1972 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

The 1972 United States Senate election in Oklahoma took place on November 7, 1972. The incumbent Democratic Senator, Fred R. Harris, had retired to run for president.[1] The open seat was won by Republican Dewey F. Bartlett, who defeated Democratic nominee Ed Edmondson. However, his victory underperformed that of President Richard Nixon in the concurrent presidential election, which saw Nixon defeat George McGovern by 49.7% in the state.

1972 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

← 1966 November 7, 1972 1978 →
 
Nominee Dewey F. Bartlett Ed Edmondson
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 516,934 478,212
Percentage 51.43% 47.58%

County results
Bartlett:      50–60%      60–70%
Edmondson:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Fred R. Harris
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Dewey F. Bartlett
Republican

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Democratic primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ed Edmondson 249,729 56.35%
Democratic Charles R. Nesbitt 92,101 20.78%
Democratic Al Terrill 33,520 7.56%
Democratic Jed Johnson Jr. 28,795 6.50%
Democratic John Rogers 15,280 3.45%
Democratic Clara Luper 10,457 2.36%
Democratic Bill Tiffany 4,184 0.94%
Democratic Albert Anderson 2,870 0.65%
Democratic Billy Brown 2,638 0.60%
Democratic Henry Howell 2,230 0.50%
Democratic Jesse D. Knipp 1,386 0.31%
Total votes 443,190 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican primary[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dewey F. Bartlett 94,935 93.11%
Republican C. W. Wood 7,029 6.89%
Total votes 101,964 100.00%

Results

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1972 United States Senate election in Oklahoma[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Dewey F. Bartlett 516,934 51.43% +5.15%
Democratic Ed Edmondson 478,212 47.58% −6.14%
American William G. Roach 5,769 0.57% N/A
Independent Joe C. Phillips 2,264 0.23% N/A
Independent Paul E. Trent 1,969 0.20% N/A
Majority 38,722 3.85% −3.6%
Turnout 1,005,148
Republican gain from Democratic

References

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  1. ^ Hayden, Tom (May 8, 1975). "Fred Harris: A Populist With a Prayer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  2. ^ "Charles Nesbitt Obituary (2007) Oklahoman". The Oklahoman. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  3. ^ "Al Terrill". The Oklahoman. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "1968-1974 Election Results" (PDF). Oklahoma State Elections Board. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2021.