1976 United States Senate election in California

For related races, see 1976 United States Senate elections.

The 1976 United States Senate election in California took place on November 2, 1976. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator John V. Tunney ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Republican S. I. Hayakawa. As of 2024, this is the last time an incumbent Democratic Senator from California lost re-election.

1976 United States Senate election in California

← 1970 November 2, 1976 1982 →

Nominee S. I. Hayakawa John V. Tunney Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 3,748,973 3,502,862 Percentage 50.12% 46.89%

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

U.S. senator before election John V. Tunney Democratic Elected U.S. Senator S. I. Hayakawa Republican

Primary elections were held on June 8. Tunney survived a challenge from anti-war activist Tom Hayden, the husband of Jane Fonda. Hayakawa, a novice campaigner, won a surprise victory over seasoned political figures Robert H. Finch, Alphonzo Bell Jr., and John L. Harmer.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Lois T. Bodle
• Leslie W. "Les" Craven, nominee for U.S. Representative in California's 25th congressional district in 1970 and 1972
• Howard L. Gifford, candidate for U.S. Senate in 1974
• Tom Hayden, anti-war activist and husband of Jane Fonda
• Millard F. Slover
• Frank L. Thomas
• John V. Tunney, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Bob Wallach
• Ronald L. Williams

Results

Results by county:

Tunney

•   40–50%
•   50–60%
•   60–70%

Hayden

•   40–50%
•   50–60%

1976 Democratic U.S. Senate primary^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John V. Tunney (incumbent)	1,774,879	53.79%
	Democratic	Tom Hayden	1,210,637	36.69%
	Democratic	Bob Wallach	73,142	2.22%
	Democratic	Lois T. Bodle	54,220	1.64%
	Democratic	Frank L. Thomas	53,843	1.63%
	Democratic	Howard L. Gifford	46,977	1.42%
	Democratic	Ronald L. Williams	29,511	0.89%
	Democratic	Leslie W. Craven	28,583	0.87%
	Democratic	Millard F. Slover	28,108	0.85%
	Write-in	All others	25	0.00%
Total votes			3,299,925	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Alphonzo E. Bell Jr., U.S. Representative from Santa Monica
• Hannibal C. Burchette V
• Robert H. Finch, former Lieutenant Governor of California, United States Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, and advisor to President Richard Nixon
• John L. Harmer, former Lieutenant Governor and State Senator
• S. I. Hayakawa, professor of semantics and president emeritus of San Francisco State University
• Henry Hill
• Michael A. Hirt
• Walter Hollywood
• Clyde F. Tracy
• James A. Ware, perennial candidate

Results

Results by county:

Hayakawa

•   20–30%
•   30–40%
•   40–50%
•   50–60%

Finch

•   20–30%
•   30–40%
•   40–50%

1976 Republican U.S. Senate primary^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	S. I. Hayakawa	886,743	38.25%
	Republican	Robert H. Finch	614,240	26.49%
	Republican	Alphonzo E. Bell Jr.	532,969	22.99%
	Republican	John L. Harmer	197,252	8.51%
	Republican	Walter Hollywood	28,163	1.22%
	Republican	Clyde F. Tracy	17,784	0.77%
	Republican	James A. Ware	14,990	0.65%
	Republican	Henry Hill	10,290	0.44%
	Republican	Michael A. Hirt	9,941	0.43%
	Republican	Hannibal C. Burchette V	6,222	0.27%
Total votes			2,318,594	100.00%

General election

Results

General election results^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	S. I. Hayakawa	3,748,973	50.12%
	Democratic	John V. Tunney (incumbent)	3,502,862	46.89%
	Peace and Freedom	David Wald	104,383	1.40%
	American Independent	Jack McCoy	82,739	1.11%
	Independent	Omari Musa	31,629	0.42%
Majority			246,111	3.23%
Turnout			7,470,586	100.00%
	Republican gain from Democratic

See also

• 1976 United States Senate elections

References

1. "Our Campaigns - CA US Senate - D Primary Race - Jun 08, 1976".
2. "Our Campaigns - CA US Senate - R Primary Race - Jun 08, 1976".
3. "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 2, 1976" (PDF). Clerk of the House of Representatives. p. 4.