# 1972 United States Senate elections

The 1972 United States Senate elections were held on November 7, with the 33 seats of Class 2 contested in regular elections. They coincided with the landslide re-election of Republican President Richard Nixon. Despite Nixon's landslide victory, Democrats increased their majority by two seats. The Democrats picked up open seats in Kentucky and South Dakota, and defeated four incumbent senators: Gordon Allott of Colorado, J. Caleb Boggs of Delaware, Jack Miller of Iowa, and Margaret Chase Smith of Maine. The Republicans picked up open seats in New Mexico, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, and defeated one incumbent, William B. Spong Jr. of Virginia.
After the elections, Democrats held 56 seats, and Republicans held 42 seats, with 1 Conservative and 1 independent senator in the chamber as well. These were the first elections in which all citizens at least 18 years of age (instead of 21, and older) could vote, due to the 1971 passage of the 26th Amendment.
As of 2024, this is the last time in which a Republican won a Senate election in New Jersey. Joe Biden, the 46th president of the United States (2021–2025) and 47th vice president (2009–2017), first won election to the United States Senate, defeating J. Caleb Boggs in the election in Delaware.

## Results summary

| 56 | 1 | 1 | 42 |
| Democratic | I | C | Republican |
| Parties | Parties | | | | | | Total |
| Parties | Parties | Democratic | Republican | Conservative | Independent | Other | Total |
| Last elections (1970) Before these elections | Last elections (1970) Before these elections | 54 | 44 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100 |
| Not up | Not up | 40 | 25 | 1 | 1 | — | 67 |
| Up Class 2 (1966→1972) | Up Class 2 (1966→1972) | 14 | 19 | 0 | 0 | — | 33 |
| Incumbent retired | Incumbent retired | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 6 |
| | Held by same party | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 2 |
| | Replaced by other party | 2 Republicans replaced by 2 Democrats 2 Democrats replaced by 2 Republicans | 2 Republicans replaced by 2 Democrats 2 Democrats replaced by 2 Republicans | — | — | — | 4 |
| | Result | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Incumbent ran | Incumbent ran | 11 | 16 | — | — | — | 27 |
| | Won re-election | 8 | 12 | — | — | — | 20 |
| | Lost re-election | 4 Republicans replaced by 4 Democrats 1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican | 4 Republicans replaced by 4 Democrats 1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican | — | — | — | 5 |
| | Lost renomination, but held by same party | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 |
| | Lost renomination, and party lost | 1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican | 1 Democrat replaced by 1 Republican | — | — | — | 1 |
| | Result | 13 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| Total elected | Total elected | 16 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 |
| Net gain/loss | Net gain/loss | 2 | 2 | | | | 2 |
| Nationwide vote | Nationwide vote | 17,199,567 | 19,821,203 | 42,348 | 318,238 | 427,742 | 37,809,098 |
| | Share | 45.49% | 52.42% | 0.11% | 0.84% | 1.13% | 100% |
| Result | Result | 56 | 42 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100 |
Source: Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives (1973). "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 7, 1972" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved November 22, 2020.

## Gains, losses, and holds
### Retirements

Three Republicans and three Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.
| State | Senator | Replaced by |
| Idaho | Leonard B. Jordan | James A. McClure |
| Kentucky | John Sherman Cooper | Walter Dee Huddleston |
| Louisiana | Elaine Edwards | J. Bennett Johnston |
| New Mexico | Clinton Anderson | Pete Domenici |
| Oklahoma | Fred R. Harris | Dewey F. Bartlett |
| South Dakota | Karl Mundt | James Abourezk |

### Defeats

Four Republicans and three Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.
| State | Senator | Replaced by |
| Colorado | Gordon Allott | Floyd Haskell |
| Delaware | J. Caleb Boggs | Joe Biden |
| Georgia | David H. Gambrell | Sam Nunn |
| Iowa | Jack Miller | Dick Clark |
| Maine | Margaret Chase Smith | William Hathaway |
| North Carolina | B. Everett Jordan | Jesse Helms |
| Virginia | William Spong Jr. | William L. Scott |

### Post-election changes

| State | Senator | Replaced by |
| Ohio (Class 3) | William B. Saxbe | Howard Metzenbaum |

