms.

1970 United States Senate election in Missouri^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Stuart Symington (Incumbent)	654,831	51.03
	Republican	John C. Danforth	617,903	48.15
	American Independent	Gene Chapman	10,065	0.78
	Independent	E. J. DiGirolamo	513	0.04
Majority			36,928	2.88
Turnout			1,283,312
	Democratic hold

Montana

1970 United States Senate election in Montana

← 1964 November 3, 1970 1976 →

Nominee Mike Mansfield Harold E. Wallace Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 150,060 97,809 Percentage 60.54% 39.46%

County results Mansfield:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Wallace:      50-60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election Mike Mansfield Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Mike Mansfield Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Montana

See also: List of United States senators from Montana

Democratic incumbent Mike Mansfield, the Senate Majority Leader who was first elected to the Senate in 1952, and was re-elected in 1958 and 1964, ran for re-election. Mansfield won the primary against several opponents, and advanced to the general election, where he was opposed by Harold E. Wallace, a sporting goods salesman and the Republican nominee. While his margin of victory decreased slightly from 1964, Mansfield still managed to defeat Wallace overwhelmingly, winning his fourth and (what would turn out to be his) final term in the Senate.

Democratic Party primary results^[24]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mike Mansfield (Incumbent)	68,146	77.17
	Democratic	Tom McDonald	10,773	12.20
	Democratic	John W. Lawlor	19,384	10.63
Total votes			88,303	100.00

Republican Primary results^[24]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Harold E. Wallace	45,549	100.00
Total votes			45,549	100.00

1970 United States Senate election in Montana^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Mike Mansfield (Incumbent)	150,060	60.54	−3.97%
	Republican	Harold E. Wallace	97,809	39.46	+3.97%
Majority			52,251	21.08	−7.95%
Turnout			247,869
	Democratic hold		Swing

Nebraska

1970 United States Senate election in Nebraska

← 1964 November 3, 1970 1976 →

Nominee Roman Hruska Frank B. Morrison Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 240,894 217,681 Percentage 52.49% 47.43%

County results Hruska:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Morrison:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Roman Hruska Republican Elected U.S. Senator Roman Hruska Republican

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Nebraska

See also: List of United States senators from Nebraska

The incumbent Republican Roman Hruska was re-elected.

1970 United States Senate election in Nebraska^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Roman Hruska (Incumbent)	240,894	52.49
	Democratic	Frank B. Morrison	217,681	47.43
	None	Scattering	391	0.09
Majority			23,213	5.06
Turnout			458,966
	Republican hold

Nevada

Nevada election

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee Howard Cannon William Raggio Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 85,187 60,838 Percentage 57.7% 41.2%

County results Cannon:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Raggio:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Howard Cannon Democratic Elected U.S. senator Howard Cannon Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Nevada

See also: List of United States senators from Nevada

Democrat Howard Cannon, the incumbent since 1959, won re-election to a third term over William Raggio, the Washoe County District Attorney.

In the Senate, Cannon was known as a moderate in the Democratic Party. He served as chairman of several committees, including the rules committee and the inaugural arrangements committee. Cannon was nearly defeated for re-election in 1964 by Republican Lieutenant Governor Paul Laxalt in one of the closest election in history. However, he became more popular over the next few years and defeated D.A. William Raggio, whose 1970 senate campaign began his long political career. Raggio ran for the Nevada Senate in 1972 and won. He then served there for decades to come.

