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1976 United States Senate election in California 
Summary
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.
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 County results Hayakawa: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Tunney: 40–50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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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 edit
Candidates edit
- 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 edit
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 edit
Candidates edit
- 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 edit
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 edit
Results edit
| 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 | |||||