The 1974 United States Senate elections were held on November 5, with the 34 seats of Class 3 contested in regular elections. They occurred in the wake of the Watergate scandal, Richard M. Nixon's resignation from the presidency, and Gerald Ford's subsequent pardon of Nixon. Economic issues, specifically inflation and stagnation, were also a factor that contributed to Republican losses.^[2] As an immediate result of the November 1974 elections, Democrats made a net gain of three seats from the Republicans, as they defeated Republican incumbents in Colorado and Kentucky and picked up open seats in Florida and Vermont, while Republicans won the open seat in Nevada. Following the elections, at the beginning of the 94th U.S. Congress, the Democratic caucus controlled 60 seats (as well as one independent), and the Republican caucus controlled 38 seats (as well as one Conservative).

Quick Facts 34 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate 51 seats needed for a majority, Majority party ...

1974 United States Senate elections

← 1972 November 5, 1974 1976 →
34 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate 51 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Mike Mansfield Hugh Scott Party Democratic Republican Leader since January 3, 1961 September 24, 1969 Leader's seat Montana Pennsylvania Seats before 57 41 Seats after 61[lower-alpha 1] 37 Seat change 4[lower-alpha 1] 4 Popular vote 22,544,761[1] 16,145,793[1][lower-alpha 2] Percentage 55.2% 39.6% Seats up 20 14 Races won 24[lower-alpha 1] 10   Third party Fourth party   Party Independent Conservative Seats before 1 1 Seats after 1[lower-alpha 3] 1 Seat change Popular vote 199,108[1] 822,584[1] Percentage 0.5% 2.0% Seats up 0 0 Races won 0 0
Results of the elections:      Democratic gain      Republican gain      Democratic hold      Republican hold      No election
Majority Leader before election Mike Mansfield Democratic Elected Majority Leader Mike Mansfield Democratic

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Democrats gained an additional seat, bringing the net pick-up to four seats, in 1975, when Democrat John A. Durkin won a disputed election in New Hampshire that was unintentionally held after the 1974 election resulted in two recounts and an extended dispute in the Senate. Durkin's Senate term began in September 1975, following his victory in that election. As of 2023^[update], this is the most recent election in which a Democrat has been elected Senator from Idaho.

Several other Republican incumbents won very close races; Milton Young of North Dakota won reelection against Democrat William L. Guy by only 186 votes and Henry Bellmon of Oklahoma won reelection against Democrat Ed Edmondson by half a percent of the vote. Bob Dole of Kansas survived the closest election of his career against Democratic Rep. William Roy, a race undoubtedly made close due to Dole's close association with Nixon as chairman of the Republican National Committee. It was the closest the Democrats have come to winning a Senate election in Kansas since George McGill won re-election in 1932.

More information Parties, Total ...

Parties							Total
		Democratic	Republican	Conservative	Independent	Other
Last elections (1972)		56	42	1	1	0	100
Before these elections		57	41	1	1	0	100
Not up		41	23	1	1	—	66
Up Class 3 (1968→1974)		20	14	0	0	—	34
Incumbent retired		3	4	—	—	—	7
	Held by same party	2	1	—	—	—	3
	Replaced by other party	3 Republicans replaced by 3 Democrats[lower-alpha 1] 1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican		—	—	—	4
	Result	5	2	0	0	0	7
Incumbent ran		17[lower-alpha 4]	10	—	—	—	27
	Won re-election	15	8	—	—	—	23
	Lost re-election	2 Republicans replaced by 2 Democrats		—	—	—	2
	Lost renomination, but held by same party	2	0	—	—	—	2
	Result	19	8	0	0	0	27
Total elected		24	10	0	0	0	34
Net gain/loss		4	4				4
Nationwide vote		22,544,761	16,145,793[lower-alpha 2]	822,584	199,108	1,098,146	40,810,392
	Share	55.24%	39.56%	2.02%	0.49%	2.69%	100%
Result		61	37	1	1	0	100

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Source: Office of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives^[1]

In fourteen races the margin of victory was under 10%.

Illinois was the tipping point state with a margin of 25%.

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Alabama election

← 1968 1978 (special) →

Nominee James B. Allen Alvin Abercrombie Party Democratic Prohibition Popular vote 572,584 21,749 Percentage 82.81% 4.16%

U.S. senator before election James B. Allen Democratic Elected U.S. Senator James B. Allen Democratic

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Democratic United States senator James Allen won re-election to a second term, faced no Republican opponent in the general election, defeating Prohibition Party nominee Alvin Abercrombie.

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Alaska election

← 1968 1980 →

Nominee Mike Gravel C. R. Lewis Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 54,361 38,914 Percentage 58.28% 41.72%

Results by borough and census area Results by state house district Results by borough and census area Gravel:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Lewis:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Mike Gravel Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Mike Gravel Democratic

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Incumbent Democrat Mike Gravel won re-election to a second term over Republican State Senator Clyde "C.R." Lewis.

