1978 United States Senate election in Tennessee

The 1978 United States Senate election in Tennessee took place on November 7, 1978, to select the U.S. Senator from the state of Tennessee. Two-term popular incumbent Republican U.S. Senator, Howard Baker, who had served as United States Senate Minority Leader since 1977, ran for re-election against first-time candidate and Democratic Party activist Jane Eskind. Baker won re-election in the general election.

1978 United States Senate election in Tennessee

November 7, 1978
 
Nominee Howard Baker Jane Eskind
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 642,644 466,228
Percentage 55.5% 40.3%

County results
Baker:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Eskind:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Howard Baker
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Howard Baker
Republican

Democratic Primary

Candidates:

In the primary, held on August 3, Eskind won in an open primary against eight other candidates:[1]

  • Eskind – 196,156 (34.52%)
  • Bruce – 170,795 (30.06%)
  • Lee – 89,939 (15.83%)
  • Boyd – 48,458 (8.53%)
  • Bradley – 22,130 (3.90%)
  • Heinsohn – 17,787 (3.13%)
  • Foster – 10,671 (1.88%)
  • Nyabongo – 7,682 (1.35%)
  • Vick – 4,414 (0.78%)
  • Write-in – 147 (0.03%)

Republican Primary

Candidates:

In the primary, held on August 3, Baker easily emerged as the winner:[2]

  • Baker – 205,680 (83.44%)
  • Howard – 21,154 (8.58%)
  • Boles – 8,899 (3.61%)
  • Patty – 3,941 (1.60%)
  • Seiler – 3,831 (1.55%)
  • Trapp – 2,994 (1.22%)

General election

Baker won with a 15-point margin in the general election, held on November 7:

General election results[3][4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Howard Baker (incumbent) 642,644 55.54%
Democratic Jane Eskind 466,228 40.30%
Independent Thomas J. Anderson 45,908 3.97%
Independent Fern L. Keasler 2,243 0.19%
Republican hold

See also

References

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