# 1978 Iowa Senate election

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The 1978 Iowa State Senate elections took place as part of the biennial 1978 United States elections. Iowa voters elected state senators in half of the state senate's districts—the 25 odd-numbered state senate districts. State senators serve four-year terms in the Iowa State Senate, with half of the seats up for election each cycle. A statewide map of the 50 state Senate districts in the year 1978 is provided by the Iowa General Assembly here.
The primary election on June 6, 1978, determined which candidates appeared on the November 7, 1978 general election ballot. Primary election results can be obtained here. General election results can be obtained here.
Following the previous election in 1976, Democrats had control of the Iowa state Senate with 26 seats to Republicans' 24 seats.
To take control of the chamber from Democrats, the Republicans needed to net 2 Senate seats.
Republicans flipped control of the Iowa State Senate following the 1978 general election, with Republicans claiming 28 seats and Democrats falling to 22 seats after the election (a net gain of 4 seats for the Republicans).

## Summary of Results

* NOTE: The 25 even-numbered districts did not have elections in 1978 so they are not listed here.
| State Senate District | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party |
| 1st | Lucas DeKoster | Rep | Lucas DeKoster | Republican |
| 3rd | Warren E. Curtis | Rep | Arne F. Waldstein | Republican |
| 5th | Ray Taylor | Rep | Ray Taylor | Republican |
| 7th | Milo Merritt | Dem | Arthur Gratias | Republican |
| 9th | Dale L. Tieden | Rep | Dale L. Tieden | Republican |
| 11th | Stephen W. Bisenius | Rep | Stephen W. Bisenius | Republican |
| 13th | James M. Redmond | Dem | Arthur R. Kudart | Republican |
| 15th | Robert "Bob" Rush | Dem | Robert "Bob" Rush | Democratic |
| 17th | Fred Nolting | Dem | Richard L. Comito | Republican |
| 19th | Clifford Earl Burroughs | Rep | John W. Jensen | Republican |
| 21st | John S. Murray | Rep | John S. Murray | Republican |
| 23rd | C. Joseph Coleman | Dem | C. Joseph Coleman | Democratic |
| 25th | E. Kevin Kelly | Rep | Clarence S. Carney | Republican |
| 27th | Louis P. Culver | Dem | Jack W. Hester | Republican |
| 29th | Norman Rodgers | Dem | Norman Rodgers | Democratic |
| 31st | Earl Willits | Dem | Earl Willits | Democratic |
| 33rd | Philip B. Hill | Rep | Julia Gentleman | Republican |
| 35th | Eugene Marshall Hill | Dem | Joe Brown | Democratic |
| 37th | Minnette Doderer | Dem | Arthur A. Small | Democratic |
| 39th | Roger John Shaff | Rep | Norman J. Goodwin | Republican |
| 41st | Forrest F. Ashcraft | Rep | Patrick J. Deluhery | Democratic |
| 43rd | Lowell Junkins | Dem | Lowell Junkins | Democratic |
| 45th | Gene W. Glenn | Dem | Sue Yenger | Republican |
| 47th | Richard Ramsey | Rep | Richard Ramsey | Republican |
| 49th | Calvin Hultman | Rep | Calvin Hultman | Republican |
Source:

## Detailed Results

* Reminder: Only odd-numbered Iowa Senate seats were up for election in 1978; therefore, even-numbered seats did not have elections in 1978 & are not shown.
* Note: If a district does not list a primary, then that district did not have a competitive primary (i.e., there may have only been one candidate file for that district).

### District 1

Iowa Senate, District 1 Republican Primary Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Lucas DeKoster (incumbent) | 4,330 | 50.4 |
| | Republican | Henry T. Hoefakker | 4,268 | 49.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,598 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 1 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Lucas DeKoster (incumbent) | 9,038 | 63.0 |
| | Independent | Henry T. Hoefakker | 5,307 | 37.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,345 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 3

Iowa Senate, District 3 Republican Primary Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Arne Waldstein | 2,152 | 63.5 |
| | Republican | Dick Angove | 1,239 | 36.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,391 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 3 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Arne Waldstein | 8,597 | 53.6 |
| | Democratic | Keith Baker | 7,451 | 46.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,048 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 5

Iowa Senate, District 5 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ray Taylor (incumbent) | 8,838 | 60.0 |
| | Democratic | Daryl Frey | 5,889 | 40.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,727 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 7

Iowa Senate, District 7 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Arthur Gratias | 9,838 | 54.9 |
| | Democratic | Milo Merritt (incumbent) | 8,080 | 45.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 17,918 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 9

Iowa Senate, District 9 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dale L. Tieden (incumbent) | 10,702 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,702 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 11

Iowa Senate, District 11 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Stephen W. Bisenius (incumbent) | 9,146 | 54.3 |
| | Democratic | Maurice Hennessey | 7,684 | 45.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,830 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 13

