1970 United States Senate election in California

1970 United States Senate election in California

← 1964 November 3, 1970 1976 →
 
Nominee John V. Tunney George Murphy
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 3,496,558 2,877,617
Percentage 53.86% 44.33%

County results
Tunney:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Murphy:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

George Murphy
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

John V. Tunney
Democratic

The 1970 United States Senate election in California was held on November 3, 1970.

Incumbent Republican Senator George Murphy lost re-election to a second term to Democratic Congressman John V. Tunney. This election was the first since 1860 in which California sent two Democrats to the U.S. Senate.