Senate
United States elections · 1878 · held
State Senate races in this midterm 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 S. Houston | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in August 1878. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y George S. Houston (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Arkansas — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James D. Walker | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1878. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James D. Walker (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
California — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James T. Farley | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| Morris Estee | Republican | — | — | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1878. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James T. Farley (Democratic) 28
▌Morris Estee (Republican) 12
Sources & further reading
Colorado — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathaniel P. Hill | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1879. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Nathaniel P. Hill (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Connecticut — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orville H. Platt | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired or lost re-election. New senator elected in 1879. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Orville H. Platt (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Florida — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkinson Call | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected January 21, 1879. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Wilkinson Call (Democratic)
[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 B. Gordon | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1879. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John B. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John A. Logan | Republican | — | — | Elected |
| John C. Black | Democratic | — | — | — |
| Alexander Campbell | Greenback | — | — | — |
| John McAuliffe | Independent | — | — | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected Jan 22, 1879. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John A. Logan (Republican) 51.46%
▌John C. Black (Democratic) 41.75%
▌Alexander Campbell (Greenback) 4.85%
▌John McAuliffe (Independent) 1.94%
Sources & further reading
Indiana — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel W. Voorhees | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1879. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Daniel W. Voorhees (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Indiana — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel W. Voorhees | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Interim appointee elected January 31, 1879. Winner was also elected to the next term; see below. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Daniel W. Voorhees (Democratic)
[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 |
| Daniel F. Miller | Republican | — | — | — |
| E. N. Gates | Unknown | — | — | — |
Incumbent re-elected January 23, 1878. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William B. Allison (Republican) 104
▌Daniel F. Miller (Republican) 35
▌E. N. Gates (Unknown) 3
Sources & further reading
Kansas — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John J. Ingalls | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected in 1879. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John J. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Stuart Williams | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| Robert Boyd | Republican | — | — | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected January 17, 1878. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Stuart Williams (Democratic) 126
▌ Robert Boyd (Republican) 11
Sources & further reading
Louisiana — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin F. Jonas | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected in 1879. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Benjamin F. Jonas (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Maryland — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Black Groome | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| Lewis H. Steiner | Republican | — | — | — |
| John M. Robinson | Democratic | — | — | — |
| James A. Garey | Unknown | — | — | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected January 19, 1878. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James Black Groome (Democratic) 78.5%
▌Lewis H. Steiner (Republican) 18.28%
▌John M. Robinson (Democratic) 2.15%
▌James A. Garey (Unknown) 1.08%
Sources & further reading
Michigan — Senate (Class 1) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachariah Chandler | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent resigned February 10, 1879, due to ill health. New senator elected February 22, 1879. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Zachariah Chandler (Republican)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Missouri — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George G. Vest | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1879. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y George G. Vest (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Missouri — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Shields | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Interim appointee retired when successor elected. New senator elected January 27, 1879. Democratic hold. Winner did not run for the next term; see below. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James Shields (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 re-elected in 1879. 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 |
|---|
Incumbent retired or lost re-election. Legislature failed to elect. Republican loss. Source candidate / selection detail: [data missing]
Sources & further reading
New Hampshire — Senate (Class 3) — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry W. Blair | Republican | — | — | Elected |
Legislature had failed to elect; see above. Interim appointee retired when successor elected. New senator elected June 17, 1879. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Henry W. Blair (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 |
| William Dorsheimer | Democratic | — | — | — |
| Peter Cooper | Greenback | — | — | — |
Incumbent re-elected January 22, 1879. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Roscoe Conkling (Republican)
▌William Dorsheimer (Democratic)
▌Peter Cooper (Greenback)
Sources & further reading
North Carolina — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zebulon Vance | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| Augustus Merrimon | Democratic | — | — | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected in 1879. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Zebulon Vance (Democratic)
▌Augustus Merrimon (Democratic)
Sources & further reading
Ohio — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George H. Pendleton | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1878 or 1879. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y George H. Pendleton (Democratic)
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Oregon — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James H. Slater | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
| John H. Mitchell | Republican | — | — | — |
Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1878 or 1879. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James H. Slater (Democratic)
▌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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Donald Cameron | Republican | — | — | Elected |
| Hiester Clymer | Democratic | — | — | — |
| Daniel Agnew | Greenback | — | — | — |
| Edward McPherson | Republican | — | — | — |
| Russell Thayer | Republican | — | — | — |
| Galusha A. Grow | Republican | — | — | — |
Incumbent re-elected January 20, 1879. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y J. Donald Cameron (Republican) 53.78%
▌Hiester Clymer (Democratic) 36.65%
▌Daniel Agnew (Greenback) 6.37%
▌Edward McPherson (Republican) 1.20%
▌Russell Thayer (Republican) 0.40%
▌Galusha A. Grow (Republican) 0.40%
Sources & further reading
South Carolina — Senate — General
Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wade Hampton III | Democratic | — | — | Elected |
Incumbent retired or lost re-election. New senator elected in 1878. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Wade Hampton III (Democratic)
[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 1878. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew H. Carpenter | Republican | — | — | Elected |
| Edward George Ryan | Democratic | — | — | — |
| Gabriel Bouck | Democratic | — | — | — |
Incumbent lost re-nomination. New senator elected January 22, 1879. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Matthew H. Carpenter (Republican) 67.20%
▌Edward George Ryan (Democratic) 22.40%
▌Gabriel Bouck (Democratic) 10.40%
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 S. Houston · Alabama | — | — | 1 | — |
| James D. Walker · Arkansas | — | — | 1 | — |
| James T. Farley · California | — | — | 1 | — |
| Nathaniel P. Hill · Colorado | — | — | 1 | — |
| Orville H. Platt · Connecticut | — | — | 1 | — |
| Wilkinson Call · Florida | — | — | 1 | — |
| John B. Gordon · Georgia | — | — | 1 | — |
| John A. Logan · Illinois | — | — | 1 | — |
| Daniel W. Voorhees · Indiana | — | — | 1 | — |
| William B. Allison · Iowa | — | — | 1 | — |
| John J. Ingalls · Kansas | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Stuart Williams · Kentucky | — | — | 1 | — |
| Benjamin F. Jonas · Louisiana | — | — | 1 | — |
| James Black Groome · Maryland | — | — | 1 | — |
| George G. Vest · Missouri | — | — | 1 | — |
| John P. Jones · Nevada | — | — | 1 | — |
| Roscoe Conkling · New York | — | — | 1 | — |
| Zebulon Vance · North Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| George H. Pendleton · Ohio | — | — | 1 | — |
| James H. Slater · Oregon | — | — | 1 | — |
| J. Donald Cameron · Pennsylvania | — | — | 1 | — |
| Wade Hampton III · South Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| Justin S. Morrill · Vermont | — | — | 1 | — |
| Matthew H. Carpenter · 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