Iowa Senate, District 13 Democratic Primary Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | James M. Redmond (incumbent) | 1,447 | 51.8 |
| | Democratic | Walter L. McNamara | 1,345 | 48.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,792 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 13 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Arthur R. Kudart | 9,433 | 57.6 |
| | Democratic | Nick Berry | 6,953 | 42.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,386 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 15

Iowa Senate, District 15 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bob Rush (incumbent) | 8,847 | 54.6 |
| | Republican | Lloyd E. Humphreys | 7,354 | 45.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,201 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 17

Iowa Senate, District 17 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard Comito | 8,691 | 51.5 |
| | Democratic | Fred Nolting (incumbent) | 8,184 | 48.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,875 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 19

Iowa Senate, District 19 Republican Primary Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John W. Jensen | 2,672 | 60.3 |
| | Republican | Cliff Burroughs (incumbent) | 1,761 | 39.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,433 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 19 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John W. Jensen | 9,564 | 61.8 |
| | Democratic | Jerald Fuerstenberg | 5,900 | 38.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,464 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 21

Iowa Senate, District 21 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John S. Murray (incumbent) | 11,906 | 62.7 |
| | Democratic | Larry N. Larson | 7,083 | 37.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 18,989 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 23

Iowa Senate, District 23 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | C. Joseph Coleman (incumbent) | 10,388 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,388 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 25

Iowa Senate, District 25 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Clarence Carney | 8,247 | 55.1 |
| | Democratic | Fred T. Kelly | 6,724 | 44.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,971 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 27

Iowa Senate, District 27 Democratic Primary Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Louis P. Culver (incumbent) | 1,436 | 51.0 |
| | Democratic | John R. Meyer | 1,379 | 49.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,815 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 27 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jack W. Hester | 8,555 | 57.3 |
| | Democratic | Wade Burchett | 6,364 | 42.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,919 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 29

Iowa Senate, District 29 Democratic Primary Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Norman Rodgers (incumbent) | 1,682 | 55.1 |
| | Democratic | Barry Piatt | 1,369 | 44.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,051 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 29 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Norman Rodgers (incumbent) | 10,641 | 55.2 |
| | Republican | Roy W. Meadows | 8,649 | 44.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 19,290 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 31

Iowa Senate, District 31 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Earl Willits (incumbent) | 8,349 | 63.2 |
| | Republican | Donald Kerr | 4,859 | 36.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,208 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 33

Iowa Senate, District 33 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Julia Gentleman | 12,736 | 61.4 |
| | Democratic | John Dengler | 7,078 | 34.1 |
| | Independent | Michael Feld | 928 | 4.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,742 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 35

Iowa Senate, District 35 Democratic Primary Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Joe Brown | 1,285 | 44.8 |
| | Democratic | Eugene M. Hill (incumbent) | 1,088 | 37.9 |
| | Democratic | Arnold Brouwer | 495 | 17.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,868 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 35 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Joe Brown | 10,063 | 56.0 |
| | Republican | Bart Basche | 7,911 | 44.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 17,974 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 37

Iowa Senate, District 37 Republican Primary Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Victor V. Woolums II | 818 | 55.3 |
| | Republican | Bob Baker | 662 | 44.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,480 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 37 Democratic Primary Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Arthur A. Small | 2,502 | 55.6 |
| | Democratic | William J. Hargrave, Jr. | 1,994 | 44.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,496 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 37 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Arthur A. Small | 10,781 | 63.6 |
| | Republican | Victor V. Woolums II | 5,817 | 34.3 |
| | Socialist | David Manuel | 357 | 2.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,955 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 39

Iowa Senate, District 39 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Norman J. Goodwin | 9,522 | 59.4 |
| | Democratic | Paul R. Willis, Jr. | 6,515 | 40.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,037 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 41

Iowa Senate, District 41 Democratic Primary Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Patrick J. Deluhery | 1,174 | 72.2 |
| | Democratic | Mike Manno | 453 | 27.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,627 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 41 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Patrick J. Deluhery | 6,368 | 57.0 |
| | Republican | Forrest F. Ashcraft (incumbent) | 4,808 | 43.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,176 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 43

Iowa Senate, District 43 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Lowell Junkins (incumbent) | 8,757 | 63.5 |
| | Republican | Gordon C. McMillan | 5,033 | 36.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,790 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 45

Iowa Senate, District 45 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Sue Yenger | 8,387 | 51.6 |
| | Democratic | Gene W. Glenn (incumbent) | 7,860 | 48.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,247 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 47

Iowa Senate, District 47 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dick Ramsey (incumbent) | 11,178 | 60.3 |
| | Democratic | Rollin C. Bridge | 7,369 | 39.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 18,547 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 49

Iowa Senate, District 49 General Election, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Calvin Hultman (incumbent) | 9,983 | 66.2 |
| | Democratic | David Childs | 5,087 | 33.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,070 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |