# 1970 United States Senate election in Missouri

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vte :
The 1970 United States Senate election in Missouri took place on November 3, 1970. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Stuart Symington was re-elected to a fourth term in office over Republican John Danforth (who would eventually succeed the retiring Symington in 1976).

## Democratic primary
### Candidates

* Hershel V. Page
* Stuart Symington, incumbent Senator since 1953
* Lee C. Sutton, former State Representative from Monroe County (1955–61)
* William McKinley Thomas
* Douglas V. White

### Results

1970 Democratic U.S. Senate primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Stuart Symington (incumbent) | 392,670 | 89.28% |
| | Democratic | Douglas V. White | 15,187 | 3.45% |
| | Democratic | William McKinley Thomas | 13,018 | 2.96% |
| | Democratic | Lee Sutton | 11,105 | 2.53% |
| | Democratic | Hershel V. Page | 7,843 | 1.78% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 439,823 | 100.00% |

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* Doris M. Bass, St. Louis City Alderman
* John Danforth, Attorney General of Missouri
* Morris Duncan, perennial candidate

### Results

1970 Republican U.S. Senate primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Danforth | 165,728 | 72.55% |
| | Republican | Doris Bass | 45,049 | 19.72% |
| | Republican | Morris Duncan | 17,670 | 7.74% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 228,447 | 100.00% |

## American Party primary
### Candidates

* Gene Chapman
* Ralph A. DePugh, Jackson County deputy sheriff
* Lawrence "Red" Petty

### Results

1970 American Party U.S. Senate primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | American | Gene Chapman | 684 | 47.11% |
| | American | Lawrence Petty | 400 | 27.55% |
| | American | Ralph A. DePugh | 368 | 25.34% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,452 | 100.00% |

## General election

Considered a safely Democratic state, Symington was seen as an overwhelming favorite, leading in one poll 54% to 28%. His campaign focused on his seniority, criticizing Richard Nixon, and generally ignoring his opponent, even refusing debates. That said, Danforth was seen as a possible contender for an upset. Near the campaigns end, Danforth was seen as closing the gap, providing a real threat to Symington. Symington won the race by just under 3 points.

### Results

General election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Stuart Symington (incumbent) | 654,831 | 51.03% | 15.52 |
| | Republican | John Danforth | 617,903 | 48.15% | 14.70 |
| | American | Gene Chapman | 10,065 | 0.78% | N/A |
| | Independent | Emilio J. DiGirolamo | 513 | 0.04% | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,283,312 | 100.00% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |