2000 United States Senate elections

2000 United States Senate elections

← 1998 November 7, 2000 2002 →

34 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate
51 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Trent Lott Tom Daschle
Party Republican Democratic
Leader since June 12, 1996 January 3, 1995
Leader's seat Mississippi South Dakota
Seats before 54 46
Seats after 50 + VP 50
Seat change Decrease 4 Increase 4
Popular vote 36,725,431 36,780,875
Percentage 46.96% 47.04%
Seats up 19 15
Races won 15 19

2000 United States Senate special election in Georgia2000 United States Senate election in Arizona2000 United States Senate election in California2000 United States Senate election in Connecticut2000 United States Senate election in Delaware2000 United States Senate election in Florida2000 United States Senate election in Hawaii2000 United States Senate election in Indiana2000 United States Senate election in Maine2000 United States Senate election in Maryland2000 United States Senate election in Massachusetts2000 United States Senate election in Michigan2000 United States Senate election in Minnesota2000 United States Senate election in Mississippi2000 United States Senate election in Missouri2000 United States Senate election in Montana2000 United States Senate election in Nebraska2000 United States Senate election in Nevada2000 United States Senate election in New Jersey2000 United States Senate election in New Mexico2000 United States Senate election in New York2000 United States Senate election in North Dakota2000 United States Senate election in Ohio2000 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania2000 United States Senate election in Rhode Island2000 United States Senate election in Tennessee2000 United States Senate election in Texas2000 United States Senate election in Utah2000 United States Senate election in Vermont2000 United States Senate election in Virginia2000 United States Senate election in Washington2000 United States Senate election in West Virginia2000 United States Senate election in Wisconsin2000 United States Senate election in Wyoming
Results of the elections:
     Democratic gain      Democratic hold
     Republican gain      Republican hold
     No election

Majority leader before election

Trent Lott
Republican

Elected Majority leader

Trent Lott
Republican

The 2000 United States Senate elections were held on November 7, 2000. The elections coincided with other federal and state elections, including the presidential election which was won by Republican George W. Bush. These elections took place six years after Republicans had won a net gain of eight seats in Senate Class 1. Despite George W. Bush's victory in the presidential election, the GOP lost 4 senate seats, the most a winning president's party has lost since the passage of the 17th amendment. This election marked the first election year since 1990 where Democrats made net gains in the Senate. Democrats defeated incumbent Republicans in Delaware, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Washington, and they won an open seat in Florida. In Missouri, the winner was elected posthumously. The Republicans defeated a Democratic incumbent in Virginia, and won an open seat in Nevada. Additionally, a Republican in Georgia died earlier in the year and a Democrat was appointed to replace him, who then went on to win the special election.

These elections resulted in an equal 50–50 split between Republicans and Democrats, with the Vice President casting the tie-breaking votes in the Senate. This was the second tied Senate, after the results in the 1880 elections. Democrats thereby won control of the Senate briefly for only 17 days, since Al Gore was still Vice President and President of the Senate at the beginning of the new term on January 3, 2001. The Republicans regained control of the chamber when the new Vice President Dick Cheney was inaugurated on January 20. However, the Republican majority would only last until June 6, 2001, when Republican Senator Jim Jeffords of Vermont became an independent and caucused with the Democrats.

Until 2020, this was the last time that Democrats would win a Senate seat in Georgia. This is the last election cycle with only Republicans and Democrats in the Senate, and the last election cycle in which Republicans won seats in Rhode Island and Vermont.

Results summary

50 50
Democratic Republican
Summary of the 2000 United States Senate election results
Parties Breakdown Total seats Popular vote Total candidates
Up Elected Not up 2000 +/- Vote % General
Democratic Party 15 19 31 50 Increase 4 36,780,875 47.039% 33
Republican Party 19 15 35 50 Decrease 4 36,725,431 46.968% 34
Libertarian Party - - - - - 1,036,684 1.326% 22
Green Party - - - - - 652,329 0.834% 8
Independent - - - - - 365,614 0.468% 24
Constitution Party - - - - - 286,816 0.367% 8
Reform Party - - - - - 190,509 0.244% 8
Independence Party - - - - - 183,764 0.235% 2
Socialist Workers Party - - - - - 15,996 0.020% 2
Other parties - - - - - 1,461,975 1.870% 12
Write-in - - - - - 324,295 0.415% -
Total 34 34 66 100 - 78,191,797 100.0% 153

Source: Clerk of the House of Representatives (June 21, 2001). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 7, 2000" – via House.gov.

Change in composition

Before the elections

After the July 27, 2000, appointment in Georgia.

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40
N.J.
Retired
D39
Nev.
Retired
D38
Neb.
Retired
D37
Mass.
Ran
D36
Md.
Ran
D35
Hawaii
Ran
D34
Ga. (sp)
Ran
D33
Conn.
Ran
D32
Calif.
Ran
D31
D41
N.M.
Ran
D42
N.Y.
Retired
D43
N.D.
Ran
D44
Va.
Ran
D45
W.Va.
Ran
D46
Wis.
Ran
R54
Wyo.
Ran
R53
Wash.
Ran
R52
Vt.
Ran
R51
Utah
Ran
Majority →
R41
Mich.
Ran
R42
Minn.
Ran
R43
Miss.
Ran
R44
Mo.
Ran
R45
Mont.
Ran
R46
Ohio
Ran
R47
Pa.
Ran
R48
R.I.
Ran
R49
Tenn.
Ran
R50
Texas
Ran
R40
Maine
Ran
R39
Ind.
Ran
R38
Fla.
Retired
R37
Del.
Ran
R36
Ariz.
Ran
R35 R34 R33 R32 R31
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10

After the elections

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40
N.M.
Re-elected
D39
N.J.
Hold
D38
Neb.
Hold
D37
Mass.
Re-elected
D36
Md.
Re-elected
D35
Hawaii
Re-elected
D34
Ga. (sp)
Elected
D33
Conn.
Re-elected
D32
Calif.
Re-elected
D31
D41
N.Y.
Hold
D42
N.D.
Re-elected
D43
W.Va.
Re-elected
D44
Wis.
Re-elected
D45
Del.
Gain
D46
Fla.
Gain
D47
Mich.
Gain
D48
Minn.
Gain
D49
Mo.
Gain
D50
Wash.
Gain
Majority (with Democratic vice president) ↑
R41
Ohio
Re-elected
R42
Pa.
Re-elected
R43
R.I.
Elected
R44
Tenn.
Re-elected
R45
Texas
Re-elected
R46
Utah
Re-elected
R47
Vt.
Re-elected
R48
Wyo.
Re-elected
R49
Nev.
Gain
R50
Va.
Gain
R40
Mont.
Re-elected
R39
Miss.
Re-elected
R38
Maine
Re-elected
R37
Ind.
Re-elected
R36
Ariz.
Re-elected
R35 R34 R33 R32 R31
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10

Beginning of the first session

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40 D39 D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31
D41 D42 D43 D44 D45 D46 D47 D48 D49 D50
Majority (with Independent in caucus) ↑
R41 R42 R43 R44 R45 R46 R47 R48 R49 I1
Vt.
Changed
R40 R39 R38 R37 R36 R35 R34 R33 R32 R31
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10
Key:
D# Democratic
I# Independent, caucus with Democrats
R# Republican

Gains and losses

Retirements

One Republican and four Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election. John Chafee of Rhode Island had previously announced his intent to retire at the end of his term, however, he died in office on October 24, 1999.

State Senator Replaced by
Florida Connie Mack III Bill Nelson
Nebraska Bob Kerrey Ben Nelson
Nevada Richard Bryan John Ensign
New Jersey Frank Lautenberg Jon Corzine
New York Daniel Patrick Moynihan Hillary Clinton

Defeats

One Democrat and five Republicans sought re-election but lost in the general election.

State Senator Replaced by
Delaware William Roth Tom Carper
Michigan Spencer Abraham Debbie Stabenow
Minnesota Rod Grams Mark Dayton
Missouri John Ashcroft Mel Carnahan
Virginia Chuck Robb George Allen
Washington Slade Gorton Maria Cantwell

Post-election changes

One Democratic senator-elect died on October 16, 2000, having been elected posthumously, and was replaced by a Democrat.

State Senator Replaced by
Missouri
(Class 1)
Mel Carnahan Jean Carnahan

Race summary

Special elections during the previous Congress

In this special election, the winner was seated between January 1, 2000, and January 2, 2001.

State
(linked to
summary below)
Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Georgia
(Class 3)
Zell Miller Democratic 2000 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected November 7, 2000.

Elections to the next Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 2001.

All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.

State
(linked to
summaries below)
Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Arizona Jon Kyl Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Jon Kyl (Republican) 79.3%
  • William Toel (Independent) 7.8%
  • Vance Hansen (Green) 7.8%
  • Barry Hess (Libertarian) 5.1%
California Dianne Feinstein Democratic 1992 (special)
1994
Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • Jose Camahort (Reform) 0.9%
  • Brian M. Rees (Natural Law) 0.6%
Connecticut Joe Lieberman Democratic 1988
1994
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Joe Lieberman (Democratic) 63.2%
  • Philip Giordano (Republican) 34.1%
  • William Kozak (Concerned Citizens) 2%
  • Wildey J. Moore (Libertarian) 0.7%
Delaware William Roth Republican 1970
1971 (Appointed)
1976
1982
1988
1994
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
  • Green tickY Tom Carper (Democratic) 55.5%
  • William Roth (Republican) 43.7%
  • Mark Dankof (Constitution) 0.3%
  • J. Burke Morrison (Libertarian) 0.3%
  • Robert Mattson (Natural Law) 0.2%
Florida Connie Mack III Republican 1988
1994
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Others
  • Joe Simonetta (Natural Law) 0.4%
  • Darrell L. McCormick (Independent) 0.4%
  • Joel Deckard (Reform) 0.3%
  • Andy Martin (Independent) 0.3%
  • Nikki Oldaker (Independent) 0.1%
Hawaii Daniel Akaka Democratic 1990 (Appointed)
1990 (special)
1994
Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • Lloyd Jeffrey Mallan (Libertarian) 0.9%
  • David Porter (Constitution) 0.7%
Indiana Richard Lugar Republican 1976
1982
1988
1994
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Richard Lugar (Republican) 66.5%
  • David Johnson (Democratic) 31.9%
  • Paul Hager (Libertarian) 1.6%
Maine Olympia Snowe Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
Maryland Paul Sarbanes Democratic 1976
1982
1988
1994
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Paul Sarbanes (Democratic) 63.2%
  • Paul Rappaport (Republican) 36.7%
Massachusetts Ted Kennedy Democratic 1962 (special)
1964
1970
1976
1982
1988
1994
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Ted Kennedy (Democratic) 72.9%
  • Jack E. Robinson III (Republican) 12.9%
  • Carla Howell (Libertarian) 11.9%
  • Philip F. Lawler (Constitution) 1.62%
  • Dale Friedgen (Independent) 0.5%
Michigan Spencer Abraham Republican 1994 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
Others
  • Mark Forton (Reform) 0.6%
  • John Mangopoulos (U.S. Taxpayers) 0.3%
  • William Quarton (Natural Law) 0.1%
Minnesota Rod Grams Republican 1994 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
DFL gain.
Others
  • David Daniels (Grassroots) 0.9%
  • Rebecca Ellis (Socialist Workers) 0.5%
  • David Swan (Constitution) 0.4%
  • Erik D. Pakieser (Libertarian) 0.3%
Mississippi Trent Lott Republican 1988
1994
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Trent Lott (Republican) 65.9%
  • Troy Brown (Democratic) 31.6%
Others
  • Jim Giles (Independent) 0.9%
  • Lewis Napper (Libertarian) 0.9%
  • Shawn O'Hara (Reform) 0.7%
Missouri John Ashcroft Republican 1994 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected posthumously.
Democratic gain.
A different senator, Carnahan's widow Jean Carnahan, was appointed to begin the next term.
Others
  • Evaline Taylor (Green) 0.5%
  • Grant Samuel Stauffer (Libertarian) 0.4%
  • Hugh Foley (Reform) 0.2%
  • Charles Dockins (Natural Law) 0.1%
Montana Conrad Burns Republican 1988
1994
Incumbent re-elected.
Nebraska Bob Kerrey Democratic 1988
1994
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Nevada Richard Bryan Democratic 1988
1994
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Others
  • J. J. Johnson (Libertarian) 0.9%
  • Ernie Berghof (Independent American) 0.4%
  • Bill Grutzmacher (Citizens First) 0.3%
New Jersey Frank Lautenberg Democratic 1982
1982 (Appointed)
1988
1994
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Others
  • Pat DiNizio (Reform) 0.6%
  • Emerson Ellett (Libertarian) 0.2%
  • Dennis A. Breen (Independent) 0.2%
  • J. M. Carter (Trust in God) 0.2%
  • Lorraine LaNeve (NJ Conservative) 0.1%
  • Gregory Pason (Socialist) 0.1%
  • Nancy Rosenstock (Socialist Workers) 0.1%
  • George Gostigian (God Bless Jersey) 0.1%
New Mexico Jeff Bingaman Democratic 1982
1988
1994
Incumbent re-elected.
New York Daniel Patrick Moynihan Democratic 1976
1982
1988
1994
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Others
  • Jeffrey E. Graham (Independence) 0.6%
  • Mark J. Dunau (Green) 0.6%
  • John O. Adefope (Right to Life) 0.3%
  • John Clifton (Libertarian) 0.1%
  • Louis Wein (Constitution) 0.1%
  • Jacob Perasso (Socialist Workers) 0.1%
North Dakota Kent Conrad Democratic-NPL 1986
1992 (Retired)
1992 (special)
1994
Incumbent re-elected.
Ohio Mike DeWine Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
Pennsylvania Rick Santorum Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • John Featherman (Libertarian) 1%
  • Lester Searer (Constitution) 0.6%
  • Robert Domske (Reform) 0.5%
Rhode Island Lincoln Chafee Republican 1999 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected.
  • Green tickY Lincoln Chafee (Republican) 56.8%
  • Robert Weygand (Democratic) 41.1%
  • Christopher Young (Reform) 1%
  • Kenneth Proulx (Independent) 0.9%
Tennessee Bill Frist Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Bill Frist (Republican) 65.1%
  • Jeff Clark (Democratic) 32.2%
  • Tom Burrell (Green) 1.3%
Others
  • Charles F. Johnson (Independent) 0.5%
  • Robert Watson (Independent) 0.4%
  • David Jarrod Ownby (Independent) 0.2%
  • Joel Kinstle (Independent) 0.2%
Texas Kay Bailey Hutchison Republican 1993 (special)
1994
Incumbent re-elected.
Utah Orrin Hatch Republican 1976
1982
1988
1994
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Orrin Hatch (Republican) 65.6%
  • Scott Howell (Democratic) 31.5%
  • Carlton Edward Bowen (Ind. American) 1.6%
  • Jim Dexter (Libertarian) 1.4%
Vermont Jim Jeffords Republican 1988
1994
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Jim Jeffords (Republican) 65.6%
  • Ed Flanagan (Democratic) 25.4%
  • Charles W. Russell (Constitution) 3.5%
  • Rick Hubbard (Independent) 1.9%
  • Billy Greer (Vermont Grassroots) 1.7%
  • Hugh Douglas (Libertarian) 1.3%
  • Jerry Levy (Liberty Union) 0.5%
Virginia Chuck Robb Democratic 1988
1994
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Washington Slade Gorton Republican 1980
1986 (Lost)
1988
1994
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Democratic gain.
West Virginia Robert Byrd Democratic 1958
1964
1970
1976
1982
1988
1994
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Robert Byrd (Democratic) 77.7%
  • David T. Gallaher (Republican) 20.2%
  • Joe Whelan (Libertarian) 2.1%
Wisconsin Herb Kohl Democratic 1988
1994
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Herb Kohl (Democratic) 61.5%
  • John Gillespie (Republican) 37%
Others
  • Tim Peterson (Libertarian) 0.8%
  • Eugene A. Hem (Independent) 0.4%
  • Robert R. Raymond (Constitution) 0.2%
Wyoming Craig L. Thomas Republican 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Craig L. Thomas (Republican) 73.7%
  • Mel Logan (Democratic) 22%
  • Margaret Dawson (Libertarian) 4.2%

Closest races

In ten races the margin of victory was under 10%

District Winner Margin
Washington Democratic (flip) 0.09%
Michigan Democratic (flip) 1.6%
Missouri Democratic (flip) 2.1%
Nebraska Democratic 2.3%
New Jersey Democratic 3.0%
Montana Republican 3.4%
Virginia Republican (flip) 4.6%
Florida Democratic (flip) 4.8%
Minnesota Democratic (flip) 5.5%
Pennsylvania Republican 6.9%

