1968 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania

The 1968 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania was held on November 5, 1968. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Joseph S. Clark Jr. sought re-election to a third term but was defeated by Republican U.S. Representative Richard Schweiker. This election marked the last time that an incumbent Senator lost re-election to this seat.

1968 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania

← 1962 November 5, 1968 1974 →

Nominee Richard Schweiker Joseph S. Clark Jr. Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 2,399,762 2,117,662 Percentage 51.90% 45.80%

County results Schweiker:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Clark:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Joseph S. Clark, Jr. Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Richard Schweiker Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Joseph S. Clark Jr., incumbent U.S. Senator since 1957
• John Herman Dent, U.S. Representative from Greensburg

General election

Candidates

• Pearl Chertov (Socialist Workers)
• Joseph S. Clark Jr., incumbent U.S. Senator since 1957 (Democratic)
• Frank W. Gaydosh (Constitution)
• Benson Perry (Socialist Labor)
• Richard Schweiker, U.S. Representative from Norristown (Republican)

Results

General election results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Richard Schweiker	2,399,762	51.90%
	Democratic	Joseph S. Clark Jr. (incumbent)	2,117,662	45.80%
	Constitution	Frank W. Gaydosh	96,742	2.09%
	Socialist Labor	Benson Perry	7,198	0.16%
	Socialist Workers	Pearl Chertov	2,743	0.06%
	N/A	Other	111	0.00%
	Republican gain from Democratic

See also

• United States Senate elections, 1968