Senate

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 (Class 3) — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
James L. Pugh	Democratic	—	—	Elected

Interim appointee retired or lost election. New senator elected November 23, 1880. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James L. Pugh (Democratic)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

California — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
John F. Miller	Republican	—	—	Elected
William T. Wallace	Democratic	—	—	—
Henry George	Workingmen's	—	—	—

Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1880. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John F. Miller (Republican) 27

▌William T. Wallace (Democratic) 11

▌Henry George (Workingmen's) 2

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Connecticut — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Joseph R. Hawley	Republican	—	—	Elected

Incumbent retired or lost re-election. New senator elected in 1881. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Joseph R. Hawley (Republican)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Delaware — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Thomas F. Bayard	Democratic	—	—	Elected

Incumbent re-elected in 1881. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Thomas F. Bayard (Democratic)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Florida — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Charles W. Jones	Democratic	—	—	Elected

Incumbent re-elected in 1881. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Charles W. Jones (Democratic)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Georgia — Senate (Class 3) — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Joseph E. Brown	Democratic	—	—	Elected

Incumbent resigned to promote a venture for the Georgia Pacific Railway. New senator elected May 26, 1880. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Joseph E. Brown (Democratic)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Indiana — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Benjamin Harrison	Republican	—	—	Elected
Joseph E. McDonald	Democratic	—	—	—

Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected in 1881. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Benjamin Harrison (Republican) 81

▌Joseph E. McDonald (Democratic) 62

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Maine — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Eugene Hale	Republican	—	—	Elected
Joseph Locke Smith	Democratic	—	—	—
Harris Merrill Plaisted	Greenback	—	—	—

Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: First ballot (January 18, 1881)

▌Y Eugene Hale (Republican) 83 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 22 STooltip Maine Senate

▌Joseph Locke Smith (Democratic) 64 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 8 STooltip Maine Senate

▌Harris Merrill Plaisted (Greenback) 0 HTooltip Maine House of Representatives; 1 STooltip Maine Senate

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Maine — Senate (Class 2) — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
William P. Frye	Republican	—	—	Elected

Incumbent resigned March 5, 1881 to become U.S. Secretary of State. New senator elected March 18, 1881. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William P. Frye (Republican)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Maryland — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Arthur P. Gorman	Democratic	—	—	Elected

Incumbent retired. New senator elected in 1880. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Arthur P. Gorman (Democratic)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Massachusetts — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Henry L. Dawes	Republican	—	—	Elected

Incumbent re-elected in 1881. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Henry L. Dawes (Republican)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Michigan — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Omar D. Conger	Republican	—	—	Elected

Incumbent retired. Winner elected January 18, 1881. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Omar D. Conger (Republican)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Michigan — Senate (Class 1) — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Henry P. Baldwin	Republican	—	—	Elected

Interim appointee elected January 19, 1881. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Henry P. Baldwin (Republican)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Minnesota — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Samuel J. R. McMillan	Republican	—	—	Elected

Incumbent re-elected in 1881. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Samuel J. R. McMillan (Republican)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Minnesota — Senate (Class 2) — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
William Windom	Republican	—	—	Elected

Interim appointee replaced by successor elected October 30, 1881. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William Windom (Republican)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Mississippi — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
James Z. George	Democratic	—	—	Elected

Incumbent retired or lost re-election. New senator elected in 1880. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James Z. George (Democratic)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Missouri — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Francis Cockrell	Democratic	—	—	Elected

Incumbent re-elected in 1881. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Francis Cockrell (Democratic)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Nebraska — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Charles Van Wyck	Republican	—	—	Elected
Algernon Paddock	Republican	—	—	—

Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected in 1880. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Charles Van Wyck (Republican)

▌Algernon Paddock (Republican)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Nevada — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
James G. Fair	Democratic	—	—	Elected

Incumbent retired or lost re-election. New senator elected January 12, 1881. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James G. Fair (Democratic)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

New Jersey — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
William J. Sewell	Republican	—	—	Elected
Theodore F. Randolph	Democratic	—	—	—

Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election. New senator elected in 1881. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William J. Sewell (Republican)

▌Theodore F. Randolph (Democratic)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

New York — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Thomas C. Platt	Republican	—	—	Elected
Francis Kernan	Democratic	—	—	—

Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected January 20, 1881. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Thomas C. Platt (Republican)

▌Francis Kernan (Democratic)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

New York — Senate (Class 1) — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Warner Miller	Republican	—	—	Elected

Incumbent resigned May 16, 1881 to protest federal appointments in New York. New senator elected July 27, 1881. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Warner Miller (Republican)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

New York — Senate (Class 3) — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Elbridge G. Lapham	Republican	—	—	Elected

Incumbent resigned May 16, 1881 to protest federal appointments in New York. New senator elected July 29, 1881. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Elbridge G. Lapham (Republican)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Ohio — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
John Sherman	Republican	—	—	Elected
Allen G. Thurman	Democratic	—	—	—

Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected in 1880. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Sherman (Republican)

▌Allen G. Thurman (Democratic)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Pennsylvania — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
John I. Mitchell	Republican	—	—	Elected
William A. Wallace	Democratic	—	—	—

Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected February 23, 1881. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John I. Mitchell (Republican) 59.76%

▌William A. Wallace (Democratic) 36.65%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Rhode Island — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Ambrose Burnside	Republican	—	—	Elected

Incumbent re-elected in 1880. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Ambrose Burnside (Republican)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Rhode Island — Senate (Class 1) — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Nelson W. Aldrich	Republican	—	—	Elected

Incumbent died September 13, 1881. New senator elected October 5, 1881. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Nelson W. Aldrich (Republican)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Tennessee — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Howell E. Jackson	Democratic	—	—	Elected

Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected in 1880 or 1881. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Howell E. Jackson (Democratic)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Texas — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Samuel B. Maxey	Democratic	—	—	Elected
James W. Throckmorton	Democratic	—	—	—
Edmund J. Davis	Republican	—	—	—
John H. Reagan	Democratic	—	—	—

Incumbent re-elected January 26, 1881. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Samuel B. Maxey (Democratic) 73

▌ James W. Throckmorton (Democratic) 42

▌ Edmund J. Davis (Republican) 6

▌ John H. Reagan (Democratic) 1

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Vermont — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
George F. Edmunds	Republican	—	—	Elected

Incumbent re-elected in 1880. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y George F. Edmunds (Republican)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Virginia — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
William Mahone	Readjuster	—	—	Elected

Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected in 1881. Readjuster gain. Winner caucused with the Republicans. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William Mahone (Readjuster)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Virginia — Senate (Class 2) — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Harrison H. Riddleberger	Readjuster	—	—	Elected
John W. Johnston	Democratic	—	—	—

Incumbent lost re-election for the term beginning March 4, 1883. Winner elected early December 21, 1881. Readjuster gain. Winner caucused with the Republicans. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Harrison H. Riddleberger (Readjuster)

▌John W. Johnston (Democratic)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

West Virginia — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Johnson N. Camden	Democratic	—	—	Elected

Incumbent retired or lost re-election. New senator elected in 1880 or 1881. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Johnson N. Camden (Democratic)

[data missing]

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Wisconsin — Senate — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Philetus Sawyer	Republican	—	—	Elected
James G. Jenkins	Democratic	—	—	—
C. C. Washburn	Republican	—	—	—
Charles D. Parker	Democratic	—	—	—

Incumbent retired. New senator elected January 26, 1881. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Philetus Sawyer (Republican) 75.38%

▌James G. Jenkins (Democratic) 22.31%

▌C. C. Washburn (Republican) 1.54%

▌Charles D. Parker (Democratic) 0.77%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Wisconsin — Senate (Class 3) — General

Legislative / indirect selection. Legislative selection; popular-vote totals are not inferred

Candidate	Party	Votes	Share	Result
Angus Cameron	Republican	—	—	Elected
William F. Vilas	Democratic	—	—	—

Incumbent died February 24, 1881. New senator elected March 10, 1881. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Angus Cameron (Republican) 78.23%

▌ William F. Vilas (Democratic) 21.77%

Sources & further reading

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

Results: final · partial coverage · Elected candidates in regular races; continuing senators are not included

Senate — recorded results
Party / candidate	Votes	Vote share	Seats	Electoral votes
John F. Miller · California	—	—	1	—
Joseph R. Hawley · Connecticut	—	—	1	—
Thomas F. Bayard · Delaware	—	—	1	—
Charles W. Jones · Florida	—	—	1	—
Benjamin Harrison · Indiana	—	—	1	—
Eugene Hale · Maine	—	—	1	—
Arthur P. Gorman · Maryland	—	—	1	—
Henry L. Dawes · Massachusetts	—	—	1	—
Omar D. Conger · Michigan	—	—	1	—
Samuel J. R. McMillan · Minnesota	—	—	1	—
James Z. George · Mississippi	—	—	1	—
Francis Cockrell · Missouri	—	—	1	—
Charles Van Wyck · Nebraska	—	—	1	—
James G. Fair · Nevada	—	—	1	—
William J. Sewell · New Jersey	—	—	1	—
Thomas C. Platt · New York	—	—	1	—
John Sherman · Ohio	—	—	1	—
John I. Mitchell · Pennsylvania	—	—	1	—
Ambrose Burnside · Rhode Island	—	—	1	—
Howell E. Jackson · Tennessee	—	—	1	—
Samuel B. Maxey · Texas	—	—	1	—
George F. Edmunds · Vermont	—	—	1	—
William Mahone · Virginia	—	—	1	—
Johnson N. Camden · West Virginia	—	—	1	—
Philetus Sawyer · 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

Historical Senate race summary and linked records

MIT Election Lab: Senate returns