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Arizona election

← 1968 1980 →

Nominee Barry Goldwater Jonathan Marshall Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 320,396 229,523 Percentage 58.26% 41.74%

County results Goldwater:      50–60%      60–70% Marshall:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Barry Goldwater Republican Elected U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater Republican

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Incumbent Republican Barry Goldwater decided to run for reelection to a fourth term, after returning to the U.S. Senate in 1968 following his failed Presidential run in 1964 against Lyndon B. Johnson. Goldwater defeated Democratic Party nominee philanthropist Jonathan Marshall in the general election.

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Arkansas election

← 1968 1980 →

Nominee Dale Bumpers John H. Jones Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 461,056 82,026 Percentage 84.90% 15.10%

County Results Bumpers:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. senator before election J. William Fulbright Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Dale Bumpers Democratic

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Incumbent Democrat J. William Fulbright lost renomination to Governor of Arkansas Dale Bumpers. Bumpers then won the general election easily.

More information Party, Candidate ...

1974 U.S. Senate general election in Arkansas^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Dale Bumpers	461,056	84.90	25.75
	Republican	John H. Jones	82,026	15.10	25.75
Majority			379,030	69.80
Total votes			93,275	100.00
Turnout			543,082	28.24
	Democratic hold		Swing

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California election

← 1968 1980 →

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

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

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

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Incumbent Democrat Alan Cranston won re-election to a second term over Republican H. L. Richardson, California State Senator.

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Colorado election

← 1968 1980 →

Nominee Gary Hart Peter Dominick Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 471,691 325,508 Percentage 57.23% 39.50%

County results Hart:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Dominick:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Peter Dominick Republican Elected U.S. Senator Gary Hart Democratic

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Incumbent Republican Peter H. Dominick ran for re-election to a third term, but was defeated by Democratic challenger Gary Hart, the campaign manager for George McGovern in 1972.

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Connecticut election

← 1968 1980 →

Nominee Abraham Ribicoff James Brannen III Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 690,820 372,055 Percentage 63.68% 34.29%

County results Ribicoff:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Abraham Ribicoff Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Abraham Ribicoff Democratic

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Incumbent Democrat Abraham Ribicoff won re-election to a third term over Republican challenger James Brannen III.

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Florida election

← 1968 1980 →

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

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Incumbent Republican Edward Gurney 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%.

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 exceptionally well for a third party candidate. Grady may have split the conservative vote, allowing for Stone to win. 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.

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Georgia election

← 1968 1980 →

Nominee Herman Talmadge Jerry R. Johnson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 627,376 246,865 Percentage 71.76% 28.24%

County results Talmadge:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. senator before election Herman Talmadge Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Herman Talmadge Democratic

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Incumbent Democrat Herman Talmadge won re-election to a fourth term over Republican challenger Jerry Johnson.

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Hawaii election

← 1968 1980 →

Nominee Daniel Inouye James Kimmel Party Democratic People's Popular vote 207,454 42,767 Percentage 82.91% 17.09%

County results Inouye:      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Daniel Inouye Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye Democratic

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Incumbent Democrat Daniel Inouye won re-election to a third term over Populist challenger James D. Kimmel.

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Idaho election

← 1968 1980 →

Nominee Frank Church Robert L. Smith Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 145,140 109,072 Percentage 56.07% 42.14%

County results Church:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Smith:      50-60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election Frank Church Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Frank Church Democratic

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Incumbent Democrat Frank Church won re-election to a fourth term in office, defeating Republican Bob Smith.

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Illinois election

← 1970 (special) 1980 →
Turnout	49.35%
Nominee Adlai Stevenson III George Burditt Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,811,496 1,084,884 Percentage 62.15% 37.22%
County Results Stevenson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Burditt:      50–60%      60–70%
U.S. senator before election Adlai Stevenson III Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Adlai Stevenson III Democratic

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Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Adlai Stevenson III, who was first elected in a special election in 1970, was re-elected to a second term in office, defeating Republican George Burditt by a large margin of nearly 800,000 votes.

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Indiana election

← 1968 1980 →

Nominee Birch Bayh Richard Lugar Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 889,269 814,117 Percentage 50.73% 46.44%

Results by county Bayh:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70% Lugar:      40–50%      50–60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election Birch Bayh Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Birch Bayh Democratic

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Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Birch Bayh was re-elected to a third consecutive term in office, defeating Mayor of Indianapolis Richard Lugar.

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Iowa election

← 1968 1980 →

Nominee John Culver David M. Stanley Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 426,947 420,546 Percentage 50.02% 49.27%

County results Culver:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Stanley:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

U.S. senator before election Harold E. Hughes Democratic Elected U.S. Senator John C. Culver Democratic

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Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Harold E. Hughes retired instead of seeking a second term. This open seat was won by five-term U.S. Representative John C. Culver, defeating Republican State Representative David M. Stanley. Culver just like Hughes six years prior, defeated Stanley by a margin of less than one point.

