1976 United States Senate election in California

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1976 United States Senate election in California
Flag of California.svg
  1970 November 2, 1976 1982  
  Samuel Ichiye Hayakawa, 1976 (cropped).jpg U.S. Senator John V. Tunney, 1976 (cropped).jpg
Nominee S. I. Hayakawa John V. Tunney
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote3,748,9733,502,862
Percentage50.12%46.89%

1976 United States Senate election in California results map by county.svg
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

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.

Contents

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

Results

Results by county:
Tunney
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40-50%
50-60%
60-70%
Hayden
40-50%
50-60% 1976 United States Senate election in California, Democratic primary.svg
Results by county:
Tunney
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
Hayden
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
1976 Democratic U.S. Senate primary [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic John V. Tunney (incumbent) 1,774,879 53.79%
Democratic Tom Hayden 1,210,63736.69%
Democratic Bob Wallach73,1422.22%
Democratic Lois T. Bodle54,2201.64%
Democratic Frank L. Thomas53,8431.63%
Democratic Howard L. Gifford46,9771.42%
Democratic Ronald L. Williams29,5110.89%
Democratic Leslie W. Craven28,5830.87%
Democratic Millard F. Slover28,1080.85%
Write-inAll others250.00%
Total votes3,299,925 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Results by county:
Hayakawa
20-30%
30-40%
40-50%
50-60%
Finch
20-30%
30-40%
40-50% 1976 United States Senate election in California, Republican primary.svg
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]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican S. I. Hayakawa 886,743 38.25%
Republican Robert H. Finch 614,24026.49%
Republican Alphonzo E. Bell Jr. 532,96922.99%
Republican John L. Harmer 197,2528.51%
Republican Walter Hollywood28,1631.22%
Republican Clyde F. Tracy17,7840.77%
Republican James A. Ware14,9900.65%
Republican Henry Hill10,2900.44%
Republican Michael A. Hirt9,9410.43%
Republican Hannibal C. Burchette V6,2220.27%
Total votes2,318,594 100.00%

General election

Results

General election results [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican S. I. Hayakawa 3,748,973 50.12%
Democratic John V. Tunney (incumbent)3,502,86246.89%
Peace and Freedom David Wald104,3831.40%
American Independent Jack McCoy82,7391.11%
IndependentOmari Musa31,6290.42%
Majority246,1113.23%
Turnout 7,470,586100.00%
Republican gain from Democratic

See also

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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.