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 County results Hayakawa: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Tunney: 40–50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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The1976 United States Senate election in California took place on November 2, 1976. Incumbent Democratic U.S. SenatorJohn V. Tunney ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by RepublicanS. I. Hayakawa. As of 2024, this is the last time an incumbent Democratic Senator from California lost re-election.
Primary elections were held on June 8. Tunney survived a challenge from anti-war activistTom Hayden, the husband ofJane Fonda. Hayakawa, a novice campaigner, won a surprise victory over seasoned political figuresRobert H. Finch,Alphonzo Bell Jr., andJohn L. Harmer.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John V. Tunney (incumbent) | 1,774,879 | 53.79% | |
| Democratic | Tom Hayden | 1,210,637 | 36.69% | |
| Democratic | Bob Wallach | 73,142 | 2.22% | |
| Democratic | Lois T. Bodle | 54,220 | 1.64% | |
| Democratic | Frank L. Thomas | 53,843 | 1.63% | |
| Democratic | Howard L. Gifford | 46,977 | 1.42% | |
| Democratic | Ronald L. Williams | 29,511 | 0.89% | |
| Democratic | Leslie W. Craven | 28,583 | 0.87% | |
| Democratic | Millard F. Slover | 28,108 | 0.85% | |
| Write-in | All others | 25 | 0.00% | |
| Total votes | 3,299,925 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | S. I. Hayakawa | 886,743 | 38.25% | |
| Republican | Robert H. Finch | 614,240 | 26.49% | |
| Republican | Alphonzo E. Bell Jr. | 532,969 | 22.99% | |
| Republican | John L. Harmer | 197,252 | 8.51% | |
| Republican | Walter Hollywood | 28,163 | 1.22% | |
| Republican | Clyde F. Tracy | 17,784 | 0.77% | |
| Republican | James A. Ware | 14,990 | 0.65% | |
| Republican | Henry Hill | 10,290 | 0.44% | |
| Republican | Michael A. Hirt | 9,941 | 0.43% | |
| Republican | Hannibal C. Burchette V | 6,222 | 0.27% | |
| Total votes | 2,318,594 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | S. I. Hayakawa | 3,748,973 | 50.12% | ||
| Democratic | John V. Tunney (incumbent) | 3,502,862 | 46.89% | ||
| Peace and Freedom | David Wald | 104,383 | 1.40% | ||
| American Independent | Jack McCoy | 82,739 | 1.11% | ||
| Independent | Omari Musa | 31,629 | 0.42% | ||
| Majority | 246,111 | 3.23% | |||
| Turnout | 7,470,586 | 100.00% | |||
| Republicangain fromDemocratic | |||||
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