Senate
United States elections · 1970 · 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.
Alaska — Senate (Class 2) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ted Stevens | Republican | 47908 | 59.61% | Elected |
| Wendell P. Kay | Democratic | 32456 | 40.39% | — |
Interim appointee elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Ted Stevens (Republican) 59.6%
▌Wendell P. Kay (Democratic) 40.4%
Sources & further reading
Arizona — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Fannin | Republican | 228284 | 55.98% | Elected |
| Sam Grossman | Democratic | 179512 | 44.02% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Paul Fannin (Republican) 56.0%
▌Sam Grossman (Democratic) 44.0%
Sources & further reading
California — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John V. Tunney | Democratic | 3496558 | 53.86% | Elected |
| George Murphy | Republican | 2877617 | 44.32% | — |
| Robert Scheer | Peace and Freedom | 61251 | 0.94% | — |
| Charles C. Ripley | American Independent | 56731 | 0.87% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain. Incumbent resigned January 1, 1971 to give successor preferential seniority. Winner appointed January 2, 1971. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John V. Tunney (Democratic) 53.9%
▌George Murphy (Republican) 44.3%
▌Robert Scheer (Peace and Freedom) 0.9%
▌Charles C. Ripley (American Independent) 0.9%
Sources & further reading
Connecticut — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowell Weicker | Republican | — | 41.70% | Elected |
| Joseph Duffey | Democratic | — | 33.80% | — |
| Thomas J. Dodd | Independent | — | 24.50% | — |
Incumbent lost renomination, then ran as an Independent candidate but lost re-election. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Lowell Weicker (Republican) 41.7%
▌Joseph Duffey (Democratic) 33.8%
▌Thomas J. Dodd (Independent) 24.5%
Sources & further reading
Delaware — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Roth | Republican | — | 58.80% | Elected |
| Jacob Zimmerman | Democratic | — | 40.10% | — |
Incumbent retired. Republican hold. Incumbent resigned December 31, 1970 to give successor preferential seniority. Winner appointed January 1, 1971. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William Roth (Republican) 58.8%
▌Jacob Zimmerman (Democratic) 40.1%
Sources & further reading
Florida — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawton Chiles | Democratic | 902438 | 53.87% | Elected |
| William C. Cramer | Republican | 772817 | 46.13% | — |
Incumbent retired. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Lawton Chiles (Democratic) 53.9%
▌William C. Cramer (Republican) 46.1%
Sources & further reading
Hawaii — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiram Fong | Republican | 124163 | 51.57% | Elected |
| Cecil Heftel | Democratic | 116597 | 48.43% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Hiram Fong (Republican) 51.6%
▌Cecil Heftel (Democratic) 48.4%
Sources & further reading
Illinois — Senate (Class 3) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson III | Democratic | 2065054 | 57.37% | Elected |
| Ralph Tyler Smith | Republican | 1519718 | 42.22% | — |
| Lynn Henderson | Socialist Workers | 8859 | 0.25% | — |
| Louis Fisher | Socialist Labor | 5564 | 0.15% | — |
| Scattering | None | 77 | 0.00% | — |
Interim appointee lost election. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Adlai Stevenson III (Democratic) 57.4%
▌Ralph Tyler Smith (Republican) 42.2%
Sources & further reading
Indiana — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vance Hartke | Democratic | 870990 | 50.12% | Elected |
| Richard L. Roudebush | Republican | 866707 | 49.88% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Vance Hartke (Democratic) 50.1%
▌Richard L. Roudebush (Republican) 49.9%
Sources & further reading
Maine — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmund Muskie | Democratic | — | 61.90% | Elected |