## Change in composition
### Before the elections

After the January 7, 1972, Vermont special election.
| D$_1$ | D$_2$ | D$_3$ | D$_4$ | D$_5$ | D$_6$ | D$_7$ | D$_8$ | D$_9$ | D$_{10}$ |
| D$_{20}$ | D$_{19}$ | D$_{18}$ | D$_{17}$ | D$_{16}$ | D$_{15}$ | D$_{14}$ | D$_{13}$ | D$_{12}$ | D$_{11}$ |
| D$_{21}$ | D$_{22}$ | D$_{23}$ | D$_{24}$ | D$_{25}$ | D$_{26}$ | D$_{27}$ | D$_{28}$ | D$_{29}$ | D$_{30}$ |
| D$_{40}$ | D$_{39}$ | D$_{38}$ | D$_{37}$ | D$_{36}$ | D$_{35}$ | D$_{34}$ | D$_{33}$ | D$_{32}$ | D$_{31}$ |
| D$_{41}$ Ala. Ran | D$_{42}$ Ark. Ran | D$_{43}$ Ga. (sp) Ga. (reg) Ran | D$_{44}$ La. Retired | D$_{45}$ Minn. Ran | D$_{46}$ Miss. Ran | D$_{47}$ Mont. Ran | D$_{48}$ N.H. Ran | D$_{49}$ N.M. Ran | D$_{50}$ N.C. Ran |
| Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | D$_{51}$ Okla. Ran |
| R$_{41}$ S.D. Ran | R$_{42}$ Tenn. Ran | R$_{43}$ Texas Retired | R$_{44}$ Wyo. Ran | C$_1$ | I$_1$ | D$_{54}$ W.Va. Ran | D$_{53}$ Va. Ran | D$_{52}$ R.I. Ran | D$_{51}$ Okla. Ran |
| R$_{40}$ S.C. Ran | R$_{39}$ Ore. Ran | R$_{38}$ N.J. Ran | R$_{37}$ Neb. Ran | R$_{36}$ Mich. Ran | R$_{35}$ Mass. Ran | R$_{34}$ Maine Ran | R$_{33}$ Ky. Retired | R$_{32}$ Kan. Ran | R$_{31}$ Iowa Ran |
| R$_{21}$ | R$_{22}$ | R$_{23}$ | R$_{24}$ | R$_{25}$ | R$_{26}$ Alaska Ran | R$_{27}$ Colo. Ran | R$_{28}$ Del. Ran | R$_{29}$ Idaho Ran | R$_{30}$ Ill. Ran |
| R$_{20}$ | R$_{19}$ | R$_{18}$ | R$_{17}$ | R$_{16}$ | R$_{15}$ | R$_{14}$ | R$_{13}$ | R$_{12}$ | R$_{11}$ |
| R$_1$ | R$_2$ | R$_3$ | R$_4$ | R$_5$ | R$_6$ | R$_7$ | R$_8$ | R$_9$ | R$_{10}$ |

### Elections results

| D$_1$ | D$_2$ | D$_3$ | D$_4$ | D$_5$ | D$_6$ | D$_7$ | D$_8$ | D$_9$ | D$_{10}$ |
| D$_{20}$ | D$_{19}$ | D$_{18}$ | D$_{17}$ | D$_{16}$ | D$_{15}$ | D$_{14}$ | D$_{13}$ | D$_{12}$ | D$_{11}$ |
| D$_{21}$ | D$_{22}$ | D$_{23}$ | D$_{24}$ | D$_{25}$ | D$_{26}$ | D$_{27}$ | D$_{28}$ | D$_{29}$ | D$_{30}$ |
| D$_{40}$ | D$_{39}$ | D$_{38}$ | D$_{37}$ | D$_{36}$ | D$_{35}$ | D$_{34}$ | D$_{33}$ | D$_{32}$ | D$_{31}$ |
| D$_{41}$ Ala. Re-elected | D$_{42}$ Ark. Re-elected | D$_{43}$ Ga. (sp) Ga. (reg) Hold | D$_{44}$ La. Hold | D$_{45}$ Minn. Re-elected | D$_{46}$ Miss. Re-elected | D$_{47}$ Mont. Re-elected | D$_{48}$ N.H. Re-elected | D$_{49}$ R.I. Re-elected | D$_{50}$ W.Va. Re-elected |
| Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | Majority → | D$_{51}$ Colo. Gain |
| R$_{41}$ Okla. Gain | R$_{42}$ Va. Gain | C$_1$ | I$_1$ | D$_{56}$ S.D. Gain | D$_{55}$ Maine Gain | D$_{54}$ Ky. Gain | D$_{53}$ Iowa Gain | D$_{52}$ Del. Gain | D$_{51}$ Colo. Gain |
| R$_{40}$ N.C. Gain | R$_{39}$ N.M. Gain | R$_{38}$ Wyo. Re-elected | R$_{37}$ Texas Re-elected | R$_{36}$ Tenn. Re-elected | R$_{35}$ S.C. Re-elected | R$_{34}$ Ore. Re-elected | R$_{33}$ N.J. Re-elected | R$_{32}$ Neb. Re-elected | R$_{31}$ Mich. Re-elected |
| R$_{21}$ | R$_{22}$ | R$_{23}$ | R$_{24}$ | R$_{25}$ | R$_{26}$ Alaska Re-elected | R$_{27}$ Idaho Hold | R$_{28}$ Ill. Re-elected | R$_{29}$ Kan. Re-elected | R$_{30}$ Mass. Re-elected |
| R$_{20}$ | R$_{19}$ | R$_{18}$ | R$_{17}$ | R$_{16}$ | R$_{15}$ | R$_{14}$ | R$_{13}$ | R$_{12}$ | R$_{11}$ |
| R$_1$ | R$_2$ | R$_3$ | R$_4$ | R$_5$ | R$_6$ | R$_7$ | R$_8$ | R$_9$ | R$_{10}$ |
| Key: | C$_#$ Conservative D$_#$ Democratic R$_#$ Republican I$_#$ Independent |

## Race summaries
### Special elections during the 92nd Congress

In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1972 or before January 3, 1973; ordered by election date, then state.
| State (linked to summaries below) | Incumbent | Incumbent | Incumbent | Results | Candidates |
| State (linked to summaries below) | Senator | Party | Electoral history | Results | Candidates |
| Vermont (Class 1) | Robert Stafford | Republican | 1971 (Appointed) | Interim appointee elected January 7, 1972. | ▌Y Robert Stafford (Republican) 64.4% ▌Randolph T. Major (Democratic) 33.4% ▌Bernie Sanders (Liberty Union) 2.2% |
| Georgia (Class 2) | David H. Gambrell | Democratic | 1971 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost nomination. New senator elected November 7, 1972. Democratic hold. Winner also elected to the next term, see below. | ▌Y Sam Nunn (Democratic) 52.0% ▌Fletcher Thompson (Republican) 46.5% ▌Alice Conner (Independent) 1.0% ▌George Schmidt (Independent) 0.5% |

