1976 United States Senate election in California

1976 United States Senate election in California

← 1970 November 2, 1976 1982 →
 
Nominee S. I. Hayakawa John V. Tunney
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 3,748,973 3,502,862
Percentage 50.12% 46.89%

County results
Hayakawa:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Tunney:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

John V. Tunney
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

S. I. Hayakawa
Republican

The 1976 United States Senate election in California took place on November 2, 1976. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator John V. Tunney ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Republican S. I. Hayakawa. As of 2023, this is the last time an incumbent Democratic Senator from California lost re-election.

Primary elections were held on June 8. Tunney survived a challenge from anti-war activist Tom Hayden, the husband of Jane Fonda. Hayakawa, a novice campaigner, won a surprise victory over seasoned political figures Robert H. Finch, Alphonzo Bell Jr., and John L. Harmer.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

1976 Democratic U.S. Senate primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John V. Tunney (incumbent) 1,774,879 53.79%
Democratic Tom Hayden 1,210,637 36.69%
Democratic Bob Wallach 73,142 2.22%
Democratic Lois T. Bodle 54,220 1.64%
Democratic Frank L. Thomas 53,843 1.63%
Democratic Howard L. Gifford 46,977 1.42%
Democratic Ronald L. Williams 29,511 0.89%
Democratic Leslie W. Craven 28,583 0.87%
Democratic Millard F. Slover 28,108 0.85%
Write-in All others 25 0.00%
Total votes 3,299,925 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

1976 Republican U.S. Senate primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican S. I. Hayakawa 886,743 38.25%
Republican Robert H. Finch 614,240 26.49%
Republican Alphonzo E. Bell Jr. 532,969 22.99%
Republican John L. Harmer 197,252 8.51%
Republican Walter Hollywood 28,163 1.22%
Republican Clyde F. Tracy 17,784 0.77%
Republican James A. Ware 14,990 0.65%
Republican Henry Hill 10,290 0.44%
Republican Michael A. Hirt 9,941 0.43%
Republican Hannibal C. Burchette V 6,222 0.27%
Total votes 2,318,594 100.00%

General election

Results

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican S. I. Hayakawa 3,748,973 50.12%
Democratic John V. Tunney (incumbent) 3,502,862 46.89%
Peace and Freedom David Wald 104,383 1.40%
American Independent Jack McCoy 82,739 1.11%
Independent Omari Musa 31,629 0.42%
Majority 246,111 3.23%
Turnout 7,470,586 100.00%
Republican gain from Democratic

See also


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