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1968 United States Senate elections

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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 Decrease 5 Increase 5
Popular vote 24,976,660 23,588,832[b]
Percentage 49.3% 46.5%
Seats up 23 11
Races won 18 16

1968 United States Senate election in Alabama1968 United States Senate election in Alaska1968 United States Senate election in Arizona1968 United States Senate election in Arkansas1968 United States Senate election in California1968 United States Senate election in Colorado1968 United States Senate election in Connecticut1968 United States Senate election in Florida1968 United States Senate election in Georgia1968 United States Senate election in Hawaii1968 United States Senate election in Idaho1968 United States Senate election in Illinois1968 United States Senate election in Indiana1968 United States Senate election in Iowa1968 United States Senate election in Kansas1968 United States Senate election in Kentucky1968 United States Senate election in Louisiana1968 United States Senate election in Maryland1968 United States Senate election in Missouri1968 United States Senate election in Nevada1968 United States Senate election in New Hampshire1968 United States Senate election in New York1968 United States Senate election in North Carolina1968 United States Senate election in North Dakota1968 United States Senate election in Ohio1968 United States Senate election in Oklahoma1968 United States Senate election in Oregon1968 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania1968 United States Senate election in South Carolina1968 United States Senate election in South Dakota1968 United States Senate election in Utah1968 United States Senate election in Vermont1968 United States Senate election in Washington1968 United States Senate election in Wisconsin
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

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.

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.

Results summary

[edit]
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 Decrease1 Republican replaced by Increase1 Democrat
Decrease2 Democrats replaced by Increase2 Republicans
3
Result 2 4 0 0 6
Incumbent ran 20 8 28
Won re-election 13 7 20
Lost re-election Decrease4 Democrats replaced by Increase4 Republicans 4
Lost renomination,
but held by same party
2 0 2
Lost renomination,
and party lost
Decrease1 Republican replaced by Increase1 Democrat
Decrease1 Democrat replaced by Increase1 Republican
2
Result 16 12 0 0 28
Total elected 18 16 0 0 34
Net gain/loss Decrease5 Increase5 Steady Steady 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

[edit]

Retirements

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

Before the elections

[edit]

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

[edit]
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

[edit]
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

[edit]

Elections leading to the next Congress

[edit]

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.
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.
Arizona Carl Hayden Democratic 1926
1932
1938
1944
1950
1956
1962
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Arkansas J. William Fulbright Democratic 1944
1950
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.
California Thomas Kuchel Republican 1953 (Appointed)
1954 (special)
1956
1962
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Colorado Peter H. Dominick Republican 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
Connecticut Abraham Ribicoff Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
Florida George Smathers Democratic 1950
1956
1962
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Georgia Herman Talmadge Democratic 1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.
Hawaii Daniel Inouye Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Daniel Inouye (Democratic) 83.4%
  • Wayne C. Thiessen (Republican) 15.0%
Idaho Frank Church Democratic 1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois Everett Dirksen Republican 1950
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.
Indiana Birch Bayh Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
Iowa Bourke B. Hickenlooper Republican 1944
1950
1956
1962
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Kansas Frank Carlson Republican 1950 (special)
1950
1956
1962
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
  • Green tickY 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.
Louisiana Russell B. Long Democratic 1948 (special)
1950
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.
Maryland Daniel Brewster Democratic 1962 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
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.
Nevada Alan Bible Democratic 1954 (special)
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.
New Hampshire Norris Cotton Republican 1954 (special)
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.
New York Jacob Javits Republican 1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.
North Carolina Sam Ervin Democratic 1954 (special)
1954 (Appointed)
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY 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.
Ohio Frank Lausche Democratic 1956
1962
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Oklahoma Mike Monroney Democratic 1950
1956
1962
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Oregon Wayne Morse Democratic 1944
1950
1956
1962
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Pennsylvania Joseph S. Clark Jr. Democratic 1956
1962
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
South Carolina Fritz Hollings Democratic 1966 (special) Incumbent re-elected.
South Dakota George McGovern Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
Utah Wallace F. Bennett Republican 1950
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.
Vermont George Aiken Republican 1940 (special)
1944
1950
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.
Washington Warren Magnuson Democratic 1944 (Appointed)
1944
1950
1956
1962
Incumbent re-elected.
Wisconsin Gaylord Nelson Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.

Closest races

[edit]

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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%

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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
Illinois election

 
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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

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

[edit]
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
Aiken:      90–100%

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. 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

[edit]
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

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

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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

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

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa 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. ^ a b "OR US Senate" – via OurCampaigns.com.
  18. ^ a b "OR US Senate - D Primary" – via OurCampaigns.com.
  19. ^ a b "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

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  • "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.