United States Senate elections, 1968

Last updated

United States Senate elections, 1968
Flag of the United States.svg
  1966 November 5, 1968 1970  

34 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate
51 seats needed for a majority
 Majority partyMinority party
  Michael Joseph Mansfield.jpg EverettDirksen.jpg
Leader Mike Mansfield Everett Dirksen
Party Democratic Republican
Leader sinceJanuary 3, 1961January 3, 1959
Leader's seat Montana Illinois
Seats before6337
Seats after5842
Seat changeDecrease2.svg 5Increase2.svg 5
Popular vote24,976,66023,588,832
Percentage49.3%46.5%
SwingIncrease2.svg 1.4%Decrease2.svg 4.5%
Seats up2311
Races won1816

US 1968 senate election map.svg
Results, with special elections
     Democratic gain     Democratic hold
     Republican gain     Republican hold

Majority Leader before election

Mike Mansfield
Democratic

Elected Majority Leader

Mike Mansfield
Democratic

The United States Senate elections, 1968 were elections for the United States Senate which coincided with the presidential election. Although Richard Nixon won the presidential election narrowly, the Republicans picked up five net seats in the Senate. Republicans would gain another seat after the election when Alaska Republican Ted Stevens was appointed to replace Democrat Bob Bartlett.

United States Senate Upper house of the United States Congress

The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, which along with the United States House of Representatives—the lower chamber—comprises the legislature of the United States. The Senate chamber is located in the north wing of the Capitol, in Washington, D.C.

Richard Nixon 37th president of the United States

Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th president of the United States from 1969 to 1974. He had previously served as the 36th vice president of the United States from 1953 to 1961, and prior to that as both a U.S. representative and senator from California.

Contents

Incumbents who retired

Democratic hold

  1. Alabama: J. Lister Hill (D) was replaced by James Allen (D).

Democratic gain

  1. Iowa: Bourke B. Hickenlooper (R) was replaced by Harold Hughes (D).

Republican holds

  1. Kansas: Frank Carlson (R) was replaced by Bob Dole (R).
  2. Kentucky: Thruston Ballard Morton (R) was replaced by Marlow W. Cook (R).

Republican gains

  1. Arizona: Carl Hayden (D) was replaced by Barry Goldwater (R), who gave up Arizona's other Senate seat in 1964 to run for president.
  2. Florida: George Smathers (D) was replaced by Edward J. Gurney (R), the first Republican to represent Florida in the U.S. Senate since Reconstruction.

Incumbents who lost their seats

Democratic holds

  1. Alaska: Ernest Gruening (D) lost renomination to Mike Gravel (D), who later won the general election.
  2. Missouri: Edward V. Long (D) lost renomination to Thomas Eagleton (D), who later won the general election.

Democratic gain

  1. California: Thomas Kuchel (R) lost renomination to Max Rafferty (R), who later lost the general election to Alan Cranston (D).

Republican gains

  1. Maryland: Daniel Brewster (D) lost re-election to Charles Mathias, Jr. (R)
  2. Ohio: Frank J. Lausche (D) lost renomination to John J. Gilligan (D), who later lost the general election to William B. Saxbe (R).
  3. Oklahoma: A. S. Mike Monroney (D), lost re-election to Henry Bellmon (R).
  4. Oregon: Wayne Morse (D), lost re-election to Bob Packwood (R).
  5. Pennsylvania: Joseph S. Clark (D), lost re-election to Richard Schweiker (R).

Later change

Republican gain

  1. Alaska: Bob Bartlett (D) died December 11, 1968, and Ted Stevens (R) was appointed December 24, 1968.

Change in Senate composition

Before the elections

D1D2D3D4D5D6D7D8D9D10
D20D19D18D17D16D15D14D13D12D11
D21D22D23D24D25D26D27D28D29D30
D40D39D38D37D36D35D34D33D32D31
D41
Ran
D42
Ran
D43
Ran
D44
Ran
D45
Ran
D46
Ran
D47
Ran
D48
Ran
D49
Ran
D50
Ran
Majority →D51
Ran
D60
Ran
D59
Ran
D58
Ran
D57
Ran
D56
Ran
D55
Ran
D54
Ran
D53
Ran
D52
Ran
D61
Retired
D62
Retired
D63
Retired
R37
Retired
R36
Retired
R35
Retired
R34
Ran
R33
Ran
R32
Ran
R31
Ran
R21R22R23R24R25R26R27
Ran
R28
Ran
R29
Ran
R30
Ran
R20R19R18R17R16R15R14R13R12R11
R1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8R9R10

After the general elections

D1D2D3D4D5D6D7D8D9D10
D20D19D18D17D16D15D14D13D12D11
D21D22D23D24D25D26D27D28D29D30
D40D39D38D37D36D35D34D33D32D31
D41
Re-elected
D42
Re-elected
D43
Re-elected
D44
Re-elected
D45
Re-elected
D46
Re-elected
D47
Re-elected
D48
Re-elected
D49
Re-elected
D50
Re-elected
Majority →D51
Re-elected
R41
Gain
R42
Gain
D58
Gain
D57
Gain
D56
Hold
D55
Hold
D54
Hold
D53
Re-elected
D52
Re-elected
R40
Gain
R39
Gain
R38
Gain
R37
Gain
R36
Gain
R35
Hold
R34
Hold
R33
Re-elected
R32
Re-elected
R31
Re-elected
R21R22R23R24R25R26R27
Re-elected
R28
Re-elected
R29
Re-elected
R30
Re-elected
R20R19R18R17R16R15R14R13R12R11
R1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8R9R10

Beginning of the next Congress

D1D2D3D4D5D6D7D8D9D10
D20D19D18D17D16D15D14D13D12D11
D21D22D23D24D25D26D27D28D29D30
D40D39D38D37D36D35D34D33D32D31
D41D42D43D44D45D46D47D48D49D50
Majority →D51
R41R42R43
gain
D57D56D55D54D53D52
R40R39R38R37R36R35R34R33R32R31
R21R22R23R24R25R26R27R28R29R30
R20R19R18R17R16R15R14R13R12R11
R1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8R9R10
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)
IncumbentResultsCandidates
SenatorPartyElectoral history
Alabama J. Lister Hill Democratic1938 (Appointed)
1938
1944
1950
1956
1962
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
James Allen (Democratic) 70.0%
Perry O. Hooper, Sr. (Republican) 22.1%
Robert Schwenn (Independent) 8.0%
Alaska Ernest Gruening Democratic 1958
1962
Incumbent lost renomination.
Incumbent lost re-election as a Democratic write-in.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
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.
Barry Goldwater (Republican) 57.2%
Roy Elson (Democratic) 42.8%
Arkansas J. William Fulbright Democratic 1944
1950
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.J. William Fulbright (Democratic) 59.2%
Charles T. Bernard (Republican) 40.9%
California Thomas Kuchel Republican1953 (Appointed)
1954 (Special)
1956
1962
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Alan Cranston (Democratic) 51.8%
Max Rafferty (Republican) 46.9%
Paul Jacobs (Peace & Freedom) 1.3%
Colorado Peter H. Dominick Republican 1962 Incumbent re-elected.Peter H. Dominick (Republican) 58.6%
Stephen L.R. McNichols (Democratic) 41.5%
Connecticut Abraham A. Ribicoff Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.Abraham A. 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.
Edward J. Gurney (Republican) 55.9%
LeRoy Collins (Democratic) 44.1%
Georgia Herman Talmadge Democratic 1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.Herman Talmadge (Democratic) 77.5%
E. Earl Patton (Republican) 22.5%
Hawaii Daniel Inouye Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.Daniel Inouye (Democratic) 83.4%
Wayne C. Thiessen (Republican) 15.0%
Idaho Frank Church Democratic 1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.Frank Church (Democratic) 60.3%
George V. Hansen (Republican) 39.7%
Illinois Everett Dirksen Republican 1950
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.Everett Dirksen (Republican) 53.0%
William G. Clark (Democratic) 46.6%
Indiana Birch Bayh Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.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.
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.
Bob Dole (Republican) 60.1%
William I. Robinson (Democratic) 38.7%
Kentucky Thruston B. Morton Republican 1956
1962
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Marlow W. Cook (Republican) 51.4%
Katherine Peden (Democratic) 47.6%
Louisiana Russell B. Long Democratic 1948 (Special)
1950
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.Russell B. Long (Democratic)
Unopposed
Maryland Daniel Brewster Democratic 1962 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Charles Mathias, Jr. (Republican) 47.8%
Daniel Brewster (Democratic) 39.1%
George P. Mahoney (American Independent) 13.1%
Missouri Edward V. Long Democratic1960 (Appointed)
1960 (Special)
1962
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Thomas Eagleton (Democratic) 51.1%
Thomas B. Curtis (Republican) 48.9%
Nevada Alan Bible Democratic 1954 (Special)
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.Alan Bible (Democratic) 54.8%
Edward Fike (Republican) 45.2%
New Hampshire Norris Cotton Republican 1954 (Special)
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.Norris Cotton (Republican) 59.3%
John W. King (Democratic) 40.7%
New York Jacob K. Javits Republican 1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.Jacob K. 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.Sam Ervin (Democratic) 60.6%
Robert V. Somers (Republican) 39.4%
North Dakota Milton Young Republican1945 (Appointed)
1946 (Special)
1950
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.Milton Young (Republican) 64.6%
Herschel Lashkowitz (Democratic) 33.7%
Ohio Frank J. Lausche Democratic 1956
1962
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
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.
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.
Bob Packwood (Republican) 50.2%
Wayne Morse (Democratic) 49.8%
Pennsylvania Joseph S. Clark Democratic 1956
1962
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Richard Schweiker (Republican) 51.9%
Joseph S. Clark (Democratic) 45.8%
South Carolina Ernest Hollings Democratic 1966 (Special) Incumbent re-elected.Ernest Hollings (Democratic) 61.9%
Marshall Parker (Republican) 38.1%
South Dakota George McGovern Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.George McGovern (Democratic) 56.8%
Archie M. Gubbrud (Republican) 43.2%
Utah Wallace F. Bennett Republican 1950
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.Wallace F. Bennett (Republican) 53.7%
Milton N. Wellenmann (Democratic) 45.8%
Vermont George Aiken Republican 1940 (Special)
1944
1950
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.George Aiken (Republican) 99.9%
Unopposed
Washington Warren Magnuson Democratic1944 (Appointed)
1944
1950
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.Warren G. Magnuson (Democratic) 64.4%
Jack Metcalf (Republican) 35.3%
Wisconsin Gaylord Nelson Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.Gaylord Nelson (Democratic) 61.7%
Jerris Leonard (Republican) 38.3%

