1974 United States Senate election in Idaho
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 County results Church: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Smith: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1974 United States Senate election in Idaho took place on Tuesday, November 5. Democratic incumbent Frank Church was re-elected to a fourth term in office, defeating Republican Bob Smith.[1]
Church announced his presidential campaign in March 1976,[2][3] off the strength of his victory as well as his high-profile chairmanship of the select Church Commission investigating American intelligence activity.
As of 2024[update], this was the last time the Democrats won a U.S. Senate election in Idaho.[4]
Primary elections
The primary was held on Tuesday, August 6.[5]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Frank Church, Boise, incumbent since 1957
- Leon Olson, Boise
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Frank Church (incumbent) | 53,659 | 85.77% | |
| Democratic | Leon Olson | 8,904 | 14.23% | |
| Total votes | 62,563 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bob Smith | 45,553 | 71.98% | |
| Republican | Donald L. Winder | 13,406 | 21.18% | |
| Republican | Charles Bolstridge | 4,331 | 6.84% | |
| Total votes | 63,290 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Democratic candidates did extraordinarily well in 1974, in response to the Watergate scandal. This was true even in Republican leaning states and districts, leading commentators to call Church and other Democratic candidates elected that year, "Watergate babies."[10][11]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Frank Church (incumbent) | 145,140 | 56.07% |  4.19
| |
| Republican | Bob Smith | 109,072 | 42.14% |  2.40
| |
| American Independent | Jean L. Stoddard | 4,635 | 1.79% | N/A | |
| Majority | 36,068 | 13.93% | −6.59% | ||
| Total votes | 258,847 | 100.00% | +10.09% | ||
| Democratic hold | |||||
See also
References
- ^ "Vote favors Church, Hansen, Symms". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. November 6, 1974. p. 1.
- ^ Shelledy, Jay (March 19, 1976). "Church joins race for White House". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1A.
- ^ "Sen. Church claims others dodge issues". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. March 18, 1976. p. 1.
- ^ Gonzales, Nathan L. "Bleak streak for Idaho Democrats likely to continue". rollcall.com. CQ Roll Call. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
- ^ "Cox(?), Smith, Kidwell, Evans, Ravenscroft in". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. August 7, 1974. p. 1.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - ID US Senate - D Primary Race - Aug 06, 1974".
- ^ "Smith announces race for Church Senate seat". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. November 9, 1973. p. 5.
- ^ "Bob Smith for Idaho". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). (advertisement). August 6, 1974. p. 7.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - ID US Senate - R Primary Race - Aug 06, 1974".
- ^ Liu, Irene Jay (December 14, 2009). "A 70's flashback at Capitol". timesunion.com.
- ^ "The last of the Watergate babies". Democrat and Chronicle. April 2, 2007. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - ID US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1974".