The 1974 United States Senate election in Florida was held on November 5, 1974. Incumbent Senator Edward Gurney, a Republican, declined to seek a second term after being indicted for taking bribes in return for his influence with the Federal Housing Administration. The primary for the Republican nomination pitted Eckerd drug store owner Jack Eckerd against Florida Public Service Commissioner Paula Hawkins. Eckerd won handily, receiving approximately 67.5% of the vote. The Democratic primary, however, was a crowded field with eleven candidates vying for the nomination. Because no candidate received a majority of the votes, U.S. Representative Bill Gunter and Secretary of State of Florida Richard Stone advanced to a run-off election. Stone won by a small margin of 1.68%.

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

1974 United States Senate election in Florida

← 1968 November 5, 1974 1980 →

Nominee Richard Stone Jack Eckerd John Grady Party Democratic Republican American Independent Popular vote 781,031 736,674 282,659 Percentage 43.38% 40.91% 15.70%

County results Stone:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Eckerd:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Grady:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election Edward Gurney Republican Elected U.S. Senator Richard Stone Democratic

Close

Thus, Eckerd and Stone faced off in the general election. John Grady, a family physician and member of George Wallace's American Independent Party, performed very well for a third-party candidate. On election day, Stone received 43.38% of the vote, Eckerd garnered 40.91% of the vote, and Grady acquired 15.7% of the vote. Stone served only one term in the Senate and would be defeated by Gunter in the Democratic primary in 1980.

The Democratic primary consisted of a large field of 11 candidates.^[1]

The Republican primary was a smaller affair than its Democratic counterpart with two candidates.^[1]

• United States Senate elections, 1974 and 1975