# 1978 United States Senate special election in Alabama

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vte :
The 1978 United States Senate special election in Alabama was held on November 7, 1978. It was a special election to fill the seat which had been held by Senator Jim Allen, who died on June 1. His widow Maryon was appointed on June 8 by governor George Wallace to fill the vacancy until a special election could be held.
Democratic state senator Donald W. Stewart defeated Allen in the Democratic primary then defeated former Republican Congressman James D. Martin to serve the remaining two years of the term.
Primary elections were held on September 5, 1978, with the Democratic runoff held on September 26, 1978.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates

* Maryon Pittman Allen, incumbent United States Senator
* Gene Myracle, business owner
* Donald W. Stewart, State Senator
* Ted Taylor, President of the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association
* Dan Wiley, President of the Mobile County Commission

### Results

Primary election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Maryon Pittman Allen (incumbent) | 334,156 | 44.51% |
| | Democratic | Donald W. Stewart | 259,795 | 34.61% |
| | Democratic | Ted Taylor | 70,894 | 9.44% |
| | Democratic | Dan Wiley | 66,689 | 8.88% |
| | Democratic | Gene Myracle | 19,166 | 2.55% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 750,700 | 100.00% |

### Runoff results

Primary runoff election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Donald W. Stewart | 502,346 | 57.20% |
| | Democratic | Maryon Pittman Allen (incumbent) | 375,894 | 42.80% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 878,240 | 100.00% |

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* Elvin McCary, Republican nominee for Governor in 1974
* George W. Nichols, attorney

### Results

Primary election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | George W. Nichols | 15,637 | 72.47% |
| | Republican | Elvin McCary | 5,941 | 27.53% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,578 | 100.00% |

#### Withdrew

Nichols withdrew from the race in order that James D. Martin, former U.S. Representative for Alabama's 7th congressional district, who had been nominated to run in the concurrent regular Senate election, could switch races.

## General election
### Results

United States Senate special election in Alabama, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Donald W. Stewart | 401,852 | 54.93% |
| | Republican | James D. Martin | 316,170 | 43.22% |
| | Libertarian | Michael R. A. Erdey | 6,006 | 0.82% |
| | Prohibition | A. J. Killingsworth | 5,814 | 0.80% |
| | Peace and Freedom | Joseph T. Robino | 1,768 | 0.24% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 85,682 | 11.74% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 731,610 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |