1974 United States Senate election in California

1974 United States Senate election in California

←  1968 November 5, 1974 1980  →

Nominee Alan Cranston H. L. Richardson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 3,693,160 2,210,267 Percentage 60.52% 36.22%

County results Cranston:     40-50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Richardson:     40–50%

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

The 1974 United States Senate election in California was held on November 5, 1974. Incumbent Democrat Alan Cranston defeated Republican nominee H. L. Richardson with 60.52% of the vote.

Primary elections were held on June 4, 1974. ^[1]

As of 2025, this last time Orange County voted for a Democratic US Senate candidate in an election contested by both political parties (although it did vote Democratic in 2016 and 2018).

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Alan Cranston, incumbent United States Senator
• Howard L. Gifford
• Frank Kacsinta

Results

Democratic primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Alan Cranston (incumbent)	2,262,574	83.54
	Democratic	Howard L. Gifford	318,080	11.75
	Democratic	Frank Kacsinta	127,149	4.70%
Total votes			2,707,803	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• H. L. Richardson, State Senator from Pasadena
• Earl Brian, California Secretary of Health and Welfare
• James E. Johnson
• William H. Reinholz
• Thomas A. Malatesta

Results

Republican primary results ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	H. L. Richardson	1,061,986	64.64
	Republican	Earl W. Brian	273,636	16.65
	Republican	James E. Johnson	118,715	7.23
	Republican	William H. Reinholz	107,217	6.53
	Republican	Thomas A. Malatesta	79,955	4.87
Total votes			1,641,509	100.00

General election

Candidates

• Alan Cranston, incumbent United States Senator (Democratic)
• Gayle M. Justice (Peace and Freedom)
• Jack McCoy (American Independent)
• H. L. Richardson, State Senator from Pasadena (Republican)

Results

Shift by county

Trend by county

Legend

•   Republican — >15%
•   Republican — +12.5−15%
•   Republican — +10−12.5%
•   Republican — +7.5−10%
•   Republican — +5−7.5%
•   Republican — +2.5−5%
•   Republican — +0−2.5%
•   Democratic — +0−2.5%
•   Democratic — +2.5−5%
•   Democratic — +5−7.5%
•   Democratic — +7.5-10%
•   Democratic — +10−12.5%
•   Democratic — +12.5−15%
•   Democratic — >15%

1974 United States Senate election in California ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Alan Cranston (incumbent)	3,693,160	60.52%
	Republican	H. L. Richardson	2,210,267	36.22%
	American Independent	Jack McCoy	101,145	1.66%
	Peace and Freedom	Gayle M. Justice	96,436	1.58%
Majority			1,482,893
Turnout			6,102,432
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN   9781568029818 . Retrieved November 20, 2018.
2. Cook, Rhodes (November 17, 2015). America Votes 31: 2013-2014, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. ISBN   9781483383026 . Retrieved November 20, 2018.