1990 United States Senate elections

1990 United States Senate elections

← 1988 November 6, 1990 1992 →

35 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate
51 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader George Mitchell Bob Dole
Party Democratic Republican
Leader since January 3, 1989 January 3, 1985
Leader's seat Maine Kansas
Seats before 55 45
Seats after 56 44
Seat change Increase 1 Decrease 1
Popular vote 17,907,544[a] 16,494,624[a]
Percentage 51.1% 47.1%
Seats up 17 18
Races won 18 17

1990 United States Senate election in Indiana1990 United States Senate election in Hawaii1990 United States Senate election in Alabama1990 United States Senate election in Alaska1990 United States Senate election in Arkansas1990 United States Senate election in Colorado1990 United States Senate election in Delaware1990 United States Senate election in Georgia1990 United States Senate election in Idaho1990 United States Senate election in Illinois1990 United States Senate election in Iowa1990 United States Senate election in Kansas1990 United States Senate election in Kentucky1990 United States Senate election in Louisiana1990 United States Senate election in Maine1990 United States Senate election in Massachusetts1990 United States Senate election in Michigan1990 United States Senate election in Minnesota1990 United States Senate election in Mississippi1990 United States Senate election in Montana1990 United States Senate election in Nebraska1990 United States Senate election in New Hampshire1990 United States Senate election in New Jersey1990 United States Senate election in New Mexico1990 United States Senate election in North Carolina1990 United States Senate election in Oklahoma1990 United States Senate election in Oregon1990 United States Senate election in Rhode Island1990 United States Senate election in South Carolina1990 United States Senate election in South Dakota1990 United States Senate election in Tennessee1990 United States Senate election in Texas1990 United States Senate election in Virginia1990 United States Senate election in West Virginia1990 United States Senate election in Wyoming
Results of the elections:
     Democratic gain      Democratic hold
     Republican hold
     No election

Majority Leader before election

George Mitchell
Democratic

Elected Majority Leader

George Mitchell
Democratic

The 1990 United States Senate elections were held on Tuesday, November 6, 1990, with the 33 seats of Class 2 contested in regular elections. Special elections were also held to fill vacancies. The Democratic Party increased its majority with a net gain of one seat from the Republican Party. The election cycle took place in the middle of President George H. W. Bush's term, and, as with most other midterm elections, the party not holding the presidency gained seats in Congress. This was the last election cycle until 2022 where only one U.S. Senate seat flipped parties.

These elections, along with 2022, featured the smallest seat change in history since the passage of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913 with only one seat changing parties. That election featured Democrat Paul Wellstone defeating incumbent Republican Rudy Boschwitz in Minnesota. To date, this is the last cycle in which Democratic candidates won U.S. Senate elections in Oklahoma and Tennessee.

Results summary

56 44
Democratic Republican
Parties Total
Democratic Republican Libertarian Independent Other
Last elections (1988)
Before these elections
55 45 0 0 0 100
Not up 38 27 65
Up 17 18 35
Class 2 (1984→1990) 16 17 33
Special: Class 1 1 1
Special: Class 3 1 1
Incumbent retired 0 3 3
Held by same party 0 3 3
Replaced by other party 0 0 0
Result 0 3 3
Incumbent ran 17 15 32
Won election 17 14 31
Lost re-election Decrease1 Republican replaced by Increase1 Democrat 1
Lost renomination,
but held by same party
0 0 0
Result 18 14 32
Total elected 18 17 35
Net gain/loss Increase1 Decrease1 Steady Steady Steady 1
Nationwide vote[a] 17,907,544 16,494,624 142,003 222,534 260,665 35,027,370
Share 51.12% 47.09% 0.41% 0.64% 0.74% 100%
Result 56 44 0 0 0 100

Source: Clerk of the United States House of Representatives[1]

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

Three Republicans retired instead of seeking re-election.

State Senator Replaced by
Colorado William L. Armstrong Hank Brown
Idaho James A. McClure Larry Craig
New Hampshire Gordon J. Humphrey Bob Smith

Defeats

One Republican sought re-election but lost in the general election.

State Senator Replaced by
Minnesota Rudy Boschwitz Paul Wellstone

Post-election changes

State Senator Replaced by
California
(Class 1)
Pete Wilson John Seymour
Pennsylvania
(Class 1)
John Heinz Harris Wofford
North Dakota
(Class 1)
Quentin Burdick Jocelyn Burdick

Change in composition

Before the elections

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40
Ark.
Ran
D39
Ala.
Ran
D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31
D41
Del.
Ran
D42
Ga.
Ran
D43
Hawaii (sp)
Ran
D44
Ill.
Ran
D45
Iowa
Ran
D46
La.
Ran
D47
Mass.
Ran
D48
Mich.
Ran
D49
Mont.
Ran
D50
Neb.
Ran
Majority → D51
N.J.
Ran
R41
S.C.
Ran
R42
S.D.
Ran
R43
Texas
Ran
R44
Va.
Ran
R45
Wyo.
Ran
D55
W.Va.
Ran
D54
Tenn.
Ran
D53
R.I.
Ran
D52
Okla.
Ran
R40
Ore.
Ran
R39
N.C.
Ran
R38
N.M.
Ran
R37
N.H.
Retired
R36
Miss.
Ran
R35
Minn.
Ran
R34
Me.
Ran
R33
Ky.
Ran
R32
Kan.
Ran
R31
Ind. (sp)
Ran
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28
Alaska
Ran
R29
Colo.
Retired
R30
Idaho
Retired
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10

Result of the elections

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40
Ark.
Re-elected
D39
Ala.
Re-elected
D38 D37 D36 D35 D34 D33 D32 D31
D41
Del.
Re-elected
D42
Ga.
Re-elected
D43
Hawaii (sp)
Elected[b]
D44
Ill.
Re-elected
D45
Iowa
Re-elected
D46
La.
Re-elected
D47
Mass.
Re-elected
D48
Mich.
Re-elected
D49
Mont.
Re-elected
D50
Neb.
Re-elected
Majority → D51
N.J.
Re-elected
R41
S.D.
Re-elected
R42
Texas
Re-elected
R43
Va.
Re-elected
R44
Wyo.
Re-elected
D56
Minn.
Gain
D55
W.Va.
Re-elected
D54
Tenn.
Re-elected
D53
R.I.
Re-elected
D52
Okla.
Re-elected
R40
S.C.
Re-elected
R39
Ore.
Re-elected
R38
N.C.
Re-elected
R37
N.M.
Re-elected
R36
N.H.
Hold
R35
Miss.
Re-elected
R34
Me.
Re-elected
R33
Ky.
Re-elected
R32
Kan.
Re-elected
R31
Ind. (sp)
Elected[b]
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28
Alaska
Re-elected
R29
Colo.
Hold
R30
Idaho
Hold
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10
Key
D# Democratic
R# Republican

Complete list of races

Special elections

In these special elections, the winners were elected in 1990.

Elections are sorted by date, then state and class.

State
(linked to
summaries below)
Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Hawaii
(Class 1)
Daniel Akaka Democratic 1990 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected November 6, 1990.
  • Green tickY Daniel Akaka (Democratic) 54.0%
  • Pat Saiki (Republican) 44.6%
  • Ken Schoolland (Libertarian) 1.4%
Indiana
(Class 3)
Dan Coats Republican 1989 (Appointed) Interim appointee elected November 6, 1990.

Elections leading to the next Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1991; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 2 seats.

State
(linked to
summaries below)
Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Alabama Howell Heflin Democratic 1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
Alaska Ted Stevens Republican 1968 (Appointed)
1970
1972
1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Ted Stevens (Republican) 67.2%
  • Michael Beasley (Democratic) 32.8%
Arkansas David Pryor Democratic 1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
Colorado William L. Armstrong Republican 1978
1984
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Delaware Joe Biden Democratic 1972
1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
Georgia Sam Nunn Democratic 1972 (special)
1972
1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
Idaho James A. McClure Republican 1972
1978
1984
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Illinois Paul Simon Democratic 1984 Incumbent re-elected.
Iowa Tom Harkin Democratic 1984 Incumbent re-elected.
Kansas Nancy Kassebaum Republican 1978
1978 (Appointed)
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Nancy Kassebaum (Republican) 73.6%
  • Dick Williams (Democratic) 26.4%
Kentucky Mitch McConnell Republican 1984 Incumbent re-elected.
Louisiana J. Bennett Johnston Democratic 1972 (Appointed)
1972
1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
Maine William Cohen Republican 1972
1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts John Kerry Democratic 1984 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan Carl Levin Democratic 1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
Minnesota Rudy Boschwitz Republican 1978
1978 (Appointed)
1984
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
DFL gain.
Mississippi Thad Cochran Republican 1978
1978 (Appointed)
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
Montana Max Baucus Democratic 1978
1978 (Appointed)
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
Nebraska J. James Exon Democratic 1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
New Hampshire Gordon J. Humphrey Republican 1978
1984
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Incumbent resigned December 4, 1990 to take the seat in New Hampshire Senate.
Winner appointed December 7, 1990.
New Jersey Bill Bradley Democratic 1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Bill Bradley (Democratic) 50.4%
  • Christine Todd Whitman (Republican) 47.4%
  • John L. Kucek (Populist) 1.0%
  • Louis M. Stefanelli (Libertarian) 0.7%
  • Don Mackle (Socialist Workers) 0.4%
New Mexico Pete Domenici Republican 1972
1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Pete Domenici (Republican) 72.9%
  • Tom R. Benavides (Democratic) 27.1%
North Carolina Jesse Helms Republican 1972
1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
Oklahoma David Boren Democratic 1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
Oregon Mark Hatfield Republican 1966
1972
1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
Rhode Island Claiborne Pell Democratic 1960
1966
1972
1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
South Carolina Strom Thurmond Republican 1954 (write-in)[c]
1954 (Appointed)
1956 (Resigned)
1956 (special)
1960
1966
1972
1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Strom Thurmond (Republican) 64.2%
  • Bob Cunningham (Democratic) 32.5%
  • William H. Griffin (Libertarian) 1.8%
  • Marion C. Metts (American) 1.4%
South Dakota Larry Pressler Republican 1978
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Larry Pressler (Republican) 52.4%
  • Ted Muenster (Democratic) 45.1%
  • Dean L. Sinclair (Independent) 2.5%
Tennessee Al Gore Democratic 1984 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Al Gore (Democratic) 67.7%
  • William R. Hawkins (Republican) 29.8%
  • Bill Jacox (Independent) 1.4%
  • Charles Gordon Vick (Independent) 1.0%
Texas Phil Gramm Republican 1984 Incumbent re-elected.
Virginia John Warner Republican 1978
1979 (Appointed)
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY John Warner (Republican) 80.9%
  • Nancy B. Spannaus (Independent) 18.2%
West Virginia Jay Rockefeller Democratic 1984 Incumbent re-elected.
Wyoming Alan Simpson Republican 1978
1979 (Appointed)
1984
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Alan Simpson (Republican) 66.4%
  • Kathy Helling (Democratic) 33.6%

Closest races

In eight races the margin of victory was under 10%.

State Party of winner Margin
Minnesota Democratic (flip) 2.63%
New Jersey Democratic 3.04%
Kentucky Republican 4.38%
North Carolina Republican 5.19%
South Dakota Republican 7.32%
Oregon Republican 7.49%
Iowa Democratic 9.05%
Hawaii (special) Democratic 9.37%

Michigan was the tipping point state with a margin of 16.3%.

Alabama

Alabama election

← 1984 November 6, 1990 1996 →
 
Nominee Howell Heflin Bill Cabaniss
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 717,814 467,190
Percentage 60.6% 39.4%

County results
Heflin:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Cabaniss:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Howell Heflin
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Howell Heflin
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Howell Heflin won re-election to a third term over Republican Bill Cabaniss, State Senator and former State Representative. This is the last time the Democrats have won the Class 2 Senate Seat from Alabama until Doug Jones won the seat in 2017.

General election results[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Howell Heflin (Incumbent) 717,814 60.67% -2.00%
Republican William J. Cabaniss 467,190 39.43% +3.00%
Total votes 1,184,954 100.00%
Majority 250,624 21.24%
Democratic hold Swing

Alaska

Alaska election

 
Nominee Ted Stevens Michael Beasley
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 125,806 61,152
Percentage 66.23% 32.19%

Results by state house district
Stevens:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Ted Stevens
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Ted Stevens
Republican

Incumbent Republican United States Senator Ted Stevens sought re-election to a fifth term in the United States Senate, which he won easily, besting his opponents in a landslide.

Open primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ted Stevens (Incumbent) 81,968 59.19%
Republican John Havelock 34,824 25.15%
Democratic Michael Beasley 12,371 8.93%
Democratic Tom Taggart 9,329 6.74%
Total votes 138,492 100.00%
1990 United States Senate election in Alaska[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ted Stevens (Incumbent) 125,806 66.23% -4.94%
Democratic Michael Beasley 61,152 32.19% +3.71%
Write-ins 2,999 1.58%
Majority 64,654 34.04% -8.65%
Turnout 189,957
Republican hold Swing

Arkansas

Arkansas election

 
Nominee David Pryor
Party Democratic
Popular vote 493,910
Percentage 99.83%

County results
Pryor:      100%
No data/No votes:      

re-election before election

David Pryor
Democratic

Elected re-election

David Pryor
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat David Pryor won re-election uncontested.[4]

1990 Arkansas United States Senate election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Pryor (Incumbent) 493,910 99.83%
Independent Betty White (write-in) 825 0.17%
Majority 493,085 99.67%
Turnout 494,735
Democratic hold

Colorado

Colorado election

← 1984 November 6, 1990 1996 →
 
Nominee Hank Brown Josie Heath
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 569,048 425,746
Percentage 55.7% 41.7%

County results
Brown:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Heath:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

William L. Armstrong
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Hank Brown
Republican

Incumbent Republican senator William L. Armstrong did not seek re-election to another term. Republican congressman Hank Brown won the open seat, defeating Democratic nominee Josie Heath, former Boulder County Commissioner[5]

General election results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Hank Brown 569,048 55.68%
Democratic Josie Heath 425,746 41.66%
Concerns of People John Heckman 15,432 1.51%
Colorado Prohibition Earl F. Dodge 11,801 1.15%
Write-In Others 32 0.00%
Majority 143,302 14.02%
Turnout 1,022,059
Republican hold

Delaware

Delaware election

 
Nominee Joe Biden M. Jane Brady
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 112,918 64,554
Percentage 62.68% 35.83%

County results
Biden:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Joe Biden
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Joe Biden
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Joe Biden won re-election to a fourth term, defeating Republican challenger M. Jane Brady, Deputy Attorney General of Delaware.

General election results[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Joe Biden (Incumbent) 112,918 62.68% +2.57%
Republican M. Jane Brady 64,554 35.83% -4.06%
Libertarian Lee Rosenbaum 2,680 1.49%
Write-ins 5 0.00%
Majority 48,364 26.85% +6.62%
Turnout 180,157
Democratic hold Swing

Georgia

Georgia election

 
Nominee Sam Nunn
Party Democratic
Popular vote 1,033,439
Percentage 100.0%

County results
Nunn:      100%

U.S. senator before election

Sam Nunn
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Sam Nunn
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Sam Nunn won re-election to a fourth term uncontested.[4]

General election results, 1990
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Sam Nunn (Incumbent) 1,033,439 100.00% +20.06%
Majority 1,033,439 100.00% +40.12%
Turnout 1,033,439
Democratic hold Swing

Hawaii (special)

Hawaii special election

 
Nominee Daniel Akaka Pat Saiki
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 188,901 155,978
Percentage 53.7% 44.3%

County results
Akaka:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Daniel Akaka
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Daniel Akaka
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Daniel Akaka was elected to finish the term ending in 1995 over Republican U.S. Representative Pat Saiki. Akaka had been appointed by Governor John Waihee in April 1990 to serve temporarily after the death of Spark Matsunaga.[7]

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Daniel Akaka (incumbent) 188,901 53.72%
Republican Pat Saiki 155,978 44.35%
Libertarian Ken Schoolland 6,788 1.93%
Majority 32,923 9.36%
Turnout 351,666
Democratic hold

Idaho

Idaho election

 
Nominee Larry Craig Ron Twilegar
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 193,641 122,295
Percentage 61.29% 38.71%

County results
Craig:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Twilegar:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Jim McClure
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Larry Craig
Republican

Republican Rep. Larry Craig defeated Democratic former state legislator Ron Twilegar for the seat of U.S. Senator Jim McClure, who did not seek re-election.

General election results[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Larry Craig 65,830 59.01%
Republican Jim Jones 45,733 40.99%
General election results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ron Twilegar 30,154 64.51%
Democratic David C. Steed 16,587 35.49%
General election results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Larry Craig 193,641 61.29%
Democratic Ron Twilegar 122,295 38.71%
Total votes 315,936 100.00%
Majority 71,346 22.58%
Republican hold

Illinois

Illinois election

 
Nominee Paul Simon Lynn Morley Martin
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,115,377 1,135,628
Percentage 65.07% 34.93%

County results
Simon:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Martin:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Paul Simon
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Paul Simon
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Paul Simon sought re-election to the United States Senate. Simon was opposed by Republican nominee Lynn Morley Martin, a United States Congresswoman from Illinois's 16th congressional district, whom he easily defeated to win a second and final term in the Senate.

1990 United States Senate election in Illinois[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Paul Simon (Incumbent) 2,115,377 65.07% +15.00%
Republican Lynn Morley Martin 1,135,628 34.93% -13.28%
Majority 979,749 30.14% +28.28%
Turnout 3,251,005
Democratic hold Swing

Indiana (special)

Indiana special election

 
Nominee Dan Coats Baron Hill
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 806,048 696,639
Percentage 53.6% 46.4%

County results
Coats:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Hill:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Dan Coats
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Dan Coats
Republican

Incumbent Republican Dan Coats, who was recently appointed to this seat two years prior, won election to serve out the remainder of the term, beating Democratic State Representative Baron Hill.

During the 1988 presidential election, Republican nominee Vice President George H. W. Bush selected U.S. Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana as his vice presidential nominee. The Bush-Quayle ticket defeated the Dukakis-Bentsen ticket in the general election by a 53%-46% margin, capturing 40 states and 426 electoral votes.

In preparation for the pending vacancy, Governor Robert D. Orr appointed four-term U.S. Representative Dan Coats to fill Quayle's seat on December 12, 1988. Coats was a former aide to Quayle, whom he had succeeded as U.S. Representative for Indiana's 4th congressional district in 1981. Quayle eventually resigned his Senate seat on January 3, 1989, and Coats was immediately sworn into office.

Coats used television commercials that raised questions about Hill's consistency in opposing new taxes, and Hill gained notoriety for walking the length of the state to meet voters.

General election results[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dan Coats (Incumbent) 806,048 53.6% -6.93%
Democratic Baron Hill 696,639 46.4% +7.85%
Majority 109,409 7.28%
Turnout 1,502,687
Republican hold Swing

Iowa

Iowa election

← 1984 November 5, 1990 1996 →
 
Nominee Tom Harkin Tom Tauke
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 535,975 446,869
Percentage 54.5% 45.4%

County results
Harkin:      50–60%      60–70%
Tauke:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Tom Harkin
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Tom Harkin
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Tom Harkin sought re-election to a second term in the United States Senate. Harkin was opposed by Republican United States Congressman Tom Tauke, from Iowa's 2nd congressional district, and both Harkin and Tauke won their primaries uncontested. Though Harkin performed slightly worse than he had six years earlier, he was successful in his re-election bid and defeated Tauke.

Democratic primary results[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Harkin (Incumbent) 162,661 99.47%
Democratic Write-ins 867 0.53%
Total votes 163,528 100.00%
Republican primary results[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Tauke 91,798 99.81%
Republican Write-ins 172 0.19%
Total votes 91,970 100.00%
1990 United States Senate election in Iowa[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Tom Harkin (Incumbent) 535,975 54.47% -0.98%
Republican Tom Tauke 446,869 45.42% +1.76%
Write-ins 1,089 0.11%
Majority 89,106 9.06% -2.74%
Turnout 983,933
Democratic hold Swing

Kansas

Kansas election

← 1984 November 6, 1990 1996 →
 
Nominee Nancy Kassebaum Dick Williams
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 578,605 207,491
Percentage 73.6% 26.4%

County results
Kassebaum:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Nancy Kassebaum
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Nancy Kassebaum
Republican

Incumbent Republican Nancy Kassebaum won re-election to her third full term, over Democrat Dick Williams, an educator at Wichita State University[12]

General election results[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Nancy Kassebaum (Incumbent) 578,605 73.6%
Democratic Dick Williams 207,491 26.4%
Total votes 786,096 100.00%
Majority 371,114 47.2%
Republican hold

Kentucky

Kentucky election

 
Nominee Mitch McConnell Harvey Sloane
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 478,034 437,976
Percentage 52.2% 47.8%

County results
McConnell:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Sloane:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Mitch McConnell
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Mitch McConnell
Republican

Incumbent Republican Mitch McConnell won re-election to a second term over Democrat Harvey Sloane, former Mayor of Louisville

Democratic primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harvey I. Sloane 183,789 59.27%
Democratic John Brock 126,318 40.73%
Total votes 310,107 100.00%
Republican primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mitch McConnell (Incumbent) 64,063 88.52%
Republican Tommy Klein 8,310 11.48%
Total votes 72,373 100.00%
General election results[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mitch McConnell (Incumbent) 478,034 52.19% +2.28%
Democratic Harvey I. Sloane 437,976 47.81% -1.68%
Majority 40,058 4.37% +3.97%
Turnout 916,010
Republican hold Swing

Louisiana

Louisiana election

← 1984 November 6, 1990 1996 →
 
Nominee J. Bennett Johnston David Duke
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 753,198 607,051
Percentage 53.95% 43.48%

Parish results
Johnston:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Duke:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

J. Bennett Johnston
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

J. Bennett Johnston
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat J. Bennett Johnston Jr. won re-election to a fourth term and avoided a runoff, beating Republican David Duke, State Representative and former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.

This election was viewed at the onset as potentially competitive, as Senator Johnston was viewed as vulnerable in light of Louisiana's economic troubles at the time and Senator Johnston's voting record viewed by Republicans as too liberal. The Republican Party leadership endorsed the candidacy of State Senator Ben Bagert, who was picked over Secretary of State Fox McKeithen, State Representative Quentin Dastugue and State Representative David Duke.[15] David Duke, however, continued his candidacy and slowly overtook Bagert in attention and in the polls. Duke attracted national attention to the race with his involvement with white supremacist groups and his appeals to white resentment over affirmative-action programs. With Bagert failing to gain traction, the National Republican Senatorial Committee tried to recruit former Governor David Treen to jump into the race. When Treen passed, the effort turned from supporting Bagert to stopping Duke.[16]

As the election drew near, polls showed Johnston firmly in first place, with Duke in second place and Bagert trailing far behind at third. National Republicans grew fearful that Bagert's candidacy would only serve to force a runoff and that a potential runoff election with Duke being the de facto Republican nominee would hurt the national brand. On October 4, eight Republican Senators endorsed Johnston, with Senator John Danforth saying at the press conference that "all of us would be embarrassed and mortified to have to serve in the United States Senate with David Duke masquerading as a Republican." Bagert dropped out of the race the next day, announcing that "it became more and more apparent, that instead of forcing a runoff between myself and Bennett Johnston, I might very well be forcing a runoff between somebody else and Bennett Johnston." He announced he would "reluctantly" vote for Johnston.[17] Bagert's name remained on the ballot, but under state law his votes could not be counted as part of the official tally.[18] After Bagert dropped out, HUD Secretary Jack Kemp endorsed Johnston, saying "there's no place in the Republican Party for someone who has practiced and practices racism, bigotry and anti-Semitism."[19]

United States Senate Election, 1990[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. Bennett Johnston Jr. (Incumbent) 753,198 53.95%
Republican David Duke 607,091 43.48%
Democratic Nick Joseph Accardo 21,578 1.55%
Democratic Larry Crowe 14,345 1.03%
Majority 146,107 10.47%
Total votes 1,396,212 100.00%
Democratic hold

Maine

Maine election

← 1984 November 6, 1990 1996 →
 
Nominee William Cohen Neil Rolde
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 319,167 201,053
Percentage 61.3% 38.6%

County results
Cohen:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

William Cohen
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

William Cohen
Republican

Incumbent Republican William Cohen won re-election to a third term over Democratic State Representative Neil Rolde.

General election results[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Cohen (Incumbent) 319,167 61.3%
Democratic Neil Rolde 201,053 38.6%
Total votes 520,220 100.00%
Majority 118,114 22.7%
Republican hold

Massachusetts

Massachusetts election

 
Nominee John Kerry Jim Rappaport
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,321,712 992,917
Percentage 54.5% 41.0%


U.S. senator before election

John Kerry
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

John Kerry
Democratic

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator John Kerry was re-elected to his second term over Republican real estate developer Jim Rappaport.

Massachusetts United States Senate Republican primary, 1990[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Rappaport 265,093 66.12%
Republican Daniel W. Daly 135,647 33.38%
All others 202 0.05%
General election results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Kerry (Incumbent) 1,321,712 54.51%
Republican Jim Rappaport 992,917 40.95%
Independent David Pover 109,950 4.54%
Turnout 2,424,579 100.00%
Majority 328,795 13.56%
Democratic hold

Michigan

Michigan election

 
Nominee Carl Levin Bill Schuette
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,471,753 1,055,695
Percentage 57.5% 41.2%

County results
Levin:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Schuette:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Carl Levin
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Carl Levin
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Carl Levin won re-election to a third term, beating Republican U.S. Representative Bill Schuette.

General election results[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carl Levin (Incumbent) 1,471,753 57.4%
Republican Bill Schuette 1,055,695 41.2%
Workers World Susan Farquhar 32,796 1.3%
Total votes 2,560,244 100.00%
Majority 416,058 16.2%
Democratic hold

Minnesota

Minnesota election

← 1984 November 6, 1990 1996 →
 
Nominee Paul Wellstone Rudy Boschwitz
Party Democratic (DFL) Ind.-Republican
Popular vote 911,999 864,375
Percentage 50.5% 47.9%

County results
Wellstone:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Boschwitz:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Rudy Boschwitz
Ind.-Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Paul Wellstone
Democratic (DFL)

Incumbent Republican Rudy Boschwitz was defeated by Democratic challenger Paul Wellstone in a tight race. Widely considered an underdog and outspent by a 7-to-1 margin, Wellstone, a professor at Carleton College and nominee for Minnesota State Auditor in 1982 was the only candidate to defeat an incumbent senator in the 1990 election cycle and gained national attention after his upset victory.

