Senate
United States elections · 1990 · 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
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howell Heflin | Democratic | 717814 | 60.57% | Elected |
| William J. Cabaniss | Republican | 467190 | 39.43% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Howell Heflin (Democratic) 60.7%
▌William J. Cabaniss (Republican) 39.3%
Sources & further reading
Alaska — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ted Stevens | Republican | 125806 | 66.23% | Elected |
| Michael Beasley | Democratic | 61152 | 32.19% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Ted Stevens (Republican) 67.2%
▌Michael Beasley (Democratic) 32.8%
Sources & further reading
Arkansas — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Pryor | Democratic | 493910 | 99.83% | Elected |
| Betty White (write-in) | Independent | 825 | 0.17% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y David Pryor (Democratic)
Unopposed
Sources & further reading
Colorado — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hank Brown | Republican | 569048 | 55.68% | Elected |
| Josie Heath | Democratic | 425746 | 41.66% | — |
| John Heckman | Concerns of People | 15432 | 1.51% | — |
| Earl F. Dodge | Colorado Prohibition | 11801 | 1.15% | — |
| Others | Write-In | 32 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent retired. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Hank Brown (Republican) 55.7%
▌Josie Heath (Democratic) 41.6%
Others
▌John Heckman (Concerns of People) 1.5%
▌Earl Dodge (Prohibition) 1.2%
Sources & further reading
Delaware — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Biden | Democratic | 112918 | 62.68% | Elected |
| M. Jane Brady | Republican | 64554 | 35.83% | — |
| Lee Rosenbaum | Libertarian | 2680 | 1.49% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Joe Biden (Democratic) 62.7%
▌M. Jane Brady (Republican) 35.8%
▌Lee Rosenbaum (Libertarian) 1.5%
Sources & further reading
Georgia — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Nunn | Democratic | 1033439 | 100.00% | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Sam Nunn (Democratic)
Unopposed
Sources & further reading
Hawaii — Senate (Class 1) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Akaka | Democratic | 188901 | 54.02% | Elected |
| Pat Saiki | Republican | 155978 | 44.61% | — |
| Ken Schoolland | Libertarian | 4787 | 1.37% | — |
Interim appointee elected November 6, 1990. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Daniel Akaka (Democratic) 54.0%
▌Pat Saiki (Republican) 44.6%
▌Ken Schoolland (Libertarian) 1.4%
Sources & further reading
Idaho — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Larry Craig | Republican | — | 61.30% | Elected |
| Ron J. Twilegar | Democratic | 122295 | 38.71% | — |
Incumbent retired. Republican hold. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Larry Craig (Republican) 61.3%
▌Ron J. Twilegar (Democratic) 38.7%
Sources & further reading
Illinois — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Simon | Democratic | 2115377 | 65.07% | Elected |
| Lynn M. Martin | Republican | — | 35.10% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Paul Simon (Democratic) 64.9%
▌Lynn M. Martin (Republican) 35.1%
Sources & further reading
Indiana — Senate (Class 3) — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Coats | Republican | 806048 | 53.64% | Elected |
| Baron Hill | Democratic | 696639 | 46.40% | — |
Interim appointee elected November 6, 1990. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Dan Coats (Republican) 53.7%
▌Baron Hill (Democratic) 46.3%
Sources & further reading
Iowa — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Harkin | Democratic | 535975 | 54.47% | Elected |
| Tom Tauke | Republican | 446869 | 45.42% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Tom Harkin (Democratic) 54.5%
▌Tom Tauke (Republican) 45.4%
Sources & further reading
Kansas — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nancy Kassebaum | Republican | 578605 | 73.60% | Elected |
| Dick Williams | Democratic | 207491 | 26.39% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Nancy Kassebaum (Republican) 73.6%
▌Dick Williams (Democratic) 26.4%
Sources & further reading
Kentucky — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitch McConnell | Republican | 478034 | 52.19% | Elected |
| Harvey I. Sloane | Democratic | 437976 | 47.81% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Mitch McConnell (Republican) 52.2%
▌Harvey I. Sloane (Democratic) 47.8%
Sources & further reading
Louisiana — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Bennett Johnston | Democratic | — | 54.00% | Elected |
| David Duke | Republican | — | 43.50% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y J. Bennett Johnston (Democratic) 54.0%
▌David Duke (Republican) 43.5%
Sources & further reading
