1972 United States Senate election in Minnesota

1972 United States Senate election in Minnesota

November 7, 1972

Nominee Walter Mondale Phil Hansen Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 981,320 742,121 Percentage 56.67% 42.86%

County results Mondale:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Hansen:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Walter Mondale Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Senator Walter Mondale Democratic (DFL)

The 1972 United States Senate election in Minnesota took place on November 7, 1972. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Walter Mondale won re-election. Minnesota was one of fifteen states alongside Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Dakota and West Virginia that were won by Republican President Richard Nixon in 1972 that elected Democrats to the United States Senate. Four years later, Mondale was elected Vice President on the Democratic ticket with former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter.

Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary

Candidates

Declared

• Ralph E. Franklin
• Tom Griffin
• Richard "Dick" Leaf
• Walter Mondale, Incumbent U.S. Senator since 1964

Results

Democratic primary election results[1][2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Walter Mondale (Incumbent)	230,679	89.88%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tom Griffin	11,266	4.39%
	Democratic (DFL)	Richard "Dick" Leaf	7,750	3.02%
	Democratic (DFL)	Ralph E. Franklin	6,946	2.71%
Total votes			256,641	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Phil Hansen, Lutheran minister[3]

Results

Republican primary election results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Phil Hansen	165,093	100.00%
Total votes			165,093	100.00%

General election

Results

General election results[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Walter Mondale (Incumbent)	981,320	56.67%
	Republican	Phil Hansen	742,121	42.86%
	Industrial Government	Karl H. Heck	8,192	0.47%
Total votes			1,731,633	100.00%
Majority			239,199	13.81%
Turnout			1,731,633	97.63%
	Democratic (DFL) hold

See also

• 1972 United States Senate elections

References

1. "Minnesota Legislative Manual: Primary Election Returns September 12, 1972" (PDF). Minnesota Legislature. 1973–1974. pp. 510 & 511.
2. "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate- D Primary Race - Sep 12, 1972".
3. "The 1972 Campaign". The New York Times. September 30, 1972.
4. "Our Campaigns - MN US Senate Race - Nov 07, 1972".