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

United States Senate election in Arizona, 1968
Flag of Arizona.svg
  1962 November 5, 1968 1974  
  Barry Goldwater photo1962.jpg No image.png
Nominee Barry Goldwater Roy Elson
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote274,607205,338
Percentage57.22%42.78%

1968 Arizona.png
U.S. Senate election results map.
Red denotes counties won by Goldwater.
Blue denotes those won by Elson.

U.S. Senator before election

Carl Hayden
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Barry Goldwater
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Carl Hayden did not run for re-election to an eighth term, with his longtime staff member Roy Elson running as the Democratic Party nominee to replace him. 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 has thus far remained in Republican Party control since. Elson had previously challenged U.S. Senator Paul Fannin in 1964, when Goldwater vacated his seat in order to run for President against Lyndon B. Johnson.

Carl Hayden Democratic U.S. Senator from Arizona

Carl Trumbull Hayden was an American politician and the first United States Senator to serve seven terms. Serving as Arizona's first Representative for eight terms before entering the Senate, Hayden set the record for longest-serving member of the United States Congress more than a decade before his retirement from politics. The longtime Dean of the United States Senate served as its president pro tempore and chairman of both its Rules and Administration and Appropriations committees. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Roy L. Elson was an American politician from Arizona, and a onetime aide and protégé of longtime U.S. Senator Carl Hayden (D-AZ). He was perhaps best known as the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate from Arizona in 1964 and 1968.

Barry Goldwater Republican nominee for President, 1964; U.S. Senator from Arizona

Barry Morris Goldwater was an American politician, businessman and author who was a five-term Senator from Arizona and the Republican Party nominee for President of the United States in 1964. Despite his loss of the 1964 presidential election in a landslide, Goldwater is the politician most often credited with sparking the resurgence of the American conservative political movement in the 1960s. He also had a substantial impact on the libertarian movement.

Democratic primary results [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Roy Elson,
Staff member to Senator Carl Hayden, 1964 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate
95,23162.78%
Democratic Bob Kennedy,
State Treasurer of Arizona
41,39727.29%
Total votes136,628100.00
United States Senate election in Arizona, 1968 [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Republican Barry Goldwater ,
former U.S. Senator, 1964 Republican Party nominee for President of the United States
274,607 57.22%
Democratic Roy Elson205,33842.78%
Majority69,26914.44%
Turnout 479,945
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

U.S. Senate election in Illinois, 1968
Flag of Illinois (1915-1969).svg
  1962 November 5, 1968 1974  
  EverettDirksen.jpg No image.svg
Nominee Everett Dirksen William G. Clark
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote2,358,9472,073,242
Percentage53.01%46.59%

Senator before election

Everett Dirksen
Republican

Elected Senator

Everett Dirksen
Republican

Incumbent Republican and Minority Leader Everett Dirksen won re-election to his fourth term over William G. Clark (D), the Illinois Attorney General.

Everett Dirksen United States Army officer

Everett McKinley Dirksen was an American politician of the Republican Party. He represented Illinois in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. As Senate Minority Leader from 1959 to 1969, he played a highly visible and key role in the politics of the 1960s. He helped write and pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Act of 1968, both landmark pieces of legislation during the Civil Rights Movement. He was also one of the Senate's strongest supporters of the Vietnam War. A talented orator with a florid style and a notably rich baritone voice, his flamboyant speeches caused his detractors to refer to him as "The Wizard of Ooze".

William G. Clark was an American politician and jurist.

Illinois Attorney General attorney general for the U.S. state of Illinois

The Illinois Attorney General is the highest legal officer of the state of Illinois in the United States. Originally an appointed office, it is now an office filled by election through universal suffrage. Based in Chicago and Springfield, Illinois, the Attorney General is responsible for providing legal counsel for the various state agencies including the Governor of Illinois and Illinois General Assembly, and conducting all legal affairs pertaining to the state.

United States Senate election in Illinois, 1968 [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Everett Dirksen (Incumbent)2,358,94753.01
Democratic William G. Clark 2,073,24246.59
Socialist Labor Louis Fisher 17,5420.39
Independent Write-in candidates260.00
Invalid or blank votes
Total votes4,449,757100.00
Turnout  
Republican hold

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

Missouri

Nevada

New Hampshire

New York

U.S. Senate election in New York, 1968
Flag of New York.svg
  1962 November 5, 1968 1974  
  Jacob Javits.jpg No image.png JamesLBuckley.jpg
Nominee Jacob K. Javits Paul O'Dwyer James L. Buckley
Party Republican Democratic Conservative (N.Y.)
Popular vote3,269,7722,150,6951,139,402
Percentage49.68%32.68%17.31%

NewYorkSenatorial1968.svg
County results

U.S. Senator before election

Jacob K. Javits
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Jacob K. Javits
Republican

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

Paul ODwyer American politician

Peter Paul O'Dwyer was an Irish-born American politician and lawyer and the younger brother of Mayor William O'Dwyer and father to New York City lawyer Brian O'Dwyer.

James L. Buckley American judge

James Lane Buckley is an American jurist, politician, civil servant, attorney, businessman, and author.

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.

The Liberal Party of New York is a minor American political party that has been active only in the state of New York. Its platform supports a standard set of socially liberal policies: it supports the right to abortion, increased spending on education, and universal health care.

Liberal Party Primary results [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Liberal Jacob K. Javits10,27772.14%
Liberal Murray Baron3,96927.86%
Total votes14,246100.00%
Democratic Party Primary results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Paul O'Dwyer,
former New York City Councilman
275,87736.14%
Democratic Eugene Nickerson,
Nassau County Executive
257,63933.75%
Democratic Joseph Y. Resnick,
U.S. Representative
229,89330.11%
Total votes763,409100.00%
General election results [6]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Republican Jacob K. Javits2,810,836
Liberal Jacob K. Javits458,936
TotalJacob K. Javits3,269,77249.68%-7.70%
Democratic Paul O'Dwyer2,150,69532.68%-7.46%
Conservative (N.Y.) James L. Buckley,
Attorney
1,139,40217.31%+15.27%
Peace and Freedom Herman Ferguson8,7750.13%+0.13%
Socialist Labor John Emanuel7,9640.12%-0.02%
Socialist Workers Hedda Garza4,9790.08%-0.23%

North Carolina

U.S. Senate election in North Carolina, 1968
Flag of North Carolina (1885-1991).svg
  1962 November 5, 1968 1974  
  Sam Ervin.jpg No image.png
Nominee Sam Ervin Robert Somers
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote870,406566,834
Percentage60.6%39.4%

U.S. Senator before election

Sam Ervin
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Sam Ervin
Democratic

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.

Democratic Party (United States) political party in the United States

The Democratic Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. Tracing its heritage back to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison's Democratic-Republican Party, the modern-day Democratic Party was founded around 1828 by supporters of Andrew Jackson, making it the world's oldest active political party.

Sam Ervin American judge

Samuel James "Sam" Ervin Jr. was an American politician. A Democrat, he served as a U.S. Senator from North Carolina from 1954 to 1974. A native of Morganton, he liked to call himself a "country lawyer," and often told humorous stories in his Southern drawl. During his Senate career, Ervin was a legal defender of the Jim Crow laws and racial segregation, as the South's constitutional expert during the congressional debates on civil rights. Unexpectedly, he became a liberal hero for his support of civil liberties. He is remembered for his work in the investigation committees that brought down Senator Joseph McCarthy in 1954 and especially for his investigation of the Watergate scandal in 1972 that led to the resignation of Richard Nixon.

Republican Party (United States) Major political party in the United States

The Republican Party, also referred to as the GOP, is one of the two major political parties in the United States; the other is its historic rival, the Democratic Party.

The first round of the Primary Election was held on May 4, 1968. [7] The runoff for the Republican Party candidates took place on June 1. [8]

1968 North Carolina U.S. Senate Democratic primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Democratic Sam Ervin 499,39282.12%
Democratic Charles Pratt 60,3629.90%
Democratic John Gathings 48,3577.95%
Turnout 608,111
Republican primary – First round
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Republican Robert Somers 48,35136.63%
Republican J. L. Zimmerman 43,64433.06%
Republican B. E. Sweatt 40,02330.32%
Turnout 132,018
1968 North Carolina U.S. Senate Republican primary election – Second round
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Republican Robert Somers 8,81660.59%
Republican J. L. Zimmerman 5,73439.41%
Turnout 14,550
1968 North Carolina U.S. Senate election
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Democratic Sam Ervin 870,40660.56%
Republican Robert Somers 566,83439.44%
Turnout 901,978

North Dakota

U.S. Senate election in North Dakota, 1968
Flag of North Dakota.svg
  1962 November 5, 1968 1974  
  Milton Young.jpg No image.svg
Nominee Milton R. Young Herschel Lashkowitz
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote154,96880,815
Percentage64.79%33.79%

U.S. Senator before election

Milton R. Young
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Milton R. Young
Republican

The 1968 U.S. Senate election for the state of North Dakota was held November 5, 1968. The incumbent, Republican Senator 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. [9] [10]

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 United States Senate election, North Dakota
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Republican Milton R. Young 154,96864.79%
Democratic Herschel Lashkowitz 80,81533.79%
Independent Duane Mutch 3,3931.42%
Majority
Turnout 239,176

Ohio

Oklahoma

U.S. Senate election in Oklahoma, 1968
Flag of Oklahoma (1941-1988).svg
  1962 November 3, 1968 1974  
  BellmonHL.jpg Mike Monroney.jpg
Nominee Henry Bellmon Mike Monroney
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote470,120419,658
Percentage51.7%46.2%

U.S. Senator before election

Mike Monroney
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Henry Bellmon
Republican

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.

