1968 United States Senate elections

The 1968 United States Senate elections were elections for the United States Senate. Held on November 5, the 34 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections. They coincided with the presidential election of the same year. The Republicans picked up five net seats in the Senate. This saw Republicans win a Senate seat in Florida for the first time since Reconstruction.

1968 United States Senate elections

← 1966 November 5, 1968 1970 →
34 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate 51 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Mike Mansfield Everett Dirksen Party Democratic Republican Leader since January 3, 1961 January 3, 1959 Leader's seat Montana Illinois Seats before 63 37 Seats after 58[a] 42[a] Seat change 5 5 Popular vote 24,976,660 23,588,832[b] Percentage 49.3% 46.5% Seats up 23 11 Races won 18 16
Results of the elections:      Democratic gain      Democratic hold      Republican gain      Republican hold      No election
Majority Leader before election Mike Mansfield Democratic Elected Majority Leader Mike Mansfield Democratic

Republicans would gain another seat after the election when Alaska Republican Ted Stevens was appointed to replace Democrat Bob Bartlett, reducing Democrats' majority to 57–43.

This is the earliest round of Senate elections in which a first-elected member is still alive (Bob Packwood, R-OR).

Results summary

↓

58	42
Democratic	Republican

Parties						Total
		Democratic	Republican	Conservative	Other
Last elections (1966)		64	36	0	0	100
Before these elections		63	37	0	0	100
Not up		40	26	0	0	66
Up Class 3 (1962→1968)		23	11	0	0	34
Incumbent retired		3	3	—	—	6
	Held by same party	1	2	—	—	3
	Replaced by other party	1 Republican replaced by 1 Democrat 2 Democrats replaced by 2 Republicans		—	—	3
	Result	2	4	0	0	6
Incumbent ran		20	8	—	—	28
	Won re-election	13	7	—	—	20
	Lost re-election	4 Democrats replaced by 4 Republicans		—	—	4
	Lost renomination, but held by same party	2	0	—	—	2
	Lost renomination, and party lost	1 Republican replaced by 1 Democrat 1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican		—	—	2
	Result	16	12	0	0	28
Total elected		18	16	0	0	34
Net gain/loss		5	5			5
Nationwide vote		24,976,660	23,588,832[b]	1,139,402	989,058	50,693,952
	Share	49.27%	46.53%	2.25%	1.95%	100%
Result		58[a]	42	0	0	100

Source: Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives^[1]

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

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

State	Senator	Replaced by
Alabama	J. Lister Hill	James Allen
Arizona	Carl Hayden	Barry Goldwater
Florida	George Smathers	Edward Gurney
Iowa	Bourke B. Hickenlooper	Harold Hughes
Kansas	Frank Carlson	Bob Dole
Kentucky	Thruston Ballard Morton	Marlow Cook

Defeats

One Republican and seven Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.

State	Senator	Replaced by
Alaska	Ernest Gruening	Mike Gravel
California	Thomas Kuchel	Alan Cranston
Maryland	Daniel Brewster	Charles Mathias
Missouri	Edward V. Long	Thomas Eagleton
Ohio	Frank Lausche	William B. Saxbe
Oklahoma	Mike Monroney	Henry Bellmon
Oregon	Wayne Morse	Bob Packwood
Pennsylvania	Joseph S. Clark Jr.	Richard Schweiker

Post-election changes

One Democrat died on December 11, 1968, and a Republican was appointed on December 24, 1968.

State	Senator	Replaced by
Alaska (Class 2)	Bob Bartlett	Ted Stevens
Illinois (Class 3)	Everett Dirksen	Ralph Tyler Smith

Change in composition

Before the elections

After the September 10, 1968 appointment in New York.

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	D39	D38	D37	D36	D35	D34	D33	D32	D31
D41 Ala. Retired	D42 Ak. (cl. 3) Ran	D43 Ariz. Retired	D44 Ark. Ran	D45 Conn. Ran	D46 Fla. Retired	D47 Ga. Ran	D48 Hawaii Ran	D49 Idaho Ran	D50 Ind. Ran
Majority →									D51 La. Ran
D60 S.C. Ran	D59 Pa. Ran	D58 Ore. Ran	D57 Okla. Ran	D56 Ohio Ran	D55 N.C. Ran	D54 Nev. Ran	D53 Mo. Ran	D52 Md. Ran
D61 S.D. Ran	D62 Wash. Ran	D63 Wisc. Ran	R37 Vt. Ran	R36 Utah Ran	R35 N.D. Ran	R34 N.Y. (cl. 3) Ran	R33 N.H. Ran	R32 Ky. Ran	R31 Kan. Retired
R21	R22	R23	R24	R25	R26	R27 Calif. Ran	R28 Colo. Ran	R29 Ill. Ran	R30 Iowa Retired
R20	R19	R18	R17	R16	R15	R14	R13	R12	R11
R1 N.Y. (cl. 1) Gain	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	R9	R10

After the general 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	D39	D38	D37	D36	D35	D34	D33	D32	D31
D41 Ala. Hold	D42 Ak. (cl. 3) Hold	D43 Ark. Re-elected	D44 Conn. Re-elected	D45 Ga. Re-elected	D46 Hawaii Re-elected	D47 Idaho Re-elected	D48 Ind. Re-elected	D49 La. Re-elected	D50 Mo. Hold
Majority →									D51 Nev. Re-elected
R41 Ore. Gain	R42 Pa. Gain	D58 Iowa Gain	D57 Calif. Gain	D56 Wisc. Re-elected	D55 Wash. Re-elected	D54 S.D. Re-elected	D53 S.C. Re-elected	D52 N.C. Re-elected
R40 Okla. Gain	R39 Ohio Gain	R38 Md. Gain	R37 Fla. Gain	R36 Ariz. Gain	R35 Vt. Re-elected	R34 Utah Re-elected	R33 N.D. Re-elected	R32 N.Y. (cl. 3) Re-elected	R31 N.H. Re-elected
R21	R22	R23	R24	R25	R26	R27 Colo. Re-elected	R28 Ill. Re-elected	R29 Kan. Hold	R30 Ky. Hold
R20	R19	R18	R17	R16	R15	R14	R13	R12	R11
R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	R9	R10

Beginning of the next Congress

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	D39	D38	D37	D36	D35	D34	D33	D32	D31
D41	D42	D43	D44	D45	D46	D47	D48	D49	D50
Majority →									D51
R41	R42	R43 Ak. (cl. 2) Gain	D57	D56	D55	D54	D53	D52
R40	R39	R38	R37	R36	R35	R34	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:	D# Democratic R# Republican

Race summary

Elections leading to the next Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1969; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.

