1976 United States Senate election in Washington

The 1976 United States Senate election in Washington was held on November 2, 1976. Incumbent Democrat Henry M. Jackson, who had been a candidate for President earlier that year, won a fifth term in office with a landslide victory over Republican George Brown even as incumbent President Gerald Ford won the state for President on the same ballot.

1976 United States Senate election in Washington

November 2, 1976

Nominee Henry M. Jackson George M. Brown Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,071,219 361,546 Percentage 71.84% 24.25%

County results Jackson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Henry M. Jackson Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Henry M. Jackson Democratic

Blanket primary

Candidates

Democratic

• Paul Gumbell
• Henry M. Jackson, incumbent United States Senator
• Dennis "Hitch Hiker" Kelley

Republican

• George M. Brown
• William H. Davis, candidate for U.S. Senate in 1970
• Warren E. Hanson, fisherman
• Henry C. Nielsen
• Wilbur R. Parkin, candidate for U.S. Representative in 1952 and 1954
• Clarice L.R. "Tops" Privette, perennial candidate from Spokane

Results

1976 United States Senate primary election in Washington

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Henry M. Jackson (incumbent)	549,974	68.33%
	Democratic	Dennis Kelley	54,470	6.77%
	Republican	George M. Brown	51,885	6.45%
	Republican	Warren E. Hanson	43,905	5.46%
	Republican	Henry C. Nielsen	28,030	3.48%
	Democratic	Paul Gumbell	24,559	3.05%
	Republican	Wilbur R. Parkin	21,639	2.69%
	Republican	William H. Davis	16,881	2.10%
	Republican	Clarice L.R. Privette	13,526	1.68%
Total votes			804,869	100.00%

General election

Results

1976 United States Senate election in Washington

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Henry M. Jackson (incumbent)	1,071,219	71.84%	10.59
	Republican	George M. Brown	361,546	24.25%	8.24
	American Independent	Dave Smith	28,182	1.89%	N/A
	Libertarian	Richard K. Kenney	19,373	1.30%	N/A
	Socialist Workers	Karl Bermann	7,402	0.50%	0.37
	U.S. Labor	William F. Wertz	3,389	0.23%	N/A
Total votes			1,491,111	100.00%
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• 1976 United States Senate elections