Senate
United States elections · 1872 · held
State Senate races in this election cycle, with separate candidate results and election-era ideology attribution.
State races and results map
Each race has its own denominator. Missing counts are blank. The interactive map uses modern state outlines as navigation references.
Alabama — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George E. Spencer | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1872. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y George E. Spencer (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Arkansas — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen W. Dorsey | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1872 or 1873. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Stephen W. Dorsey (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
California — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron A. Sargent | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election. New senator elected in 1872 or 1873. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Aaron A. Sargent (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
California — Senate (Class 1) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John S. Hager | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| [FNU] Cole | Republican | — | — | — |
| [FNU] Goodwin | Unknown | — | — | — |
| [FNU] Swift | Unknown | — | — | — |
| [FNU] Lewis | Unknown | — | — | — |
| [FNU] Edgerton | Unknown | — | — | — |
Incumbent resigned. New senator elected December 23, 1873. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John S. Hager (Democratic)
▌[FNU] Cole (Republican)
▌[FNU] Goodwin (Unknown)
▌[FNU] Swift (Unknown)
▌[FNU] Lewis (Unknown)
▌[FNU] Edgerton (Unknown)
Sources & further reading
California — Senate (Class 1) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton Booth | Anti-Monopoly | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent resigned November 29, 1873. New senator elected early December 20, 1873. Anti-Monopoly gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Newton Booth (Anti-Monopoly) 60
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Connecticut — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orris S. Ferry | Liberal Republican | — | — | Elected |
| Joseph R. Hawley | Republican | — | — | — |
Incumbent re-elected May 15, 1872 as a Liberal Republican. Liberal Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Orris S. Ferry (Liberal Republican) 51.55%
▌Joseph R. Hawley (Republican) 48.45%
Sources & further reading
Florida — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simon B. Conover | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1872 or 1873. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Simon B. Conover (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Georgia — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Brown Gordon | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1873. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Brown Gordon (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Illinois — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard J. Oglesby | Republican | — | — | Elected |
| Lyman Trumbull | Liberal Republican | — | — | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected January 20, 1873. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Richard J. Oglesby (Republican) 54.53%
▌Lyman Trumbull (Liberal Republican) 42.47%
Sources & further reading
Indiana — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oliver P. Morton | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1873. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Oliver P. Morton (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Iowa — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William B. Allison | Republican | — | — | Elected |
| Joseph C. Knapp | Democratic | — | — | — |
Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected January 17, 1872. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William B. Allison (Republican)
▌Joseph C. Knapp (Democratic)
Sources & further reading
Kansas — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Ingalls | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected in 1873. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Ingalls (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Kentucky — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas C. McCreery | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| John Marshall Harlan | Republican | — | — | — |
Interim appointee retired or lost re-election. New senator elected December 19, 1871. Democratic hold. Winner was not elected to finish the current term, see above. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Thomas C. McCreery (Democratic) 112
▌John Marshall Harlan (Republican) 20
Sources & further reading
Kentucky — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willis B. Machen | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| Richard Tarvin Baker | Republican | — | — | — |
Interim appointee elected January 21, 1873. Winner was not elected to the next term; see below. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Willis B. Machen (Democratic) 104
▌Richard Tarvin Baker (Republican) 18
Sources & further reading
Louisiana — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P. B. S. Pinchback | Republican | — | — | — |
| William L. McMillen | Republican | — | — | — |
Incumbent resigned November 1, 1872 to become Governor of Louisiana. Legislature failed to elect and the seat remained vacant until January 12, 1876 due to a Senate dispute. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌P. B. S. Pinchback (Republican)
▌William L. McMillen (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Louisiana — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P. B. S. Pinchback | Republican | — | — | — |
| John Ray | Unknown | — | — | — |
Incumbent resigned November 1, 1872 to become Governor of Louisiana. Legislature failed to elect. The seat remained vacant until January 12, 1876, due to a Senate dispute; see below. Republican loss. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌P. B. S. Pinchback (Republican)
▌John Ray (Unknown)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Maryland — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George R. Dennis | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired or lost re-election. New senator elected in 1872 or 1873. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y George R. Dennis (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Massachusetts — Senate (Class 2) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George S. Boutwell | Republican | — | — | Elected |