State (linked to summaries below)	Incumbent			Results	Candidates
	Senator	Party	Electoral history
Alabama	J. Lister Hill	Democratic	1938 (Appointed) 1938 1944 1950 1956 1962	Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold.	▌Y James Allen (Democratic) 70.0% ▌Perry Hooper Sr. (Republican) 22.1% ▌Robert Schwenn (Independent) 8.0%
Alaska	Ernest Gruening	Democratic	1958 1962	Incumbent lost renomination, then ran as a write-in candidate but lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic hold.	▌Y Mike Gravel (Democratic) 45.1% ▌Elmer E. Rasmuson (Republican) 37.4% ▌Ernest Gruening (Democratic Write-In) 17.4%
Arizona	Carl Hayden	Democratic	1926 1932 1938 1944 1950 1956 1962	Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican gain.	▌Y Barry Goldwater (Republican) 57.2% ▌Roy Elson (Democratic) 42.8%
Arkansas	J. William Fulbright	Democratic	1944 1950 1956 1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y J. William Fulbright (Democratic) 59.2% ▌Charles T. Bernard (Republican) 40.9%
California	Thomas Kuchel	Republican	1953 (Appointed) 1954 (special) 1956 1962	Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic gain.	▌Y Alan Cranston (Democratic) 51.8% ▌Max Rafferty (Republican) 46.9% ▌Paul Jacobs (Peace and Freedom) 1.3%
Colorado	Peter H. Dominick	Republican	1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Peter H. Dominick (Republican) 58.6% ▌Stephen McNichols (Democratic) 41.5%
Connecticut	Abraham Ribicoff	Democratic	1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Abraham Ribicoff (Democratic) 54.3% ▌Edwin H. May Jr. (Republican) 45.7%
Florida	George Smathers	Democratic	1950 1956 1962	Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican gain.	▌Y Edward Gurney (Republican) 55.9% ▌LeRoy Collins (Democratic) 44.1%
Georgia	Herman Talmadge	Democratic	1956 1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Herman Talmadge (Democratic) 77.5% ▌E. Earl Patton (Republican) 22.5%
Hawaii	Daniel Inouye	Democratic	1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Daniel Inouye (Democratic) 83.4% ▌Wayne C. Thiessen (Republican) 15.0%
Idaho	Frank Church	Democratic	1956 1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Frank Church (Democratic) 60.3% ▌George V. Hansen (Republican) 39.7%
Illinois	Everett Dirksen	Republican	1950 1956 1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Everett Dirksen (Republican) 53.0% ▌William G. Clark (Democratic) 46.6%
Indiana	Birch Bayh	Democratic	1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Birch Bayh (Democratic) 51.7% ▌William Ruckelshaus (Republican) 48.2%
Iowa	Bourke B. Hickenlooper	Republican	1944 1950 1956 1962	Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic gain.	▌Y Harold Hughes (Democratic) 50.3% ▌David M. Stanley (Republican) 49.7%
Kansas	Frank Carlson	Republican	1950 (special) 1950 1956 1962	Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold.	▌Y Bob Dole (Republican) 60.1% ▌William I. Robinson (Democratic) 38.7%
Kentucky	Thruston Ballard Morton	Republican	1956 1962	Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. Incumbent resigned December 16, 1968 to give successor preferential seniority. Winner appointed December 17, 1968.	▌Y Marlow Cook (Republican) 51.4% ▌Katherine Peden (Democratic) 47.6%
Louisiana	Russell B. Long	Democratic	1948 (special) 1950 1956 1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Russell B. Long (Democratic) Unopposed
Maryland	Daniel Brewster	Democratic	1962	Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain.	▌Y Charles Mathias (Republican) 47.8% ▌Daniel Brewster (Democratic) 39.1% ▌George P. Mahoney (American Independent) 13.1%
Missouri	Edward V. Long	Democratic	1960 (Appointed) 1960 (special) 1962	Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Incumbent resigned December 27, 1968 to give successor preferential seniority. Winner appointed December 28, 1968.	▌Y Thomas Eagleton (Democratic) 51.1% ▌Thomas B. Curtis (Republican) 48.9%
Nevada	Alan Bible	Democratic	1954 (special) 1956 1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Alan Bible (Democratic) 54.8% ▌Edward Fike (Republican) 45.2%
New Hampshire	Norris Cotton	Republican	1954 (special) 1956 1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Norris Cotton (Republican) 59.3% ▌John W. King (Democratic) 40.7%
New York	Jacob Javits	Republican	1956 1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Jacob Javits (Republican) 49.7% ▌Paul O'Dwyer (Democratic) 32.7% ▌James L. Buckley (Conservative) 17.3%
North Carolina	Sam Ervin	Democratic	1954 (special) 1954 (Appointed) 1956 1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Sam Ervin (Democratic) 60.6% ▌Robert V. Somers (Republican) 39.4%
North Dakota	Milton Young	Republican	1945 (Appointed) 1946 (special) 1950 1956 1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Milton Young (Republican) 64.6% ▌Herschel Lashkowitz (Democratic-NPL) 33.7%
Ohio	Frank Lausche	Democratic	1956 1962	Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Republican gain.	▌Y William B. Saxbe (Republican) 51.5% ▌John J. Gilligan (Democratic) 48.5%
Oklahoma	Mike Monroney	Democratic	1950 1956 1962	Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain.	▌Y Henry Bellmon (Republican) 51.7% ▌Mike Monroney (Democratic) 46.2%
Oregon	Wayne Morse	Democratic	1944 1950 1956 1962	Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain.	▌Y Bob Packwood (Republican) 50.2% ▌Wayne Morse (Democratic) 49.8%
Pennsylvania	Joseph S. Clark Jr.	Democratic	1956 1962	Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain.	▌Y Richard Schweiker (Republican) 51.9% ▌Joseph S. Clark Jr. (Democratic) 45.8%
South Carolina	Fritz Hollings	Democratic	1966 (special)	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Fritz Hollings (Democratic) 61.9% ▌Marshall Parker (Republican) 38.1%
South Dakota	George McGovern	Democratic	1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y George McGovern (Democratic) 56.8% ▌Archie M. Gubbrud (Republican) 43.2%
Utah	Wallace F. Bennett	Republican	1950 1956 1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Wallace F. Bennett (Republican) 53.7% ▌Milton N. Weilenmann[2] (Democratic) 45.8%
Vermont	George Aiken	Republican	1940 (special) 1944 1950 1956 1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y George Aiken (Republican) Unopposed
Washington	Warren Magnuson	Democratic	1944 (Appointed) 1944 1950 1956 1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Warren Magnuson (Democratic) 64.4% ▌Jack Metcalf (Republican) 35.3%
Wisconsin	Gaylord Nelson	Democratic	1962	Incumbent re-elected.	▌Y Gaylord Nelson (Democratic) 61.7% ▌Jerris Leonard (Republican) 38.3%

Closest races

Fifteen races had a margin of victory under 10%:

State	Party of winner	Margin
Oregon	Republican (flip)	0.4%
Iowa	Democratic (flip)	0.6%
Missouri	Democratic	2.2%
Ohio	Republican (flip)	3.0%
Indiana	Democratic	3.5%
Kentucky	Republican	3.8%
California	Democratic (flip)	4.9%
Oklahoma	Republican (flip)	5.5%
Pennsylvania	Republican (flip)	6.1%
Illinois	Republican	6.4%
Alaska	Democratic	7.7%
Utah	Republican	7.9%
Connecticut	Democratic	8.6%
Maryland	Republican (flip)	8.7%
Nevada	Democratic	9.6%

Arkansas was the tipping point state with a margin of 18.3%.

Alabama

Alabama election

← 1962 1974 →

Nominee James B. Allen Perry O. Hooper Sr. Robert P. Schwenn Party Democratic Republican National Democratic (Ala.) Popular vote 638,744 201,227 72,699 Percentage 69.99% 22.05% 7.97%

County results Allen:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Hooper:      40-50% Schwenn:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election J. Lister Hill Democratic Elected U.S. Senator James B. Allen Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Alabama

See also: List of United States senators from Alabama and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama

After electing Republicans post-Reconstruction, Alabama had historically voted Democratic in local, state, and presidential elections from the 1870s until the 1960s with the passage of the Civil Rights Act. However, in 1948 Alabama did not support the Democratic ticket for the first time in nearly 100 years, voting for Strom Thurmond, who ran a third-party campaign. Democrats lost ground due to the unpopularity of the Civil Rights Act among white voters, who at the time comprised nearly the entire electorate. In 1964, Barry Goldwater became the first Republican to win the state of Alabama since Ulysses Grant, while the state elected Republicans to its congressional delegation for the first time since the turn of the century. Goldwater voted against the Civil Rights Act, which boosted his popularity in Southern states.

In 1962, J. Lister Hill ran for re-election to this seat to a fifth term but faced an unusually close race against Republican James D. Martin, who came within 1% of unseating the incumbent. In 1968, Republicans looked to build upon their momentum but faced a challenge when Lieutenant Governor James B. Allen, a staunch conservative, was nominated by the Democratic Party. Republicans also failed to capitalize on the candidacy of liberal Democrat Hubert H. Humphrey due to the third-party candidacy of Governor George Wallace limiting Republican support. Allen defeated Republican Perry Hooper by a wide margin in the general election and faced little opposition in 1978.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Alabama^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	James Allen	638,774	69.71
	Republican	Perry O. Hooper Sr.	201,227	21.96
	National Democratic (Ala.)	Robert Schwenn	76,299	8.33
Majority			437,547	47.75
Turnout			916,300
	Democratic hold

Alaska

Alaska election

← 1962 1974 →

Nominee Mike Gravel Elmer Rasmuson Ernest Gruening (write-in) Party Democratic Republican Democratic Popular vote 36,527 30,286 14,118 Percentage 45.13% 37.42% 17.44%

Results by state house district Gravel:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Gruening:      30–40%

U.S. senator before election Ernest Gruening Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Mike Gravel Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Alaska

See also: List of United States senators from Alaska and 1968 United States House of Representatives election in Alaska

Democrat Ernest Gruening had served as one of the state's inaugural senators alongside Democrat Bob Bartlett since 1959. He was re-elected in a landslide victory in 1962. In 1968, he was challenged by former Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives, Mike Gravel, who ran on a campaign of youth.^[3] Gravel upset Gruening in the Democratic primary with just under 53% of the vote to 47% for Gruening.

Gravel faced former Anchorage Mayor Republican Elmer E. Rasmuson in the general election, while Gruening ran a write-in campaign. Gravel won a three-way race with 45% of the vote to 37% for Rasmuson, with incumbent Gruening scoring 17%.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Alaska^[1][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mike Gravel	36,527	45.13
	Republican	Elmer E. Rasmuson	30,286	37.42
	Write-in	Ernest Gruening (Incumbent)	14,118	17.44
Majority			6,241	7.71
Turnout			80,931
	Democratic hold

Two months after the election, on December 11, 1968, the other Alaskan senator, Democrat Bob Bartlett, died. Republican Ted Stevens, who lost the Republican primary to Rasmuson for this seat, was then appointed to that other seat.

Arizona

Arizona election

← 1962 1974 →

Nominee Barry Goldwater Roy Elson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 274,607 205,338 Percentage 57.22% 42.78%

County results Goldwater:      50–60%      60–70% Elson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Carl Hayden Democratic Elected U.S. senator Barry Goldwater Republican

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Arizona

See also: List of United States senators from Arizona and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona

Incumbent Democrat Carl Hayden did not run for re-election to an eighth term, with his long-time staff member Roy Elson running as the Democratic Party nominee to replace him. Elson beat State Treasurer of Arizona Bob Kennedy in the primary.

Democratic primary, September 10, 1968^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Roy Elson	95,231	62.78
	Democratic	Bob Kennedy	41,397	27.29
	Democratic	Dick Herbert	15,061	9.93
Turnout			151,689	43.18

Elson was defeated by a wide margin, however, by former U.S. senator and Republican presidential nominee Barry Goldwater. Prior to Goldwater's election, the seat had been held for decades by the Democratic Party under Carl Hayden, and would remain under Republican Party control until 2020. Elson had previously challenged U.S. senator Paul Fannin in 1964, when Goldwater vacated his seat to run for President against Lyndon B. Johnson.

Arizona general election^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Barry Goldwater	274,607	57.22
	Democratic	Roy Elson	205,338	42.78
Majority			69,269	14.44
Turnout			479,945	78.08
	Republican gain from Democratic

Arkansas

Arkansas election

← 1962 1974 →

Nominee J. William Fulbright Charles T. Bernard Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 349,965 241,731 Percentage 59.15% 40.85%

County Results Fulbright:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Bernard:      50–60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election J. William Fulbright Democratic Elected U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Arkansas

See also: List of United States senators from Arkansas and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Arkansas

J. William Fulbright was first elected in 1944 against token Republican opposition. He ran unopposed in 1950 and won by large margins in 1956 and 1962, but he saw his vote percentage slip in the latter. In the wake of Civil Rights legislation, which many southern whites opposed, Fulbright was re-elected in 1968 but by the smallest margin of his career. He faced Charles T. Bernard and won with just over 59% of the vote. Arkansas would not elect a Republican to this seat until 2010 with John Boozman's election.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Arkansas^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	J. William Fulbright (Incumbent)	349,965	59.15
	Republican	Charles T. Bernard	241,731	40.85
Majority			108,234	18.30
Turnout			591,696
	Democratic hold

California

California election

← 1962 1974 →

Nominee Alan Cranston Max Rafferty Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 3,680,352 3,329,148 Percentage 51.82% 46.87%

County Results Cranston:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70% Rafferty:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Thomas Kuchel Republican Elected U.S. senator Alan Cranston Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in California

See also: List of United States senators from California and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in California

California was generally considered to be a Republican stronghold throughout the early 1900s. Until 1959, Republicans controlled most government offices as well as both houses of state government. However, Pat Brown was elected governor in 1958 and ushered in a wave of Democratic success.

Along with California Secretary of State Frank M. Jordan, incumbent U.S. Senator Thomas Kuchel was one of the last Republicans elected from California at the state or U.S. Senate level. Kuchel had been re-elected by a wide margin in 1962, winning every county in the state, and was the Minority Whip for the Republican Party.

However, in 1968 he faced a primary challenge from California Superintendent of Public Instruction Max Rafferty, who ran to the right of moderate Kuchel. In an upset, Rafferty defeated Kuchel in the primary, 50-47%.

In the Democratic primary, former California State Controller Alan Cranston won the primary with 58% of the vote.

Despite Richard Nixon's concurrent win in the presidential election (as well as in the state of California), Cranston defeated Rafferty on election day with just under 52% of the vote, flipping the state's other senate seat to the Democrats. Rafferty took just under 47% of the vote. Cranston would serve until 1993 in the senate.

1968 U.S. Senate election in California^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Alan Cranston	3,615,261	51.78
	Republican	Max Rafferty	3,275,679	46.91
	Peace and Freedom	Paul Jacobs	91,254	1.31
Majority			339,582	4.87
Turnout			6,982,194
	Democratic gain from Republican

Colorado

Colorado election

← 1962 1974 →

Nominee Peter Dominick Stephen McNichols Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 459,952 325,584 Percentage 58.55% 41.45%

County results Dominick:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% McNichols:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Peter Dominick Republican Elected U.S. Senator Peter Dominick Republican

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Colorado

See also: List of United States senators from Colorado and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado

Incumbent Republican Peter Dominick won election in 1962 over Democratic incumbent John A. Carroll by eight percentage points. In 1968, he increased his margin of victory against Stephen McNichols in what would be his last U.S. Senate victory. He would lose in 1974 to Gary Hart.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Colorado^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Peter H. Dominick (Incumbent)	459,952	58.55
	Democratic	Stephen L. R. McNichols	325,584	41.45
Majority			134,368	17.10
Turnout			785,536
	Republican hold

Connecticut

Connecticut election

← 1962 1974 →

Nominee Abraham Ribicoff Edwin H. May Jr. Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 655,043 551,455 Percentage 54.29% 45.71%

County results Municipality results Ribicoff:      50–60%      60-70%      70-80% May:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

U.S. senator before election Abraham Ribicoff Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Abraham Ribicoff Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Connecticut

See also: List of United States senators from Connecticut and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Connecticut

Incumbent Abraham Ribicoff was elected in 1962 after the retirement of Prescott Bush by a razor-thin 51–49 margin. He increased his margin of victory in 1968 over Republican Representative Edwin H. May Jr.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Connecticut^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Abraham Ribicoff (Incumbent)	655,043	54.29
	Republican	Edwin H. May Jr.	551,455	45.71
	None	Scattering	39	0.00
Majority			103,588	8.58
Turnout			1,206,537
	Democratic hold

Florida

Florida election

← 1962 1974 →

Nominee Edward Gurney LeRoy Collins Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,131,499 892,637 Percentage 55.9% 44.1%

County Results Gurney:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Collins:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election George Smathers Democratic Elected U.S. senator Edward Gurney Republican

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Florida

See also: List of United States senators from Florida and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida

Incumbent Democrat George Smathers retired. After supporting Republicans during Reconstruction, Florida supported almost only Democrats down-ballot until the 1940s, when the state voted for Eisenhower. Claude R. Kirk Jr. was elected governor in 1966 as Republicans gained ground in the South due to Democrats shifting leftward and Republicans rightward.

Popular Democrat LeRoy Collins defeated State Attorney General Earl Faircloth in the Democratic primary, while Republican Representative Edward Gurney won the Republican primary. Despite less name recognition in the state, Gurney defeated Collins by 11 points and won all but five counties.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Florida^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Edward J. Gurney	1,131,499	55.90
	Democratic	LeRoy Collins	892,637	44.10
Majority			238,862	11.80
Turnout			2,024,136
	Republican gain from Democratic

Georgia

Georgia election

← 1962 1974 →

Nominee Herman Talmadge E. Earl Patton Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 885,093 246,865 Percentage 77.51% 22.49%

County results Talmadge:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Patton:      50-60%

U.S. senator before election Herman Talmadge Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Herman Talmadge Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Georgia

See also: List of United States senators from Georgia and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia

Democrat Herman Talmadge handily won re-election over Republican E. Earl Patton, who won the first-ever Republican primary in Georgia for U.S. Senate.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Georgia^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Herman Talmadge (Incumbent)	885,093	77.50
	Republican	E. Earl Patton	256,796	22.49
	Write-in	Write-Ins	95	0.01
Majority			628,297	55.01
Turnout			1,141,984
	Democratic hold

Talmadge sought another term to the Senate and was easily re-elected. The election was notable for the Georgia Republican Party, as it marked the first U.S. Senate election where it fielded a candidate. Patton lost by over 50% to Talmadge.

Hawaii

Hawaii election

← 1962 1974 →

Nominee Daniel Inouye Wayne Thiessen Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 189,248 42,767 Percentage 83.40% 14.99%

County results Inouye:      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Daniel Inouye Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Hawaii

See also: List of United States senators from Hawaii and 1968 United States House of Representatives election in Hawaii

Incumbent Daniel Inouye handily won re-election against Republican Wayne C. Thiessen with 83% of the vote.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Hawaii^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Daniel Inouye (Incumbent)	189,248	83.40
	Republican	Wayne C. Thiessen	34,008	14.99
	Peace and Freedom	Oliver M. Lee	3,671	1.62
Majority			155,240	68.41
Turnout			226,927
	Democratic hold

Idaho

Idaho election

← 1962 1974 →

Nominee Frank Church George V. Hansen Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 173,482 114,394 Percentage 60.26% 39.74%

County results Church:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Hansen:      50–60%

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

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Idaho

See also: List of United States senators from Idaho and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Idaho

Incumbent Democrat Frank Church won re-election by a wide margin against George V. Hansen despite the state's overall Republican trend.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Idaho^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Frank Church (Incumbent)	173,482	60.26
	Republican	George V. Hansen	114,394	39.74
Majority			59,088	20.52
Turnout			287,876
	Democratic hold

Illinois

Illinois election

← 1962 1970 (special) →

Nominee Everett Dirksen William G. Clark Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 2,358,947 2,073,242 Percentage 53.01% 46.59%

County results Dirksen:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Clark:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Everett Dirksen Republican Elected U.S. senator Everett Dirksen Republican

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Illinois

See also: List of United States senators from Illinois and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois

Incumbent Republican and Minority Leader Everett Dirksen won re-election to his fourth term over William G. Clark (D), the Illinois Attorney General. He would not serve the entirety of his term as he would die in 1970.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Illinois^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Everett Dirksen (Incumbent)	2,358,947	53.01
	Democratic	William G. Clark	2,073,242	46.59
	Socialist Labor	Louis Fisher	17,542	0.39
	Independent	Write-in candidates	26	0.00
Invalid or blank votes
Total votes			4,449,757	100.00
Turnout
	Republican hold

Indiana

Indiana election

← 1962 1974 →

Nominee Birch Bayh William Ruckelshaus Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,060,456 988,571 Percentage 51.65% 48.15%

County results Bayh:      50–60%      60–70% Ruckelshaus:      40–50%      50–60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election Birch Bayh Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Birch Bayh Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Indiana

See also: List of United States senators from Indiana and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana

Incumbent Democrat Birch Bayh was elected in 1962, defeating incumbent Republican Homer E. Capehart by around 11,000 votes. In 1970, he ran for re-election and faced Republican State Representative William Ruckelshaus in the general election.

Ruckelshaus ran a close race but Bayh was ultimately re-elected by a two-point margin. This would actually be Bayh's largest vote percentage in an election to the U.S. Senate. In 1974, he won a narrow majority of the vote over Republican Richard Lugar though he did increase his margin of victory. He was defeated in his re-election bid in 1980 by future Vice President Dan Quayle.

Birch Bayh's son Evan Bayh would also serve in the U.S. Senate from 1999 to 2011.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Indiana^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Birch Bayh (Incumbent)	1,060,456	51.65
	Republican	William Ruckelshaus	988,571	48.15
	Prohibition	L. Earl Malcolm	2,844	0.14
	Socialist Workers	Ralph Levitt	1,247	0.06
Majority			71,885	3.50
Turnout			2,053,118
	Democratic hold

Iowa

1968 United States Senate election in Iowa

← 1962 November 5, 1968 1974 →

Nominee Harold E. Hughes David M. Stanley Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 574,884 568,469 Percentage 50.25% 49.69%

County results Hughes:      50–60%      60–70% Stanley:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

U.S. senator before election Bourke B. Hickenlooper Republican Elected U.S. Senator Harold E. Hughes Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Iowa

See also: List of United States senators from Iowa and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa

Four-term Republican Bourke B. Hickenlooper retired. Two-term Democratic Governor of Iowa Harold Hughes was elected senator in a close race against Republican state senator David M. Stanley.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Iowa^[1][8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Harold Hughes	574,884	50.25
	Republican	David M. Stanley	568,469	49.69
	Prohibition	Uerne M. Higens	727	0.06
	None	Scattering	6	0.00
Majority			6,415	0.56
Turnout			1,144,086	41.52
	Democratic gain from Republican

Kansas

Kansas election

← 1962 1974 →

Nominee Bob Dole William I. Robinson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 490,911 315,911 Percentage 60.08% 38.66%

County results Dole:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Robinson:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Frank Carlson Republican Elected U.S. senator Bob Dole Republican

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Kansas

See also: List of United States senators from Kansas and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Kansas

Incumbent Republican Frank Carlson chose to retire rather than seek re-election. Republican Bob Dole defeated Democrat William Robinson with 60% of the vote and won all but one county in the state. Still, this would be his second-worst U.S. Senate election performance after 1974 in the wake of Watergate.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Kansas^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bob Dole	490,911	60.08
	Democratic	William I. Robinson	315,911	38.66
	Prohibition	Joseph Fred Hyskell	10,262	1.26
	None	Scattering	12	0.00
Majority			175,000	21.42
Turnout			817,096
	Republican hold

Kentucky

Kentucky election

← 1962 1974 →

Nominee Marlow Cook Katherine Peden Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 484,260 448,960 Percentage 51.36% 47.62%

County results Cook:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80–90% Peden:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Thruston Morton Republican Elected U.S. senator Marlow Cook Republican

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Kentucky

See also: List of United States senators from Kentucky and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky

Though originally voting strongly Democratic like the rest of the South after Reconstruction, Kentucky began electing Republicans in the 1890s but still leaned Democratic. Still, Republicans found success with the elections to U.S. Senate of Thruston Ballard Morton and John Sherman Cooper. Morton decided to retire in 1968, creating an open seat. Republican Marlow Cook narrowly defeated Democrat Katherine Peden by a 51–48 margin.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Kentucky^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Marlow Cook	484,260	51.36
	Democratic	Katherine Peden	448,960	47.62
	American Independent	Duane F. Olsen	9,645	1.02
Majority			35,300	3.74
Turnout			942,865
	Republican hold

Louisiana

1968 Democratic Senate primary election in Louisiana

← 1962 August 17, 1968 1974 →

Nominee Russell B. Long Maurice Blache Party Democratic Democratic Popular vote 494,467 73,791 Percentage 87.02% 12.99%

Parish results Long:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Blache:      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Russell Long Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Russell Long Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Louisiana

See also: List of United States senators from Louisiana and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Louisiana

Incumbent Democrat Russell B. Long ran unopposed for U.S. Senate and was re-elected.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Louisiana^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Russell B. Long (Incumbent)	518,586	100.00
	Democratic hold

Maryland

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Maryland

See also: List of United States senators from Maryland

Maryland election

← 1962 1974 →

Nominee Charles Mathias Daniel Brewster George P. Mahoney Party Republican Democratic American Independent Popular vote 541,893 443,667 148,467 Percentage 47.79% 39.12% 13.09%

County results Mathias:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Brewster:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Daniel Brewster Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Charles Mathias Jr. Republican

Incumbent Democrat Daniel Brewster was originally elected in 1962 over Republican Representative Edward Tylor Miller. He won the Democratic primary and faced Republican Representative Charles Mathias in the general election. However, Democrat George P. Mahoney ran in the election under the American Independent Party. Mahoney, who ran against the Civil Rights movement, had previously been the Democratic nominee for governor in 1966 losing to Spiro Agnew. Hyman A. Pressman ran an independent campaign which allowed Republican Agnew to carry the heavily Democratic state with 49.5% of the vote.

Similarly, Mahoney ran a well-funded campaign in 1968 and Brewster was defeated in the general election. Mathias won just 48% of the vote to 39% for Brewster (and 13% for Mahoney), similarly elected to Agnew. Mathias would nonetheless have no trouble being re-elected in 1974 and 1980 (when he won the city of Baltimore). Mathias is the last Republican to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Maryland^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Charles Mathias	541,893	47.78
	Democratic	Daniel B. Brewster (Incumbent)	443,667	39.12
	American Independent	George P. Mahoney	148,467	13.09
Majority			98,226	8.66
Turnout			1,134,027
	Republican gain from Democratic

Missouri

1968 United States Senate election in Missouri

← 1962 November 5, 1968 1974 →

Nominee Thomas Eagleton Thomas B. Curtis Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 887,414 850,544 Percentage 51.06% 48.94%

County results Long:      50–60%      60–70% Curtis:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Edward V. Long Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Thomas Eagleton Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Missouri

See also: List of United States senators from Missouri and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Missouri

Incumbent U.S. Senator Edward V. Long ran for re-election but faced two primary challengers in Lieutenant Governor Thomas Eagleton and former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury W. True Davis Jr., who each ran strong campaigns. Eagleton won the primary with 37% of the vote.

In the general election, Eagleton faced Republican Representative Thomas B. Curtis and won a close-fought election with 51% of the vote to 49% for Curtis. Eagleton would be re-elected over Curtis again in 1974.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Missouri^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Thomas Eagleton	880,113	51.01
	Republican	Thomas B. Curtis	845,144	48.99
Majority			34,969	2.02
Turnout			1,725,257
	Democratic hold

Nevada

1968 United States Senate election in Nevada

← 1962 November 5, 1968 1974 →

Nominee Alan Bible Edward Fike Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 83,622 69,083 Percentage 54.76% 45.24%

County results Bible:      50–60%      60–70% Fike:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Alan Bible Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Alan Bible Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Nevada

See also: List of United States senators from Nevada and 1968 United States House of Representatives election in Nevada

Incumbent Alan Bible was originally elected in 1954 in a special election over Republican Ernest S. Brown. He narrowly defeated Republican Clarence Clifton Young in 1956 and won by a landslide in 1962. He defeated Republican Edward Fike by a smaller margin of 55–45 in 1968 in what would be his last term.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Nevada^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Alan Bible (Incumbent)	83,622	54.76
	Republican	Edward Fike	69,083	45.24
Majority			14,539	9.52
Turnout			152,705
	Democratic hold

New Hampshire

1968 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

← 1962 November 5, 1968 1974 →

Nominee Norris Cotton John W. King Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 170,163 116,816 Percentage 59.29% 40.70%

County results Cotton:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% King:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Norris Cotton Republican Elected U.S. Senator Norris Cotton Republican

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

See also: List of United States senators from New Hampshire and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in New Hampshire

Incumbent Norris Cotton handily won re-election against incumbent Governor John W. King in what would be his final term.

1968 U.S. Senate election in New Hampshire^[1][9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Norris Cotton (Incumbent)	170,163	59.29
	Democratic	John W. King	116,816	40.70
	Write-in		10	0.00
Majority			53,347	18.59
Turnout			286,989
	Republican hold

New York

New York election

← 1962 November 5, 1968 1974 →

Nominee Jacob Javits Paul O'Dwyer James L. Buckley Party Republican Democratic Conservative Popular vote 3,269,772 2,150,695 1,139,402 Percentage 49.68% 32.68% 17.31%

County results Javits:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% O'Dwyer:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election Jacob Javits Republican Elected U.S. senator Jacob Javits Republican

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in New York

See also: List of United States senators from New York and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in New York

Incumbent Republican Jacob Javits won against Democratic challenger Paul O'Dwyer and Conservative Party challenger James L. Buckley in a three-way election.

While Javits did not face any challengers for the Republican nomination, he did face a minor one when seeking the Liberal Party of New York's nomination.

Democratic Party Primary results^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Paul O'Dwyer	275,877	36.14
	Democratic	Eugene Nickerson	257,639	33.75
	Democratic	Joseph Y. Resnick	229,893	30.11
Total votes			763,409	100.00

Liberal Party Primary results^[11]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Liberal	Jacob Javits (Incumbent)	10,277	72.14
	Liberal	Murray Baron	3,969	27.86
Total votes			14,246	100.00

General election results^[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jacob Javits (Incumbent)	2,810,836
	Liberal	Jacob Javits	458,936
	Republican + Liberal Party	Jacob Javits	3,269,772	49.68
	Democratic	Paul O'Dwyer	2,150,695	32.68
	Conservative	James L. Buckley	1,139,402	17.31
	Peace and Freedom	Herman Ferguson	8,775	0.13
	Socialist Labor	John Emanuel	7,964	0.12
	Socialist Workers	Hedda Garza	4,979	0.08
Majority			1,119,113	17.00
Turnout			6,581,551	39.22
	Republican hold

North Carolina

1968 United States Senate election in North Carolina

← 1962 November 5, 1968 1974 →

Nominee Sam Ervin Robert Somers Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 870,406 566,834 Percentage 60.56% 39.44%

County results Ervin:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Somers:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Sam Ervin Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Sam Ervin Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in North Carolina

See also: List of United States senators from North Carolina and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina

The general election was fought between the Democratic incumbent Sam Ervin and the Republican nominee Robert Somers. Ervin won re-election to a third full term, with over 60% of the vote.

The first round of the Primary Election was held on May 4, 1968.^[13] The runoff for the Republican Party candidates took place on June 1.^[14]

1968 North Carolina U.S. Senate Democratic primary election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Sam Ervin (incumbent)	499,392	82.12
	Democratic	Charles Pratt	60,362	9.90
	Democratic	John Gathings	48,357	7.95
Turnout			608,111

Republican primary – First round

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Robert Somers	48,351	36.63
	Republican	J. L. Zimmerman	43,644	33.06
	Republican	B. E. Sweatt	40,023	30.32
Turnout			132,018

1968 North Carolina U.S. Senate Republican primary election – Second round

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Robert Somers	8,816	60.59
	Republican	J. L. Zimmerman	5,734	39.41
Turnout			14,550

1968 North Carolina U.S. Senate election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Sam Ervin (Incumbent)	870,406	60.56
	Republican	Robert Somers	566,834	39.44
Majority			303,572	21.12
Turnout			901,978
	Democratic hold

North Dakota

1968 United States Senate election in North Dakota

← 1962 November 5, 1968 1974 →

Nominee Milton Young Herschel Lashkowitz Party Republican Democratic–NPL Popular vote 154,968 80,815 Percentage 64.79% 33.79%

County results Young:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

U.S. senator before election Milton Young Republican Elected U.S. Senator Milton Young Republican

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in North Dakota

See also: List of United States senators from North Dakota and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in North Dakota

North Dakota Republican Milton Young, sought and received re-election to his fifth term, defeating North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party candidate Herschel Lashkowitz, the mayor of Fargo, North Dakota since 1954.^[1][15]

Only Young filed as a Republican, and the endorsed Democratic candidate was Herschel Lashkowitz of Fargo, North Dakota, who was serving as the mayor of the city since 1954. Young and Lashkowitz won the primary elections for their respective parties.

