# 1972 Iowa Senate election

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The 1972 Iowa State Senate elections took place as part of the biennial 1972 United States elections. Iowa voters elected state senators in all of the state senate's 50 districts—the 25 even-numbered seats were up for regularly-scheduled four-year terms and, due to the oddities of redistricting following the 1970 Census, the 25 odd-numbered seats were up for shortened two-year terms. State senators typically serve four-year terms in the Iowa State Senate, with half of the seats traditionally up for election each cycle. The decennial census and redistricting process disrupts one cycle each decade.
The Iowa General Assembly provides statewide maps of each district. To compare the effect of the 1971 redistricting process on the location of each district, contrast the previous map with the map used for the 1972 elections.
The primary election on June 6, 1972 determined which candidates appeared on the November 7, 1972 general election ballot. The Iowa Secretary of State only provides the names of candidates who ran in the 1972 primaries and does not report vote tallies. The primary candidates' names can be obtained here. General election results can be obtained here.
Following the previous election, Republicans had control of the Iowa state Senate, with 38 seats, and Democrats had12 seats. In March 1971, a special election in district 11 resulted in G. William "Bill" Gross flipping a seat in favor of the Democrats. Therefore, on election day in November 1972, Republicans controlled 37 seats and Democrats had 13.
To claim control of the chamber from Republicans, the Democrats needed to net 13 Senate seats.
Republicans maintained control of the Iowa State Senate following the 1972 general election with the balance of power shifting to Republicans holding 28 seats and Democrats having 22 seats (a net gain of 9 seats for the Democrats).

## Summary of Results

* NOTE: The 25 even-numbered districts were up for four-year terms and the 25 odd-numbered districts were up for two-year terms due to the 1971 redistricting process.
* Also note, an asterisk (*) after a Senator's name indicates they were an incumbent re-elected, but to a new district number due to redistricting.
| State Senate District | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party |
| 1st | Lucas DeKoster | Rep | Lucas DeKoster | Republican |
| 2nd | Marvin Wesley Smith | Rep | Irvin L. Bergman | Republican |
| 3rd | Wayne Dalton Keith | Rep | Warren E. Curtis | Republican |
| 4th | Herbert Luther Ollenburg | Rep | Berl Priebe | Democratic |
| 5th | Vernon Kyhl | Rep | Ray Taylor | Republican |
| 6th | George L. Shawver | Rep | Kenneth D. Scott | Democratic |
| 7th | Floyd Arthur Gilley | Rep | Ralph Farnham McCartney | Republican |
| 8th | S. J. Brownlee | Rep | Hilarius Louis Heying | Democratic |
| 9th | Leigh Raymond Curran | Rep | Dale L. Tieden | Republican |
| 10th | Ralph Wilson Potter | Rep | Mike Blouin | Democratic |
| 11th | George William Gross | Dem | Gene Kennedy* | Democratic |
| 12th | Alden J. Erskine | Rep | Clifton C. Lamborn* | Republican |
| 13th | John Wesley Graham | Rep | Tom Riley* | Republican |
| 14th | Arthur Neu | Rep | Cloyd E. Robinson* | Democratic |
| 15th | C. Joseph Coleman | Dem | Ralph Wilson Potter* | Republican |
| 16th | James A. Potgeter | Rep | James V. Gallagher | Democratic |
| 17th | Rudy Van Drie | Rep | Barton L. Schwieger | Republican |
| 18th | John L. Mowry | Rep | Bill Hansen | Republican |
| 19th | Francis Messerly | Rep | Vernon Kyhl* | Republican |
| 20th | Willa Charlene Conklin | Rep | Elizabeth Ruby Miller | Republican |
| 21st | Charles Balloun | Rep | John S. Murray | Republican |
| 22nd | Cloyd E. Robinson | Dem | Jack Nystrom | Republican |
| 23rd | Tom Riley | Rep | C. Joseph Coleman* | Democratic |
| 24th | Clifton C. Lamborn | Rep | William P. Winkelman | Republican |
| 25th | John M. Walsh | Rep | E. Kevin Kelly | Republican |
| 26th | Gene Kennedy | Dem | Leonard C. Andersen | Republican |
| 27th | James Schaben | Dem | James Schaben | Democratic |
| 28th | R. Dean Arbuckle | Rep | Karl Nolin | Democratic |
| 29th | Reinhold O. Carlson | Rep | Norman Rodgers | Democratic |
| 30th | William D. Palmer | Dem | William N. Plymat | Republican |
| 31st | George F. Milligan | Rep | Earl Willits | Democratic |
| 32nd | Lee H. Gaudineer | Dem | William D. Palmer* | Democratic |
| 33rd | John E. Tapscott | Dem | George F. Milligan* | Republican |
| 34th | Eugene Marshall Hill | Dem | George Kinley | Democratic |
| 35th | Minnette Doderer | Dem | Eugene Marshall Hill* | Democratic |
| 36th | William R. Rabedeaux | Rep | Joann Yessler Orr | Democratic |
| 37th | Roger John Shaff | Rep | Minnette Doderer* | Democratic |
| 38th | Edward E. Nicholson | Rep | William R. Rabedeaux* | Republican |
| 39th | Harold A. Thordsen | Rep | Roger John Shaff* | Republican |
| 40th | James W. Griffin | Rep | Elizabeth Orr Shaw | Republican |
| 41st | Earl G. Bass | Rep | Bill Gluba | Democratic |
| 42nd | James E. Briles | Rep | Charles Peter Miller* | Democratic |
| 43rd | John C. Rhodes | Rep | Lowell Junkins | Democratic |
| 44th | Bass Van Gilst | Dem | Forrest Schwengels | Republican |
| 45th | Richard Lytle Stephens | Rep | Gene W. Glenn* | Democratic |
| 46th | Charles Peter Miller | Dem | Bass Van Gilst* | Democratic |
| 47th | Charles O. Laverty | Rep | Richard Ramsey | Republican |
| 48th | Quentin V. Anderson | Rep | James E. Briles* | Republican |
| 49th | Gene W. Glenn | Dem | Calvin Hultman | Republican |
| 50th | Wilson Lloyd Davis | Rep | James W. Griffin* | Republican |
Source:

## Detailed Results

* Reminder: All even-numbered Iowa Senate seats were up for four-year terms and all odd-numbered seats were up for two-year terms in 1972 due to the oddities caused by redistricting.
* Note: The Iowa Secretary of State only lists the names of 1972 primary candidates, instead of actual election results. Only general election vote tallies are provided.

### District 1

Iowa Senate, District 1 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Lucas DeKoster (incumbent) | 17,128 | 70.6 |
| | Democratic | Harry G. Kobes | 7,129 | 29.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,257 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 2

Iowa Senate, District 2 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Irvin L. Bergman | 13,566 | 59.1 |
| | Democratic | H. Kenneth Nurse | 9,405 | 40.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,971 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 3

Iowa Senate, District 3 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Warren E. Curtis | 13,281 | 57.8 |
| | Democratic | Elwood Lund | 9,700 | 42.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,981 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 4

Iowa Senate, District 4 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Berl Priebe | 14,008 | 56.2 |
| | Republican | Wayne D. Keith (incumbent) | 10,939 | 43.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,947 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 5

Iowa Senate, District 5 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ray Taylor | 13,091 | 58.1 |
| | Democratic | Rocky LaValle | 9,445 | 41.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,536 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 6

Iowa Senate, District 6 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Kenneth D. Scott | 13,303 | 52.9 |
| | Republican | Leigh R. Curran (incumbent) | 11,834 | 47.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,137 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 7

Iowa Senate, District 7 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ralph F. McCartney | 14,073 | 59.6 |
| | Democratic | Orley J. Mayfield | 9,531 | 40.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,604 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 8

Iowa Senate, District 8 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | H. L. Heying | 12,363 | 49.9 |
| | Republican | George L. Shawver (incumbent) | 11,995 | 48.5 |
| | Independent | Kenneth V. Fink | 395 | 1.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,753 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 9

Iowa Senate, District 9 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dale L. Tieden | 13,529 | 61.7 |
| | Democratic | George Leonard | 8,393 | 38.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,922 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 10

Iowa Senate, District 10 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Michael T. Blouin | 12,500 | 53.8 |
| | Republican | John M. Walsh (incumbent) | 10,753 | 46.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,253 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 11

Iowa Senate, District 11 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gene V. Kennedy (incumbent) | 11,358 | 53.4 |
| | Republican | Raymond J. Taylor | 9,909 | 46.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,267 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 12

Iowa Senate, District 12 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Clifton C. Lamborn (incumbent) | 13,025 | 61.1 |
| | Democratic | Barbara Marland | 8,278 | 38.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,303 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 13

Iowa Senate, District 13 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tom Riley (incumbent) | 14,334 | 59.5 |
| | Democratic | John M. Ely, Jr. | 9,747 | 40.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,081 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 14

Iowa Senate, District 14 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Cloyd E. Robinson (incumbent) | 11,827 | 54.3 |
| | Republican | Gay Dahn | 9,939 | 45.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,766 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 15

Iowa Senate, District 15 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ralph W. Potter (incumbent) | 13,307 | 58.8 |
| | Democratic | Bernard Beuter | 9,308 | 41.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,615 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 16

Iowa Senate, District 16 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | James Gallagher | 10,827 | 53.4 |
| | Republican | Fred Cherry | 9,437 | 46.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,264 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 17

Iowa Senate, District 17 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Barton L. Schwieger | 13,045 | 57.7 |
| | Democratic | Stephen M. Peterson | 9,570 | 42.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,615 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 18

Iowa Senate, District 18 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Willard R. "Bill" Hansen | 13,419 | 58.0 |
| | Democratic | Charles J. Uban | 9,726 | 42.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,145 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 19

Iowa Senate, District 19 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Vernon H. Kyhl (incumbent) | 15,917 | 69.2 |
| | Democratic | William Hamm | 6,960 | 30.2 |
| | Independent | Robert Lauer | 133 | 0.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,010 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 20

Iowa Senate, District 20 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Elizabeth R. Miller | 13,879 | 61.1 |
| | Democratic | Robert E. Rider | 8,847 | 38.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,726 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 21

Iowa Senate, District 21 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John S. Murray | 13,841 | 52.0 |
| | Democratic | Barbara A. Koerber | 12,787 | 48.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,628 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 22

Iowa Senate, District 22 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John N. "Jack" Nystrom | 13,658 | 59.0 |
| | Democratic | George E. Uthe | 9,510 | 41.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,168 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 23

Iowa Senate, District 23 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | C. Joseph Coleman (incumbent) | 13,587 | 60.1 |
| | Republican | William H. Goodrich | 9,026 | 39.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,613 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 24

Iowa Senate, District 24 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | William P. Winkelman | 10,386 | 62.1 |
| | Democratic | W. E. Conard | 6,328 | 37.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,714 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 25

Iowa Senate, District 25 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | E. Kevin Kelly | 12,487 | 56.3 |
| | Democratic | Vincent S. Burke | 9,711 | 43.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,198 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 26

Iowa Senate, District 26 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Leonard C. Andersen | 10,556 | 50.8 |
| | Democratic | William Gross (incumbent) | 10,207 | 49.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,763 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 27

Iowa Senate, District 27 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | James F. Schaben (incumbent) | 13,724 | 60.3 |
| | Republican | Jewell Waugh | 9,022 | 39.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,746 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 28

Iowa Senate, District 28 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Karl Nolin | 12,248 | 54.4 |
| | Republican | R. Dean Arbuckle (incumbent) | 10,257 | 45.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,505 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 29

Iowa Senate, District 29 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Norman G. Rodgers | 13,718 | 54.9 |
| | Republican | Gene Summerson | 11,281 | 45.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,999 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 30

Iowa Senate, District 30 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | William N. Plymat | 14,616 | 52.4 |
| | Democratic | Charles H. Day | 13,260 | 47.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 27,876 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 31

Iowa Senate, District 31 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Earl M. Willits | 13,577 | 59.3 |
| | Republican | Charles W. Vanderlinden, Jr. | 9,306 | 40.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,883 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 32

Iowa Senate, District 32 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | William D. Palmer (incumbent) | 15,791 | 74.7 |
| | Republican | James E. Blaney | 5,336 | 25.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,127 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 33

Iowa Senate, District 33 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | George F. Milligan (incumbent) | 16,733 | 60.5 |
| | Democratic | Kenneth Larson | 10,912 | 39.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 27,645 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 34

Iowa Senate, District 34 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | George R. Kinley | 14,056 | 68.4 |
| | Republican | Joseph S. Kelly | 6,494 | 31.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,550 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 35

Iowa Senate, District 35 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Eugene M. Hill (incumbent) | 13,011 | 51.6 |
| | Republican | Gerrit Van Roekel | 11,760 | 46.6 |
| | American Independent | Lorin Oxley | 447 | 1.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,218 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 36

Iowa Senate, District 36 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Joan Orr | 12,471 | 54.7 |
| | Republican | Charles F. Balloun (incumbent) | 10,309 | 45.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,780 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 37

Iowa Senate, District 37 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Minnette Doderer (incumbent) | 18,584 | 65.1 |
| | Republican | Marion R. Neely | 9,964 | 34.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,548 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 38

Iowa Senate, District 38 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | W. R. Rabedeaux (incumbent) | 12,111 | 60.0 |
| | Democratic | Eleanor Anstey | 8,089 | 40.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,200 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 39

Iowa Senate, District 39 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Roger J. Shaff (incumbent) | 12,537 | 56.6 |
| | Democratic | Donald R. Arenz | 9,609 | 43.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,146 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 40

Iowa Senate, District 40 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Elizabeth Shaw | 15,517 | 59.2 |
| | Democratic | Bruce Q. Buerkens | 9,953 | 38.0 |
| | Independent | Frank L. Volante | 734 | 2.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,204 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 41

Iowa Senate, District 41 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | William E. "Bill" Gluba | 11,545 | 58.8 |
| | Republican | Harold A. Thordsen (incumbent) | 8,082 | 41.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 19,627 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 42

Iowa Senate, District 42 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Charles P. Miller (incumbent) | 12,046 | 53.6 |
| | Republican | Dean O. Corey | 10,422 | 46.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,468 | 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, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Lowell L. Junkins | 11,467 | 50.1 |
| | Republican | Wilson L. Davis (incumbent) | 11,407 | 49.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,874 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 44

Iowa Senate, District 44 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Forrest V. Schwengels | 14,787 | 62.5 |
| | Democratic | Norbert J. Flanders | 8,885 | 37.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,672 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 45

Iowa Senate, District 45 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gene W. Glenn (incumbent) | 14,956 | 61.9 |
| | Republican | Arthur E. Minor | 8,795 | 36.5 |
| | American Independent | Eric Bremen | 393 | 1.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,144 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 46

Iowa Senate, District 46 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bass Van Gilst (incumbent) | 13,162 | 54.0 |
| | Republican | John C. Rhodes (incumbent) | 11,230 | 46.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,392 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 47

Iowa Senate, District 47 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | James B. Turner | 13,177 | 52.3 |
| | Democratic | Arlo Hullinger | 12,000 | 47.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,177 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |
* James Turner died and this necessitated a special election.
Iowa Senate, District 47 Special Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard Ramsey | 4,016 | 50.2 |
| | Democratic | Arlo Hullinger | 3,989 | 49.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,005 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 48

Iowa Senate, District 48 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | James E. Briles (incumbent) | 16,905 | 69.5 |
| | Democratic | Varel Dodge | 7,404 | 30.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,309 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 49

Iowa Senate, District 49 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Calvin O. Hultman | 15,797 | 74.1 |
| | Democratic | Jennie Lee Bonnichsen | 5,523 | 25.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,320 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 50

Iowa Senate, District 50 General Election, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jim Griffin (incumbent) | 10,171 | 61.2 |
| | Democratic | John P. Ryan | 6,453 | 38.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,624 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |
* ↑ Democrat George William "Bill" Gross won a special election in March 1971 to fill a vacancy in District 11 that had been held by Republican Charles K. Sullivan.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 26 to 11.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 24 to 12.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 23 to 13.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 22 to 14.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 10 to 15.
* ↑ Messerly was redistricted to district 18, but lost the 18th district Republican primary to Bill Hansen.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 5 to 19.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 15 to 23.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 30 to 32.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 31 to 33.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 34 to 35.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 35 to 37.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 36 to 38.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 37 to 39.
* ↑ Bass was redistricted to district 49, but lost the 49th district Republican primary to Calvin Hultman.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 46 to 42.
* ↑ Stephens was redistricted to district 44, but lost the 44th district Republican primary to Forrest Schwengels.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 49 to 45.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 44 to 46.
* ↑ Republican James B. Turner was deceased and won the November general election in district 47. In a December special election, Richard Ramsey won to hold the seat for the Republican Party.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 42 to 48.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 40 to 50.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 3 to 4.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 9 to 6.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 6 to 8.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 25 to 10.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 11 to 26.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 21 to 36.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 39 to 41.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 50 to 43.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 43 to 46.