General election results[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Paul Wellstone 911,999 50.49%
Ind.-Republican Rudy Boschwitz (Incumbent) 864,375 47.86%
Grassroots Russell B. Bentley[25] 29,820 1.65%
Total votes 1,806,194 100.00%
Majority 47,624 2.63%
Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican

Mississippi

Mississippi election

 
Nominee Thad Cochran
Party Republican
Popular vote 274,244
Percentage 100.0%

County results
Cochran:      >90%
No vote:      

U.S. senator before election

Thad Cochran
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Thad Cochran
Republican

Incumbent Republican Thad Cochran won re-election to a third term.[4]

1990 Mississippi United States Senate election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Thad Cochran (Incumbent) 274,244 100.00%
Majority 274,244 100.00%
Turnout 274,244
Republican hold

Montana

Montana election

 
Nominee Max Baucus Allen Kolstad
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 217,563 93,836
Percentage 68.13% 29.38%

County results
Baucus:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Kostad:      40–50%

U.S. senator before election

Max Baucus
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Max Baucus
Democratic

Incumbent United States Senator Max Baucus, who was first elected in 1978 and was re-elected in 1984, ran for re-election. After winning the Democratic primary, he moved on to the general election, where he was opposed by Allen Kolstad, the Lieutenant Governor of Montana and the Republican nominee. Baucus ultimately ended up defeating Kolstad in a landslide, winning his third term with ease.

Democratic Party primary results[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Max Baucus (Incumbent) 80,622 82.60%
Democratic John Driscoll 12,616 12.93%
Democratic "Curly" Thornton 4,367 4.47%
Total votes 97,605 100.00%
Republican Primary results[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Allen Kolstad 38,097 43.59%
Republican Bruce Vorhauer 30,837 35.28%
Republican Bill Farrell 11,820 13.52%
Republican John Domenech 6,648 7.61%
Total votes 87,402 100.00%
1990 United States Senate election in Montana[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Max Baucus (Incumbent) 217,563 68.13% +11.24%
Republican Allen Kolstad 93,836 29.38% -11.31%
Libertarian Westley F. Deitchler 7,937 2.49% +0.07%
Majority 123,727 38.75% +22.55%
Turnout 319,336
Democratic hold Swing

Nebraska

Nebraska election

 
Nominee J. James Exon Hal Daub
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 349,779 243,013
Percentage 58.9% 40.9%

County results
Exon:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Daub:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

U.S. senator before election

J. James Exon
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

J. James Exon
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat J. James Exon won re-election to a third term, beating Republican U.S. Representative Hal Daub.

General election results[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic J. James Exon (Incumbent) 379,933 58.90% +6.97%
Republican Hal Daub 243,013 40.92% -7.09%
Write-ins 1,036 0.17%
Majority 106,766 17.98% +14.06%
Turnout 593,828
Democratic hold Swing

New Hampshire

New Hampshire election

 
Nominee Bob Smith John A. Durkin
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 189,792 91,299
Percentage 65.1% 31.3%

Smith:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Durkin:      40–50%      50–60%      >90%

U.S. senator before election

Gordon J. Humphrey
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Bob Smith
Republican

Incumbent Republican Gordon J. Humphrey decided to retire and not run for re-election to a third term. Republican Bob Smith won the open seat, beating Democratic former Senator John A. Durkin.

General election results[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Smith 189,792 65.13%
Democratic John A. Durkin 91,299 31.33%
Libertarian John G. Elsnau 9,102 3.34%
Write-In Candidates 585 0.20%
Majority 98,493 33.80%
Turnout 291,393
Republican hold

New Jersey

New Jersey election

 
Nominee Bill Bradley Christine Todd Whitman
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 977,810 918,874
Percentage 50.44% 47.40%

County results
Bradley:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Whitman:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Bill Bradley
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Bill Bradley
Democratic

Democratic Senator Bill Bradley decided to seek re-election and narrowly edged out little-known Republican Christine Todd Whitman, President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.[4]

Senator Bill Bradley didn't realize he was in trouble of winning re-election and the New Jersey voters' anger over taxes and economy until the week prior to the election.

The senator had a major image problem. In the early part of the campaign Bradley was winning easily in the polls, so his staffers told him to play it safe. He sent out television advertisements of himself walking on the beach, shooting a perfect shot on the court, and sitting back in his office with his basketball shoes onto his desk. The advertisements backfired as voters were turned off and thought that he hadn't taken his job as Senator seriously, at a time when New Jersey voters were suffering.

Another major problem with Bradley was how Democratic Governor Jim Florio implemented a $2.8 billion tax increase, hurting the state's economy. In addition, Bradley refused to answer questions pertaining to Florio's tax policies.

After Bradley realized he was in trouble he released negative advertisements. They attacked Whitman's own record on taxes, accusing her of favoring tax increases when she was a Somerset County Freeholder. Bradley's image may have been further damaged by his newer advertisements.[28]

1990 New Jersey United States Senate election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bill Bradley (Incumbent) 977,810 50.4%
Republican Christine Todd Whitman 918,874 47.4%
Populist John Kucek 19,978 1.0%
Libertarian Louis Stefanelli 13,988 0.7%
Socialist Workers Don Mackle 7,804 0.4%
Total votes 1,938,454 100.0%
Democratic hold

New Mexico

New Mexico election

← 1984 November 5, 1990 1996 →
 
Nominee Pete Domenici Tom Benavidez
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 296,712 110,033
Percentage 72.9% 27.0%

County results
Domenici:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Pete Domenici
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Pete Domenici
Republican

Incumbent Republican Pete Domenici won re-election to a fourth term over Democratic State Senator Tom Benavidez.[29]

General election results[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pete Domenici (Incumbent) 296,712 72.9%
Democratic Tom Benavidez 110,033 27.0%
Total votes 406,745 100.00%
Majority 186,679 45.9%
Republican hold

North Carolina

North Carolina election

 
Nominee Jesse Helms Harvey Gantt
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,089,012 981,573
Percentage 52.58% 47.39%

Helms:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Gantt:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Jesse Helms
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Jesse Helms
Republican

The election was fought between the Republican incumbent Jesse Helms and the Democratic nominee Mayor of Charlotte Harvey Gantt. Helms won re-election to a fourth term by a slightly wider margin than the close election in 1984.

Helms drew controversy for airing what became known as the "Hands" ad produced by Alex Castellanos. It showed a pair of white hands with the voiceover saying "You needed that job, and you were the best qualified. But they had to give it to a minority because of a racial quota." The ad prompted allegations of racism.[31]

1990 North Carolina U.S. Senate Republican primary election[32]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jesse Helms (Incumbent) 157,345 84.32% -6.33%
Republican L. C. Nixon 15,355 8.23% N/A
Republican George Wimbish 13,895 7.45% -1.90%
Turnout 186,595
1990 North Carolina U.S. Senate Democratic primary election – First round[32]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Harvey Gantt 260,179 37.52% N/A
Democratic Mike Easley 209,934 30.27% N/A
Democratic John Ingram 120,990 17.45% -8.78%
Democratic R. P. Thomas 82,883 11.95% N/A
Democratic Lloyd Gardner 11,528 1.66% N/A
Democratic Robert Hannan 7,982 1.15% N/A
Turnout 693,496
1990 North Carolina U.S. Senate Democratic primary election – Second round[32]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Harvey Gantt 273,567 56.89% +19.37%
Democratic Mike Easley 207,283 43.11% +12.84%
Turnout 480,850
1990 North Carolina U.S. Senate election[32]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Jesse Helms (Incumbent) 1,089,012 52.58% +0.92%
Democratic Harvey Gantt 981,573 47.39% -0.42%
Socialist Workers Rich Stuart 681 0.03% -0.08%
Turnout 2,071,266
Majority 107,439 5.19%
Republican hold

Oklahoma

Oklahoma election

← 1984 November 6, 1990 1994 (special) →
 
Nominee David Boren Stephen Jones
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 735,684 148,814
Percentage 83.2% 16.8%

Boren:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Jones:      100%
     Tie      No votes

U.S. senator before election

David Boren
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

David Boren
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat David Boren won re-election to a third term over Republican attorney Stephen Jones.

1990 United States Senate election in Oklahoma
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Boren (Incumbent) 735,684 83.2%
Republican Stephen Jones 148,814 16.8%
Majority 586,870 66.4%
Total votes 884,498[33] 100.00%
Democratic hold

Oregon

Oregon election

 
Nominee Mark Hatfield Harry Lonsdale
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 590,095 507,743
Percentage 53.7% 46.2%

County results

Hatfield:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%

Lonsdale:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Mark Hatfield
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Mark Hatfield
Republican

Republican Mark Hatfield was re-elected to a fifth term, defeating Democratic businessman Harry Lonsdale.

The front-runners emerged quickly: for the Republicans, Hatfield was in his fourth term and was the 8th most senior U.S. Senator, having previously served as Governor of Oregon for two terms and Oregon Secretary of State. For the Democrats, Harry Lonsdale, who had founded the biotechnology company Bend Research, announced in early 1990 that he intended to aggressively challenge Hatfield over the incumbent's ties to special interests, and his positions on abortion rights and timber management.[34]

In the Republican primary, Hatfield received a token challenge from Randy Prince, an environmentalist and former Eugene mayoral candidate who had once protested old-growth forest logging by tree sitting for 40 days.[35] Despite an early miscue by Hatfield in which he missed the deadline for submitting a photograph for the primary voter's guide,[35] Hatfield handily defeated Prince to move on to the general election.[36]

Republican primary for the United States Senate from Oregon, 1990[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Hatfield 220,449 78.29%
Republican Randy Prince 59,970 21.30%
Republican miscellaneous 1,167 0.41%
Total votes 281,586 100.00%

U.S. Congressman Ron Wyden considered challenging Hatfield, but decided against it.[37] Lonsdale, who was unknown as a politician, announced his campaign in March, and came out swinging directly at Hatfield and mostly ignored his primary challengers. Lonsdale's main campaign themes were abortion rights, which Hatfield opposed; and timber management, in which Lonsdale opposed exporting timber from Oregon forests and wanted to restrict logging in old-growth forests.[34] Lonsdale also criticized Hatfield as being out-of-touch with Oregonians after so many years in the Senate. Lonsdale announced that he would refuse to take special-interest contributions in his campaign, and would finance the campaign himself with the millions he had made from Bend Research.[34] Lonsdale easily defeated his competition: Salem attorney Steve Anderson, Pleasant Hill computer programmer Neale S. Hyatt, Milwaukie retired truck driver Brooks Washburne, Eugene activist Bob Reuschlein, and Frank A. Clough, also of Eugene.[34][38][39]

Democratic primary for the United States Senate from Oregon, 1990[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harry Lonsdale 162,529 64.13%
Democratic Steve Anderson 34,305 13.54%
Democratic Neale S. Hyatt 20,684 8.16%
Democratic Brooks Washburne 13,766 5.43%
Democratic Bob Reuschlein 12,383 4.89%
Democratic Frank Clough 8,235 3.25%
Democratic miscellaneous 1,535 0.61%
Total votes 253,437 100.00%

Once the primaries concluded, Hatfield, who had been first elected U.S. Senator in 1966, rolled out his usual campaign honed from his decades of experience: he refused debates, never engaged his opponent directly, and focused on small, friendly campaign appearances that stressed the influence he wielded as a U.S. Senator with seniority and influence.[37]

Lonsdale's self-financed campaign made heavy use of TV attack ads, criticizing Hatfield as being out of step with Oregonians on every issue, but primarily in terms of timber and abortion. He also made use of a nationwide anti-incumbency sentiment, and tore into Hatfield for being too closely tied to Washington special interests, and attempted to tie Hatfield to the Savings and loan crisis of the mid-1980s through his advisor Gerry Frank, who had ties to a Salem savings and loan.[37] By early October, polls showed the gap closing from 25 down to about 4 points in an early October poll conducted by The Oregonian newspaper, and by the end of October, some polls showed Lonsdale in the lead.[40]

With the polls running against him and time running out, Hatfield, who had not been seriously challenged since first being elected in 1966 and had never lost an election,[41] abandoned his tactic of staying above the fray and not engaging Lonsdale directly. In the media and in television ads, he charged Lonsdale with hypocrisy in his environmental stand, alleging that Lonsdale had allowed his company to illegally dump toxic chemicals into the environment.[42] Lonsdale vigorously denied the charges, which were later shown to have violated no laws, but the tactic may have stalled Lonsdale's momentum.[43] Hatfield went on to win in all but Multnomah, Jackson, Baker, and Lincoln counties to win by more than 7 percentage points statewide.[41]

1990 United States Senate election in Oregon[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Hatfield (Incumbent) 590,095 53.68%
Democratic Harry Lonsdale 507,743 46.19%
Write-In Misc. 1,417 0.13%
Total votes 1,099,255 100.00%
Republican hold

Rhode Island

Rhode Island election

 
Nominee Claiborne Pell Claudine Schneider
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 225,105 138,947
Percentage 61.8% 38.2%

Pell:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Schneider:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Claiborne Pell
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Claiborne Pell
Democratic

Democratic Incumbent Claiborne Pell defeated Republican Representative Claudine Schneider in a landslide.[45]

1990 United States Senate election in Rhode Island[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Claiborne Pell (Incumbent) 225,105 61.83% -10.83%
Republican Claudine Schneider 138,947 38.17% +10.83%
Majority 86,158 23.67% -21.65%
Turnout 364,062
Democratic hold Swing

South Carolina

South Carolina election

← 1984 November 6, 1990 1996 →
 
Nominee Strom Thurmond Bob Cunningham
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 482,032 244,112
Percentage 64.2% 32.5%

County results

Thurmond:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Cunningham:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Strom Thurmond
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Strom Thurmond
Republican

Popular incumbent Republican Strom Thurmond cruised to re-election against Democratic challenger and perennial candidate Bob Cunningham.

Senator Strom Thurmond faced no opposition from South Carolina Republicans and avoided a primary election. The state Democrats saw this as an unwinnable race so when Bob Cunningham sought the Democratic nomination, he was unopposed in his bid.

Cunningham launched his second bid to unseat Republican Sen. Strom Thurmond after switching from the GOP to the Democratic Party in early 1990. Though he faced a formidable opponent, Cunningham planned no fund-raising activities. "I don't plan to ask for anything and I won't accept any money from PACs," he said. Cunninghman said his campaign strategy was to "go to places where I was invited and spread out my ideas." If elected, Cummingham said he would push to limit consecutive congressional service to 12 years and reform the tax system. He supported greater environmental activism. "I think we're going at it in much too lukewarm a fashion. I think we should work hard to find a substitute for the internal combustion engine."

The election was never a serious contest. Thurmond overwhelmingly outspent Cunningham in his re-election campaign.

South Carolina U.S. Senate Election, 1990
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Strom Thurmond (Incumbent) 482,032 64.2% -2.6%
Democratic Bob Cunningham 244,112 32.5% +0.7%
Libertarian William H. Griffin 13,804 1.8% +0.4%
American Marion C. Metts 10,317 1.4% +1.4%
No party Write-Ins 464 0.1% +0.1%
Majority 237,920 31.7% -3.3%
Turnout 750,729 55.2% -13.5%
Republican hold Swing

South Dakota

South Dakota election

← 1984 November 6, 1990 1996 →
 
Nominee Larry Pressler Ted Muenster
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 135,682 116,727
Percentage 52.4% 45.1%

County results

Pressler:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Muenster:      40–50%      50–60%

Incumbent Republican Larry Pressler won a narrow re-election battle against Democratic opponent Ted Muenster and Independent candidate Dean Sinclair, in contrast to his easy win in 1984.

South Dakota U.S. Senate Election, 1990[4][46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Larry Pressler (Incumbent) 135,682 52.39% -22.1%
Democratic Theodore 'Ted' Muenster 116,727 45.07% +19.56%
Independent Dean L. Sinclair 6,567 2.54% N/A
Majority 18,955 7.32% -41.66%
Turnout 258,976 61.6% -9.7%
Republican hold Swing

Tennessee

Tennessee election

← 1984 November 6, 1990 1994 (special) →
 
Nominee Al Gore William R. Hawkins
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 529,914 233,324
Percentage 67.72% 29.82%

County results
Gore:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Al Gore
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Al Gore
Democratic

Democratic Senator Al Gore won re-election to a second term over Republican William R. Hawkins, a conservative author. As of 2023, this is the last Senate election in Tennessee that was won by a Democrat and the last time they won the state's Class 2 Senate Seat.

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Al Gore (Incumbent) 302,768 100.00%
Total votes 302,768 100.00%
1990 United States Senate election in Tennessee[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Al Gore (Incumbent) 529,914 67.72%
Republican William R. Hawkins 233,324 29.92%
Independent Bill Jacox 11,172 1.43%
Independent Charles Gordon Vick 7,995 1.02%
Write-ins 109 0.01%
Total votes 782,514 100.00%
Majority 296,590 37.8%
Democratic hold

Texas

Texas election

 
Nominee Phil Gramm Hugh Parmer
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,302,357 1,429,986
Percentage 60.2% 37.4%

County results
Gramm:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Parmer:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Tie:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Phil Gramm
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Phil Gramm
Republican

Incumbent Republican Phil Gramm won re-election to a second term, beating Hugh Parmer, State Senator and former Mayor of Fort Worth[48]

Gramm, a popular incumbent who switched parties a few years prior, had over $5 million on hand.[49]

General election results[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Phil Gramm (incumbent) 2,302,357 60.2%
Democratic Hugh Parmer 1,429,986 37.4%
Libertarian Gary Johnson 89,089 2.4%
Write In Ira Calkins 725 0.0%
Total votes 3,822,157 100.00%
Majority 872,371 22.8%
Republican hold

Virginia

Virginia election

Turnout25.5% (voting eligible)[51]
 
Nominee John Warner Nancy Spannaus
Party Republican Independent
Popular vote 876,782 196,755
Percentage 80.9% 18.2%

County and independent city results
Warner:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

U.S. senator before election

John Warner
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

John Warner
Republican

Incumbent Republican John W. Warner won re-election to a third term. No Democrat filed to run against him as he won every single county and city in the state with over 60% of the vote. Independent Nancy B. Spannaus (an affiliate of the controversial Lyndon LaRouche) got 18% of the vote, as she was the only other candidate on the ballot besides Warner.

1990 United States Senate election in Virginia[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John Warner (Incumbent) 876,782 80.91% +10.86%
Independent Nancy Spannaus 196,755 18.16%
Write-ins 10,153 0.94% +0.93%
Majority 680,027 62.75% +22.65%
Turnout 1,083,690
Republican hold Swing

West Virginia

West Virginia election

← 1984 November 6, 1990 1996 →
 
Nominee Jay Rockefeller John C. Yoder
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 276,234 128,071
Percentage 68.32% 31.68%

County results
Rockefeller:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Yoder:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Jay Rockefeller
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Jay Rockefeller
Democratic

The 1990 United States Senate election in West Virginia was held November 6, 1990. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller won re-election to a second term.

General election results[52]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jay Rockefeller (Incumbent) 276,234 68.32% +16.50%
Republican John C. Yoder 128,071 31.68% -16.05%
Majority 148,163 36.64% +32.55%
Turnout 404,305 ~35%
Democratic hold Swing

Wyoming

Wyoming election

← 1984 November 6, 1990 1996 →
 
Nominee Alan K. Simpson Kathy Helling
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 100,784 56,848
Percentage 63.94% 36.06%

County Results
Simpson:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

U.S. senator before election

Alan K. Simpson
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Alan K. Simpson
Republican

Incumbent Republican Alan Simpson easily won re-election to a third term over Democratic challenger Kathy Helling.