One independent candidate, Duane Mutch of Larimore, North Dakota, also filed before the deadline. Mutch was later a state senator for the North Dakota Republican Party in the North Dakota Senate from 1959 to 2006 for District 19. He ran as an independent when he did not receive his party's nomination.

1968 U.S. Senate election in North Dakota

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Milton R. Young (incumbent)	154,968	64.79
	Democratic–NPL	Herschel Lashkowitz	80,815	33.79
	Independent	Duane Mutch	3,393	1.42
Turnout			239,176
	Republican hold

Ohio

1968 United States Senate election in Ohio

← 1962 November 5, 1968 1974 →

Nominee William B. Saxbe John J. Gilligan Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,928,964 1,814,152 Percentage 51.53% 48.47%

County results Saxbe:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Gilligan:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Frank J. Lausche Democratic Elected U.S. Senator William Saxbe Republican

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Ohio

See also: List of United States senators from Ohio and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio

Incumbent Democrat Frank J. Lausche ran for re-election but was defeated in the primary by Representative John J. Gilligan, who criticized Lausche's conservative voting record. Republican State Attorney General of Ohio William Saxbe won the Republican primary and defeated Gilligan in the general election by a 51–48 margin. He would not serve out his term after resigning to become United States Attorney general in 1974.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Ohio^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William B. Saxbe	1,928,964	51.53
	Democratic	John J. Gilligan	1,814,152	48.47
	None	Write-Ins	4	0.00
Majority			114,812	3.06
Turnout			3,743,120
	Republican gain from Democratic

Oklahoma

1968 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

← 1962 November 3, 1968 1974 →

Nominee Henry Bellmon Mike Monroney Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 470,120 419,658 Percentage 51.71% 46.16%

County results Bellmon:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80% Monroney:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Mike Monroney Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Henry Bellmon Republican

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

See also: List of United States senators from Oklahoma and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Oklahoma

Incumbent Democratic U.S. senator Mike Monroney was running for re-election to a fourth term, but was defeated by Republican former Governor Henry Bellmon.

1968 Oklahoma U.S. Senate Election^[16]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Henry Bellmon	470,120	51.7
	Democratic	Mike Monroney (Incumbent)	419,658	46.2
	American Independent	George Washington	19,341	2.1
Majority			50,462	5.55
Turnout			909,119
	Republican gain from Democratic

Oregon

1968 United States Senate election in Oregon

← 1962 November 5, 1968 1974 →

Nominee Bob Packwood Wayne Morse Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 408,646 405,353 Percentage 50.20% 49.80%

County results Packwood:      50-60%      60-70% Morse:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Wayne Morse Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Bob Packwood Republican

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Oregon

See also: List of United States senators from Oregon and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Oregon

Incumbent Democrat Wayne Morse was seeking a fifth term, but narrowly lost re-election to 36-year-old Republican State Representative Bob Packwood race.^[17]

The Democratic primary was held May 28, 1968.^[18] Morse defeated former Representative Robert B. Duncan, former U.S. Congressman from Oregon's 4th congressional district (1963–1967), and Phil McAlmond, millionaire and former aide to opponent Robert B. Duncan.

1968 Democratic Senate primary in Oregon^[18]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wayne Morse (Incumbent)	185,091	49.03
	Democratic	Robert B. Duncan	174,795	46.30
	Democratic	Phil McAlmond	17,658	4.68
Total votes			377,544	100.00

General election results^[17]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bob Packwood	408,646	50.20
	Democratic	Wayne Morse (Incumbent)	405,353	49.80
Total votes			813,999	100.00
	Republican gain from Democratic

Pennsylvania

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

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania

See also: List of United States senators from Pennsylvania and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania

Incumbent Democrat Joseph Clark sought re-election to another term, but was defeated by Republican nominee Richard Schweiker, member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Pennsylvania results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Richard Schweiker	2,399,762	51.90
	Democratic	Joseph Clark (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
	Other	Other	111	0.00
Majority			282,100	6.10
Turnout			4,624,218
	Republican gain from Democratic

South Carolina

1968 United States Senate election in South Carolina

← 1966 (special) November 5, 1968 1974 →

Nominee Ernest Hollings Marshall Parker Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 404,060 248,780 Percentage 61.89% 38.11%

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

U.S. senator before election Ernest Hollings Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Ernest Hollings Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in South Carolina

See also: List of United States senators from South Carolina and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

Incumbent Democrat Fritz Hollings easily defeated Republican state senator Marshall Parker in a rematch of the election two years earlier, to win his second (his first full) term.

Hollings faced no opposition from South Carolina Democrats, and avoided a primary election. Marshall Parker, the state senator from Oconee County in the Upstate, was persuaded by South Carolina Republicans to enter the race, and he did not face a primary challenge.

After a close election loss to Fritz Hollings in 1966, the Republicans felt that Parker might have a chance at defeating Hollings by riding Nixon's coattails in the general election. However, the Republicans did not provide Parker with the financial resources to compete, and he subsequently lost by a bigger margin to Hollings than two years prior.

1968 South Carolina U.S. Senate Election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Fritz Hollings (incumbent)	404,060	61.9
	Republican	Marshall Parker	248,780	38.1
	Write-in	Write-Ins	15	0.0
Majority			155,280	23.8
Turnout			652,855	76.5
	Democratic hold

South Dakota

1968 United States Senate election in South Dakota

← 1962 November 5, 1968 1974 →

Nominee George McGovern Archie M. Gubbrud Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 158,961 120,951 Percentage 56.79% 43.21%

County results McGovern:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Gubbrud:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election George McGovern Democratic Elected U.S. Senator George McGovern Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in South Dakota

See also: List of United States senators from South Dakota and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in South Dakota

Incumbent Democrat George McGovern had flirted with presidential aspirations in 1968 but ultimately decided to run for re-election, defeating Republican Archie M. Gubbrud by a comfortable margin.