General election results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Howard Cannon (Incumbent)	85,187	57.65	+7.63%
	Republican	William Raggio	60,838	41.17	−8.81%
	American Independent	Harold G. DeSellem	1,743	1.18
Majority			24,349	16.48	+16.44%
Turnout			147,768
	Democratic hold		Swing

New Jersey

New Jersey election

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee Harrison A. Williams Nelson G. Gross Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,157,074 903,026 Percentage 54.02% 42.16%

County Results Williams:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Gross:      40–50%      50-60%

U.S. senator before election Harrison A. Williams Democratic Elected U.S. senator Harrison A. Williams Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in New Jersey

See also: List of United States senators from New Jersey

1970 United States Senate election in New Jersey^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Harrison A. Williams (Incumbent)	1,157,074	56.17
	Republican	Nelson G. Gross	903,026	43.83
Majority			254,048	12.34
Turnout			2,060,100
	Democratic hold

New Mexico

New Mexico election

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee Joseph Montoya Anderson Carter Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 151,486 135,004 Percentage 52.3% 46.6%

County results Montoya:      50–60%      60–70% Carter:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Joseph Montoya Democratic Elected U.S. senator Joseph Montoya Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in New Mexico

See also: List of United States senators from New Mexico

Incumbent Democrat Joseph Montoya successfully ran for re-election to a second term, defeating Republican Anderson Carter.

Democratic primary results^[25]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph Montoya, Incumbent	85,285	73.10
	Democratic	Richard B. Edwards	31,381	26.90
Majority			53,904	46.20
Total votes			116,666	100.00

Republican primary results^[26]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Anderson Carter	32,122	57.76
	Republican	David Cargo, Governor of New Mexico	16,951	32.28
	Republican	Harold G. Thompson	5,544	9.97
Majority			14,171	25.48
Total votes			55,617	100.00

General election results^[27]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph Montoya, Incumbent	151,486	52.26
	Republican	Anderson Carter	135,004	46.57
	People's Constitutional	William Higgs	3,382	1.17
Majority			16,482	5.69
Total votes			289,872	100.00
	Democratic hold

New York

New York election

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee James L. Buckley Richard Ottinger Charles Goodell Party Conservative Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,288,190 2,171,232 1,404,472 Percentage 38.95% 36.96% 23.91%

County results Buckley:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Ottinger:      30–40%      40–50% Goodell:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Charles Goodell Republican Elected U.S. senator James L. Buckley Conservative

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in New York

See also: List of United States senators from New York

Incumbent Republican Charles Goodell, who was recently appointed to the seat by Governor Nelson Rockefeller after senator Bobby Kennedy (D) was assassinated, ran for a full term, but was defeated by the Conservative Party of New York nominee James L. Buckley. Other candidates included: Richard Ottinger, U.S. Congressman (1965–1971, 1975–1985), Kevin P. McGovern, Paul O'Dwyer, Former New York City Council Member from Manhattan, Ted Sorensen, Former Advisor and Speechwriter to President John F. Kennedy, Richard D. McCarthy, U.S. Congressman (1965–1971).

Conservative Party Convention results^[28]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Conservative	James L. Buckley	37,940	91.38
	Conservative	Kevin P. McGovern	3,580	8.62
Total votes			41,520	100.00

Democratic Party Primary results^[29]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Richard Ottinger	366,789	39.61
	Democratic	Paul O'Dwyer	302,438	32.66
	Democratic	Ted Sorensen	154,434	16.68
	Democratic	Richard D. McCarthy	102,224	11.04
Total votes			925,885	100.00

Republican Party Convention results^[28]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Charles Goodell (Incumbent)	311	86.39
		Abstaining	49	13.61
Total votes			360	100.00

Liberal Party Convention results^[30]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Liberal	Charles Goodell (Incumbent)	201	67.00
	Liberal	Paul O'Dwyer	48	16.00
	Liberal	Richard D. McCarthy	33	11.00
	Liberal	Richard Ottinger	12	4.00
	Liberal	Ted Sorensen	6	2.00
Total votes			300	100.00

General election results^[31]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Conservative	James L. Buckley	2,288,190	38.95
	Democratic	Richard Lawrence Ottinger	2,171,232	36.96
	Republican	Charles Goodell (Incumbent)	1,178,679
	Liberal	Charles Goodell (Incumbent)	225,793
	Republican + Liberal Party	Charles Goodell (Incumbent)	1,404,472	23.91
	Communist	Arnold Johnson	4,097	0.07
	Socialist Workers	Kipp Dawson	3,549	0.06
	Socialist Labor	John Emanuel	3,204	0.06
Majority			116,958	1.99
Turnout			5,904,744
	Conservative gain from Republican

