Senate
United States elections · 1982 · 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.
Arizona — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis DeConcini | Democratic | 411970 | 56.91% | Elected |
| Peter Dunn | Republican | 291749 | 40.30% | — |
| Randall Clamons | Libertarian | 20100 | 2.80% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Dennis DeConcini (Democratic) 56.9%
▌Pete Dunn (Republican) 40.3%
▌Randall Clamons (Libertarian) 2.8%
Sources & further reading
California — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pete Wilson | Republican | 4022565 | 51.54% | Elected |
| Jerry Brown | Democratic | 3494968 | 44.80% | — |
| Joseph Fuhrig | Libertarian | 107720 | 1.38% | — |
| David Wald | Peace and Freedom | 96388 | 1.23% | — |
| Theresa Dietrich | American Independent | 83809 | 1.10% | — |
| Thomas Kendall (Write In) | Independent | 36 | 0.00% | — |
| Ben Leonik (Write In) | Independent | 34 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent retired. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Pete Wilson (Republican) 51.5%
▌Jerry Brown (Democratic) 44.8%
Others
▌Tena Dietrich (American Independent) 1.4%
▌David Wald (Peace and Freedom) 1.2%
▌Joseph Fuhrig (Libertarian) 1.1%
Sources & further reading
Connecticut — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowell Weicker | Republican | 545987 | 50.40% | Elected |
| Toby Moffett | Democratic | 499146 | 46.10% | — |
| Lucien DiFazio | Conservative | 30212 | 2.80% | — |
| James A. Lewis | Libertarian | 8163 | 0.75% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Lowell Weicker (Republican) 50.4%
▌Toby Moffett (Democratic) 46.1%
▌Lucien DiFazio (Conservative) 2.8%
▌James A. Lewis (Libertarian) 0.7%
Sources & further reading
Delaware — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Roth | Republican | — | 55.20% | Elected |
| David N. Levinson | Democratic | 84413 | 44.20% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William Roth (Republican) 55.2%
▌David N. Levinson (Democratic) 44.2%
Sources & further reading
Florida — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawton Chiles | Democratic | 1637667 | 61.72% | Elected |
| Van Poole | Republican | 1015330 | 38.30% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Lawton Chiles (Democratic) 61.7%
▌Van Poole (Republican) 38.3%
Sources & further reading
Hawaii — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spark Matsunaga | Democratic | 245386 | 80.08% | Elected |
| Clarence Brown | Republican | 52071 | 17.00% | — |
| E. Bernier-Nachtwey | Independent Democrat | 8953 | 2.90% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Spark Matsunaga (Democratic) 80.1%
▌Clarence J. Brown (Republican) 17.0%
▌E. Bernier-Nachtwey (Independent) 2.9%
Sources & further reading
Indiana — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Lugar | Republican | 978301 | 53.80% | Elected |
| Floyd Fithian | Democratic | 828400 | 45.60% | — |
| Raymond James | American | 10586 | 0.58% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Richard Lugar (Republican) 53.8%
▌Floyd Fithian (Democratic) 45.6%
▌Raymond James (American) 0.6%
Sources & further reading
Maine — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George J. Mitchell | Democratic | 279819 | 60.87% | Elected |
| David F. Emery | Republican | 179882 | 39.13% | — |
| Write-Ins | None | 14 | 0.00% | — |
Interim appointee elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y George J. Mitchell (Democratic) 60.9%
▌David F. Emery (Republican) 39.1%
Sources & further reading
Maryland — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Sarbanes | Democratic | 707356 | 63.50% | Elected |
| Lawrence Hogan | Republican | 407334 | 36.50% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Paul Sarbanes (Democratic) 63.5%
▌Lawrence Hogan (Republican) 36.5%
Sources & further reading
