1972 United States Senate election in Illinois
The 1972 United States Senate election in Illinois took place on November 7, 1972.[1] Incumbent Republican United States Senator Charles H. Percy sought re-election to the United States Senate. Percy was opposed by Democratic nominee Roman Pucinski, a United States Congressman from Illinois's 11th congressional district, whom he was able to defeat handily to win a second term. As of 2021, this is the last time a Republican was elected to the U.S. Senate from Illinois during a presidential election year.
![]() | |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Turnout | 51.24% | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||
![]() County Results Percy: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% | |||||||||||||||||
|
Elections in Illinois |
---|
![]() |
Election information
The primary (held on March 21) and general election coincided with those for House and state elections.[1]
Democratic primary
Congressman Roman Pucinski defeated Dakin Williams in the Democratic primary. Williams was a prosecutor who was the younger brother of playwright Tennessee Williams.[2]
Candidates
- Roman Pucinski, United States Congressman from Illinois's 11th congressional district
- Dakin Williams, prosecutor[2]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Roman C. Pucinski | 859,890 | 70.62 | |
Democratic | W. Dakin Williams | 357,744 | 29.38 | |
Democratic | Write Ins | 71 | 0 | |
Total votes | 1,217,705 | 100 |
Republican primary
Incumbent Charles H. Percy was renominated without opposition in the Republican primary.
Candidates
- Charles H. Percy, incumbent United States Senator
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Charles H. Percy | 535,911 | 99.98 | |
Write-in | Others | 111 | 0.02 | |
Total votes | 536,022 | 100 |
Other nominees
- Edward C. Gross (Socialist Labor), perennial candidate
- Arnold Becchetti (Communist)
General election
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Charles H. Percy (incumbent) | 2,867,078 | 62.21% | +7.27% | |
Democratic | Roman Pucinski | 1,721,031 | 37.35% | -6.55% | |
Socialist Labor | Edward C. Gross | 13,384 | 0.29% | ||
Communist | Arnold Becchetti | 6,103 | 0.13% | ||
Write-in | Others | 784 | 0.02% | ||
Majority | 1,146,047 | 24.87% | +13.82% | ||
Turnout | 3,822,724 | ||||
Republican hold | Swing |
See also
References
- "OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 7, 1972 JUDICIAL PRIMARY ELECTION GENERAL PRIMARY, MARCH, 21, 1972" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- "Tennessee Williams' brother dead at 89". The State Journal-Register. May 22, 2008. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
- "Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 7, 1972" (PDF). Clerk.house.gov. Retrieved April 4, 2015.