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Kansas election

← 1968 1980 →

Nominee Bob Dole William R. Roy Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 403,983 390,451 Percentage 50.85% 49.15%

County results Dole:      50–60%      60–70% Roy:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Bob Dole Republican Elected U.S. Senator Bob Dole Republican

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U.S. Senator Bob Dole was first elected in 1968 after Frank Carlson retired by a margin of 60-39% over his Democratic opponent. However, in 1974 he faced a closer challenge as he sought a second term. Dole was closely associated with Richard Nixon as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1971-1972. Dole himself even admitted he was "prepared to lose" the election to William R. Roy, a Topeka physician and two-term Representative from Kansas's 2nd Congressional District. Roy's advertisements contrasted Dole, "who put loyalty to Nixon and his party ahead of loyalty to his state," with Roy, a moderate and former Republican whom they described as "a respected voice for Kansas." Roy's campaign to be the first Democratic Senator from Kansas in decades received an enthusiastic response, and he led in polling for months. "I could go to any event and feel like Caesar coming back to Rome," Roy said. Still, Dole's campaign capitalized on the issue of abortion rights, which was fresh on voters minds in the wake of the Roe v. Wade decision. Roy himself had performed abortions as a physician, and Dole used this to build momentum and overtake Roy in polling.^[8]

In the end, Dole narrowly prevailed over Roy by 15,533 votes in the closest election of his 35-year Congressional career.

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Kentucky election

← 1968 1980 →

Nominee Wendell Ford Marlow Cook Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 398,887 328,260 Percentage 53.56% 44.08%

County results Ford:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Cook:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

U.S. senator before election Marlow Cook Republican Elected U.S. Senator Wendell Ford Democratic

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Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Marlow Cook ran for a second term in office but was defeated by Democratic Governor of Kentucky Wendell Ford.

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Louisiana election

← 1968 1980 →

Nominee Russell B. Long Party Democratic Popular vote 434,643 Percentage 100.00%

U.S. senator before election Russell Long Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Russell Long Democratic

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Incumbent Democratic Senator Russell B. Long was unopposed for re-election to a sixth term in office.

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Maryland election

← 1968 1980 →

Nominee Charles Mathias Barbara Mikulski Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 503,223 374,663 Percentage 57.32% 42.68%

County results Mathias:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Mikulski:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Charles Mathias Republican Elected U.S. Senator Charles Mathias Republican

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Incumbent Republican Charles Mathias won re-election to a second term. As a Republican representing heavily-Democratic Maryland, Mathias faced a potentially difficult re-election bid for the 1974 election. State Democrats nominated Barbara Mikulski, then a Baltimore City Councilwoman who was well-known to residents in her city as a social activist, but with limited name recognition in the rest of the state.^[10] Mathias was renominated by Republicans, fending off a primary election challenge from conservative doctor Ross Pierpont. Pierpont was never a substantial threat to Mathias, whose lack of competition was due in part to fallout from the Watergate scandal.^[11][12]

As an advocate for campaign finance reform, Mathias refused to accept any contribution over $100 to "avoid the curse of big money that has led to so much trouble in the last year".^[13] However, he still managed to raise over $250,000, nearly five times Mikulski's total. Ideologically, Mikulski and Mathias agreed on many issues, such as closing tax loopholes and easing taxes on the middle class. On two issues, however, Mathias argued to reform Congress and the U.S. tax system to address inflation and corporate price fixing, contrary to Mikulski.^[10] In retrospect, The Washington Post felt the election was "an intelligent discussion of state, national, and foreign affairs by two smart, well-informed people".^[14]

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

Missouri election

← 1968 1980 →

Nominee Thomas Eagleton Thomas B. Curtis Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 735,433 480,900 Percentage 60.07% 39.28%

County Results Eagleton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Curtis:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election Thomas Eagleton Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Thomas Eagleton Democratic

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Thomas Eagleton was first elected in 1968, defeating incumbent U.S. senator Edward V. Long in an upset three-way primary victory. He then defeated Republican Representative Thomas B. Curtis by just over two percentage points. Eagleton served as the initial vice presidential nominee for George McGovern's campaign against incumbent Richard Nixon in 1968. However, Eagleton resigned from the ticket and was replaced by Sargent Shriver after reports surfaced that Eagleton had received electroshock therapy for clinical depression. McGovern, who was trailing Nixon badly in the polls, requested Eagleton's resignation.^[16]

Despite negative publicity from his vice presidential nomination withdrawal, Eagleton cruised to re-election in a rematch over Curtis, taking over 60% of the vote. This would be Eagleton's largest victory margin for U.S. Senate. In 1980, he faced a close re-election battle against Gene McNary, winning by only about 5 percentage points.