1978 United States Senate election in Tennessee

1978 United States Senate election in Tennessee

← 1972 November 7, 1978 1984 →

Nominee Howard Baker Jane Eskind Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 642,644 466,228 Percentage 55.54% 40.30%

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

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The 1978 United States Senate election in Tennessee took place on November 7, as a part of the Senate class 2 election.

Situation[]

Two-term popular incumbent Howard Baker, who had served as United States Senate Minority Leader since 1977, ran for reelection against first-time candidate and Democratic Party activist Jane Eskind.

Democratic nomination[]

Candidates:

• Former State Senate Majority Leader
• Jane Eskind

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 nomination[]

Candidates:

• Incumbent United States Senator and Senate Minority Leader Howard Baker
• Harvey Howard

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:

See also[]

• 1978 United States Senate elections

References[]