1968 U.S. Senate election in South Dakota^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	George McGovern (Incumbent)	158,961	56.79
	Republican	Archie M. Gubbrud	120,951	43.21
Majority			38,010	13.58
Turnout			279,912
	Democratic hold

Utah

1968 United States Senate election in Utah

← 1962 November 5, 1968 1974 →

Nominee Wallace F. Bennett Milton L. Weilenmann Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 225,075 192,168 Percentage 53.68% 45.83%

County results Bennett:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Weilenmann:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Tie:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election Wallace F. Bennett Republican Elected U.S. Senator Wallace F. Bennett Republican

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Utah

See also: List of United States senators from Utah and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Utah

Incumbent Wallace F. Bennett, a Republican, won re-election to a fourth term in the U.S. Senate by a comfortable margin against Democrat Milton Weilemann.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Utah^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Wallace F. Bennett (Incumbent)	225,075	53.68
	Democratic	Milton N. Weilenmann	192,168	45.83
	Peace and Freedom	Utah Phillips	2,019	0.48
Majority			32,907	7.85
Turnout			419,262
	Republican hold

Vermont

1968 United States Senate election in Vermont

← 1962 November 5, 1968 (1968-11-05) 1974 →

Nominee George Aiken Party Republican Alliance Democratic Popular vote 157,197 Percentage 99.89%

County results Municipality results County results Aiken:      90–100%

U.S. senator before election George Aiken Republican Elected U.S. Senator George Aiken Republican

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Vermont

See also: List of United States senators from Vermont and 1968 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont

Incumbent Republican George Aiken ran successfully for re-election to another term in the United States Senate. Vermont voted Democratic for the first time since the 1850s for Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. Vermont also elected Democrat Philip H. Hoff in 1962, and he served until 1969. Hoff ran a write-in campaign in the Democratic primary for this seat but lost to Republican Aiken by a wide margin. Aiken thus ran with both nominations and secured a victory. This would be once staunchly-Republican Vermont's last time to support a Republican for this seat. In 1974, Patrick Leahy would win and become the first Democratic Senator from Vermont.

Republican primary results^[19]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	George Aiken (Incumbent)	42,248	72.8
	Republican	William K. Tufts	15,786	27.2
	Republican	Other	28	0.0
Total votes			58,062	100.0

Democratic primary results^[19]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Write-In	George Aiken (Incumbent)	1,534	61.8
	Write-In	Philip H. Hoff	400	18.2
	Democratic	Other	438	20.0
Total votes			2,192	100.0

1968 U.S. Senate election in Vermont^[20]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	George Aiken (Incumbent)	94,738	60.2
	Democratic	George Aiken (Incumbent)	62,416	39.7
	Independent	George Aiken (Incumbent)	43	0.0
	Republican + Democratic + Independent	George Aiken (Incumbent)	157,197	99.9
	N/A	Other	178	0.1
Total votes			157,375	100.0
	Republican hold

Washington

1968 United States Senate election in Washington

← 1962 November 5, 1968 1974 →

Nominee Warren Magnuson Jack Metcalf Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 796,183 435,894 Percentage 64.41% 35.26%

County results Magnuson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Metcalf:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Warren Magnuson Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Warren Magnuson Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Washington

See also: List of United States senators from Washington and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington

Incumbent Warren G. Magnuson won re-election by a wide margin against his Republican opponent Metcalf.

1968 U.S. Senate election in Washington^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Warren G. Magnuson (Incumbent)	796,183	64.41
	Republican	Jack Metcalf	435,894	35.26
	New Party	Irwin R. Hogenauer	2,762	0.22
	Socialist Workers	Debbie Leonard	1,224	0.10
Majority			360,289	29.15
Turnout			1,236,063
	Democratic hold

Wisconsin

Wisconsin election

← 1962 1974 →

Nominee Gaylord Nelson Jerris Leonard Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,020,931 633,910 Percentage 61.69% 38.31%

County results Nelson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Leonard:      50-60%

U.S. senator before election Gaylord Nelson Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson Democratic

Main article: 1968 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

See also: List of United States senators from Wisconsin and 1968 United States House of Representatives elections in Wisconsin

Incumbent Democrat Gaylord A. Nelson (U.S. senator since 1963) defeated Republican State Senator Jerris Leonard.

General election results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Gaylord Nelson (Incumbent)	1,020,931	61.69
	Republican	Jerris Leonard	633,910	38.31
	Write-in	Write-ins	20	0.00
Majority			387,021	23.38
Turnout			1,654,861
	Democratic hold

See also

• 1968 United States elections
  • 1968 United States gubernatorial elections
  • 1968 United States presidential election
  • 1968 United States House of Representatives elections
• 90th United States Congress
• 91st United States Congress

Notes

1. Reflecting the result of the November 1968 elections, only. Following those elections, upon the death of Alaska Democratic Senator Bob Bartlett and subsequent appointment of Republican Ted Stevens, the partisan balance at the beginning of the 91st United States Congress stood at 57–43 in favor of the Democrats.
2. The Liberal Party in New York nominated Jacob Javits, a Republican, but the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives did not tabulate their votes, totaling 458,936, into the national Republican total.^[1]

1. Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (July 1, 1969). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 5, 1968" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 54.
2. "Milton Weilenmann - Obituary". www.legacy.com. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
3. Warren Weaver Jr. (July 2, 1971). "Impetuous Senator: Maurice Robert Gravel" (fee required). The New York Times. Retrieved December 24, 2007.
4. "Our Campaigns - AK US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1968". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
5. "AZ US Senate - D Primary Race - Sep 10, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
6. "AZ US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
7. "1968 Senatorial General Election Results - Illinois".
8. "Our Campaigns - IA US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1968".
9. "NH US Senate, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
10. "NY US Senate - D Primary Race - Jun 18, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
11. "NY US Senate - L Primary Race - Jun 18, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
12. "NY US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
13. "NC US Senate - D Primary Race - May 04, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
14. "NC US Senate - R Runoff Race - Jun 01, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
15. "Lashkowitz's storied tenure". Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
16. "OK US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
17. "OR US Senate" – via OurCampaigns.com.
18. "OR US Senate - D Primary" – via OurCampaigns.com.
19. "Primary Election Results" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
20. "General Election Results - U.S. senator - 1914-2014" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2015.

References

• "Supplemental Report of the Secretary of State to the General Assembly of South Carolina." Reports and Resolutions of South Carolina to the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina. Volume II. Columbia, SC: 1969, p. 19.
• Kalk, Bruce H. (2001). The Origins of the Southern Strategy: Two-Party Competition in South. Lexington Books. p. 86.