Oklahoma U.S. Senate Election, 1968 [11]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Republican Henry Bellmon470,12051.7%
Democratic Mike Monroney419,65846.2%
Independent George Washington19,3412.1%

Oregon

U.S. Senate election in Oregon, 1968
Flag of Oregon.svg
  1962 November 5, 1968 1974  
  RWPackwood.jpg Wayne Morse.jpg
Nominee Bob Packwood Wayne Morse
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote408,646405,353
Percentage50.2%49.8%

Oregon 1968 US Senator.svg
County results

U.S. Senator before election

Wayne Morse
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Bob Packwood
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Wayne Morse was seeking a fifth term, but narrowly lost re-election to 36 year-old Republican State Representative Bob Packwood race. [12]

The Democratic primary was held May 28, 1968. [13] 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.

Democratic primary for the United States Senate from Oregon, 1968 [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Wayne Morse (Incumbent)185,09149.03%
Democratic Robert B. Duncan 174,79546.30%
Democratic Phil McAlmond 17,6584.68%
Total votes377,544100.00%
General election results [12]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Bob Packwood 408,64650.20%
Democratic Wayne Morse (Incumbent)405,35349.80%
Total votes813,999100.00%
Republican gain from Democratic

Pennsylvania

U.S. Senate election in Pennsylvania, 1968
Flag of Pennsylvania.svg
  1962 November 5, 1968 1974  
  RichardSchweiker.jpg JosephSClark.jpg
Nominee Richard Schweiker Joseph Clark
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote2,399,7622,117,662
Percentage51.9%45.8%

Pennsylvania Senatorial Election Results by County, 1968.svg
County results

U.S. Senator before election

Joseph Clark
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Richard Schweiker
Republican

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 [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Richard Schweiker2,399,76251.90%
Democratic Joseph S. Clark Jr.2,117,66245.80%
Constitution Frank W. Gaydosh96,7422.09%
Socialist Labor Benson Perry7,1980.16%
Socialist Workers Pearl Chertov2,7430.06%
OtherOther1110.00%

South Carolina

U.S. Senate election in South Carolina, 1968
Flag of South Carolina.svg
  1966 November 5, 1968 1974  
  Ernest Hollings 91st Congress.jpg No image.svg
Nominee Ernest Hollings Marshall Parker
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote404,060248,780
Percentage61.9%38.1%

U.S. Senator before election

Ernest Hollings
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Ernest Hollings
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Fritz Hollings easily defeated Republican state senator Marshall Parker in a rematch of the election two years earlier to win 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 Hollingsin 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.

South Carolina U.S. Senate Election, 1968
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Democratic Fritz Hollings 404,06061.9%-10.6%
Republican Marshall Parker 248,78038.1%-10.6%
No party Write-Ins 150.0%0.0%
Majority155,28023.8%+21.2%
Turnout 652,85576.5%+27.4%
Democratic hold

South Dakota

Utah

Vermont

U.S. Senate election in Vermont, 1968
Flag of Vermont.svg
  1962 November 5, 1968 (1968-11-05) 1974  
  GeorgeAiken-VTSEN-.jpg
Nominee George Aiken
Party Republican
Popular vote157,197
Percentage99.9%

U.S. Senator before election

George Aiken
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

George Aiken
Republican

Incumbent Republican George Aiken ran successfully for re-election to another term in the United States Senate; he was unopposed.

Republican primary results [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Republican George Aiken (Incumbent) 42,248 72.8%
Republican William K. Tufts 15,78627.2%
Republican Other280.0%
Total votes58,062100.0%
Democratic primary results [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Write-in George Aiken (Incumbent) 1,534 61.8%
Write-in Philip H. Hoff 40018.2%
Democratic Other43820.0%
Total votes2,192100.0%
United States Senate election in Vermont, 1968 [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Republican George Aiken (Incumbent)94,73860.2%
Democratic George Aiken (Incumbent)62,41639.7%
No partyGeorge Aiken (Incumbent)430.0%
Total George Aiken (Incumbent)157,19799.9%
N/AOther1780.1%
Total votes157,375100.0%

Washington

Wisconsin

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

General election results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Gaylord Nelson 1,020,93161.69%
Republican Jerris Leonard 633,91038.31%

