Senate
United States elections · 1988 · 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.
Arizona — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis DeConcini | Democratic | 660403 | 56.71% | Elected |
| Keith DeGreen | Republican | 478060 | 41.05% | — |
| Rick Tompkins | Libertarian | 20849 | 1.79% | — |
| Ed Finkelstein | New Alliance | 5195 | 0.45% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Dennis DeConcini (Democratic) 56.7%
▌Keith DeGreen (Republican) 41.1%
▌Rich Tompkins (Libertarian) 1.8%
Sources & further reading
California — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pete Wilson | Republican | 5143409 | 52.79% | Elected |
| Leo T. McCarthy | Democratic | 4287253 | 44.00% | — |
| Maria Elizabeth Munoz | Peace and Freedom | 166600 | 1.70% | — |
| Jack Dean | Libertarian | 79997 | 0.82% | — |
| Merton D. Short | American Independent | 66288 | 0.68% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Pete Wilson (Republican) 52.7%
▌Leo T. McCarthy (Democratic) 44.0%
Others
▌Maria E. Muñoz (Peace and Freedom) 1.7%
▌Jack Dean (Libertarian) 0.8%
▌Merton D. Short (American Independent) 0.7%
Sources & further reading
Connecticut — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Lieberman | Democratic | 688499 | 49.76% | Elected |
| Lowell Weicker | Republican | — | 49.00% | — |
| Howard Grayson | Libertarian | — | 0.90% | — |
| Melissa Fisher | New Alliance | — | 0.30% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Joe Lieberman (Democratic) 49.7%
▌Lowell Weicker (Republican) 49.0%
Others
▌Howard Grayson (Libertarian) 0.9%
▌Melissa Fisher (New Alliance) 0.3%
Sources & further reading
Delaware — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Roth | Republican | — | 62.10% | Elected |
| S. B. Woo | Democratic | 92378 | 37.94% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William Roth (Republican) 62.1%
▌S. B. Woo (Democratic) 37.9%
Sources & further reading
Florida — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connie Mack III | Republican | 2051071 | 50.42% | Elected |
| Buddy MacKay | Democratic | 2016553 | 49.57% | — |
Incumbent retired. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Connie Mack III (Republican) 50.4%
▌Buddy MacKay (Democratic) 49.6%
Sources & further reading
Hawaii — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spark Matsunaga | Democratic | 247941 | 76.55% | Elected |
| Maria Hustace | Republican | 66987 | 20.70% | — |
| Ken Schoolland | Libertarian | 8948 | 2.76% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Spark Matsunaga (Democratic) 76.5%
▌Maria M. Hustace (Republican) 20.7%
▌Ken Schoolland (Libertarian) 2.8%
Sources & further reading
Indiana — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Lugar | Republican | 1430525 | 68.10% | Elected |
| Jack Wickes | Democratic | 668778 | 31.86% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Richard Lugar (Republican) 67.7%
▌Jack Wickes (Democratic) 32.3%
Sources & further reading
Maine — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George J. Mitchell | Democratic | 452581 | 81.29% | Elected |
| Jasper S. Wyman | Republican | 104164 | 18.71% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y George J. Mitchell (Democratic) 81.1%
▌Jasper S. Wyman (Republican) 18.9%
Sources & further reading
Maryland — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Sarbanes | Democratic | 999166 | 61.80% | Elected |
| Alan Keyes | Republican | 617537 | 38.20% | — |
| Imad A. Ahmad (write-in) | Independent | 349 | 0.00% | — |
| Rashaad Ali (write-in) | Independent | 13 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Paul Sarbanes (Democratic) 61.8%
▌Alan Keyes (Republican) 38.2%
Sources & further reading
Massachusetts — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ted Kennedy | Democratic | 1693344 | 64.97% | Elected |
| Joseph D. Malone | Republican | 884267 | 33.93% | — |
| Mary Fridley | New Alliance | 15208 | 0.58% | — |
| Freda Lee Nason | Libertarian | 13199 | 0.51% | — |
| All others | 207 | 0.01% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Ted Kennedy (Democratic) 65.0%
▌Joe Malone (Republican) 33.9%
Others
▌Mary Fridley (New Alliance) 0.6%
▌Freda Lee Nason (Libertarian) 0.5%
Sources & further reading
Michigan — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donald Riegle | Democratic | 2116865 | 60.40% | Elected |
| Jim Dunn | Republican | 1348219 | 38.45% | — |
| Dick Jacobs | Libertarian | 27116 | 0.80% | — |
| Sally Bier | Workers Against Concessions | 8908 | 0.25% | — |
| Mark Friedman | Independent | 4821 | 0.10% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Donald Riegle (Democratic) 60.4%
▌James Whitney Dunn (Republican) 38.5%
Others
▌Dick Jacobs (Libertarian) 0.8%
▌Sally Bier (Workers Against Concessions) 0.3%
Sources & further reading
Minnesota — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Durenberger | Republican | 1176210 | 56.20% | Elected |
| Skip Humphrey | Democratic | 856694 | 40.90% | — |
| Polly Mann | Minnesota Progressive Party | 44474 | 2.12% | — |
| Derrick Grimmer | Grassroots | 9016 | 0.40% | — |
| Arlen Overvig | Libertarian | 4039 | 0.19% | — |
| Wendy Lyons | Socialist Workers | 3105 | 0.15% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y David Durenberger (Republican) 56.2%
▌Skip Humphrey (DFL) 40.9%
Others
▌Polly Mann (Progressive Issues) 2.1%
▌Derrick Grimmer (Grassroots) 0.4%
▌Arlen Overvig (Libertarian) 0.2%
▌Wendy Lyons (Socialist Workers) 0.1%
Sources & further reading
Mississippi — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trent Lott | Republican | 510380 | 53.91% | Elected |
| Wayne Dowdy | Democratic | 436339 | 46.09% | — |
Incumbent retired. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Trent Lott (Republican) 54.1%
▌Wayne Dowdy (Democratic) 45.9%
Sources & further reading
Missouri — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Danforth | Republican | 1407416 | 67.70% | Elected |
| Jay Nixon | Democratic | 660045 | 31.75% | — |
| John Guze | Libertarian | 11410 | 0.55% | — |
| Write-ins | Write-in | 4 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Danforth (Republican) 67.7%
▌Jay Nixon (Democratic) 31.7%
▌John Guze (Libertarian) 0.6%
Sources & further reading
Montana — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conrad Burns | Republican | 189445 | 51.87% | Elected |
| John Melcher | Democratic | 175809 | 48.13% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. Republican gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Conrad Burns (Republican) 51.9%
▌John Melcher (Democratic) 48.1%
Sources & further reading
Nebraska — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Kerrey | Democratic | 378717 | 56.71% | Elected |
| David Karnes | Republican | 278250 | 41.66% | — |
| Ernie Chambers | New Alliance | 10372 | 1.55% | — |
| Write-ins | Write-in | 521 | 0.08% | — |
Interim appointee lost election. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Bob Kerrey (Democratic) 56.7%
▌David Karnes (Republican) 41.7%
▌Ernie Chambers (New Alliance) 1.6%
Sources & further reading
Nevada — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Bryan | Democratic | 175548 | 50.21% | Elected |
| Chic Hecht | Republican | 161336 | 46.14% | — |
| None of These Candidates | None | 7242 | 2.07% | — |
| James Frye | Libertarian | 5523 | 1.61% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Richard Bryan (Democratic) 51.3%
▌Chic Hecht (Republican) 47.1%
▌James Frye (Libertarian) 1.6%
Sources & further reading
New Jersey — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Lautenberg | Democratic | 1599905 | 53.55% | Elected |
| Pete Dawkins | Republican | 1349937 | 45.18% | — |
| Joseph F. Job | Independent | 20091 | 0.67% | — |
| Jerry Zeldin | Libertarian | 12354 | 0.41% | — |
| Thomas A. Fiske | Socialist | 5347 | 0.18% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Frank Lautenberg (Democratic) 53.5%
▌Pete Dawkins (Republican) 45.2%
Others
▌Joseph Job (Independent) 0.7%
▌Jerry Zeldin (Libertarian) 0.4%
▌Thomas Fiske (Socialist Workers) 0.2%
Sources & further reading
New Mexico — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Bingaman | Democratic | 321983 | 63.31% | Elected |
| Bill Valentine | Republican | 186579 | 36.68% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jeff Bingaman (Democratic) 63.2%
▌Bill Valentine (Republican) 36.8%
Sources & further reading
New York — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Patrick Moynihan | Democratic | 4048649 | 67.02% | Elected |
| Robert R. McMillan | Republican | 1875784 | 31.05% | — |
| Adelle R. Nathanson | Right to Life | 64845 | 1.07% | — |
| Charlene Mitchell | Independent Progressive | 14770 | 0.24% | — |
| Lydia Bayoneta | Workers World | 13573 | 0.22% | — |
| William P. McMillen | Libertarian | 12064 | 0.20% | — |
| James E. Harris | Socialist Workers | 11239 | 0.20% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Daniel Patrick Moynihan (Democratic) 67.3%
▌Robert R. McMillan (Republican) 31.6%
Sources & further reading
North Dakota — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quentin Burdick | Democratic–NPL | 171899 | 59.45% | Elected |
| Earl Strinden | Republican | 112937 | 39.06% | — |
| Kenneth C. Gardner | Independent | 4334 | 1.50% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Quentin Burdick (Democratic-NPL) 59.5%
▌Earl Strinden (Republican) 39.1%
▌Kenneth C. Gardner (Libertarian) 1.5%
Sources & further reading
Ohio — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard Metzenbaum | Democratic | — | 56.90% | Elected |
| George Voinovich | Republican | — | 43.10% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Howard Metzenbaum (Democratic) 56.9%
▌George Voinovich (Republican) 43.1%
Sources & further reading
Pennsylvania — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Heinz | Republican | 2901715 | 66.45% | Elected |
| Joe Vignola | Democratic | 1416764 | 32.45% | — |
| Darcy Richardson | Consumer | 25273 | 0.58% | — |
| Henry Haller | Libertarian | — | 0.30% | — |
| Samuel Cross | Populist | — | 0.10% | — |
| Sam Blancato | New Alliance | 4569 | 0.10% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Heinz (Republican) 66.4%
▌Joe Vignola (Democratic) 32.4%
Others
▌Darcy Richardson (Consumer) 0.6%
▌Henry Haller (Libertarian) 0.3%
▌Samuel Cross (Populist) 0.1%
▌Sam Blancato (New Alliance) 0.1%
Sources & further reading
Rhode Island — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Chafee | Republican | — | 54.30% | Elected |
| Richard A. Licht | Democratic | — | 45.70% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Chafee (Republican) 54.3%
▌Richard A. Licht (Democratic) 45.7%
Sources & further reading
Tennessee — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Sasser | Democratic | 1020061 | 65.09% | Elected |
| Bill Anderson | Republican | 541033 | 34.52% | — |
| Khalil-Ullah Al-Muhaymin | Independent | 6042 | 0.39% | — |
| (W) Others | Others | 45 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jim Sasser (Democratic) 65.1%
▌Bill Anderson (Republican) 34.5%
▌Khalil-Ullah Al-Muhaymin (Independent) 0.4%
Sources & further reading
Texas — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lloyd Bentsen | Democratic | 3149806 | 59.17% | Elected |
| Beau Boulter | Republican | 2129228 | 40.00% | — |
| Jeff Daiell | Libertarian | 43989 | 0.83% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Lloyd Bentsen (Democratic) 59.2%
▌Beau Boulter (Republican) 40.0%
▌Jeff Daiell (Libertarian) 0.8%
Sources & further reading
Utah — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orrin Hatch | Republican | 430084 | 67.13% | Elected |
| Brian H. Moss | Democratic | 203364 | 31.74% | — |
| Robert J. Smith | American | 6016 | 0.94% | — |
| William M. Arth | Socialist Workers | 1233 | 0.19% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Orrin Hatch (Republican) 67.1%
▌Brian Moss (Democratic) 31.7%
Others
▌Robert J. Smith (American) 0.9%
▌William M. Arth (Socialist Workers) 0.2%
Sources & further reading
Vermont — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Jeffords | Republican | 163203 | 63.20% | Elected |
| Bill Gray | Democratic | 71460 | 29.76% | — |
| Jerry Levy | Liberty Union | 2533 | 1.05% | — |
| King Milne | Independent | 2424 | 1.01% | — |
| Other | N/A | 509 | 0.20% | — |
Incumbent retired. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jim Jeffords (Republican) 67.9%
▌William Gray (Democratic) 29.8%
Others
▌Jerry Levy (Liberty Union) 1.1%
▌King Milne (Independent) 1.0%
Sources & further reading
Virginia — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chuck Robb | Democratic | 1474086 | 71.25% | Elected |
| Maurice A. Dawkins | Republican | 593652 | 28.69% | — |
Incumbent retired. Democratic gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Chuck Robb (Democratic) 71.2%
▌Maurice A. Dawkins (Republican) 28.8%
Sources & further reading
Washington — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slade Gorton | Republican | 944359 | 51.09% | Elected |
| Mike Lowry | Democratic | 904183 | 48.91% | — |
Incumbent retired. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Slade Gorton (Republican) 50.7%
▌Mike Lowry (Democratic) 49.3%
Sources & further reading
West Virginia — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Byrd | Democratic | — | 63.20% | Elected |
| M. Jay Wolfe | Republican | — | 36.80% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Robert Byrd (Democratic) 63.2%
▌M. Jay Wolfe (Republican) 36.8%
Sources & further reading
Wisconsin — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herb Kohl | Democratic | 1128625 | 52.10% | Elected |
| Susan Engeleiter | Republican | 1030440 | 47.53% | — |
| George W. Zaehringer | Independent | 3965 | 0.18% | — |
| Patricia Grogan | Socialist Workers | 3029 | 0.14% | — |
| Arlyn F. Wollenburg | Independent | 1198 | 0.06% | — |
Incumbent retired. Democratic hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Herb Kohl (Democratic) 52.2%
▌Susan Engeleiter (Republican) 47.8%
Sources & further reading
Wyoming — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malcolm Wallop | Republican | 91143 | 50.37% | Elected |
| John Vinich | Democratic | 89821 | 49.64% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Malcolm Wallop (Republican) 50.4%
▌John Vinich (Democratic) 49.6%
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 | — |
| Joe Lieberman · Connecticut | — | — | 1 | — |
| William Roth · Delaware | — | — | 1 | — |
| Connie Mack III · 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 | — |
| Trent Lott · Mississippi | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Danforth · Missouri | — | — | 1 | — |
| Conrad Burns · Montana | — | — | 1 | — |
| Bob Kerrey · Nebraska | — | — | 1 | — |
| Richard Bryan · 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 | — |
| Jim Jeffords · Vermont | — | — | 1 | — |
| Chuck Robb · Virginia | — | — | 1 | — |
| Slade Gorton · Washington | — | — | 1 | — |
| Robert Byrd · West Virginia | — | — | 1 | — |
| Herb Kohl · 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