Arizona

Arizona election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Jon Kyl William Toel
Party Republican Independent
Popular vote 1,101,196 109,230
Percentage 79.3% 7.8%

 
Nominee Vance Hansen Barry Hess
Party Green Libertarian
Popular vote 108,926 70,724
Percentage 7.8% 5.1%

County results
Kyl:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Jon Kyl
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Jon Kyl
Republican

Incumbent Republican Jon Kyl won re-election to a second term, as no candidate was nominated from the Democratic Party. Independent Bill Toel, Green party nominee Vance Hansen, and Libertarian party nominee Barry Hess each got more than 5% of the vote, a strong third party performance.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jon Kyl (Incumbent) 1,108,196 79.32 +25.62%
Independent William Toel 109,230 7.82
Green Vance Hansen 108,926 7.80
Libertarian Barry Hess 70,724 5.06 -1.68%
Majority 998,966 71.50 +57.34%
Turnout 1,397,076
Republican hold Swing

California

California election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Dianne Feinstein Tom Campbell
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 5,932,522 3,886,853
Percentage 55.84% 36.59%

County results
Feinstein:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Campbell:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Dianne Feinstein
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Dianne Feinstein
Democratic

The heavily financed and popular senator Dianne Feinstein (D) easily won re-election to her second full term defeating the underfunded and underdog candidate Representative Tom Campbell (R) by over 19 points. Campbell even lost his own congressional district by almost 15 points.

Primary election results:

2000 U.S. Senate Democratic Party primary in California
Candidate Votes %
Dianne Feinstein 3,759,560 95.50
Michael Schmier 181,104 4.50
Total votes 3,940,664 100.00
2000 U.S. Senate Republican Party primary in California
Candidate Votes %
Tom Campbell 1,697,208 56.17
Ray Haynes 679,034 22.47
Bill Horn 453,630 15.01
John M. Brown 68,415 2.26
Linh Dao 64,559 2.14
James Peter Gough 58,853 1.95
Total votes 3,021,699 100.00
2000 U.S. Senate Green Party primary in California
Candidate Votes %
Medea Benjamin 99,716 73.95
Jan B. Tucker 35,124 26.05
Total votes 134,840 100.00
2000 U.S. Senate Reform Party primary in California
Candidate Votes %
Jose Luis Olivares Camahort 46,278 70.34
Valli "Sharp" Sharpe 19,516 29.66
Total votes 65,794 100.00
2000 U.S. Senate other primaries in California
Party Candidate Votes %
Libertarian Gail Lightfoot 120,622 100.00
American Independent Diane Beall Templin 38,836 100.00
Natural Law Brian M. Rees 26,382 100.00

Despite touting his service as a moderate Republican representing a strongly Democratic district, Campbell was underfunded and a decided underdog against the popular, heavily financed Feinstein. By February, he spent barely $1 million without any PAC money. Campbell has generally supported gay rights and abortion. He also opposes the War on Drugs and calls himself a "maverick", similar to U.S. senator John McCain. Campbell was badly defeated, losing by over 19 points.

2000 U.S. Senate election, California
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dianne Feinstein (Incumbent) 5,932,522 55.84
Republican Tom Campbell 3,886,853 36.59
Green Medea Susan Benjamin 326,828 3.08
Libertarian Gail Lightfoot 187,718 1.77
American Independent Diane Beall Templin 134,598 1.27
Reform Jose Luis Olivares Camahort 96,552 0.91
Natural Law Brian M. Rees 58,537 0.55
Invalid or blank votes 519,233 4.66
Total votes 11,142,841 100.00
Turnout 51.92
Democratic hold

Connecticut

Connecticut election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Joe Lieberman Philip Giordano
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 828,902 448,077
Percentage 63.2% 34.2%

Lieberman:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Giordano:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Joe Lieberman
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Joe Lieberman
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Joe Lieberman won re-election to a third term over Republican Philip Giordano, Mayor of Waterbury and former State Representative. While running for re-election, he was also Al Gore's running mate in the 2000 presidential campaign. With Gore losing the presidency to George W. Bush, Lieberman returned to the Senate and remained there for another 13 years, when he retired. Had the Gore–Lieberman ticket won, Lieberman would have become U.S. Vice President and forced to resign his Senate seat, which would have led to a 2002 special election. It would also have led Republican Governor John G. Rowland to temporarily appoint an interim replacement.

Lieberman, a very popular centrist incumbent, focused on his vice presidential campaign. He refused to show up at the debates. Giordano was a heavy underdog, as he was ignored by the press and as he debated alone.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joe Lieberman (Incumbent) 828,902 63.2
Republican Philip Giordano 448,077 34.2
Concerned Citizens William Kozak 25,509 2.0
Libertarian Wildey J. Moore 8,773 0.7
Majority
Turnout
Democratic hold Swing

Delaware

Delaware election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Tom Carper William Roth
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 181,566 142,891
Percentage 55.5% 43.7%

County results
Carper:      60–70%
Roth:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

William Roth
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Tom Carper
Democratic

Incumbent Republican William Roth ran for re-election to a sixth term, but was defeated by Governor Tom Carper.

For 16 years the same four people had held the four major statewide positions. Because of term limits on the Governor's position Thomas Carper could not run again. Both he and U.S. Representative Michael Castle wanted to be U.S. senator. Roth would not retire, and fellow Republican Castle decided against a primary.

Roth, 79, was in the U.S. Senate for 30 years. He was the Chairman of the Finance Committee. Carper, 53, was a popular Governor and former U.S. Congressman of Delaware's At-large congressional district, who announced his major candidacy against Roth back in September 1999. Both candidates were moderates. Roth was one of the few Republicans to vote for the Brady Bill. Although Roth started the campaign with a 2-to-1 spending advantage, Carper went into the final month with more than $1 million on hand. In a contest between two popular and respected politicians, the issue seemed to be Roth's age versus Carper's relative youth.

Carper defeated Roth by over ten points. However, Roth received more votes than Presidential candidate George W. Bush, suggesting the strength of the Democratic turnout was a boon to Carper's candidacy and a key element of his victory. Many consider Roth's defeat due to his age and health, as he collapsed twice during the campaign, once in the middle of a television interview and once during a campaign event.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Thomas Carper 181,566 55.53 +13.04%
Republican William Roth (Incumbent) 142,891 43.70 -12.12%
Libertarian J. Burke Morrison 1,103 0.34 -1.36%
Constitution Mark E. Dankof 1,044 0.32
Natural Law Robert Mattson 389 0.12
Majority 38,675 11.83 -1.51%
Turnout 326,993
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Florida

2000 United States Senate election in Florida

← 1994 November 7, 2000 2006 →
 
Nominee Bill Nelson Bill McCollum
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,989,487 2,705,348
Percentage 51.04% 46.19%

Nelson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
McCollum:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Connie Mack III
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Bill Nelson
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Connie Mack III decided to retire instead of seeking a third term. Democrat Bill Nelson, State Treasurer and former U.S. Representative, won the open seat over Republican Congressman Bill McCollum.

Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill McCollum 660,592 81.13
Republican Hamilton A. S. Bartlett 153,613 18.87
Total votes 814,205 100
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bill Nelson 692,147 77.48
Democratic Newall Jerome Daughtrey 105,650 11.83
Democratic David B. Higginbottom 95,492 10.69
Total votes 893,289 100

This election was in conjunction to the presidential election, where Bush narrowly defeated Gore after an intense recount. The senate election was evenly matched with two U.S. Congressmen named Bill in their mid-50s. Both parties heavily targeted this senate seat. The election became very nasty as Nelson called his opponent "an extremist who would sacrifice the elderly, the poor, and the working class to coddle the rich." McCollum called the Democrat "a liberal who would tax everything that moves, and some things that don't." The election advertisements were very negative, as both candidates talked more about each other than themselves.