1990 United States Senate election in Wyoming[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Alan Simpson (Incumbent) 100,784 63.94%
Democratic Kathy Helling 56,848 36.06%
Majority 43,936 27.88%
Turnout 157,632
Republican hold Swing

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b c As J. Bennett Johnston won Louisiana's jungle primary outright with a majority on October 6, he was listed unopposed for the general election on November 6. State law does not require tabulation of unopposed votes, thus the nationwide vote totals exclude Louisiana.[1]
  2. ^ a b Appointee elected
  3. ^ Senator Strom Thurmond was originally elected as a Democrat in 1954, but as a write-in candidate, a special election in 1956 and 1960 before switching to a Republican in 1964. Thurmond won re-election as a Republican in 1966, 1972, 1978 and 1984.
  4. ^ U.S. census voting tabulation districts (VTDs) were used in place of true precincts for 74 of 77 counties

References

  1. ^ a b Clerk of the House of Representatives (1991-04-29). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 1990" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 49.
  2. ^ "Our Campaigns - AL US Senate Race - Nov 06, 1990". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  3. ^ "State of Alaska: Official Returns" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-02-18. Retrieved 2017-10-11.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Clerk of the House of Representatives (1991). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 1990" (PDF). U.S. Government Printing Office.
  5. ^ "Colorado Voters Pick Candidates for Senate Race". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 16, 1990. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  6. ^ Leip, David. "1992 U.S. Senatorial General Election Results - Colorado". U.S. Election Atlas. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  7. ^ "Our Campaigns - HI US Senate - Special Election Race - Nov 06, 1990". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  8. ^ "ID US Senate- R Primary Race - May 22, 1990". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  9. ^ "ID US Senate- D Primary Race - May 22, 1990". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  10. ^ "ID US Senate Race - Nov 06, 1990". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  11. ^ a b Baxter, Elaine (June 5, 1990). "Primary Election" (PDF). Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  12. ^ "The Fort Scott Tribune - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  13. ^ "Our Campaigns - KS US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1996". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  14. ^ a b "U.S. Senator: Primary Election". Archived from the original on 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2017-10-11.
  15. ^ "Louisiana GOP Refuses to Back Duke for Senate". Associated Press. 14 January 1990. Retrieved 20 December 2017 – via LA Times.
  16. ^ BROWNSTEIN, RONALD (7 October 1990). "Johnston Beats Duke, 54-43%, in Louisiana". Retrieved 20 December 2017 – via LA Times.
  17. ^ Applebome, Peter; Times, Special to The New York (5 October 1990). "Republican Quits Louisiana Race In Effort to Defeat Ex-Klansman". Retrieved 20 December 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
  18. ^ "Johnston Takes Lead Over Duke in Louisiana". Associated Press. 7 October 1990. Retrieved 20 December 2017 – via LA Times.
  19. ^ Applebome, Peter; Times, Special to The New York (7 October 1990). "Former Klan Figure Loses to Incumbent In Louisiana Voting". Retrieved 20 December 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
  20. ^ "Louisiana Secretary of State - Election Results".
  21. ^ "Our Campaigns - ME US Senate Race - Nov 06, 1990". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  22. ^ "Our Campaigns - MA US Senate- R Primary Race - Sep 18, 1990". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  23. ^ Parker, Randy; Reporting for Duty (April 9, 2005). "Our Campaigns: MI U.S. Senate". Our Campaigns.
  24. ^ "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate Race - Nov 06, 1990". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  25. ^ The Bizarre Story of How a Hardcore Texas Leftist Became a Frontline Putin Propagandist, Tim Dickinson Rolling Stone, March 3, 2022 (archive)
  26. ^ a b "Report of the Official Canvass of the Vote Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, June 5, 1990" (PDF). Montana Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 28, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  27. ^ "Our Campaigns - NH US Senate Race - Nov 06, 1990". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  28. ^ King, Wayne; Times, Special to The New York (8 November 1990). "THE 1990 ELECTIONS: What Went Wrong?; Bradley Says He Sensed Voter Fury But It Was Too Late to Do Anything". Retrieved 20 December 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
  29. ^ "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Tom Benavidez". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  30. ^ "Our Campaigns - NM US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1996". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  31. ^ Bouie, Jamelle (27 July 2012). "Apparently, the 'Real Racists' Are… Anti-Racists?". The Nation. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  32. ^ a b c d "North Carolina DataNet #46" (PDF). University of North Carolina. April 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 25, 2008. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
  33. ^ "1990 Oklahoma Election Results" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. 1990. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  34. ^ a b c d Attle, Rick (March 5, 1990). "Lonsdale blast launches Senate campaign". The Bulletin. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  35. ^ a b "If you're looking for Hatfield..." The Register-Guard. March 16, 1990. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  36. ^ a b "Oregon US Senate Republican Primary Race, May 15, 1990". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  37. ^ a b c Walth, Brent (October 21, 1990). "Hatfield shifts gears in race". The Register-Guard. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  38. ^ Boyd, Jim (March 9, 1990). "2nd Eugene man enters Senate race". The Register-Guard. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  39. ^ a b "Oregon US Senate Democratic Primary Race, May 15, 1990". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  40. ^ Walth, Brent (October 23, 1990). "Lonsdale leads race, poll shows". The Register-Guard. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  41. ^ a b "Hatfield overcomes Lonsdale, anti-incumbent mood to win". The Bulletin. November 7, 1990. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  42. ^ "State will look at claims of Bend Research dumping". The Register-Guard. October 19, 1990. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  43. ^ Walth, Brent (March 21, 1992). "Lonsdale Firm's Hazardous Waste Violated No Rules". The Register-Guard. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  44. ^ "Oregon US Senate Race, Nov 6, 1990". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  45. ^ "Our Campaigns - RI US Senate Race - Nov 06, 1990". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  46. ^ South Dakota Secretary of State, Historical Election Data. Accessed December 12, 2018.
  47. ^ "1990 Senatorial General Election Results - Tennessee". Archived from the original on 2014-02-26.
  48. ^ "Archives | Austin American-Statesman | Statesman.com". Nl.newsbank.com. July 1, 1990. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  49. ^ "dallasnews.com | Archives". Nl.newsbank.com. October 17, 1990. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  50. ^ "TX US Senate Race - Nov 06, 1990". Our Campaigns. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  51. ^ Dr. Michael McDonald (March 25, 2013). "Turnout 1980-2012". George Mason University. Archived from the original on October 30, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  52. ^ https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?fips= 54&year= 1990&f= 0&off= 3&elect= 0&class= 2
  • State Election Commission (1991). South Carolina Election Commission Annual Report 1990-1991. Columbia, SC: The Commission. p. 91.
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