| Henry L. Dawes | Republican | — | — | — |
| George B. Loring | Republican | — | — | — |
| John K. Tarbox | Democratic | — | — | — |
| William Whiting | Democratic | — | — | — |
| C. G. Greene | Unknown | — | — | — |
Incumbent resigned to become U.S. Vice President. New senator elected March 12, 1873. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y George S. Boutwell (Republican) 152
▌Henry L. Dawes (Republican) 115
▌George B. Loring (Republican) 2
▌John K. Tarbox (Democratic) 2
▌William Whiting (Democratic) 2
▌C. G. Greene (Unknown) 2 votes
Sources & further reading
Missouri — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis V. Bogy | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected in 1872 or 1873. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Lewis V. Bogy (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Nevada — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John P. Jones | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1873. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John P. Jones (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
New Hampshire — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bainbridge Wadleigh | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected in 1872. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Bainbridge Wadleigh (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
New York — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roscoe Conkling | Republican | — | — | Elected |
| Charles A. Wheaton | Democratic | — | — | — |
| William M. Evarts | Republican | — | — | — |
| Henry R. Selden | Liberal Republican | — | — | — |
Incumbent re-elected January 21, 1873. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Roscoe Conkling (Republican)
▌Charles A. Wheaton (Democratic)
▌William M. Evarts (Republican)
▌Henry R. Selden (Liberal Republican)
Sources & further reading
North Carolina — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augustus Merrimon | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1872. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Augustus Merrimon (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
North Carolina — Senate (Class 2) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt W. Ransom | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Legislature had failed to elect. New senator elected January 30, 1872. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Matt W. Ransom (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Ohio — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Sherman | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1872. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Sherman (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Oregon — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John H. Mitchell | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1872. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John H. Mitchell (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Pennsylvania — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simon Cameron | Republican | — | — | Elected |
| William A. Wallace | Democratic | — | — | — |
| Thomas Marshall | Liberal Republican | — | — | — |
| Hendrick B. Wright | Democratic | — | — | — |
Incumbent re-elected January 21, 1873. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Simon Cameron (Republican) 57.14%
▌William A. Wallace (Democratic) 37.59%
▌Thomas Marshall (Liberal Republican) 0.75%
▌Hendrick B. Wright (Democratic) 0.75%
Sources & further reading
South Carolina — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John J. Patterson | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired or lost re-election. New senator elected in 1872 or 1873. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John J. Patterson (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Vermont — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin S. Morrill | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1872. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Justin S. Morrill (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Wisconsin — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy O. Howe | Republican | — | — | Elected |
| Henry L. Palmer | Democratic | — | — | — |
| Charles A. Eldredge | Democratic | — | — | — |
Incumbent re-elected January 22, 1873. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Timothy O. Howe (Republican) 64.84%
▌ Henry L. Palmer (Democratic) 34.38%
▌ Charles A. Eldredge (Democratic) 0.78%
Sources & further reading
Results: final · partial coverage · Elected candidates in regular races; continuing senators are not included
| Party / candidate | Votes | Vote share | Seats | Electoral votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George E. Spencer · Alabama | — | — | 1 | — |
| Stephen W. Dorsey · Arkansas | — | — | 1 | — |
| Aaron A. Sargent · California | — | — | 1 | — |
| Orris S. Ferry · Connecticut | — | — | 1 | — |
| Simon B. Conover · Florida | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Brown Gordon · Georgia | — | — | 1 | — |
| Richard J. Oglesby · Illinois | — | — | 1 | — |
| Oliver P. Morton · Indiana | — | — | 1 | — |
| William B. Allison · Iowa | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Ingalls · Kansas | — | — | 1 | — |
| Thomas C. McCreery · Kentucky | — | — | 1 | — |
| George R. Dennis · Maryland | — | — | 1 | — |
| Lewis V. Bogy · Missouri | — | — | 1 | — |
| John P. Jones · Nevada | — | — | 1 | — |
| Bainbridge Wadleigh · New Hampshire | — | — | 1 | — |
| Roscoe Conkling · New York | — | — | 1 | — |
| Augustus Merrimon · North Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Sherman · Ohio | — | — | 1 | — |
| John H. Mitchell · Oregon | — | — | 1 | — |
| Simon Cameron · Pennsylvania | — | — | 1 | — |
| John J. Patterson · South Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| Justin S. Morrill · Vermont | — | — | 1 | — |
| Timothy O. Howe · Wisconsin | — | — | 1 | — |
The seat diagram shows only regular seats contested in this cycle, not the full Senate. Special races remain available in the state selector. Early cycles span two years and use legislative selection; missing or non-comparable vote totals are left blank. Candidate ideology is used where sourced; otherwise the broad election-era party tradition is used. Unassessed candidates are not assigned an ideology.
Sources & further reading
U.S. Senate historical party divisions