Notes

  1. "AZ US Senate - D Primary Race - Sep 10, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  2. "AZ US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  3. "1968 Senatorial General Election Results - Illinois".
  4. "NY US Senate - L Primary Race - Jun 18, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  5. "NY US Senate - D Primary Race - Jun 18, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  6. "NY US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  7. "NC US Senate - D Primary Race - May 04, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  8. "NC US Senate - R Runoff Race - Jun 01, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  9. 1 2 "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 5, 1968, corrected to July 1, 1969" (PDF). Clerk of the United States House of Representatives via House.gov.
  10. Lashkowitz's storied tenure
  11. "OK US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1968". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2017-12-19.
  12. 1 2 "OR US Senate" via OurCampaigns.com.
  13. 1 2 "OR US Senate - D Primary" via OurCampaigns.com.
  14. 1 2 "Primary Election Results" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  15. "General Election Results - U.S. Senator - 1914-2014" (PDF). Office of the Vermont Secretary of State. Retrieved June 17, 2015.

Related Research Articles

1998 United States Senate elections

The 1998 United States Senate elections were held on November 3 and seen as an even contest between the Republican Party and Democratic Party. While the Democrats had to defend more seats up for election, Republican attacks on the morality of President Bill Clinton failed to connect with voters and anticipated Republican gains did not materialize. The Republicans picked up open seats in Ohio and Kentucky and narrowly defeated Democratic incumbent Carol Moseley Braun (Illinois), but these were cancelled out by the Democrats' gain of an open seat in Indiana and defeats of Republican Senators Al D'Amato and Lauch Faircloth. The balance of the Senate remained unchanged at 55–45 in favor of the Republicans. With Democrats gaining five seats in the House of Representatives, this marked the first time since 1934 that the out-of-presidency party failed to gain congressional seats in a mid-term election, and the first time since 1822 that the party not in control of the White House failed to gain seats in the mid-term election of a President's second term. These are the last senate elections that resulted in no net change in the balance of power.

1982 United States Senate elections

The 1982 United States Senate elections were held on November 2, 1982. They were elections for the United States Senate following Republican gains in 1980. A total of four seats changed hands between parties, and the lone independent, Senator Harry Byrd Jr., retired. Democrats made a net gain of one seat in the elections. A special election in 1983 was then held after the winner of Washington's 1982 election died at the beginning of the term.

1978 United States Senate elections

The 1978 United States Senate elections in the middle of Democratic President Jimmy Carter's term. Thirteen seats changed hands between parties. The Democrats at first lost a net of two seats to the Republicans, and then one more in a special election. Democrats nevertheless retained a 58-41 majority.

1972 United States Senate elections

The 1972 United States Senate elections coincided with the landslide re-election of Republican President Richard Nixon. Despite Nixon's victory, Democrats increased their majority by two seats. After the elections, Democrats held 56 seats and Republicans held 42 seats, with 1 Conservative and 1 independent Senator. These were the first elections in which all citizens at least 18 years of age could vote due to the 1971 passage of the 26th Amendment.

1970 United States Senate elections

The 1970 United States Senate elections was an election for the United States Senate, taking place in the middle of Richard Nixon's first term as President. The Democrats lost a net of three seats, while the Republicans and the Conservative Party of New York picked up one net seat each, and former Democrat Harry F. Byrd Jr. was re-elected as an independent.

1964 United States Senate elections

The 1964 United States Senate elections coincided with the election of President Lyndon B. Johnson by an overwhelming majority, to a full term. His Democratic Party picked up a net two seats from the Republicans. As of 2019, this is the last time either party has had a two-thirds majority in the Senate, which would have hypothetically allowed the Senate Democrats to override a veto, convict and expel certain officials, or invoke cloture without any votes from Republicans. The Senate election coincided with Democratic gains in the House in the same year.

Marylands 8th congressional district

Maryland's 8th congressional district stretches from the northern Washington, D.C. suburbs north towards the Pennsylvania border. The district is currently represented by Democrat Jamie Raskin.

1996 United States elections

The 1996 United States elections were held on November 5. Democratic President Bill Clinton won re-election, while the Republicans maintained their majorities in both houses of the United States Congress.