Massachusetts — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ted Kennedy | Democratic | 1247084 | 60.80% | Elected |
| Ray Shamie | Republican | 784602 | 38.26% | — |
| Howard S. Katz | Libertarian | 18878 | 0.92% | — |
| All others | 205 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Ted Kennedy (Democratic) 60.8%
▌Ray Shamie (Republican) 38.3%
▌Howard S. Katz (Libertarian) 0.9%
Sources & further reading
Michigan — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donald Riegle | Democratic | 1728793 | 57.70% | Elected |
| Philip Ruppe | Republican | 1223288 | 40.90% | — |
| Bette Erwin | Libertarian | 19131 | 0.64% | — |
| Daniel Eller | American Independent | 12660 | 0.42% | — |
| Helen Halyard | Workers League | 6085 | 0.20% | — |
| Steve Beumer | Socialist Workers | 4335 | 0.14% | — |
| Write-Ins | None | 42 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Donald Riegle (Democratic) 57.7%
▌Philip Ruppe (Republican) 40.9%
Sources & further reading
Minnesota — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Durenberger | Republican | 949207 | 52.60% | Elected |
| Mark Dayton | Democratic | 840401 | 46.57% | — |
| Bill Onasch | Socialist Workers | 5897 | 0.33% | — |
| Frederick Hewitt | Libertarian | 5870 | 0.30% | — |
| Jeffrey M. Miller | New Union Party | 3300 | 0.18% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y David Durenberger (Republican) 52.6%
▌Mark Dayton (DFL) 46.6%
Sources & further reading
Mississippi — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John C. Stennis | Democratic | 414099 | 64.20% | Elected |
| Haley Barbour | Republican | 230927 | 35.80% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John C. Stennis (Democratic) 64.2%
▌Haley Barbour (Republican) 35.8%
Sources & further reading
Missouri — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Danforth | Republican | 784876 | 50.90% | Elected |
| Harriett Woods | Democratic | 758629 | 49.15% | — |
| Write-Ins | None | 16 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Danforth (Republican) 50.8%
▌Harriett Woods (Democratic) 49.1%
Sources & further reading
Montana — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Melcher | Democratic | 174861 | 54.46% | Elected |
| Larry R. Williams | Republican | 133789 | 41.70% | — |
| Larry Dodge | Libertarian | 12412 | 3.87% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Melcher (Democratic) 54.4%
▌Larry R. Williams (Republican) 41.7%
▌Larry Dodge (Libertarian) 3.9%
Sources & further reading
Nebraska — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edward Zorinsky | Democratic | 363350 | 66.59% | Elected |
| Jim Keck | Republican | 155760 | 28.55% | — |
| Virginia Walsh | Independent | 26443 | 4.85% | — |
| Write-Ins | None | 94 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Edward Zorinsky (Democratic) 66.6%
▌Jim Keck (Republican) 28.5%
▌Virginia Walsh (Independent) 4.9%
Sources & further reading
Nevada — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chic Hecht | Republican | 120377 | 50.10% | Elected |
| Howard Cannon | Democratic | 114720 | 47.70% | — |
| – | None of These Candidates | 5297 | 2.20% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Chic Hecht (Republican) 50.1%
▌Howard Cannon (Democratic) 47.7%
Sources & further reading
New Jersey — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Lautenberg | Democratic | 1117549 | 50.90% | Elected |
| Millicent Fenwick | Republican | 1047626 | 47.75% | — |
| Henry Koch | Libertarian | 9934 | 0.45% | — |
| Julius Levin | Socialist Labor | 5580 | 0.25% | — |
| Martin E. Wendelken | Independent | 4745 | 0.22% | — |
| Claire Moriarty | Socialist Workers | 3726 | 0.17% | — |
| Robert T. Bastien | Grassroots | 2955 | 0.13% | — |
| Rose Zeidwerg Monyek | Repeal TF 807 | 1830 | 0.08% | — |
Interim appointee retired. Democratic gain. Incumbent resigned December 20, 1982, to give successor preferential seniority. Winner appointed December 27, 1982. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Frank Lautenberg (Democratic) 50.9%
▌Millicent Fenwick (Republican) 47.8%
Sources & further reading
New Mexico — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Bingaman | Democratic | 217682 | 53.77% | Elected |
| Harrison Schmitt | Republican | 187128 | 46.20% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jeff Bingaman (Democratic) 53.8%
▌Harrison Schmitt (Republican) 46.2%
Sources & further reading
New York — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Patrick Moynihan | Democratic | — | 65.10% | Elected |
| Florence M. Sullivan | Republican | 1696766 | 34.16% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Daniel Patrick Moynihan (Democratic) 65.1%
▌Florence M. Sullivan (Republican) 34.2%
Sources & further reading
North Dakota — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quentin Burdick | Democratic | 164873 | 62.80% | Elected |
| Gene Knorr | Republican | 89304 | 34.03% | — |
| Anna B. Bourgois | Independent | 8288 | 3.16% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Quentin Burdick (Democratic-NPL) 62.8%
▌Gene Knorr (Republican) 34.0%
▌Anna B. Bourgois (Independent) 3.1%
Sources & further reading
Ohio — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard Metzenbaum | Democratic | 1923767 | 56.70% | Elected |
| Paul Pfeifer | Republican | 1396790 | 41.10% | — |
| Alicia Merel | Independent | 38803 | 1.14% | — |
| Philip Herzing | Libertarian | 36103 | 1.06% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Howard Metzenbaum (Democratic) 56.7%
▌Paul Pfeifer (Republican) 41.1%
Sources & further reading
Pennsylvania — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Heinz | Republican | 2136418 | 59.28% | Elected |
| Cyril Wecht | Democratic | — | 39.20% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Heinz (Republican) 59.3%
▌Cyril Wecht (Democratic) 39.2%
Sources & further reading
Rhode Island — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Chafee | Republican | 175495 | 51.20% | Elected |
| Julius C. Michaelson | Democratic | 167283 | 48.80% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Chafee (Republican) 51.2%
▌Julius C. Michaelson (Democratic) 48.8%
Sources & further reading
Tennessee — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Sasser | Democratic | 780113 | 61.92% | Elected |
| Robin Beard | Republican | 479642 | 38.07% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jim Sasser (Democratic) 61.9%
▌Robin Beard (Republican) 38.1%
Sources & further reading
Texas — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lloyd Bentsen | Democratic | 1818223 | 58.59% | Elected |
| James M. Collins | Republican | 1256759 | 40.50% | — |
| John E. Ford | Libertarian | 23494 | 0.76% | — |
| Lineaus Hooper Lorette | Citizens | 4564 | 0.15% | — |
| Write-Ins | None | 127 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Lloyd Bentsen (Democratic) 58.6%
▌James M. Collins (Republican) 40.5%
Sources & further reading
Utah — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orrin Hatch | Republican | 309332 | 58.30% | Elected |
| Ted Wilson | Democratic | 219482 | 41.35% | — |
| George Mercier | Libertarian | 1035 | 0.19% | — |
| Lawrence R. Kauffman | American | 953 | 0.18% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Orrin Hatch (Republican) 58.3%
▌Ted Wilson (Democratic) 41.3%
Others
▌George Mercier (Libertarian) 0.2%
▌Lawrence R. Kauffman (American) 0.2%
Sources & further reading
Vermont — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Stafford | Republican | 84450 | 50.30% | Elected |
| James A. Guest | Democratic | 79340 | 47.23% | — |
| Michael Edward Hackett | Independent | 1463 | 0.87% | — |
| Ion Laskaris | Independent | 897 | 0.53% | — |
| Bo Adlerbert | Libertarian | 892 | 0.53% | — |
| Other | N/A | 961 | 0.60% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Robert Stafford (Republican) 50.3%
▌James A. Guest (Democratic) 47.2%
Sources & further reading
Virginia — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Trible | Republican | 724571 | 51.20% | Elected |
| Dick Davis | Democratic | 690839 | 48.80% | — |
Incumbent retired. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Paul Trible (Republican) 51.2%
▌Dick Davis (Democratic) 48.8%
Sources & further reading
Washington — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry M. Jackson | Democratic | 943655 | 68.96% | Elected |
| Doug Jewett | Republican | 332273 | 24.28% | — |
| King Lysen | Independent | 72297 | 5.28% | — |
| Jesse Chiang | Independent | 20251 | 1.48% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Henry M. Jackson (Democratic) 68.9%
▌Doug Jewett (Republican) 24.3%
▌King Lysen (Independent) 5.3%
▌Jesse Chiang (Libertarian) 1.5%
Sources & further reading
West Virginia — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Byrd | Democratic | 387170 | 68.50% | Elected |
| Cleve Benedict | Republican | 173910 | 30.76% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Robert Byrd (Democratic) 68.5%
▌Cleve Benedict (Republican) 30.8%
▌William Bailey Howland (Socialist Workers) 0.7%
Sources & further reading
Wisconsin — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Proxmire | Democratic | 983311 | 63.65% | Elected |
| Scott McCallum | Republican | 527355 | 34.14% | — |
| William Osborne Hart | Labor–Farm | 21807 | 1.41% | — |
| George Liljenfeldt | Libertarian | 7947 | 0.51% | — |
| Sanford G. Knapp | Constitution | 4463 | 0.29% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William Proxmire (Democratic) 63.6%
▌Scott McCallum (Republican) 34.1%
Sources & further reading
Wyoming — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malcolm Wallop | Republican | 94725 | 56.66% | Elected |
| Rodger McDaniel | Democratic | 72466 | 43.34% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Malcolm Wallop (Republican) 56.7%
▌Rodger McDaniel (Democratic) 43.3%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis DeConcini · Arizona | — | — | 1 | — |
| Pete Wilson · California | — | — | 1 | — |
| Lowell Weicker · Connecticut | — | — | 1 | — |
| William Roth · Delaware | — | — | 1 | — |
| Lawton Chiles · Florida | — | — | 1 | — |
| Spark Matsunaga · Hawaii | — | — | 1 | — |
| Richard Lugar · Indiana | — | — | 1 | — |
| George J. Mitchell · Maine | — | — | 1 | — |
| Paul Sarbanes · Maryland | — | — | 1 | — |
| Ted Kennedy · Massachusetts | — | — | 1 | — |
| Donald Riegle · Michigan | — | — | 1 | — |
| David Durenberger · Minnesota | — | — | 1 | — |
| John C. Stennis · Mississippi | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Danforth · Missouri | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Melcher · Montana | — | — | 1 | — |
| Edward Zorinsky · Nebraska | — | — | 1 | — |
| Chic Hecht · Nevada | — | — | 1 | — |
| Frank Lautenberg · New Jersey | — | — | 1 | — |
| Jeff Bingaman · New Mexico | — | — | 1 | — |
| Daniel Patrick Moynihan · New York | — | — | 1 | — |
| Quentin Burdick · North Dakota | — | — | 1 | — |
| Howard Metzenbaum · Ohio | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Heinz · Pennsylvania | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Chafee · Rhode Island | — | — | 1 | — |
| Jim Sasser · Tennessee | — | — | 1 | — |
| Lloyd Bentsen · Texas | — | — | 1 | — |
| Orrin Hatch · Utah | — | — | 1 | — |
| Robert Stafford · Vermont | — | — | 1 | — |
| Paul Trible · Virginia | — | — | 1 | — |
| Henry M. Jackson · Washington | — | — | 1 | — |
| Robert Byrd · West Virginia | — | — | 1 | — |
| William Proxmire · Wisconsin | — | — | 1 | — |
| Malcolm Wallop · 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