Maine — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Cohen | Republican | 319167 | 61.30% | Elected |
| Neil Rolde | Democratic | 201053 | 38.64% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y William Cohen (Republican) 61.4%
▌Neil Rolde (Democratic) 38.6%
Sources & further reading
Massachusetts — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Kerry | Democratic | 1321712 | 54.51% | Elected |
| Jim Rappaport | Republican | 992917 | 40.95% | — |
| David Pover | Independent | 109950 | 4.54% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Kerry (Democratic) 56.9%
▌Jim Rappaport (Republican) 43.1%
Sources & further reading
Michigan — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carl Levin | Democratic | 1471753 | 57.48% | Elected |
| Bill Schuette | Republican | 1055695 | 41.23% | — |
| Susan Farquhar | Workers World | 32796 | 1.28% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Carl Levin (Democratic) 57.5%
▌Bill Schuette (Republican) 41.2%
▌Susan Farquhar (Workers World) 1.3%
Sources & further reading
Minnesota — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Wellstone | Democratic (DFL) | 911999 | 50.49% | Elected |
| Rudy Boschwitz | Ind.-Republican | 864375 | 47.81% | — |
| Russell B. Bentley | Grassroots | 29820 | 1.65% | — |
Incumbent lost re-election. DFL gain. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Paul Wellstone (DFL) 50.4%
▌Rudy Boschwitz (Republican) 47.8%
▌Russell Bentley (Grassroots) 1.6%
Sources & further reading
Mississippi — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thad Cochran | Republican | 274244 | 100.00% | Elected |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Thad Cochran (Republican)
Unopposed
Sources & further reading
Montana — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Baucus | Democratic | 217563 | 68.13% | Elected |
| Allen Kolstad | Republican | 93836 | 29.38% | — |
| Westley F. Deitchler | Libertarian | 7937 | 2.49% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Max Baucus (Democratic) 68.1%
▌Allen Kolstad (Republican) 29.4%
▌Westley Deitchler (Libertarian) 2.5%
Sources & further reading
Nebraska — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. James Exon | Democratic | 349779 | 58.90% | Elected |
| Hal Daub | Republican | 243013 | 40.92% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y J. James Exon (Democratic) 59.1%
▌Hal Daub (Republican) 40.9%
Sources & further reading
New Hampshire — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Smith | Republican | 189792 | 65.13% | Elected |
| John A. Durkin | Democratic | 91299 | 31.33% | — |
| John G. Elsnau | Libertarian | 9717 | 3.33% | — |
| Write-In Candidates | Write-in | 585 | 0.20% | — |
Incumbent retired. Republican hold. Incumbent resigned December 4, 1990 to take a seat in the New Hampshire Senate. Winner appointed December 7, 1990. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Bob Smith (Republican) 65.1%
▌John A. Durkin (Democratic) 31.3%
▌John Elsnau (Libertarian) 3.3%
Sources & further reading
New Jersey — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Bradley | Democratic | 977810 | 50.44% | Elected |
| Christine Todd Whitman | Republican | 918874 | 47.40% | — |
| John Kucek | Populist | 19978 | 1.00% | — |
| Louis Stefanelli | Libertarian | 13988 | 0.70% | — |
| Don Mackle | Socialist Workers | 7804 | 0.40% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Bill Bradley (Democratic) 50.4%
▌Christine Todd Whitman (Republican) 47.4%
Others
▌John L. Kucek (Populist) 1.0%
▌Louis M. Stefanelli (Libertarian) 0.7%
▌Don Mackle (Socialist Workers) 0.4%
Sources & further reading
New Mexico — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pete Domenici | Republican | 296712 | 72.90% | Elected |
| Tom Benavidez | Democratic | 110033 | 27.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Pete Domenici (Republican) 72.9%
▌Tom Benavidez (Democratic) 27.1%
Sources & further reading
North Carolina — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jesse Helms | Republican | 1087331 | 52.54% | Elected |
| Harvey Gantt | Democratic | 981573 | 47.39% | — |
| Rich Stuart | Socialist Workers | 681 | 0.03% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jesse Helms (Republican) 52.6%
▌Harvey Gantt (Democratic) 47.4%
Sources & further reading
Oklahoma — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Boren | Democratic | 735684 | 83.20% | Elected |
| Stephen Jones | Republican | 148814 | 16.82% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y David Boren (Democratic) 83.2%
▌Stephen Jones (Republican) 17.8%
Sources & further reading
Oregon — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Hatfield | Republican | 590095 | 53.68% | Elected |
| Harry Lonsdale | Democratic | 507743 | 46.19% | — |
| Misc. | Write-In | 1417 | 0.13% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Mark Hatfield (Republican) 53.9%
▌Harry Lonsdale (Democratic) 46.1%
Sources & further reading
Rhode Island — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claiborne Pell | Democratic | 225105 | 61.83% | Elected |
| Claudine Schneider | Republican | 138947 | 38.17% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Claiborne Pell (Democratic) 61.8%
▌Claudine Schneider (Republican) 38.2%
Sources & further reading
South Carolina — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strom Thurmond | Republican | 482032 | 64.21% | Elected |
| Bob Cunningham | Democratic | 244112 | 32.52% | — |
| William H. Griffin | Libertarian | 13805 | 1.84% | — |
| Marion C. Metts | American | 10317 | 1.37% | — |
| Write-Ins | No party | 464 | 0.10% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Strom Thurmond (Republican) 64.2%
▌Bob Cunningham (Democratic) 32.5%
Others
▌William H. Griffin (Libertarian) 1.8%
▌Marion C. Metts (American) 1.4%
Sources & further reading
South Dakota — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Larry Pressler | Republican | 135682 | 52.39% | Elected |
| Theodore 'Ted' Muenster | Democratic | 116727 | 45.07% | — |
| Dean L. Sinclair | Independent | 6567 | 2.54% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Larry Pressler (Republican) 52.4%
▌Ted Muenster (Democratic) 45.1%
▌Dean L. Sinclair (Independent) 2.5%
Sources & further reading
Tennessee — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Gore | Democratic | 530898 | 67.73% | Elected |
| William R. Hawkins | Republican | 233703 | 29.81% | — |
| Bill Jacox | Independent | 11191 | 1.43% | — |
| Charles Gordon Vick | Independent | 8021 | 1.02% | — |
| Write-in | Write-in | 109 | 0.01% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Al Gore (Democratic) 67.7%
▌William R. Hawkins (Republican) 29.8%
Others
▌Bill Jacox (Independent) 1.4%
▌Charles Gordon Vick (Independent) 1.0%
Sources & further reading
Texas — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Gramm | Republican | 2302357 | 60.24% | Elected |
| Hugh Parmer | Democratic | 1429986 | 37.41% | — |
| Gary Johnson | Libertarian | 89089 | 2.33% | — |
| Ira Calkins | Write In | 725 | 0.00% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Phil Gramm (Republican) 60.2%
▌Hugh Parmer (Democratic) 37.4%
▌Gary Johnson (Libertarian) 2.3%
Sources & further reading
Virginia — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Warner | Republican | 876782 | 80.91% | Elected |
| Nancy B. Spannaus | Independent | 196755 | 18.16% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y John Warner (Republican) 80.9%
▌Nancy B. Spannaus (Independent) 18.2%
Sources & further reading
West Virginia — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jay Rockefeller | Democratic | — | 68.50% | Elected |
| John Yoder | Republican | 128071 | 31.68% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Jay Rockefeller (Democratic) 68.5%
▌John Yoder (Republican) 31.5%
Sources & further reading
Wyoming — Senate — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alan Simpson | Republican | 100784 | 63.94% | Elected |
| Kathy Helling | Democratic | 56848 | 36.06% | — |
Incumbent re-elected. Source candidate / selection detail: ▌Y Alan Simpson (Republican) 66.4%
▌Kathy Helling (Democratic) 33.6%
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howell Heflin · Alabama | — | — | 1 | — |
| Ted Stevens · Alaska | — | — | 1 | — |
| David Pryor · Arkansas | — | — | 1 | — |
| Hank Brown · Colorado | — | — | 1 | — |
| Joe Biden · Delaware | — | — | 1 | — |
| Sam Nunn · Georgia | — | — | 1 | — |
| Larry Craig · Idaho | — | — | 1 | — |
| Paul Simon · Illinois | — | — | 1 | — |
| Tom Harkin · Iowa | — | — | 1 | — |
| Nancy Kassebaum · Kansas | — | — | 1 | — |
| Mitch McConnell · Kentucky | — | — | 1 | — |
| J. Bennett Johnston · Louisiana | — | — | 1 | — |
| William Cohen · Maine | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Kerry · Massachusetts | — | — | 1 | — |
| Carl Levin · Michigan | — | — | 1 | — |
| Paul Wellstone · Minnesota | — | — | 1 | — |
| Thad Cochran · Mississippi | — | — | 1 | — |
| Max Baucus · Montana | — | — | 1 | — |
| J. James Exon · Nebraska | — | — | 1 | — |
| Bob Smith · New Hampshire | — | — | 1 | — |
| Bill Bradley · New Jersey | — | — | 1 | — |
| Pete Domenici · New Mexico | — | — | 1 | — |
| Jesse Helms · North Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| David Boren · Oklahoma | — | — | 1 | — |
| Mark Hatfield · Oregon | — | — | 1 | — |
| Claiborne Pell · Rhode Island | — | — | 1 | — |
| Strom Thurmond · South Carolina | — | — | 1 | — |
| Larry Pressler · South Dakota | — | — | 1 | — |
| Al Gore · Tennessee | — | — | 1 | — |
| Phil Gramm · Texas | — | — | 1 | — |
| John Warner · Virginia | — | — | 1 | — |
| Jay Rockefeller · West Virginia | — | — | 1 | — |
| Alan Simpson · 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