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1970 United States Senate election in Missouri

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1970 United States Senate election in Missouri

← 1964 November 3, 1970 1976 →
 
Nominee Stuart Symington John Danforth
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 654,831 617,903
Percentage 51.03% 48.15%

County results
Symington:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Danforth:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

U.S. senator before election

Stuart Symington
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Stuart Symington
Democratic

The 1970 United States Senate election in Missouri took place on November 3, 1970. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Stuart Symington was re-elected to a fourth term in office over Republican John Danforth (who would eventually succeed the retiring Symington in 1976).

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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  • Hershel V. Page
  • Stuart Symington, incumbent Senator since 1953
  • Lee C. Sutton, former State Representative from Monroe County (1955–61)
  • William McKinley Thomas
  • Douglas V. White

Results

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1970 Democratic U.S. Senate primary[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stuart Symington (incumbent) 392,670 89.28%
Democratic Douglas V. White 15,187 3.45%
Democratic William McKinley Thomas 13,018 2.96%
Democratic Lee Sutton 11,105 2.53%
Democratic Hershel V. Page 7,843 1.78%
Total votes 439,823 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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1970 Republican U.S. Senate primary[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Danforth 165,728 72.55%
Republican Doris Bass 45,049 19.72%
Republican Morris Duncan 17,670 7.74%
Total votes 228,447 100.00%

American Party primary

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Candidates

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  • Gene Chapman
  • Ralph A. DePugh, Jackson County deputy sheriff
  • Lawrence "Red" Petty

Results

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1970 American Party U.S. Senate primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
American Gene Chapman 684 47.11%
American Lawrence Petty 400 27.55%
American Ralph A. DePugh 368 25.34%
Total votes 1,452 100.00%

General election

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Considered a safely Democratic state, Symington was seen as an overwhelming favorite, leading in one poll 54% to 28%.[5] His campaign focused on his seniority, criticizing Richard Nixon, and generally ignoring his opponent, even refusing debates.[6][7] That said, Danforth was seen as a possible contender for an upset.[8] Near the campaigns end, Danforth was seen as closing the gap, providing a real threat to Symington.[9] Symington won the race by just under 3 points.

Results

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General election results[10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Stuart Symington (incumbent) 654,831 51.03% Decrease15.52
Republican John Danforth 617,903 48.15% Increase14.70
American Gene Chapman 10,065 0.78% N/A
Independent Emilio J. DiGirolamo 513 0.04% N/A
Turnout 1,283,312 100.00%
Democratic hold

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "MO US Senate - D Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  2. ^ "She tried to ban 'Hair,' the nudie play, from opening in St. Louis". October 11, 2014.
  3. ^ "MO US Senate - R Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  4. ^ "MO US Senate - Amer Primary". OurCampaigns. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  5. ^ Apple Jr., R. W. (October 6, 1970). "Symington Confident of Success In Heavily Democratic Missouri". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  6. ^ Ayres Jr., B. Drummond (November 4, 1970). "SYMINGTON WINS 4TH SENATE TERM". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  7. ^ "Symington rejects debates demanded by Danforth". The Southeast Missourian. Associated Press. August 20, 1970. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  8. ^ Apple Jr., R. W. (November 3, 1970). "Watching the Returns". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  9. ^ "Race gap is closing?". The Nevada Daily Mail. October 14, 1970. p. 2. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  10. ^ "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1970" (PDF). Clerk of the House of Representatives. p. 18.