North Dakota

North Dakota election

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee Quentin Burdick Thomas Kleppe Party Democratic–NPL Republican Popular vote 134,519 82,996 Percentage 61.27% 37.80%

County results Burdick:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Kleppe:      50-60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election Quentin Burdick Democratic–NPL Elected U.S. Senator Quentin Burdick Democratic–NPL

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in North Dakota

See also: List of United States senators from North Dakota

Incumbent Democratic-NPL Party Senator Quentin N. Burdick was re-elected to his third term, defeating Republican candidate Thomas S. Kleppe, who later became the United States Secretary of the Interior.^[1]

Only Burdick filed as a Dem-NPLer, and the endorsed Republican candidate was Thomas S. Kleppe, who was finishing his second and final term as a Representative for North Dakota's second congressional district. Burdick and Kleppe won the primary elections for their respective parties.

One independent candidate, Russell Kleppe, also filed before the deadline.

1970 United States Senate election in North Dakota^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic–NPL	Quentin Burdick (Incumbent)	134,519	61.27
	Republican	Thomas S. Kleppe	82,996	37.80
	Independent	Russell Kleppe	2,045	0.93
Majority			51,523	23.47
Turnout			219,560
	Democratic hold

Ohio

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Ohio

See also: List of United States senators from Ohio

Democrat Stephen M. Young had served in the U.S. Senate since 1958 after defeating Republican John W. Bricker in a close election. Young was re-elected in 1964 over Republican Representative Robert Taft Jr., whose father Robert A. Taft represented Ohio in the U.S. Senate from 1939 until his death in 1953. Young opted to retire in 1971.

Taft Jr. faced a tough primary challenge against Ohio governor Jim Rhodes. He won a bitterly-fought primary by just under 6,000 votes to advance to the general election. Democrat Howard Metzenbaum competed in an equally-competitive primary, defeating former astronaut John Glenn. Metzenbaum and Glenn would both later represent Ohio in the U.S. Senate.

Taft Jr. defeated Metzenbaum in a close election, taking nearly 50% of the vote to just above 47% for Metzenbaum. Metzenbaum would defeat Taft Jr. in a rematch election in 1976, serving until 1995 alongside Glenn.

1970 United States Senate election in Ohio

← 1964 November 3, 1970 1976 →

Nominee Robert Taft Jr. Howard Metzenbaum Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,565,682 1,495,262 Percentage 49.68% 47.52%

County results Taft:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Metzenbaum:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Stephen M. Young Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Robert Taft Jr. Republican

1970 United States Senate election in Ohio^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Robert Taft Jr.	1,565,682	49.68
	Democratic	Howard M. Metzenbaum	1,495,262	47.45
	American Independent	Richard B. Kay	61,261	1.94
	Socialist Labor	John O'Neill	29,069	0.92
Majority			70,420	2.23
Turnout			3,151,274
	Republican gain from Democratic

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania election

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee Hugh Scott William Sesler Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,874,106 1,653,774 Percentage 51.4% 45.4%

County results Scott:      40–50%      50-60%      60-70%      70–80% Sesler:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Hugh Scott Republican Elected U.S. senator Hugh Scott Republican

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania

See also: List of United States senators from Pennsylvania

Incumbent Republican Hugh Scott won re-election, defeating Democratic nominee State senator William Sesler.

General election results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Hugh Scott (Incumbent)	1,874,106	51.43	+0.84%
	Democratic	William Sesler	1,653,774	45.38	−3.74%
	Constitution	Frank W. Gaydosh	85,813	2.36	+2.36%
	American Independent	W. Henry McFarland	18,275	0.50	+0.50%
	Socialist Labor	Herman A. Johnson	4,375	0.12	−0.02%
	Socialist Workers	Robin Maisel	3,970	0.11	−0.04%
	Consumer	William R. Mimms	3,932	0.11	+0.11%
	N/A	Other	60	0.00	N/A
Majority			220,332	6.05
Turnout			3,644,305
	Republican hold		Swing

Rhode Island

Rhode Island election

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee John Pastore John McLaughlin Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 230,469 107,351 Percentage 67.5% 31.5%

County results Municipality results Pastore:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% McLaughlin:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election John Pastore Democratic Elected U.S. Senator John Pastore Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Rhode Island

See also: List of United States senators from Rhode Island

1970 United States Senate election in Rhode Island^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John O. Pastore (Incumbent)	230,469	67.54
	Republican	John McLaughlin	107,351	31.46
	Peace and Freedom	David N. Fenton	2,406	0.71
	Socialist Workers	Daniel B. Fein	996	0.29
Majority			123,118	36.08
Turnout			341,222
	Democratic hold

Tennessee

1970 United States Senate election in Tennessee

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee Bill Brock Albert Gore Sr. Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 562,645 519,858 Percentage 51.29% 47.39%

County results Brock:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Gore:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Albert Gore Sr. Democratic Elected U.S. senator Bill Brock Republican

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Tennessee

See also: List of United States senators from Tennessee

Republican Bill Brock defeated incumbent senator Albert Gore Sr.

1970 United States Senate election in Tennessee^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bill Brock	562,645	51.29
	Democratic	Albert Gore Sr. (Incumbent)	519,858	47.39
	American Independent	Cecil Pitard	8,691	0.79
	Independent	Dan R. East	5,845	0.53
	None	Scattering	2	0.00
Majority			42,787	3.90
Turnout			1,097,041
	Republican hold

Texas

1970 United States Senate election in Texas

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee Lloyd Bentsen George H. W. Bush Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,194,069 1,035,794 Percentage 53.3% 46.6%

Bentsen:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Bush:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Ralph Yarborough Democratic Elected U.S. senator Lloyd Bentsen Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Texas

See also: List of United States senators from Texas

Incumbent Democrat Ralph Yarborough was defeated by former Representative Lloyd Bentsen in the Democratic primary. Bentsen then defeated Representative George H. W. Bush in the general election. When Bush was running for president in 1988, his Democratic opponent, Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, selected Bentsen as his vice presidential running mate.

1970 United States Senate election in Texas^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Lloyd Bentsen	1,226,568	53.34
	Republican	George H. W. Bush	1,071,234	46.58
	None	Scattering	1,808	0.08
Majority			155,334	6.76
Turnout			2,299,610
	Democratic hold

Utah

1970 United States Senate election in Utah

← 1964 November 3, 1970 1976 →

Nominee Frank Moss Laurence J. Burton Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 210,207 159,004 Percentage 56.16% 42.48%

County results Moss:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Burton:      40–50%      50-60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election Frank Moss Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Frank Moss Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Utah

See also: List of United States senators from Utah

1970 United States Senate election in Utah^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank Moss (Incumbent)	210,207	56.16
	Republican	Laurence J. Burton	159,004	42.48
	American Independent	Clyde B. Freeman	5,092	1.36
Majority			51,203	13.68
Turnout			374,303
	Democratic hold

Vermont

Vermont election

← 1964 1972 (special) →

Nominee Winston L. Prouty Philip H. Hoff Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 91,198 62,271 Percentage 58.9% 40.2%

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

U.S. senator before election Winston L. Prouty Republican Elected U.S. Senator Winston L. Prouty Republican

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Vermont

See also: List of United States senators from Vermont

Republican Winston L. Prouty was first elected in 1958, succeeding Republican Ralph Flanders. He was re-elected in 1964 in a realigning period for Vermont politics. Democrat Philip H. Hoff became the state's first Democratic governor since 1853, while William H. Meyer succeeded Prouty in the House of Representatives. Prouty faced a more difficult challenge in 1964 and won with just 53% of the vote.

In 1970, Prouty faced Hoff and Meyer in the general election, with Meyer nominated by the Liberty Union party. Prouty prevailed with 59% of the vote to 40% for Hoff and just 1% for Meyer. He would not serve the full term, as he passed in 1972 and was succeeded by Republican Robert Stafford.

1970 United States Senate election in Vermont^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Winston L. Prouty (Incumbent)	91,198	58.88
	Democratic	Philip H. Hoff	62,271	40.20
	Liberty Union	William H. Meyer	1,416	0.91
	None	Scattering	14	0.01
Majority			28,927	18.68
Turnout			154,899
	Republican hold

Virginia

Virginia election

← 1966 (special) 1976 →

Nominee Harry F. Byrd Jr. George Rawlings Party Independent Democratic Popular vote 506,237 294,582 Percentage 53.5% 31.2%   Nominee Ray L. Garland Party Republican Popular vote 144,765 Percentage 15.3%

County and Independent City Results Byrd:      30-40%      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Rawlings:      30-40%      40-50%      50-60%      70-80% Garland:      30-40%      40-50%      50-60%

U.S. senator before election Harry F. Byrd Jr. Democratic Elected U.S. senator Harry F. Byrd Jr. Independent

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Virginia

See also: List of United States senators from Virginia

Incumbent Harry F. Byrd Jr. was re-elected to his first full term after winning a race 4 years earlier to finish the remainder of his father's term. He beat George C. Rawlings Jr. (D), a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, and Ray L. Garland (R), a member of Virginia House of Delegates.

1970 United States Senate election in Virginia^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Harry F. Byrd Jr. (Incumbent)	506,237	53.54	+53.54%
	Democratic	George Rawlings	294,582	31.15	−22.15%
	Republican	Ray L. Garland	144,765	15.31	−22.07%
	Write-ins		30	<0.01	−0.02%
Majority			211,655	22.38	+6.46%
Turnout			945,614
	Independent gain from Democratic

Washington

Washington Election

← 1964 1976 →

Nominee Henry M. Jackson Charles W. Elicker Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 879,385 170,790 Percentage 82.43% 16.01%

County results Jackson:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. senator before election Henry M. Jackson Democratic Elected U.S. senator Henry M. Jackson Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Washington

See also: List of United States senators from Washington

1970 United States Senate election in Washington^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Henry M. Jackson (Incumbent)	879,385	82.43
	Republican	Charles W. Elicker	170,790	16.01
	Socialist Workers	Bill Massey	9,255	0.87
	Buffalo	Edison S. 'Pinky' Fisk	7,377	0.69
Majority			708,595	66.42
Turnout			1,066,807
	Democratic hold

West Virginia

1970 United States Senate election in West Virginia

← 1964 November 3, 1970 1976 →

Nominee Robert Byrd Elmer Dodson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 345,965 99,658 Percentage 77.64% 22.36%

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

U.S. senator before election Robert Byrd Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Robert Byrd Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in West Virginia

See also: List of United States senators from West Virginia

1970 United States Senate election in West Virginia^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Robert C. Byrd (Incumbent)	345,965	77.64
	Republican	Elmer H. Dodson	99,658	22.36
Majority			246,307	54.28
Turnout			445,623
	Democratic hold

Wisconsin

1970 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

← 1964 November 3, 1970 1976 →

Nominee William Proxmire John E. Erickson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 948,445 381,297 Percentage 70.83% 28.48%

County results Proxmire:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election William Proxmire Democratic Elected U.S. Senator William Proxmire Democratic

Main article: 1970 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

See also: List of United States senators from Wisconsin

1970 United States Senate election in Wisconsin^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William Proxmire (Incumbent)	948,445	70.83
	Republican	John E. Erickson	381,297	28.48
	American Independent	Edmond E. Hou-Seye	6,137	0.46
	Independent	Elizabeth (Betty) Boardman	2,022	0.15
	Socialist Workers	Martha M. Quinn	580	0.04
	Socialist Labor	Adolf Wiggert	428	0.03
	None	Scattering	58	0.00
Majority			567,148	42.35
Turnout			1,338,967
	Democratic hold

Wyoming

1970 United States Senate election in Wyoming

← 1964 November 3, 1970 1976 →

Nominee Gale W. McGee John S. Wold Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 67,207 53,279 Percentage 55.78% 44.22%

County results McGee:      50–60%      60–70% Wold:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Gale W. McGee Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Gale W. McGee Democratic

1970 United States Senate election in Wyoming^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Gale W. McGee (Incumbent)	67,207	55.78
	Republican	John S. Wold	53,279	44.22
Majority			13,928	11.56
Turnout			120,486
	Democratic hold

See also

• 1970 United States elections
  • 1970 United States gubernatorial elections
  • 1970 United States House of Representatives elections
• 91st United States Congress
• 92nd United States Congress

Notes

1. The Liberal Party in New York nominated Charles Goodell, a Republican, but the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives did not tabulate their votes, totaling 225,793, into the national Republican total.^[1]
2. In Texas, Ralph Yarborough lost renomination for another term, Lloyd Bentsen became the party's new nominee.
3. Includes three interim appointees who ran for election.
4. Includes the interim appointee who won election to finish the term.
5. Appointee defeated
6. Appointee elected
7. Florida was the "tipping-point state".

References

1. Clerk of the United States House of Representatives (May 1, 1971). "STATISTICS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 3, 1970" (PDF). United States House of Representatives. p. 1, 39. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
2. 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.
3. Kane, Paul (October 13, 2018). "Stark political divide points to a split decision in midterm elections". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
4. The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party is affiliated nationally with the Democratic Party (United States).
5. "AK US Senate - Special Open Primary". Retrieved June 23, 2018 – via OurCampaigns.com.
6. "Josephson in Senate seat race". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Fairbanks, Alaska. August 17, 1970. p. 19. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
7. "AK US Senate - Special". Retrieved June 23, 2018 – via Our Campaigns.
8. "AZ US Senate - D Primary Race - September 8, 1970". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
9. "AZ US Senate Race - November 3, 1970". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
10. Steinberg, Jacques (May 5, 1992). "George Murphy, Singer and Actor Who Became Senator, Dies at 89". The New York Times. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
11. Christensen, Terry, and Hass, Peter. Projecting Politics: Political Messages in American Films, p. 146
12. Our Campaigns - CT US Senate Race - November 3, 1970
13. "Spessard Lindsey Holland". Tallahassee, Florida: Florida Department of State. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
14. "Cramer v. Kirk," p. 403
15. "Tabulation of Official Votes, Florida Primary Election, Democratic and Republican, September 8, 1970 and September 29, 1970" (PDF). Florida Secretary of State. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
16. "Our Campaigns - IN US Senate Race - Nov 03, 1970". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
17. Josiah Spaulding at ourcampaigns.com
18. Mark R. Shaw at ourcampaigns.com
19. Massachusetts race details at ourcampaigns.com
20. "MN US Senate- D Primary Race - September 15, 1970". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
21. "MN US Senate- R Primary Race - September 15, 1970". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
22. "Minnesota Legislative Manual - General Election Returns, November 3, 1970" (PDF). Minnesota Legislature. 1971–1972.
23. "MN US Senate Race - November 3, 1970". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
24. "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, June 2, 1970". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
25. "NM US Senate - D Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
26. "NM US Senate - R Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
27. "NM US Senate". OurCampaigns. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
28. "NY US Senate - C Convention Race - April 7, 1970". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
29. "NY US Senate - D Primary Race - June 23, 1970". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
30. "NY US Senate - L Convention Race - May 11, 1970". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
31. "NY US Senate Race - November 3, 1970". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.