1974 United States Senate election in Idaho

The 1974 United States Senate election in Idaho took place on Tuesday, November 5. Democratic incumbent Frank Church was re-elected to a fourth term in office, defeating Republican Bob Smith.^[1]

1974 United States Senate election in Idaho

← 1968 November 5, 1974 1980 →

Nominee Frank Church Bob Smith Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 145,140 109,072 Percentage 56.07% 42.14%

County results Church:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Smith:      50–60%      60–70%

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

Church announced his presidential campaign in March 1976,^[2][3] off the strength of his victory as well as his high-profile chairmanship of the select Church Commission investigating American intelligence activity.

As of 2024^[update], this was the last time the Democrats won a U.S. Senate election in Idaho.^[4]

Primary elections

The primary was held on Tuesday, August 6.^[5]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Frank Church, Boise, incumbent since 1957
• Leon Olson, Boise

Results

Democratic primary results^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank Church (incumbent)	53,659	85.77%
	Democratic	Leon Olson	8,904	14.23%
Total votes			62,563	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Charles Bolstridge, Nampa
• Bob Smith, Nampa, attorney^[7][8]
• Donald L. Winder, Boise

Results

Republican primary results^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bob Smith	45,553	71.98%
	Republican	Donald L. Winder	13,406	21.18%
	Republican	Charles Bolstridge	4,331	6.84%
Total votes			63,290	100.00%

General election

Main article: 1974 United States elections

Democratic candidates did extraordinarily well in 1974, in response to the Watergate scandal. This was true even in Republican leaning states and districts, leading commentators to call Church and other Democratic candidates elected that year, "Watergate babies."^[10][11]

Results

1974 United States Senate election in Idaho^[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Frank Church (incumbent)	145,140	56.07%	4.19
	Republican	Bob Smith	109,072	42.14%	2.40
	American Independent	Jean L. Stoddard	4,635	1.79%	N/A
Majority			36,068	13.93%	−6.59%
Total votes			258,847	100.00%	+10.09%
	Democratic hold

See also

• 1974 United States Senate elections

References

1. "Vote favors Church, Hansen, Symms". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. November 6, 1974. p. 1.
2. Shelledy, Jay (March 19, 1976). "Church joins race for White House". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1A.
3. "Sen. Church claims others dodge issues". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. March 18, 1976. p. 1.
4. Gonzales, Nathan L. "Bleak streak for Idaho Democrats likely to continue". rollcall.com. CQ Roll Call. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
5. "Cox(?), Smith, Kidwell, Evans, Ravenscroft in". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. August 7, 1974. p. 1.
6. "Our Campaigns - ID US Senate - D Primary Race - Aug 06, 1974".
7. "Smith announces race for Church Senate seat". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. November 9, 1973. p. 5.
8. "Bob Smith for Idaho". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). (advertisement). August 6, 1974. p. 7.
9. "Our Campaigns - ID US Senate - R Primary Race - Aug 06, 1974".
10. Liu, Irene Jay (December 14, 2009). "A 70's flashback at Capitol". timesunion.com.
11. "The last of the Watergate babies". Democrat and Chronicle. April 2, 2007. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
12. "Our Campaigns - ID US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1974".