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 another term, but was defeated by Republican nominee Richard Schweiker.

1978 United States Senate election in Delaware

The 1978 United States Senate election in Delaware was held on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Democratic United States Senator Joe Biden won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican challenger James H. Baxter Jr..

1982 United States Senate election in Indiana

The 1982 United States Senate election in Indiana was held on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Republican United States Senator Richard Lugar faced Democratic United States Representative Floyd Fithian in the general election. Lugar won with a margin of 53% of the vote, compared to Fithian's 46%.

1984 United States Senate election in New Mexico

The 1984 United States Senate election in New Mexico took place on November 6, 1984. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Pete Domenici successfully ran for re-election to a third term, defeating Democrat Judith Pratt.

1972 United States Senate election in New Mexico

The 1972 United States Senate election in New Mexico took place on November 7, 1972. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Clinton Presba Anderson did not run for re-election. Republican Pete Domenici defeated Democrat Jack Daniels to win the open seat.

1978 United States Senate election in Rhode Island

The 1978 United States Senate election in Rhode Island took place on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell successfully sought re-election, defeating Republican James G. Reynolds.

1948 United States Senate election in Montana

The 1948 United States Senate election in Montana took place on November 2, 1948. Incumbent United States Senator James E. Murray, who was first elected to the Senate in a special election in 1934 and was re-elected in 1936 and 1942, ran for re-election. After winning the Democratic primary, he faced Tom J. Davis, an attorney and the Republican nominee, in the general election. Following a narrow re-election in 1936, Murray significantly expanded his margin of victory and comfortably won re-election over Davis, resulting in him winning his fourth term and his third full term in the Senate.

1954 United States Senate election in Montana

The 1954 United States Senate election in Montana took place on November 2, 1954. Incumbent United States Senator James E. Murray, who was first elected to the Senate in a special election in 1934 and was re-elected in 1936, 1942, and 1948, ran for re-election. After winning the Democratic primary against trivial opponents, he advanced to the general election, where he was opposed by Wesley A. D'Ewart, the Republican nominee and the United States Congressman from Montana's 2nd congressional district. A contentious and close election ensued, but ultimately, Murray was able to narrowly win re-election over D'Ewart to a final term in the Senate.

1966 United States Senate election in Montana

The 1960 United States Senate election in Montana took place on November 8, 1966. Incumbent United States Senator Lee Metcalf, who was first elected to the Senate in 1960, ran for re-election. He won the Democratic primary uncontested, and moved on to the general election, where he was opposed by Tim M. Babcock, the Republican nominee and the Governor of Montana. Though the race remained close, Metcalf was able to expand on his 1960 margin of victory, and defeated Babcock to win a second term.

1984 United States Senate election in Montana

The 1984 United States Senate election in Montana took place on November 6, 1984. Incumbent United States Senator Max Baucus, who was first elected in 1978, ran for re-election. He easily won renomination in the Democratic primary, and advanced to the general election, where he faced Chuck Cozzens, a former State Representative and the Republican nominee. Despite President Ronald Reagan's strong performance in the state that year, Baucus was able to easily win a second term over Cozzens.

1922 United States Senate election in Montana

The 1922 United States Senate election in Montana took place on November 7, 1922. Incumbent United States Senator Henry L. Myers, who was first elected to the Senate in 1910, and was re-elected in 1916, declined to seek re-election. Former United States Attorney Burton K. Wheeler won the Democratic primary and advanced to the general election, where he faced Carl W. Riddick, the United States Congressman from Montana's 2nd congressional district and the Republican nominee. Ultimately, Wheeler defeated Riddick comfortably and won his first term in the Senate.

1946 United States Senate election in Montana

The 1946 United States Senate election in Montana took place on November 5, 1946. Incumbent United States Senator Burton K. Wheeler, who was first elected to the Senate in 1922, and was re-elected in 1928, 1934, and 1940, ran for re-election. He was challenged in the Democratic primary by Leif Erickson, the Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court, and, following a close election, was narrowly defeated by Erickson. In the general election, Erickson faced State Senator Zales Ecton, the Republican nominee. Ultimately, Ecton defeated Erickson by a fairly wide margin, and won his first and only term in the Senate.

References

See also