| Neil S. Bishop | Republican | — | 38.30% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Edmund Muskie (Democratic) 61.9%
▌Neil S. Bishop (Republican) 38.3%
Sources & further reading
Maryland — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Glenn Beall Jr. | Republican | — | 50.70% | Elected |
| Joseph Tydings | Democratic | — | 48.10% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y J. Glenn Beall Jr. (Republican) 50.7%
▌Joseph Tydings (Democratic) 48.1%
Sources & further reading
Massachusetts — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ted Kennedy | Democratic | — | 62.10% | Elected |
| Josiah Spaulding | Republican | — | 37.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Ted Kennedy (Democratic) 62.1%
▌Josiah Spaulding (Republican) 37.0%
Sources & further reading
Michigan — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philip Hart | Democratic | 1744672 | 66.83% | Elected |
| Lenore Romney | Republican | 858438 | 32.88% | — |
| Paul Ludieu | Socialist Workers | 3861 | 0.15% | — |
| James Sim | Socialist Labor | 3254 | 0.12% | — |
| Scattering | None | 538 | 0.02% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Philip Hart (Democratic) 66.8%
▌Lenore Romney (Republican) 32.9%
Sources & further reading
Minnesota — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hubert Humphrey | DFL | — | 57.80% | Elected |
| Clark MacGregor | Republican | — | 41.60% | — |
Incumbent retired. DFL hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Hubert Humphrey (DFL) 57.8%
▌Clark MacGregor (Republican) 41.6%
Sources & further reading
Mississippi — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John C. Stennis | Democratic | — | 88.40% | Elected |
| William R. Thompson | Independent | — | 11.60% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John C. Stennis (Democratic) 88.4%
▌William R. Thompson (Independent) 11.6%
Sources & further reading
Missouri — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stuart Symington | Democratic | 654831 | 51.03% | Elected |
| John C. Danforth | Republican | 617903 | 48.15% | — |
| Gene Chapman | American Independent | 10065 | 0.78% | — |
| E. J. DiGirolamo | Independent | 513 | 0.04% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Stuart Symington (Democratic) 51.1%
▌John Danforth (Republican) 48.1%
Others
▌Gene Chapman (American Independent) 0.8%
▌E. J. DiGirolamo (Independent) 0.04%
Sources & further reading
Montana — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Mansfield | Democratic | 150060 | 60.54% | Elected |
| Harold E. Wallace | Republican | 97809 | 39.46% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Mike Mansfield (Democratic) 60.5%
▌Harold E. Wallace (Republican) 39.5%
Sources & further reading
Nebraska — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Hruska | Republican | 240894 | 52.49% | Elected |
| Frank B. Morrison | Democratic | 217681 | 47.43% | — |
| Scattering | None | 391 | 0.09% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Roman Hruska (Republican) 52.5%
▌Frank B. Morrison (Democratic) 47.5%
Sources & further reading
Nevada — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard Cannon | Democratic | 85187 | 57.65% | Elected |
| William Raggio | Republican | 60838 | 41.17% | — |
| Harold G. DeSellem | American Independent | 1743 | 1.18% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Howard Cannon (Democratic) 57.7%
▌William Raggio (Republican) 41.2%
Sources & further reading
New Jersey — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison A. Williams | Democratic | 1157074 | 56.17% | Elected |
| Nelson G. Gross | Republican | 903026 | 43.83% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Harrison A. Williams (Democratic) 54.0%
▌Nelson G. Gross (Republican) 42.2%
Sources & further reading
New Mexico — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Montoya, Incumbent | Democratic | 151486 | 52.26% | Elected |
| Anderson Carter | Republican | 135004 | 46.57% | — |
| William Higgs | People's Constitutional | 3382 | 1.17% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Joseph Montoya (Democratic) 52.3%
▌Anderson Carter (Republican) 46.6%
Sources & further reading
New York — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James L. Buckley | Conservative | 2288190 | 38.95% | Elected |
| Richard Lawrence Ottinger | Democratic | 2171232 | 36.96% | — |
| Charles Goodell | Republican + Liberal Party | 2808944 | 23.91% | — |
| Arnold Johnson | Communist | 4097 | 0.07% | — |
| Kipp Dawson | Socialist Workers | 3549 | 0.06% | — |
| John Emanuel | Socialist Labor | 3204 | 0.06% | — |
Interim appointee lost election. Conservative gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y James L. Buckley (Conservative) 38.8%
▌Richard Ottinger (Democratic) 36.8%
▌Charles Goodell (Republican) 24.3%
Sources & further reading
North Dakota — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quentin Burdick | Democratic–NPL | 134519 | 61.27% | Elected |
| Thomas S. Kleppe | Republican | 82996 | 37.80% | — |
| Russell Kleppe | Independent | 2045 | 0.93% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Quentin Burdick (Democratic-NPL) 61.3%
▌Thomas S. Kleppe (Republican) 37.8%
Sources & further reading
Ohio — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Taft Jr. | Republican | — | 49.70% | Elected |
| Howard Metzenbaum | Democratic | — | 47.50% | — |
Incumbent retired. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Robert Taft Jr. (Republican) 49.7%
▌Howard Metzenbaum (Democratic) 47.5%
Sources & further reading
Pennsylvania — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hugh Scott | Republican | 1874106 | 51.43% | Elected |
| William Sesler | Democratic | 1653774 | 45.38% | — |
| Frank W. Gaydosh | Constitution | 85813 | 2.36% | — |
| W. Henry McFarland | American Independent | 18275 | 0.50% | — |
| Herman A. Johnson | Socialist Labor | 4375 | 0.12% | — |
| Robin Maisel | Socialist Workers | 3970 | 0.11% | — |
| William R. Mimms | Consumer | 3932 | 0.11% | — |
| Other | N/A | 60 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Hugh Scott (Republican) 51.4%
▌William Sesler (Democratic) 45.4%
Sources & further reading
Rhode Island — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Pastore | Democratic | — | 67.50% | Elected |
| John McLaughlin | Republican | — | 31.50% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Pastore (Democratic) 67.5%
▌John McLaughlin (Republican) 31.5%
Sources & further reading
Tennessee — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Brock | Republican | 562645 | 51.29% | Elected |
| Albert Gore Sr. | Democratic | 519858 | 47.39% | — |
| Cecil Pitard | American Independent | 8691 | 0.79% | — |
| Dan R. East | Independent | 5845 | 0.53% | — |
| Scattering | None | 2 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Bill Brock (Republican) 51.3%
▌Albert Gore Sr. (Democratic) 47.4%
Sources & further reading
Texas — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lloyd Bentsen | Democratic | 1226568 | 53.34% | Elected |
| George H. W. Bush | Republican | 1071234 | 46.58% | — |
| Scattering | None | 1808 | 0.08% | — |
Incumbent lost renomination. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Lloyd Bentsen (Democratic) 53.5%
▌George H. W. Bush (Republican) 46.4%
Sources & further reading
Utah — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Moss | Democratic | 210207 | 56.16% | Elected |
| Laurence J. Burton | Republican | 159004 | 42.48% | — |
| Clyde B. Freeman | American Independent | 5092 | 1.36% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Frank Moss (Democratic) 56.2%
▌Laurence J. Burton (Republican) 42.5%
▌Clyde B. Freeman (American Independent) 1.4%
Sources & further reading
Vermont — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winston L. Prouty | Republican | 91198 | 58.88% | Elected |
| Philip H. Hoff | Democratic | 62271 | 40.20% | — |
| William H. Meyer | Liberty Union | 1416 | 0.91% | — |
| Scattering | None | 14 | 0.01% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Winston L. Prouty (Republican) 58.9%
▌Philip H. Hoff (Democratic) 40.2%
Sources & further reading
Virginia — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry F. Byrd Jr. | Independent | 506237 | 53.54% | Elected |
| George Rawlings | Democratic | 294582 | 31.15% | — |
| Ray L. Garland | Republican | 144765 | 15.31% | — |
Incumbent ran as an Independent and re-elected. Independent gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Harry F. Byrd Jr. (Independent) 53.5%
▌George Rawlings (Democratic) 31.2%
▌Ray Garland (Republican) 15.3%
Sources & further reading
Washington — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry M. Jackson | Democratic | 879385 | 82.43% | Elected |
| Charles W. Elicker | Republican | 170790 | 16.01% | — |
| Bill Massey | Socialist Workers | 9255 | 0.87% | — |
| Edison S. 'Pinky' Fisk | Buffalo | 7377 | 0.69% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Henry M. Jackson (Democratic) 82.4%
▌Charles W. Elicker (Republican) 16.0%
Others
▌Bill Massey (Socialist Workers) 0.9%
▌E.S. "Pinky" Fisk (Buffalo) 0.7%
Sources & further reading
West Virginia — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Byrd | Democratic | — | 77.60% | Elected |
| Elmer H. Dodson | Republican | — | 22.40% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Robert Byrd (Democratic) 77.6%
▌Elmer H. Dodson (Republican) 22.4%
Sources & further reading
Wisconsin — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Proxmire | Democratic | 948445 | 70.83% | Elected |
| John E. Erickson | Republican | 381297 | 28.48% | — |
| Edmond E. Hou-Seye | American Independent | 6137 | 0.46% | — |
| Elizabeth (Betty) Boardman | Independent | 2022 | 0.15% | — |
| Martha M. Quinn | Socialist Workers | 580 | 0.04% | — |
| Adolf Wiggert | Socialist Labor | 428 | 0.03% | — |
| Scattering | None | 58 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William Proxmire (Democratic) 70.8%
▌John E. Erickson (Republican) 28.5%
Sources & further reading
Wyoming — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gale W. McGee | Democratic | 67207 | 55.78% | Elected |
| John S. Wold | Republican | 53279 | 44.22% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Gale W. McGee (Democratic) 55.8%
▌John S. Wold (Republican) 44.2%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Fannin · Arizona | — | — | 1 | — |
| John V. Tunney · California | — | — | 1 | — |
| Lowell Weicker · Connecticut | — | — | 1 | — |
| William Roth · Delaware | — | — | 1 | — |
| Lawton Chiles · Florida | — | — | 1 | — |
| Hiram Fong · Hawaii | — | — | 1 | — |
| Vance Hartke · Indiana | — | — | 1 | — |
| Edmund Muskie · Maine | — | — | 1 | — |
| J. Glenn Beall Jr. · Maryland | — | — | 1 | — |
| Ted Kennedy · Massachusetts | — | — | 1 | — |
| Philip Hart · Michigan | — | — | 1 | — |
| Hubert Humphrey · Minnesota | — | — | 1 | — |
| John C. Stennis · Mississippi | — | — | 1 | — |
| Stuart Symington · Missouri | — | — | 1 | — |
| Mike Mansfield · Montana | — | — | 1 | — |
| Roman Hruska · Nebraska | — | — | 1 | — |
| Howard Cannon · Nevada | — | — | 1 | — |
| Harrison A. Williams · New Jersey | — | — | 1 | — |
| Joseph Montoya, Incumbent · New Mexico | — | — | 1 | — |
| James L. Buckley · New York | — | — | 1 | — |
| Quentin Burdick · North Dakota | — | — | 1 | — |
| Robert Taft Jr. · Ohio | — | — | 1 | — |
| Hugh Scott · Pennsylvania | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Pastore · Rhode Island | — | — | 1 | — |
| Bill Brock · Tennessee | — | — | 1 | — |
| Lloyd Bentsen · Texas | — | — | 1 | — |
| Frank Moss · Utah | — | — | 1 | — |
| Winston L. Prouty · Vermont | — | — | 1 | — |
| Harry F. Byrd Jr. · Virginia | — | — | 1 | — |
| Henry M. Jackson · Washington | — | — | 1 | — |
| Robert Byrd · West Virginia | — | — | 1 | — |
| William Proxmire · Wisconsin | — | — | 1 | — |
| Gale W. McGee · Wyoming | — | — | 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