### Elections leading to the next Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1973; ordered by state.
All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.
| State (linked to summaries below) | Incumbent | Incumbent | Incumbent | Results | Candidates |
| State (linked to summaries below) | Senator | Party | Electoral history | Results | Candidates |
| Alabama | John Sparkman | Democratic | 1946 (special) 1948 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y John Sparkman (Democratic) 62.3% ▌Winton M. Blount (Republican) 33.1% ▌John L. LeFlore (National Democratic) 3.0% ▌Jerome Couch (Prohibition) 1.0% ▌Herbert Stone (Conservative) 0.6% |
| Alaska | Ted Stevens | Republican | 1968 (Appointed) 1970 (special) | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Ted Stevens (Republican) 77.3% ▌Gene Guess (Democratic) 22.7% |
| Arkansas | John L. McClellan | Democratic | 1942 1948 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y John L. McClellan (Democratic) 60.8% ▌Wayne H. Babbitt (Republican) 39.1% |
| Colorado | Gordon Allott | Republican | 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y Floyd Haskell (Democratic) 49.4% ▌Gordon Allott (Republican) 48.4% ▌Secundion Salazar (Raza Unida) 1.4% ▌Henry Olshaw (American) 0.8% |
| Delaware | J. Caleb Boggs | Republican | 1960 1966 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y Joe Biden (Democratic) 50.5% ▌J. Caleb Boggs (Republican) 49.1% |
| Georgia | David H. Gambrell | Democratic | 1971 (Appointed) | Interim appointee lost nomination. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Winner also elected to finish the term, see above. | ▌Y Sam Nunn (Democratic) 54.0% ▌Fletcher Thompson (Republican) 46.0% |
| Idaho | Leonard B. Jordan | Republican | 1962 (Appointed) 1962 (special) 1966 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican hold. | ▌Y James A. McClure (Republican) 52.3% ▌William E. Davis (Democratic) 45.5% |
| Illinois | Charles H. Percy | Republican | 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Charles H. Percy (Republican) 62.2% ▌Roman Pucinski (Democratic) 37.4% |
| Iowa | Jack Miller | Republican | 1960 1966 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y Dick Clark (Democratic) 55.1% ▌Jack Miller (Republican) 44.1% |
| Kansas | James B. Pearson | Republican | 1962 (Appointed) 1962 (special) 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y James B. Pearson (Republican) 71.4% ▌Arch Tetzlaff (Democratic) 23.0% |
| Kentucky | John Sherman Cooper | Republican | 1946 (special) 1948 (Lost) 1952 (special) 1954 (Lost) 1956 (special) 1960 1966 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y Walter Dee Huddleston (Democratic) 50.9% ▌Louie Nunn (Republican) 47.6% |
| Louisiana | Elaine Edwards | Democratic | 1972 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired. New senator elected. Democratic hold. Interim appointee resigned November 13, 1972, to give successor preferential seniority. Winner appointed November 14, 1972. | ▌Y J. Bennett Johnston (Democratic) 55.2% ▌John McKeithen (Independent) 23.1% ▌Ben Toledano (Republican) 16.1% ▌Hall M. Lyons (American) 2.7% |
| Maine | Margaret Chase Smith | Republican | 1948 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y William Hathaway (Democratic) 53.2% ▌Margaret Chase Smith (Republican) 46.8% |
| Massachusetts | Edward Brooke | Republican | 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Edward Brooke (Republican) 63.5% ▌John J. Droney (Democratic) 34.7% ▌Donald Gurewitz (Socialist Workers) 1.7% |
| Michigan | Robert P. Griffin | Republican | 1966 (Appointed) 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Robert P. Griffin (Republican) 52.3% ▌Frank J. Kelley (Democratic) 46.3% |
| Minnesota | Walter Mondale | DFL | 1964 (Appointed) 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Walter Mondale (DFL) 56.7% ▌Phil Hansen (Republican) 42.9% |
| Mississippi | James Eastland | Democratic | 1942 1948 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y James Eastland (Democratic) 58.1% ▌Gil Carmichael (Republican) 38.7% |
| Montana | Lee Metcalf | Democratic | 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Lee Metcalf (Democratic) 52.0% ▌Henry S. Hibbard (Republican) 48.0% |
| Nebraska | Carl Curtis | Republican | 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Carl Curtis (Republican) 53.1% ▌Terry Carpenter (Democratic) 46.8% |
| New Hampshire | Thomas J. McIntyre | Democratic | 1962 (special) 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Thomas J. McIntyre (Democratic) 56.9% ▌Wesley Powell (Republican) 43.1% |
| New Jersey | Clifford P. Case | Republican | 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Clifford P. Case (Republican) 62.5% ▌Paul J. Krebs (Democratic) 34.5% |
| New Mexico | Clinton Anderson | Democratic | 1948 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y Pete Domenici (Republican) 54.0% ▌Jack Daniels (Democratic) 46.0% |
| North Carolina | B. Everett Jordan | Democratic | 1958 (Appointed) 1958 (special) 1960 1966 | Incumbent lost renomination. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y Jesse Helms (Republican) 54.0% ▌Nick Galifianakis (Democratic) 46.0% |
| Oklahoma | Fred R. Harris | Democratic | 1964 (special) 1966 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y Dewey F. Bartlett (Republican) 51.4% ▌Ed Edmondson (Democratic) 47.6% |
| Oregon | Mark Hatfield | Republican | 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Mark Hatfield (Republican) 53.7% ▌Wayne Morse (Democratic) 46.2% |
| Rhode Island | Claiborne Pell | Democratic | 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Claiborne Pell (Democratic) 53.7% ▌John Chafee (Republican) 45.7% |
| South Carolina | Strom Thurmond | Republican | 1954 (write-in) 1954 (Appointed) 1956 (Resigned) 1956 (special) 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Strom Thurmond (Republican) 63.3% ▌Eugene N. Zeigler (Democratic) 36.7% |
| South Dakota | Karl Mundt | Republican | 1948 1948 (Appointed) 1954 1960 1966 | Incumbent retired. New senator elected. Democratic gain. | ▌Y James Abourezk (Democratic) 57.0% ▌Robert W. Hirsch (Republican) 42.9% |
| Tennessee | Howard Baker | Republican | 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Howard Baker (Republican) 61.6% ▌Ray Blanton (Democratic) 37.9% |
| Texas | John Tower | Republican | 1961 (special) 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y John Tower (Republican) 53.4% ▌Barefoot Sanders (Democratic) 44.3% |
| Virginia | William Spong Jr. | Democratic | 1966 | Incumbent lost re-election. New senator elected. Republican gain. | ▌Y William L. Scott (Republican) 51.5% ▌William Spong Jr. (Democratic) 46.1% |
| West Virginia | Jennings Randolph | Democratic | 1958 (special) 1960 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Jennings Randolph (Democratic) 66.5% ▌Louise Leonard (Republican) 33.6% |
| Wyoming | Clifford Hansen | Republican | 1966 | Incumbent re-elected. | ▌Y Clifford Hansen (Republican) 71.3% ▌Mike Vinich (Democratic) 28.7% |

## Closest races

Seventeen races had a margin of victory under 10%:
| State | Party of winner | Margin |
| Colorado | Democratic (flip) | 1.0% |
| Delaware | Democratic (flip) | 1.4% |
| Kentucky | Democratic (flip) | 3.3% |
| Oklahoma | Republican (flip) | 3.8% |
| Montana | Democratic | 3.9% |
| Virginia | Republican (flip) | 5.4% |
| Georgia (special) | Democratic | 5.5% |
| Michigan | Republican | 6.0% |
| Nebraska | Republican | 6.3% |
| Maine | Democratic (flip) | 6.4% |
| Idaho | Republican | 6.8% |
| Oregon | Republican | 7.5% |
| Georgia | Democratic | 7.95% |
| Rhode Island | Democratic | 8.0% |
| New Mexico | Republican (flip) | 8.0% |
| North Carolina | Republican (flip) | 8.0% |
| Texas | Republican | 9.1% |

## Alabama

In 1946, John H. Bankhead II suffered a stroke during a U.S. Senate hearing and died three weeks later. John Sparkman, who had served as U.S. Representative since 1937 and was House Majority Whip, secured the endorsements of party leaders and ran unopposed to win the remainder of Bankhead's term. Sparkman was then re-elected in 1948, 1954, 1960, and 1966 all by wide margins. At the time, the Democratic Party was dominant in Alabama; winning the Democratic primary virtually guaranteed a general election victory. Until 1966, Sparkman never faced an opponent in the general election who garnered more than 30% of the vote. Sparkman also served as the running mate of Adlai Stevenson II in an unsuccessful 1952 presidential campaign.
However, in 1966, the Democratic Party began to feel the backlash of Civil rights legislation in the South, and Sparkman faced his closest political contest to date. He defeated John Grenier with just 60% of the vote. Richard Nixon's election in 1968 also helped Republicans gain recognition in Alabama. In 1972, Sparkman faced Winton M. Blount, who was serving as Postmaster General.
Sparkman ultimately increased his vote share in a lopsided victory over Blount, who won just two counties, Houston county and, fittingly, the phonetically similar Winston county. This would be Sparkman's final term as U.S. senator. He retired in 1979 and was succeeded by Howell Heflin.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Alabama :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John Sparkman (Incumbent) | 654,491 | 62.27 |
| | Republican | Winton M. Blount | 347,523 | 33.06 |
| | National Democratic (Ala.) | John L. LeFlore | 31,421 | 2.99 |
| | Prohibition | Jerome B. Couch | 10,826 | 1.03 |
| | Conservative | Herbert W. Stone | 6,838 | 0.65 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 306,968 | 29.21 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,051,099 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Alaska

Republican Ted Stevens was originally elected to the U.S. Senate in 1970, succeeding Democrat Bob Bartlett. He won election to the remainder of Barlett's term with nearly 60% of the vote.
In 1972, he faced Democrat Gene Guess in the general election. Stevens won re-election in a landslide even as Democrat Mike Gravel served as the state's other senator. On election day, Stevens won re-election to a second term (his first full term) against Guess, 77–23%. Stevens would be re-elected in 1978, 1984, 1990, 1996, and 2002 with at least 66% of the vote before losing re-election in 2008 amid criminal charges.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Alaska :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ted Stevens (Incumbent) | 74,216 | 77.30 |
| | Democratic | Gene Guess | 21,791 | 22.70 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 52,425 | 54.60 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 96,007 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Arkansas

Incumbent Democrat John Little McClellan was re-elected.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Arkansas :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John Little McClellan (Incumbent) | 386,398 | 60.88 |
| | Republican | Wayne H. Babbitt | 248,238 | 39.12 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 138,160 | 21.76 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 634,636 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Colorado

Incumbent Republican Gordon Allott was defeated by Floyd K. Haskell.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Colorado :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Floyd K. Haskell | 457,545 | 49.41 |
| | Republican | Gordon L. Allott (Incumbent) | 447,957 | 48.37 |
| | Raza Unida | Secundion 'Sal' Salazar | 13,228 | 1.43 |
| | American | Henry Olshaw | 7,353 | 0.79 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,588 | 1.04 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 926,083 | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## Delaware

Incumbent Republican J. Caleb Boggs, running for a third term, faced off against future President Joe Biden, then a New Castle County Councilman. Though Boggs was expected to easily win a third term over the then-unknown Biden, it ended up being the closest Senate election in 1972, and Biden narrowly beat out Boggs by a little over three thousand votes, winning what would be his first of seven terms.
Boggs, a longtime Delaware political figure, was considering retirement which would likely have led to a primary campaign between two Republicans, U.S. Representative Pete du Pont and Wilmington Mayor Harry G. Haskell Jr. To avoid the anticipated divisive primary fight, U.S. President Richard M. Nixon helped convince Boggs to run again with full party support.
No other Democrat wanted to run against Boggs besides Biden. Biden's campaign had virtually no money and was given no chance of winning. It was managed by his sister Valerie Biden Owens (who would go on to manage his future campaigns as well) and staffed by other members of his family, and relied upon handed-out newsprint position papers. Biden did receive some assistance from the AFL–CIO and Democratic pollster Patrick Caddell. Biden's campaign issues focused on withdrawal from Vietnam, the environment, civil rights, mass transit, more equitable taxation, health care, the public's dissatisfaction with politics-as-usual, and "change".
During the summer Biden trailed by almost 30 percentage points, but his energetic campaign, his attractive young family, and his ability to connect with voters' emotions gave the surging Biden an advantage over the ready-to-retire Boggs. Biden won the November 7, 1972, election in an upset by a margin of 3,162 votes.
At the time of the election Biden was a little less than 30 years old; age 30 is a constitutional requirement for the U.S. Senate, and he reached that on November 20, in time for the Senate term beginning January 3. After his election he became the sixth-youngest senator in history.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Delaware :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Joe Biden | 116,006 | 50.48 | +9.59% |
| | Republican | J. Caleb Boggs (Incumbent) | 112,844 | 49.10 | −10.02% |
| | American | Henry Majka | 803 | 0.35 | |
| | Prohibition | Herbert B. Wood | 175 | 0.07 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,162 | 1.38 | −16.86% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 229,828 | | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## Georgia

Seven-term Democrat Richard Russell Jr. had served as U.S. senator since 1933, but he died January 21, 1971, while serving as President pro tempore. Russell supported segregation in the South and opposed Civil Rights legislation as was common among Southern Democrats of the time. Governor of Georgia Jimmy Carter appointed Democrat David H. Gambrell, the chair of the Georgia Democratic Party as interim senator, pending a special election.

### Georgia (special)

Sam Nunn, a Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives, won both the special and the regular elections. Nunn beat Gambrell in the August 29 special and regular primary run-off elections despite trailing Gambrell initially 31-23% in the first round of voting.
In the special election to fill the remainder of Russell's term, Nunn faced Republican congressman Fletcher Thompson. Nunn's campaign was noted to be more organized than was Thompson's. Nunn had support from numerous prominent Georgia Democrats, including Gambrell and Carter. Thompson's campaign was "almost literally a one-man effort", and he started the race with almost no footprint outside of his own district. Thompson was endorsed by Barry Goldwater, James L. Buckley, and Spiro Agnew.
On the day of the special election, Nunn defeated Thompson 52-47%. Though Thompson performed well in the Atlanta metro area, Nunn swept most rural counties en route to a victory.
Georgia special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Sam Nunn | 404,890 | 51.98 |
| | Republican | Fletcher Thompson | 362,501 | 46.54 |
| | Independent | Alice Conner | 7,587 | 0.97 |
| | Independent | George E. Schmidt | 3,932 | 0.51 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 42,389 | 7.94 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | 25.69% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### Georgia (regular)

In the general election held later that year, Nunn again defeated Thompson this time by almost 8 percentage points. Nonetheless, this marked a turning point in Georgia electoral politics: Nunn became the first Democrat to win a Senate race in Georgia despite losing the white vote. Nunn also proved to be more moderate than his predecessor Russell, voting in favor of abortion rights, gun control, affirmative action, and environmental regulations.
Nunn would be re-elected in 1978, 1984, and 1990 before retiring in 1997. This was the last time he won less than 79% of the vote in a U.S. Senate election. In 1996, he was succeeded by Democrat Max Cleland.
Georgia regular election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Sam Nunn | 635,970 | 53.96 |
| | Republican | Fletcher Thompson | 542,331 | 46.01 |
| | None | Write-Ins | 407 | 0.03 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 93,639 | 7.94 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,178,708 | 25.69% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Idaho

The incumbent Republican Leonard B. Jordan retired, and was succeeded by James A. McClure.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Idaho :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | James A. McClure | 161,804 | 52.26 |
| | Democratic | William E. Davis | 140,913 | 45.51 |
| | American | Jean L. Stoddard | 6,885 | 2.22 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 20,891 | 6.75 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 309,602 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Illinois

Incumbent Republican Charles H. Percy sought re-election. Percy was opposed by: Democratic nominee Roman Pucinski, a Congressman from Illinois's 11th congressional district, Edward C. Gross (SL) and Arnold Becchetti (C). Percy handily won a second term.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Illinois :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Charles H. Percy (Incumbent) | 2,867,078 | 61.21 | +7.27% |
| | Democratic | Roman Pucinski | 1,721,031 | 37.35 | −6.55% |
| | Socialist Labor | Edward C. Gross | 13,384 | 0.29 | |
| | Communist | Arnold Becchetti | 6,103 | 0.13 | |
| | Write-in | | 784 | 0.02 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,146,047 | 24.87 | +13.82% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,822,724 | | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Iowa

The incumbent Republican Jack Miller was defeated by Dick Clark.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Iowa :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dick Clark | 662,637 | 55.07 |
| | Republican | Jack Miller (Incumbent) | 530,525 | 44.09 |
| | American | William A. Rocap Jr. | 8,954 | 0.74 |
| | By Petition | Fred Richard Benton | 1,203 | 0.10 |
| | None | Scattering | 14 | 0.00 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 132,112 | 10.98 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,203,333 | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## Kansas

The incumbent Republican James B. Pearson was re-elected.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Kansas :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | James B. Pearson (Incumbent) | 622,591 | 71.42 |
| | Democratic | Archibald O. Tetzlaff | 200,764 | 23.03 |
| | Conservative | Gene F. Miller | 35,510 | 4.07 |
| | Prohibition | Howard Hadin | 12,857 | 1.47 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 421,827 | 48.39 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 871,722 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Kentucky

The incumbent Republican John Sherman Cooper retired, and was succeeded by Democrat Walter Dee Huddleston.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Kentucky :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Walter D. Huddleston | 528,550 | 50.93 |
| | Republican | Louie B. Nunn | 494,337 | 47.63 |
| | American | Helen Breeden | 8,707 | 0.84 |
| | Populist | William E. Bartley Jr. | 6,267 | 0.60 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 34,223 | 3.30 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,037,861 | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## Louisiana

In the midst of his campaign for a seventh term, Allen J. Ellender, the President Pro Tempore and chairman of the Appropriations Committee, suffered a fatal heart attack on July 27, 23 days prior to the Democratic primary. Ellender, first elected in 1936 as the permanent successor to the assassinated Huey P. Long, was slated to face former state senator and 1971 gubernatorial candidate J. Bennett Johnston and minor candidate Frank Allen in the primary.
Governor Edwin Washington Edwards, who defeated Johnston by less than 4,500 votes in the 1971 Democratic runoff, nominated his wife, Elaine Edwards, to fill the remainder of Ellender's term, with the agreement Mrs. Edwards would resign immediately following the general election to allow the winner to gain seniority over other new senators.
On the same day as Edwards' inauguration on Capitol Hill, the Louisiana Democratic Party rejected a challenge by former Governor John McKeithen to reopen qualifying following Ellender's death, ordering the primary to be held August 19 as scheduled, ignoring an opinion to the contrary by Louisiana Attorney General William J. Guste Jr. Ellender's name was not removed from the ballot and he received 10 percent of the primary vote as a tribute. McKeithen, whose eight-year gubernatorial tenure ended May 9, 1972, ran as an independent with support of the Ellender family, incensed by Johnston's primary challenge.
Johnston easily won the Democratic primary, nullifying the need for a September 30 runoff. In the general election, the Shreveport native trounced McKeithen by 32 points to win the first of his four terms. He was sworn in on November 13, 1972.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Louisiana :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | J. Bennett Johnston | 598,987 | 55.21 |
| | Independent | John McKeithen | 250,161 | 23.06 |
| | Republican | Ben C. Toledano | 206,846 | 19.07 |
| | American | Hall M. Lyons | 28,910 | 2.66 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 348,826 | 32.15 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,084,904 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Maine

Incumbent Republican Margaret Chase Smith ran for re-election to a fifth term, but was defeated by Democrat William Hathaway, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine's 2nd congressional district.
General election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | William Hathaway | 224,270 | 53.23 |
| | Republican | Margaret Chase Smith (Incumbent) | 197,040 | 46.77 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 27,230 | 6.46 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 421,310 | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## Massachusetts

Incumbent Republican Edward Brooke, first elected in 1966 as the first African-American elected to the Senate by popular vote, defeated his challengers, among them: John J. Droney, the Middlesex County District Attorney.
Democratic Primary :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | John J. Droney | 215,523 | 45.05 |
| Democratic | Gerald O'Leary | 169,876 | 35.51 |
| Democratic | John P. Lynch | 92,979 | 19.43 |
General election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Edward Brooke (Incumbent) | 1,505,932 | 63.53 |
| | Democratic | John J. Droney | 823,278 | 34.73 |
| | Socialist Workers | Donald Gurewitz | 41,369 | 1.75 |
| | None | Scattering | 97 | 0.00 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 682,654 | 28.80 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,370,676 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Michigan

The incumbent Republican Robert P. Griffin was re-elected.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Michigan :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Robert P. Griffin (Incumbent) | 1,781,065 | 52.28 |
| | Democratic | Frank J. Kelley | 1,577,178 | 46.29 |
| | American Independent | Patrick Dillinger | 23,121 | 0.68 |
| | Human Rights | Barbara Halpert | 19,118 | 0.56 |
| | Socialist Workers | Linda Nordquist | 2,389 | 0.07 |
| | Socialist Labor | James Sim | 2,217 | 0.06 |
| | Communist | Thomas D. Dennis Jr. | 1,908 | 0.06 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 203,887 | 5.99 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,406,906 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Minnesota

Incumbent Democrat Walter Mondale, who was originally appointed in 1964 (to fill the vacancy created when Hubert Humphrey was elected to the office of Vice President) and elected to a full term in 1966, defeated Republican challenger Phil Hansen.
Democratic primary election results :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic (DFL) | Walter F. Mondale (Incumbent) | 230,679 | 89.88 |
| Democratic (DFL) | Tom Griffin | 11,266 | 4.39 |
| Democratic (DFL) | Richard "Dick" Leaf | 7,750 | 3.02 |
| Democratic (DFL) | Ralph E. Franklin | 6,946 | 2.71 |
Republican primary election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Phil Hansen | 165,093 | 100.00 |
General election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic (DFL) | Walter F. Mondale (Incumbent) | 981,320 | 56.67 |
| | Republican | Phil Hansen | 742,121 | 42.86 |
| | Industrial Government | Karl H. Heck | 8,192 | 0.47 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 239,199 | 13.81 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,731,633 | |
| | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold | Democratic (DFL) hold |

## Mississippi

The incumbent Democrat James Eastland was re-elected.
General election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | James Eastland (Incumbent) | 375,102 | 58.09 |
| | Republican | Gil Carmichael | 249,779 | 38.68 |
| | Independent | Prentiss Walker | 14,662 | 2.27 |
| | Independent | C. L. McKinley | 6,203 | 0.96 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 126,323 | 19.41 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 645,746 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Montana

Incumbent Democrat Lee Metcalf, who was first elected to the Senate in 1960 and was re-elected in 1966, ran for re-election. After winning the Democratic primary, he moved on to the general election, where he faced Hank Hibbard, a State senator and the Republican nominee. Following a close campaign, Metcalf managed to narrowly win re-election to his third term in the Senate over Hibbard.
Democratic Party primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Lee Metcalf (Incumbent) | 106,491 | 86.42 |
| | Democratic | Jerome Peters | 16,729 | 13.58 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 123,220 | 100.00 |
Republican Primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Hank Hibbard State senator | 43,028 | 49.70 |
| | Republican | Harold E. Wallace | 26,463 | 30.57 |
| | Republican | Norman C. Wheeler | 13,826 | 15.97 |
| | Republican | Merrill K. Riddick | 3,259 | 3.76 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 86,576 | 100.00 |
1972 U.S. Senate election in Montana :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Lee Metcalf (Incumbent) | 163,609 | 51.95 | −1.22% |
| | Republican | Hank Hibbard | 151,316 | 48.05 | +1.22% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,293 | 3.90 | −2.43% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 314,925 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Nebraska

Incumbent Republican Carl Curtis won re-election over former congressman Terry Carpenter.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Nebraska :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Carl Curtis (Incumbent) | 301,841 | 53.16 | −7.88% |
| | Democratic | Terry Carpenter | 265,922 | 46.84 | +8.09% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 35,919 | 6.33 | −15.97% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 567,763 | | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## New Hampshire

The incumbent Democratic Senator Thomas J. McIntyre was re-elected.
1972 U.S. Senate election in New Hampshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Thomas J. McIntyre (Incumbent) | 184,495 | 56.88 |
| | Republican | Wesley Powell | 139,852 | 43.12 |
| | None | Scattering | 7 | 0.00 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 44,643 | 13.76 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 324,354 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## New Jersey

The incumbent Republican Clifford P. Case was re-elected.
1972 U.S. Senate election in New Jersey :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Clifford P. Case (Incumbent) | 1,743,854 | 62.46 |
| | Democratic | Paul J. Krebs | 963,753 | 34.52 |
| | American | A. Howard Freund | 40,980 | 1.47 |
| | Concerned Voter's Voice | Charles W. Wiley | 33,442 | 1.20 |
| | Socialist Labor | Julius Levin | 10,058 | 0.36 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 780,101 | 27.94 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,792,087 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## New Mexico

The incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Clinton Presba Anderson retired, and was succeeded by Republican Pete Domenici.
1972 U.S. Senate election in New Mexico :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Pete Domenici | 204,253 | 54.03 |
| | Democratic | Jack Daniels | 173,815 | 45.97 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 30,438 | 8.06 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 378,068 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## North Carolina

The incumbent Democratic senator B. Everett Jordan was defeated in the primary by Nick Galifianakis. Galifianakis went on to lose the election to Jesse Helms, making Helms the first Republican Senator from the state in the 20th century.
1972 Democratic Senate primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Nick Galifianakis | 377,993 | 49.25% |
| | Democratic | B. Everett Jordan (incumbent) | 340,391 | 44.35% |
| | Democratic | J. R. Brown | 27,009 | 3.52% |
| | Democratic | Eugene Grace | 22,156 | 2.89% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 767,549 | 100.00% |
1972 Democratic Senate runoff :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Nick Galifianakis | 338,558 | 55.82% | 6.57 |
| | Democratic | B. Everett Jordan (incumbent) | 267,997 | 44.18% | 0.17 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 606,555 | 100.00% | |
1972 Republican Senate primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jesse Helms | 92,496 | 60.13% |
| | Republican | James Johnson | 45,303 | 29.45% |
| | Republican | William Booe | 16,032 | 10.42% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 153,831 | 100.00% |
1972 U.S. Senate election in North Carolina :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jesse Helms | 795,248 | 54.01 |
| | Democratic | Nick Galifianakis | 677,293 | 45.99 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 117,955 | 8.02 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,472,541 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## Oklahoma

The incumbent Democratic Senator Fred R. Harris retired, and was succeeded by Republican Dewey F. Bartlett.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Oklahoma :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dewey F. Bartlett | 516,934 | 51.43 |
| | Democratic | Ed Edmondson | 478,212 | 47.58 |
| | American | William G. Roach | 5,769 | 0.57 |
| | Independent | Joe C. Phillips | 2,264 | 0.23 |
| | Independent | Paul E. Trent | 1,969 | 0.20 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 38,722 | 3.85 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,005,148 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## Oregon

The incumbent Republican Mark Hatfield was re-elected.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Oregon :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mark Hatfield (Incumbent) | 494,671 | 53.72 |
| | Democratic | Wayne Morse | 425,036 | 46.16 |
| | None | Write-Ins | 1,126 | 0.12 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 69,635 | 7.56 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 920,833 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Rhode Island

The incumbent Democratic Senator Claiborne Pell was re-elected.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Rhode Island :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Claiborne Pell (Incumbent) | 221,942 | 53.68 |
| | Republican | John Chafee | 188,990 | 45.71 |
| | Independent | John Quattrocchi | 2,041 | 0.49 |
| | Socialist Workers | Patrick M. DeTemple | 458 | 0.11 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 32,952 | 7.97 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 413,431 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## South Carolina

The incumbent Republican Strom Thurmond was re-elected.
1972 U.S. Senate election in South Carolina :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Strom Thurmond (Incumbent) | 415,806 | 63.29 |
| | Democratic | Eugene N. Zeigler | 241,056 | 36.69 |
| | None | Write-Ins | 172 | 0.03 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 174,750 | 27.60 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 657,034 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## South Dakota

The incumbent Republican Karl E. Mundt retired, and was succeeded by James Abourezk.
1972 U.S. Senate election in South Dakota :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | James Abourezk | 174,773 | 57.04 |
| | Republican | Robert W. Hirsch | 131,613 | 42.96 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 43,160 | 14.08 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 306,386 | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

## Tennessee

One-term Republican Howard Baker was re-elected. He defeated Democrat Ray Blanton.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Tennessee :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Howard Baker (Incumbent) | 716,539 | 61.55 | +5.85% |
| | Democratic | Ray Blanton | 440,599 | 37.85 | +6.46% |
| | Independent | Dan East | 7,026 | 0.60 | n/a |
| | None | Write-Ins | 31 | 0.00 | n/a |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 275,940 | 23.70 | +12.30% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,164,195 | | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Texas

Incumbent Republican John Tower was re-elected.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Texas :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Tower (Incumbent) | 1,822,877 | 53.40 |
| | Democratic | Barefoot Sanders | 1,511,985 | 44.29 |
| | Raza Unida | Flores N. Amaya | 63,543 | 1.86 |
| | Socialist Workers | Tom Leonard | 14,464 | 0.42 |
| | Write-in | Write-Ins | 1,034 | 0.03 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 310,892 | 9.11 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,413,903 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Vermont (special)

The special election was held January 7, 1972. Incumbent Republican Robert Stafford, appointed in September 1971 to fill the vacancy created by the death of Winston L. Prouty, successfully ran for re-election to the remainder of Prouty's term. Stafford defeated Democratic candidate Randolph T. Major. Bernie Sanders, the Liberty Union candidate, was later elected to this seat in 2006, serving as an Independent.
1972 U.S. Senate special election in Vermont :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Robert Stafford (Incumbent) | 45,888 | 64.36 |
| | Democratic | Randolph T. Major | 23,842 | 33.44 |
| | Liberty Union | Bernie Sanders | 1,571 | 2.20 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 22,046 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 71,301 | 30.92 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## Virginia

The incumbent Democratic senator William B. Spong Jr. was defeated by Republican William L. Scott, making Scott the first Republican Senator from the state since John F. Lewis in 1870.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Virginia :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | William L. Scott | 718,337 | 51.45 |
| | Democratic | William B. Spong Jr. (Incumbent) | 643,963 | 46.12 |
| | Independent | Horace E. Henderson | 33,912 | 2.43 |
| | None | Scattering | 56 | 0.00 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 74,374 | 5.33 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,396,268 | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

## West Virginia

The incumbent Democratic Senator Jennings Randolph was re-elected.
1972 U.S. Senate election in West Virginia :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jennings Randolph (Incumbent) | 486,310 | 66.45 |
| | Republican | Louise Leonard | 245,531 | 33.55 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 240,779 | 32.90 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 731,841 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

## Wyoming

Incumbent Republican Clifford Hansen was re-elected.
1972 U.S. Senate election in Wyoming :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Clifford Hansen (Incumbent) | 101,314 | 71.31 |
| | Democratic | Mike Vinch | 40,753 | 28.69 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 60,561 | 42.62 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 142,067 | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |