1976 United States Senate election in California
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 County results Hayakawa: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Tunney: 40–50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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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
- Lois T. Bodle
- Leslie W. "Les" Craven, nominee for U.S. Representative in California's 25th congressional district in 1970 and 1972
- Howard L. Gifford, candidate for U.S. Senate in 1974
- Tom Hayden, anti-war activist and husband of Jane Fonda
- Millard F. Slover
- Frank L. Thomas
- John V. Tunney, incumbent U.S Senator
- Bob Wallach
- Ronald L. Williams
Results
Tunney
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
Hayden
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
| 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
- Alphonzo E. Bell Jr., U.S. Representative from Santa Monica
- Hannibal C. Burchette V
- Robert H. Finch, former Lieutenant Governor of California, United States Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, and advisor to President Richard Nixon
- John L. Harmer, former Lieutenant Governor and State Senator
- S. I. Hayakawa, professor of semantics and president emeritus of San Francisco State University
- Henry Hill
- Michael A. Hirt
- Walter Hollywood
- Clyde F. Tracy
- James A. Ware, perennial candidate
Results
Hayakawa
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
Finch
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
| 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
| 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 | |||||
