33 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate 51 seats needed for a majority
Majority party
Minority party
Leader
Mike Mansfield
Hugh Scott
Party
Democratic
Republican
Leader since
January 3, 1961
September 24, 1969
Leader's seat
Montana
Pennsylvania
Seats before
54
44
Seats after
56
42
Seat change
2
2
Popular vote
17,199,567
19,821,203
Percentage
45.5%
52.4%
Seats up
14
19
Races won
16
17
Third party
Fourth party
Party
Independent
Conservative
Seats before
1
1
Seats after
1[1]
1
Seat change
Seats up
0
0
Races won
0
0
Results of the elections: Democratic gain Republican gain Democratic hold Republican hold No election
Majority Leader before election
Mike Mansfield
Democratic
Elected Majority Leader
Mike Mansfield
Democratic
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–present) and 47th vice president (2009–2017), first won election to the United States Senate, defeating J. Caleb Boggs in the election in Delaware.
^Harry F. Byrd, Jr. (VA), was an Independent who caucused with the Democrats. In some circles, he is called an "Independent Democrat", but his actual registration was listed as "Independent". See, e. g., United States Congress. "Harry Flood Byrd, Jr. (id: B001209)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
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