Nelson raised only soft money, but had help from President Bill Clinton and VP Al Gore. Two days before the election, McCollum predicted he would win by a 6-point margin. On election day, he lost by a 5-point margin.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bill Nelson 2,989,487 51.04
Republican Bill McCollum 2,705,348 46.19
Independent Willie Logan 80,830 1.38
Natural Law Joe Simonetta 26,087 0.45
Independent Darrell L. McCormick 21,664 0.37
Reform Joel Deckard 17,338 0.30
Independent Andy Martin 15,889 0.27
Write-in Nikki Oldaker 88 0.00
Majority 284,139 4.85
Turnout 5,856,731
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

Georgia (special)

Georgia special election

← 1998
2004 →
 
Nominee Zell Miller Mack Mattingly
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,413,224 920,478
Percentage 58.1% 37.9%

Miller:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Mattingly:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Zell Miller
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Zell Miller
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Zell Miller, who was appointed by Democrat Governor Roy Barnes to replace the late Republican Paul Coverdell, won re-election to serve the remainder of the term, beating Republican Mack Mattingly, former Ambassador to Seychelles and former U.S. senator. Until 2020, when Raphael Warnock won this seat, and Jon Ossoff won the other Senate seat, this was the last Senate election in Georgia won by a Democrat and also until 2020, this was the last time the Democrats have won the Class III Senate seat from Georgia.

One of the biggest campaign issues was Social Security. Miller attacked Mattingly for supporting a raise in the retirement age. The Republican fought back by connecting him to liberal Democrat Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, and on his vote to block legislation aimed at protecting Social Security. Mattingly said he would vote for Texas Governor George W. Bush for president, who was very popular in the state and led Vice President Al Gore in many Georgia polls. Mattingly then asked Miller who he was supporting in the presidential election. Miller conceded he would vote for Gore because he helped him when he was governor including drought relief, welfare reform, and the Atlanta Olympics. "That does not mean I agree with all of his policies," he concluded. In early October, a poll showed Miller leading with 59% of the vote, despite the fact that Bush was leading Gore by a double-digit margin.

Note: This election was a non-partisan election due to it being a special election. Each candidate ran without a party. The parties below reflect which party label each candidate would have run under if given the option.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Zell Miller (incumbent) 1,413,224 58.19
Republican Mack Mattingly 920,478 37.90
Libertarian Paul Robert MacGregor 25,942 1.07
Republican Ben Ballenger 22,975 0.95
Green Jeff Gates 21,249 0.88
Republican Bobby Wood 12,499 0.51
Independent Winnie Walsh 11,875 0.49
Majority 492,746 20.29
Turnout 2,428,242

Hawaii

Hawaii election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Daniel Akaka John Carroll
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 251,215 84,701
Percentage 72.7% 24.5%

County results
Akaka:      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Daniel Akaka
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Daniel Akaka
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Daniel Akaka won re-election to his second full term, over Republican John Carroll, former State senator and former State Representative.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Daniel Akaka (Incumbent) 251,215 72.6
Republican John Carroll 84,701 24.5
Natural Law Lauri A. Clegg 4,220 1.2
Libertarian Lloyd Jeffrey Mallan 3,127 0.9
Constitution David Porter 2,360 0.7
Majority 166,514 48.1
Turnout 245,263 100.00
Democratic hold Swing

Indiana

Indiana election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Richard Lugar David L. Johnson
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,427,944 683,273
Percentage 66.5% 31.9%

County results

Lugar:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

Johnson:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Richard Lugar
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Richard Lugar
Republican

Incumbent Republican Richard Lugar was re-elected to his fifth six-year term over Democrat David Johnson.

Lugar easily won re-election taking 66.5% one of the largest margins in a statewide race in Indiana history. Johnson only took one county, Lake County, a Democratic stronghold which borders Chicago.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Richard Lugar (Incumbent) 1,427,944 66.5
Democratic David L. Johnson 683,273 31.9
Libertarian Paul Hager 33,992 1.6
Majority
Turnout 2,145,209 55
Republican hold Swing

Maine

Maine election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Olympia Snowe Mark Lawrence
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 437,689 197,183
Percentage 68.94% 31.06%

Snowe:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Lawrence:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Olympia Snowe
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Olympia Snowe
Republican

Incumbent Republican Olympia Snowe was re-elected to a second term, defeating Democratic candidate Mark Lawrence, former President of the Maine State Senate.

Snowe, a popular moderate incumbent, outpolled and outspent Lawrence. The two candidates agreed to debate on October 15 and 25.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Olympia Snowe (Incumbent) 437,689 68.94 +8.70%
Democratic Mark W. Lawrence 197,183 31.06 -5.30%
Majority 240,506 37.88 +14.00%
Turnout 634,872
Republican hold Swing

Maryland

Maryland election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Paul Sarbanes Paul Rappaport
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,230,013 715,178
Percentage 63.2% 36.7%

County results

Sarbanes:      50–60%      60–70%      80–90%

Rappaport:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Paul S. Sarbanes
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Paul S. Sarbanes
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Paul Sarbanes won re-election to a fifth term over Republican Paul Rappaport, former Howard County police chief and nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 1994.

Rappaport won the Republican primary against S. Rob Sobhani, Ross Zimmerman Pierpont, Robin Ficker, Kenneth R. Timmerman, Kenneth Wayman and John Stafford through a grassroots movement with a plurality of just 23%. Rappaport, a major underdog, pushed for three debates. The four term incumbent actually agreed to one debate on October 26.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Paul Sarbanes (Incumbent) 1,230,013 63.2
Republican Paul Rappaport 715,178 35.7
Other Write-ins 1,594 0.1
Independent Corrogan R. Vaughn (write-in) 113
Turnout 1,946,898 100.0
Democratic hold Swing

Massachusetts

Massachusetts election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Ted Kennedy Jack E. Robinson III Carla Howell
Party Democratic Republican Libertarian
Popular vote 1,889,494 334,341 308 860
Percentage 72.7% 12.9% 11.9%

Kennedy
 40–50%
 50–60%
 60–70%
 70–80%
 80–90%


U.S. senator before election

Ted Kennedy
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Ted Kennedy
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Ted Kennedy won re-election to his eighth (his seventh full) term. The election was notable for a strong third-party performance from Libertarian Carla Howell, who finished less than a percent behind Republican Jack E. Robinson.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ted Kennedy (Incumbent) 1,889,494 72.69
Republican Jack E. Robinson 334,341 12.86
Libertarian Carla Howell 308,860 11.88
Constitution Philip F. Lawler 42,113 1.62 +1.62
Independent Dale E. Friedgen 13,687 0.53 N/A
Timesizing Not Downsizing Philip Hyde III 8,452 0.33 +0.33
Others All others 2,473 0.10
Total votes 2,734,006 100
Democratic hold Swing

Michigan

Michigan election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Debbie Stabenow Spencer Abraham
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,061,952 1,994,693
Percentage 49.5% 47.9%

Stabenow:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      >90%
Abraham:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Spencer Abraham
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Debbie Stabenow
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Spencer Abraham ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Democrat Debbie Stabenow.

Abraham, who was first elected in the 1994 Republican Revolution despite never running for public office before, was considered vulnerable by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Major issues in the campaign included prescription drugs for the elderly. By September 4, Abraham still had failed to reach 50% in polls despite having spent over $6 million on television ads. In mid-October, he came back and reached 50% and 49% in two polls respectively.

The election was very close with Stabenow prevailing by just over 67,000 votes. Stabenow was also likely helped by the fact that Al Gore won Michigan on the presidential level. Ultimately, Stabenow pulled out huge numbers of the Democratic stronghold of Wayne County, which covers the Detroit Metropolitan Area. Stabenow also performed well in other heavily populated areas such as Ingham County home to the state's capital of Lansing, and the college town of Ann Arbor. Abraham did not concede right after major news networks declared Stabenow the winner; He held out hope that the few outstanding precincts could push him over the edge. At 4:00 am, Abraham conceded defeat. Senator Abraham called Stabenow and congratulated her on her victory. A historic election, Stabenow became the first woman to represent Michigan in the United States Senate.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Debbie Stabenow 2,061,952 49.47
Republican Spencer Abraham (Incumbent) 1,994,693 47.86
Green Matthew Abel 37,542 0.90
Libertarian Michael Corliss 29,966 0.72
Reform Mark Forton 26,274 0.63
Constitution John Mangopoulos 11,628 0.28
Natural Law William Quarton 5,630 0.14
Majority 67,259 1.61
Turnout 4,165,685
Democratic gain from Republican Swing -4.02

Minnesota

Minnesota election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Mark Dayton Rod Grams
Party Democratic (DFL) Republican
Popular vote 1,181,553 1,047,474
Percentage 48.8% 43.3%

 
Nominee James Gibson
Party Independence
Popular vote 140,583
Percentage 5.81%

Dayton:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Grams:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Rod Grams
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Mark Dayton
Democratic (DFL)

The race pitted incumbent Republican senator Rod Grams against former Minnesota State Auditor Mark Dayton.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Mark Dayton 1,181,553 48.83 +4.73%
Republican Rod Grams (Incumbent) 1,047,474 43.29 -5.76%
Independence James Gibson 140,583 5.81 +0.43%
Grassroots David Daniels 21,447 0.89 -0.01%
Socialist Workers Rebecca Ellis 12,956 0.54 +0.40%
Constitution David Swan 8,915 0.37 n/a
Libertarian Erik D. Pakieser 6,588 0.27 n/a
Write-in Ole Savior 4 0.00 n/a
Majority 134,079 5.54
Turnout 2,419,520 74.10

Mississippi

Mississippi election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Trent Lott Troy D. Brown
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 654,941 314,090
Percentage 65.9% 31.6%

Lott:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Brown:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Trent Lott
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Trent Lott
Republican

Incumbent Republican Trent Lott won re-election to a third term over perennial Democratic candidate Troy Brown.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Trent Lott (Incumbent) 654,941 65.9
Democratic Troy D. Brown 314,090 31.6
Independent Jim Giles 9,344 0.9
Libertarian Lewis Napper 8,454 0.9
Reform Shawn O'Hara 7,315 0.7
Republican hold Swing

Missouri

Missouri election

 
Nominee Mel Carnahan John Ashcroft
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,191,812 1,142,852
Percentage 50.5% 48.4%

County results
Carnahan:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Ashcroft:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

John Ashcroft
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Mel Carnahan
Democratic

Incumbent Republican John Ashcroft lost the election to Governor Mel Carnahan, despite Carnahan's death three weeks before election day.

In 1998, Ashcroft briefly considered running for president. On January 5, 1999, he announced that he would not seek the presidency and would instead defend his Senate seat in the 2000 election. Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan announced he would contest the Senate election as a Democrat.

In the general election for the state's seat in the U.S. Senate, Ashcroft was facing then-Governor Mel Carnahan in a "tight" race, despite the senator having a larger budget than Carnahan, a war chest that included significant contributions from corporations such as Monsanto Company, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, which gave five times more to Ashcroft's campaign fund than to the fund of any other congressional hopeful at the time.

Carnahan was killed in a plane crash three weeks before the November election date. Nonetheless, Carnahan's name remained on the ballot due to Missouri's election laws. Lieutenant Governor Roger B. Wilson became Governor upon Carnahan's death, to serve the remaining term of Carnahan's governorship. Ashcroft suspended all campaigning on the day of the plane crash in light of the tragedy and resumed it eight days before the election date.

The voters of Missouri, by a margin of approximately fifty thousand votes, chose for the U.S. Senate Mel Carnahan, their Governor who had died two weeks before the election. No one had ever posthumously won election to the Senate, though voters on at least three other occasions had until then chosen deceased candidates for the House of Representatives: Clement Woodnutt Miller (D) in California in 1962; Nick Begich (D) in Alaska, 1972; and Hale Boggs (D) in Louisiana, 1972. Hence, John Ashcroft became the first U.S. Senate candidate to be defeated by a dead opponent.

Governor Roger B. Wilson appointed Carnahan's 66-year-old widow, Jean Carnahan, to fill her husband's vacant seat until the next cycle of Senate elections when a successor could be elected to serve out the remaining four years of the deceased Carnahan's would-be term. Ashcroft stated that he hoped the appointment would be "a matter of comfort for Mrs. Carnahan."

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mel Carnahan 1,191,812 50.5
Republican John Ashcroft (Incumbent) 1,142,852 48.4
Green Evaline Taylor 10,612 0.5
Libertarian Grant Samuel Stauffer 10,198 0.4
Reform Hugh Foley 4,166 0.2
Natural Law Charles Dockins 1,933 0.1
Write-ins Write-in candidates 13
Turnout 2,361,586
Democratic gain from Republican

Montana

Montana election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Conrad Burns Brian Schweitzer
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 208,082 194,430
Percentage 50.6% 47.2%

County results
Burns:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%
Schweitzer:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Conrad Burns
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Conrad Burns
Republican

Incumbent Republican Conrad Burns won re-election to a third term.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brian Schweitzer 59,189 66.18
Democratic John Driscoll 30,242 33.82
Total votes 89,431 100.00
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Conrad Burns (Incumbent) 102,125 100.00
Total votes 102,125 100.00
Reform primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Reform Sam Rankin 1,110 100.00
Total votes 1,110 100.00

Though Sam Rankin won the Reform Party's nomination for the United States Senate, he dropped out of the race over the summer and was replaced by Gary Lee.

Conrad, in a poll released September 21, was leading Schweitzer 48% to 39%[citation needed] that went down from 49% in November 1999[citation needed]. Schweitzer had his polls go up by 11 points.

Burns faced a surprisingly difficult re-election campaign in 2000. In February 1999, he announced that he would break his 1988 promise to only hold office for two terms, claiming "Circumstances have changed, and I have rethought my position." Later that same month, while giving a speech about U.S. dependence on foreign oil to the Montana Equipment Dealers Association, he referred to Arabs as "ragheads". Burns soon apologized, saying he "became too emotionally involved" during the speech.

Burns faced Brian Schweitzer, a rancher from Whitefish, Montana. While Burns attempted to link Schweitzer with presidential candidate Al Gore, whom Schweitzer never met, Schweitzer "effectively portrayed himself as nonpolitical". Schweitzer primarily challenged Burns on the issue of prescription drugs, organizing busloads of senior citizens to take trips to Canada and Mexico for cheaper medicine. Burns charged that Schweitzer favored "Canadian-style government controls" and claimed that senior citizens went to doctors to have "somebody to visit with. There's nothing wrong with them." Burns also faced trouble regarding deaths from asbestos in Libby, Montana. While he initially supported a bill to limit compensation in such cases, he withdrew his support for the bill, under public criticism, and added $11.5 million for the town to an appropriations bill.

Burns spent twice as much money as Schweitzer on the election and only defeated him by a slim margin, 51-47 percent, while the state voted 58-33 percent for Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush. Schweitzer went on to become governor in 2004.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Conrad Burns (Incumbent) 208,082 50.55 -11.82%
Democratic Brian Schweitzer 194,430 47.24 +9.61%
Reform Gary Lee 9,089 2.2
Majority 13,652 3.32 -21.43%
Turnout 411,601
Republican hold Swing

Nebraska

Nebraska election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Ben Nelson Don Stenberg
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 353,093 337,977
Percentage 51.0% 48.8%

County results
Nelson:      50–60%      60–70%
Stenberg:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Bob Kerrey
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Ben Nelson
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Bob Kerrey decided to retire. Democrat Ben Nelson won the open seat, beating Don Stenberg, the Republican Attorney General of Nebraska.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ben Nelson 105,661 92.12
Democratic Al Hamburg 8,482 7.39
Democratic Write-ins 558 0.49
Total votes 114,701 100.00
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Don Stenberg 94,394 49.99
Republican Scott Moore 41,120 21.77
Republican David Hergert 32,228 17.07
Republican George Grogan 8,293 4.39
Republican John DeCamp 7,469 3.96
Republican Elliott Rustad 5,317 2.82
Republican Write-ins 21 0.01
Total votes 188,842 100.00
General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ben Nelson 353,093 51.00 -3.78%
Republican Don Stenberg 337,977 48.82 +3.81%
Write-ins 1,280 0.18
Majority 15,116 2.18 -7.59%
Turnout 692,350
Democratic hold Swing

Nevada

Nevada election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee John Ensign Ed Bernstein
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 330,687 238,260
Percentage 55.1% 39.7%

County results
Ensign:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80-90%

U.S. senator before election

Richard Bryan
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

John Ensign
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Richard Bryan decided to retire, instead of seeking a third term. Republican nominee John Ensign won the open seat over Democratic attorney Ed Bernstein.

Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Ensign 95,904 88.03
Republican Richard Hamzik 6,202 5.69
Republican None of these candidates 5,290 4.86
Republican Fernando Platin, Jr. 1,543 1.42
Total votes 108,939 100.00
General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John Ensign 330,687 55.09 +14.09%
Democratic Edward M. Bernstein 238,260 39.69 -11.24%
None of These Candidates 11,503 1.92 -1.40%
Green Kathryn Rusco 10,286 1.71
Libertarian J. J. Johnson 5,395 0.90 -0.67%
Independent American Ernie Berghof 2,540 0.42 -1.01%
Citizens First Party Bill Grutzmacher 1,579 0.26
Majority 92,427 15.40 +5.47%
Turnout 600,250
Republican gain from Democratic

New Jersey

New Jersey election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Jon Corzine Bob Franks
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,511,237 1,420,267
Percentage 50.1% 47.1%

Corzine:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Franks:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Frank Lautenberg
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Jon Corzine
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Frank Lautenberg decided to retire, rather than seeking a fourth term. The Democratic nominee, former CEO of Goldman Sachs Jon Corzine, defeated the Republican nominee, U.S. Representative Bob Franks, in a close election.

Senator Lautenberg, first elected to the Senate in 1982 in an upset victory over Rep. Millicent Fenwick (R-Bergen), had always been an underdog in all three bids for Senate. He beat Pete Dawkins in 1988 by a 54%-46% margin and held back a challenge from Chuck Haytaian by a smaller margin of 50%-47%. However, popular Governor Christine Todd Whitman was expected to challenge Lautenberg, and opinion polls showed Lautenberg losing by a large margin. He retired but later regretted his decision because Gov. Whitman and Former Governor Tom Kean both declined to run for the Senate. Lautenberg would be elected to the state's other Senate Seat in 2002.

Corzine spent $35 million of his own money into the Democratic primary election alone when running against Jim Florio, who served as the 49th Governor of New Jersey from 1990 to 1994. Governor Florio was unpopular during his tenure in office. Most notably, he signed a $2.8 Billion tax increase in 1990. It caused his party to lose control of the state government for a decade, and cost the Governor his re-election bid in 1993.

Corzine, running as an outsider, was endorsed by State senator Raymond Zane (D-Gloucester), State senator Wayne Bryant (D-Camden), State senator John Adler (D-Camden), U.S Representative Bob Menendez (D-Hudson) and U.S senator Bob Torricelli (D-NJ). Florio was endorsed by the State Party, Assemblyman Joe Doria (D-Hudson) and senator John Lynch (D-Middlesex).

Corzine defeated Florio in the primary and then defeated Bob Franks in the general election.

2000 New Jersey U.S. Senate Democratic primary election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jon Corzine 251,216 58.0
Democratic James Florio 182,212 42.0
2000 New Jersey U.S. Senate Republican primary election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bob Franks 98,370 35.7
Republican William Gormley 94,010 34.1
Republican James W. Treffinger 48,674 17.7
Republican Murray Sabrin 34,629 12.6

Franks, a moderate Republican, attacked Corzine for "trying to buy the election and of advocating big-government spending programs that the nation can ill afford." Corzine accused Franks of wanting to dismantle the Social Security system because he supported Governor George W. Bush's partial privatization plan.

During the campaign, Corzine refused to release his income tax return records. He claimed an interest in doing so, but he cited a confidentiality agreement with Goldman Sachs. Skeptics argued that he should have followed the example of his predecessor Robert Rubin, who converted his equity stake into debt upon leaving Goldman.

Corzine campaigned for state government programs including universal health care, universal gun registration, mandatory public preschool, and more taxpayer funding for college education. He pushed affirmative action and same-sex marriage. David Brooks considered Corzine so liberal that although his predecessor was also a Democrat, his election helped shift the Senate to the left.

During Corzine's campaign for the United States Senate, he made some controversial off-color statements. When introduced to a man with an Italian name who said he was in the construction business, Corzine quipped: "Oh, you make cement shoes!" according to Emanuel Alfano, chairman of the Italian-American One Voice Committee. Alfano also reported that when introduced to a lawyer named David Stein, Corzine said: "He's not Italian, is he? Oh, I guess he's your Jewish lawyer who is here to get the rest of you out of jail." Corzine denied mentioning religion, but did not deny the quip about Italians, claiming that some of his own ancestors were probably Italian, or maybe French.

Also in 2000, Corzine denied having paid off African-American ministers, when in fact the foundation controlled by him and his wife had paid one influential black church $25,000. Rev. Reginald T. Jackson, director of the Black Ministers Council, had campaigned against a form of racial profiling whereby police officers stop minority drivers and had gotten New Jersey state police superintendent, Carl A. Williams, fired. Corzine had donated to Jackson prior to getting what appears to be a reciprocal endorsement.

Franks generally trailed Corzine in the polls until the very last week, when he pulled even in a few polls. Corzine spent $63 million, while Franks spent only $6 million. Despite being heavily outspent, Franks lost by only three percentage points, doing better that year than Republican Governor George W. Bush in the presidential election, who obtained just 40% of the vote in the state.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jon Corzine 1,511,237 50.11
Republican Bob Franks 1,420,267 47.10
Green Bruce Afran 32,841 1.09
Reform Pat DiNizio 19,312 0.64
Libertarian Emerson Ellett 7,241 0.24
Independent Dennis A. Breen 6,061 0.20
Trust in God J. M. Carter 5,657 0.19
Conservative Lorraine LaNeve 3,836 0.13
Socialist Gregory Pason 3,365 0.11
Socialist Workers Nancy Rosenstock 3,309 0.11
God Bless Jersey George Gostigian 2,536 0.08
Majority 90,970 3.01
Turnout
Democratic hold Swing

New Mexico

New Mexico election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Jeff Bingaman Bill Redmond
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 363,744 225,517
Percentage 62.7% 37.3%

County results
Bingaman:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Redmond:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Jeff Bingaman
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Jeff Bingaman
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Jeff Bingaman won re-election to a fourth term, beating Republican former Congressman Bill Redmond.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jeff Bingaman (Incumbent) 124,887 100.00
Total votes 124,887 100.00
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Redmond 43,780 60.39
Republican Steve Pearce 15,628 21.56
Republican William F. Davis 13,083 18.05
Total votes 72,491 100.00
General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jeff Bingaman (Incumbent) 363,744 61.70 +7.73%
Republican Bill Redmond 225,517 38.25 -7.74%
Write-ins 265 0.04
Majority 138,227 23.45 +15.47%
Turnout 589,525
Democratic hold Swing

New York

New York election

← 1994 November 7, 2000 2006 →
 
Nominee Hillary Clinton Rick Lazio
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 3,747,310 2,915,730
Percentage 55.3% 43.0%

Results by county

Clinton:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

Lazio:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election

Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Democratic

Hillary Rodham Clinton, then First Lady of the United States and the first First Lady to run for political office, defeated Congressman Rick Lazio. The general election coincided with the U.S. presidential election.

The race began in November 1998 when four-term incumbent Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D) announced his retirement. Both the Democratic Party and Republican Party sought high-profile candidates to compete for the open seat. By early 1999 Clinton and Mayor of New York City Rudolph Giuliani were the likely respective nominees. Clinton and her husband, President Bill Clinton, purchased a house in Chappaqua, New York, in September 1999; she thereby became eligible for the election, although she faced characterizations of carpetbagging since she had never resided in the state before. The lead in statewide polls swung from Clinton to Giuliani and back to Clinton as the campaigns featured both successful strategies and mistakes as well as dealing with current events. In late April and May 2000, Giuliani's medical, romantic, marital, and political lives all collided in a tumultuous four-week period, culminating in his withdrawing from the race on May 19.

The Republicans chose lesser-known Congressman Rick Lazio to replace him. The election included a record $90 million in campaign expenditures between Clinton, Lazio, and Giuliani and national visibility. Clinton showed strength in normally Republican upstate areas and a debate blunder by Lazio solidified Clinton's previously shaky support among women.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Hillary Rodham Clinton 565,353 82
Democratic Mark McMahon 124,315 18

The contest drew considerable national attention and both candidates were well-funded. By the end of the race, Democrat Clinton and Republicans Lazio and Giuliani had spent a combined $90 million, the most of any U.S. Senate race in history. Lazio outspent Clinton $40 million to $29 million, with Clinton also getting several million dollars in soft money from Democratic organizations. Among Clinton antagonists circles, direct mail-based fundraising groups such as the Emergency Committee to Stop Hillary Rodham Clinton sprung up, sending out solicitations regarding the "carpetbagging" issue: just as one Clinton leaves office, another one runs.

Clinton secured a broad base of support, including endorsements from conservation groups and organized labor, but notably not the New York City police union which endorsed Lazio while firefighters supported Hillary. While Clinton had a solid base of support in New York City, candidates and observers expected the race to be decided in upstate New York where 45 percent of the state's voters live. During the campaign, Clinton vowed to improve the economic picture in upstate New York, promising that her plan would deliver 200,000 New York jobs over six years. Her plan included specific tax credits with the purpose of rewarding job creation and encouraging business investment, especially in the high-tech sector. She called for targeted personal tax cuts for college tuition and long-term care. Lazio faced a unique tactical problem campaigning upstate. The major issue there was the persistently weak local economy, which Lazio hoped to link to his opponent's husband's tenure in office. Attacks on the state of the upstate economy were frequently interpreted as criticism of incumbent Republican governor George Pataki, however, limiting the effect of this line of attack.

Opponents continued to make the carpetbagging issue a focal point throughout the race and during debates. Talk radio hammered on this, with New York-based Sean Hannity issuing a daily mantra, "Name me three things Hillary Clinton has ever done for the people of New York!" Clinton's supporters pointed out that the state was receptive to national leaders, such as Robert F. Kennedy who was elected to the Senate in 1964 despite similar accusations. In the end, according to exit polls conducted in the race, a majority of the voters dismissed the carpetbagging issue as unimportant.

During the campaign, Independent Counsel Robert Ray filed his final reports regarding the long-running Whitewater, "Travelgate", and "Filegate" investigations of the White House, each of which included specific investigations of Hillary Clinton actions. The reports exonerated her on the files matter, said there was insufficient evidence regarding her role in Whitewater, and said that she had made factually false statements regarding the Travel Office firings but there was insufficient evidence to prosecute her. Although The New York Times editorialized that the release of the reports seemed possibly timed to coincide with the Senate election, in practice the findings were not seen as likely to sway many voters' opinions.

A September 13, 2000, debate between Lazio and Clinton proved important. Lazio was on the warpath against soft money and the amounts of it coming from the Democratic National Committee into Clinton's campaign, and challenged Clinton to agree to ban soft money from both campaigns. He left his podium and waved his proposed paper agreement in Clinton's face; many debate viewers thought he had invaded her personal space and as a result Clinton's support among women voters solidified.

Late in the campaign Lazio criticised Clinton for accepting campaign donations from various Arab groups in the wake of the USS Cole attack. This issue caused former New York Mayor Ed Koch to take out ads telling Lazio to "stop with the sleaze already," and did not change the dynamic of the race.

Having won the election, Clinton is sworn in as the junior senator from New York, January 3, 2001.
General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Hillary Rodham Clinton 3,562,415
Working Families Hillary Rodham Clinton 102,094
Liberal Hillary Rodham Clinton 82,801
total Hillary Rodham Clinton 3,747,310 55.27 +0.02
Republican Rick Lazio 2,724,589
Conservative Rick Lazio 191,141
total Rick Lazio 2,915,730 43.01 +1.5
Independence Jeffrey Graham 43,181 0.64 -0.08
Green Mark Dunau 40,991 0.60
Right to Life John Adefope 21,439 0.32 -1.68
Libertarian John Clifton 4,734 0.07 -0.31
Constitution Louis Wein 3,414 0.05
Socialist Workers Jacob Perasso 3,040 0.04 -0.27
Blank/scattering 179,823
Majority 831,580 12.27
Turnout 6,779,839
Democratic hold Swing
Per New York State law, Clinton and Lazio totals include their minor party line votes: Liberal Party of New York and Working Families Party for Clinton, Conservative Party for Lazio.

Clinton won the election on November 7 with 55 percent of the vote to Lazio's 43 percent, a difference larger than most observers had expected. Clinton won the traditionally Democratic base of New York City by large margins, and carried suburban Westchester County, but lost heavily populated Long Island, part of which Lazio represented in Congress. She won surprising victories in Upstate counties, such as Cayuga, Rensselaer, and Niagara, to which her win has been attributed.

In comparison with other results, this 12 percentage point margin was smaller than Gore's 25 point margin over Bush in the state Presidential contest, was slightly larger than the 10 point margin by which fellow New York senator Charles Schumer defeated incumbent Republican Al D'Amato in the hotly contested 1998 race, but was considerably smaller than the 47 point margin by which senator Schumer won re-election in 2004 against little-known Republican challenger Howard Mills. The victory of a Democrat in the Senate election was not assured, because in recent decades the Republicans had won about half the elections for governor and senator.

Lazio's bid was handicapped by the weak performance of George W. Bush in New York in the 2000 election, but it was also clear Hillary Clinton had made substantial inroads in upstate New York prior to Lazio's entry into the race. Exit polls also showed a large gender gap with Clinton running stronger than expected among moderate women and unaffiliated women.

North Dakota

North Dakota election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Kent Conrad Duane Sand
Party Democratic–NPL Republican
Popular vote 176,470 111,069
Percentage 61.4% 38.6%

County results
Conrad:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Sand:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Kent Conrad
Democratic–NPL

Elected U.S. senator

Kent Conrad
Democratic–NPL

Incumbent Dem-NPL U.S. senator Kent Conrad won re-election to a third term, over Republican Naval Reserve officer Duane Sand.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic–NPL Kent Conrad (Incumbent) 176,470 61.37
Republican Duane Sand 111,069 38.63
Majority 65,401 22.74
Turnout 287,539 100

Ohio

Ohio election

← 1994
2006 →
Turnout63.6% (Registered Voters)
 
Nominee Mike DeWine Ted Celeste
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,665,512 1,595,066
Percentage 59.9% 35.9%

County results

DeWine:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Celeste:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Mike DeWine
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Mike DeWine
Republican

Incumbent Republican Mike DeWine won re-election to a second term, beating Democrat Ted Celeste, real estate developer and brother of former Ohio Governor Dick Celeste.

Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike DeWine (Incumbent) 1,029,860 79.51
Republican Ronald Richard Dickson 161,185 12.44
Republican Frank Cremeans 104,219 8.05
Total votes 1,295,264 100
Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ted Celeste 375,205 43.86
Democratic Marvin McMickle 208,291 24.35
Democratic Richard Cordray 202,345 23.65
Democratic Dan Radakovich 69,620 8.14
Total votes 855,461 100
General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike DeWine (Incumbent) 2,665,512 59.9 +6.5%
Democratic Ted Celeste 1,595,066 35.9 -3.3%
Libertarian John McAlister 116,724 2.6 0.00%
Natural Law Party (US) John Eastman 70,713 1.6 0.00%
Write-in 786 0.00 0.00%
Majority 1,076,446
Turnout 4,448,801 63.6
Republican hold Swing

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Rick Santorum Ron Klink
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,481,962 2,154,908
Percentage 52.4% 45.5%

Santorum:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Klink:      50–60%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Rick Santorum
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Rick Santorum
Republican

Incumbent Republican Rick Santorum won re-election to a second term over Democratic Congressman Ron Klink.

Santorum had gained a reputation as a polarizing figure during his first term in the Senate, but he entered the race with a large fundraising advantage and high levels of support from the political right. The contest began for Democrats with a brutal primary challenge; U.S. Congressman Klink narrowly bested State senator Allyson Schwartz and former Lieutenant Governor nominee Tom Foley by running on the message that he was the only candidate capable of defeating the Republican. Klink was viewed as a viable choice because he was a traditional Democrat on most issues and had strong union ties but also was pro-life, which Democrats hoped would return votes to their party in the heavily Catholic but economically liberal coal regions of the state. However, enthusiasm around Klink's campaign quickly waned. Liberal Democrats, particularly in the Philadelphia area, balked at donating to a socially conservative candidate who was almost unknown in their area. He was also badly outspent, leaving him unable to expand his presence in the state; he didn't run a single ad on Philadelphia television. Santorum, in contrast, successfully balanced his national recognition on social issues with local concerns en route to a surprisingly large victory.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Rick Santorum (Incumbent) 2,481,962 52.4 +3.0%
Democratic Ron Klink 2,154,908 45.5 -8.6%
Libertarian John Featherman 45,775 1.0 -0.7%
Constitution Lester Searer 28,382 0.6 +0.6%
Reform Robert Domske 24,089 0.5 +0.5%
Majority 327,054 6.9 +4.4%
Total votes 4,735,116 100

Rhode Island

Rhode Island election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Lincoln Chafee Robert Weygand
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 222,588 161,023
Percentage 56.88% 41.15%

Chafee:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Weygand:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Lincoln Chafee
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Lincoln Chafee
Republican

Incumbent Republican Lincoln Chafee was elected his first full term after being appointed in 1999 to fill the seat of his father, the previous Senator, John Chafee who died on October 24, 1999, a few months after the elder Chafee announced his retirement instead of seeking a fifth term. As of 2022, this is the last Senate election in Rhode Island won by a Republican.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Weygand 51,769 57.49
Democratic Richard A. Licht 38,281 42.51
Total votes 90,050 100.00
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lincoln Chafee (Incumbent) 2,221 100.00
Total votes 2,221 100.00
General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Lincoln Chafee (Incumbent) 222,588 56.88 -7.65%
Democratic Robert Weygand 161,023 41.15 +5.67%
Reform Christopher Young 4,107 1.05
Independent Kenneth Proulx 3,635 0.93
Majority 61,565 15.73 -13.32%
Turnout 391,353
Republican hold Swing

Tennessee

Tennessee election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Bill Frist Jeff Clark
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,255,444 621,152
Percentage 65.1% 32.2%

County results
Frist:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Clark:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Bill Frist
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Bill Frist
Republican

Incumbent Republican Bill Frist won re-election to a second term.

The Democratic primary was held August 3, 2000. In a field of five candidates, Jeff Clark, a professor at Middle Tennessee State University, edged out John Jay Hooker to win the nomination.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jeff Clark 64,851 34.23%
Democratic John Jay Hooker 64,041 33.81%
Democratic Mary Taylor-Shelby 28,604 15.10%
Democratic Shannon Wood 25,372 13.39%
Democratic James Looney 6,354 3.35%
Democratic Write-ins 218 0.12%
Total votes 189,440 100.00%
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Frist (Incumbent) 186,882 100.00
Total votes 186,882 100.00
General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bill Frist (Incumbent) 1,255,444 65.10% +8.75%
Democratic Jeff Clark 621,152 32.21% -9.89%
Green Tom Burrell 25,815 1.34% N/A
Independent Charles F. Johnson 10,004 0.52% +0.07
Independent Robert Watson 8,416 0.44% N/A
Independent David Jarrod Ownby 4,388 0.23% N/A
Independent Joel Kinstle 3,135 0.16% N/A
Write-in 259 0.00% N/A
Majority 634,292 32.89% N/A
Republican hold

Texas

Texas election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Kay Bailey Hutchison Gene Kelly
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 4,078,954 2,025,024
Percentage 65.0% 32.4%

County results
Hutchison:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Kelly:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Kay Bailey Hutchison
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Kay Bailey Hutchison
Republican

Incumbent Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison won re-election to a second term, beating Democrat Gene Kelly, a retired attorney.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison (Incumbent) 4,078,954 65.0
Democratic Gene Kelly 2,025,024 32.4
Green Douglas S. Sandage 91,329 1.5
Libertarian Mary J. Ruwart 72,657 1.2
Majority
Turnout
Republican hold Swing

Utah

Utah election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Orrin Hatch Scott Howell
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 504,803 242,569
Percentage 65.6% 31.5%

County results
Hatch:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

U.S. senator before election

Orrin Hatch
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Orrin Hatch
Republican

Incumbent Republican Orrin Hatch won re-election to a fifth term, beating Democratic State senator Scott N. Howell.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Orrin Hatch (Incumbent) 504,803 65.58 -3.22%
Democratic Scott N. Howell 242,569 31.51 +3.22%
Independent American Carlton Edward Bowen 11,938 1.55 +1.27%
Libertarian Jim Dexter 10,394 1.35
Majority 262,234 34.07 -6.44%
Turnout 769,704
Republican hold Swing

Vermont

Vermont election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Jim Jeffords Ed Flanagan
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 189,133 73,352
Percentage 65.6% 25.4%

Jeffords:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Jim Jeffords
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Jim Jeffords
Independent

Incumbent Republican Jim Jeffords won re-election to a third term in office, over Ed Flanagan, Vermont Auditor of Accounts. Jeffords switched from being a Republican to an independent, who would later caucus with the Democratic Party following the 2000 election in May 2001, thus breaking the 50-50 lock. As of 2022, this is the last Senate election in Vermont won by a Republican.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ed Flanagan 17,440 49.24
Democratic Jan Backus 16,444 46.43
Democratic Write-ins 1,533 4.33
Total votes 30,229 100.00
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Jeffords (Incumbent) 60,234 77.79
Republican Rick Hubbard 15,991 20.65
Republican Write-ins 1,204 1.55
Total votes 77,429 100.00
General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jim Jeffords (Incumbent) 189,133 65.56 +15.24%
Democratic Ed Flanagan 73,352 25.43 -15.14%
Constitution Charles W. Russell 10,079 3.49
Independent Rick Hubbard 5,366 1.86
Grassroots Billy Greer 4,889 1.69
Libertarian Hugh Douglas 3,843 1.33
Liberty Union Jerry Levy 1,477 0.51
Write-ins 361 0.13
Majority 115,781 40.13 +30.38%
Turnout 288,500
Republican hold Swing

Virginia

Virginia election

← 1994
2006 →
Turnout54.0% (voting eligible)
 
Nominee George Allen Chuck Robb
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,420,460 1,296,093
Percentage 52.26% 47.68%

County and independent city results
Allen:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Robb:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Chuck Robb
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

George Allen
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Chuck Robb ran for a third term, but lost to Republican George Allen.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican George Allen 1,420,460 52.26 +9.38%
Democratic Chuck Robb (Incumbent) 1,296,093 47.68 +2.07%
Write-ins 1,748 0.06 -0.01%
Majority 124,367 4.58 +1.85%
Turnout 2,718,301
Republican gain from Democratic

Washington

Washington election

← 1994
2006 →
Turnout75.46%
 
Nominee Maria Cantwell Slade Gorton
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,199,437 1,197,208
Percentage 48.7% 48.6%

County results
Cantwell:      40–50%      50–60%
Gorton:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Slade Gorton
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Maria Cantwell
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Slade Gorton ran for a third consecutive term (fourth overall), but was unseated for a second time (the first being 1986) by Democratic candidate, former Congresswoman Maria Cantwell.

Since Maria Cantwell had only won by 1,953 votes, or a margin of 0.08 percent, an automatic recount was triggered. Cantwell won the recount on December 1 with a margin of 2,229 votes (0.09%) in one of the closest elections in Washington state history.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Maria Elaine Cantwell 1,199,437 48.73 +4.48%
Republican Slade Gorton (Incumbent) 1,197,208 48.64 -7.11%
Libertarian Jeff Jared 64,734 2.63 +2.6%
Plurality 2,229
Turnout 2,461,379 100 +761,206

West Virginia

West Virginia election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Robert Byrd David Gallaher
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 469,215 121,635
Percentage 77.8% 20.2%

County results
Byrd:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Robert Byrd
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Robert Byrd
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Robert Byrd won re-election to an eighth term. He won every county and congressional district in the state.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Robert Byrd (Incumbent) 469,215 77.8
Republican David T. Gallaher 121,635 20.2
Libertarian Joe Whelan 12,627 2.1
Majority
Turnout
Democratic hold Swing

Wisconsin

Wisconsin election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Herb Kohl John Gillespie
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,563,238 940,744
Percentage 61.5% 37.0%

Kohl:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Gillespie:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Herb Kohl
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Herb Kohl
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Herb Kohl won re-election to a third term.

General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Herb Kohl (Incumbent) 1,563,238 61.5
Republican John Gillespie 940,744 37.0
Libertarian Tim Peterson 21,348 0.8
Independent Eugene A. Hem 9,555 0.4
Constitution Robert R. Raymond 4,296 0.2
Independent Write-ins 902 0.0
Democratic hold Swing

Wyoming

Wyoming election

← 1994
2006 →
 
Nominee Craig L. Thomas Mel Logan
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 157,622 47,087
Percentage 73.8% 22.0%

County results
Thomas:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Craig L. Thomas
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Craig L. Thomas
Republican

Incumbent Republican Craig Thomas won re-election to a second term over Democratic mine worker Mel Logan.

Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mel Logan 16,530 64.59
Democratic Sheldon Sumey 9,062 35.41
Total votes 29,612 100.00
Republican primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Craig Thomas (Incumbent) 68,132 100.00
Total votes 68,132 100.00
General election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Craig Thomas (Incumbent) 157,622 73.77 +14.90%
Democratic Mel Logan 47,087 22.04 -17.27%
Libertarian Margaret Dawson 8,950 4.19 +2.37%
Majority 110,535 51.73 +32.17%
Turnout 213,659
Republican hold Swing

See also


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