1978 United States Senate election in Illinois

1978 United States Senate election in Illinois

← 1972 November 7, 1978 1984 →
Turnout54.82%
 
Nominee Charles Percy Alex Seith
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,698,711 1,448,187
Percentage 53.34% 45.47%

County results
Percy:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Seith:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Charles H. Percy
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Charles H. Percy
Republican

The 1978 United States Senate election in Illinois took place on November 7, 1978.[1] Incumbent Republican United States Senator Charles H. Percy ran for re-election to a third term in the United States Senate. Percy was opposed by Democratic nominee Alex Seith, an attorney who had been appointed to several local government positions.

Though Percy had been originally been expected to have an easy to reelection over Seith, a first-time candidate, the election quickly became competitive.

As of 2023, this was the last time the Republicans won the Class 2 Senate seat in Illinois, and also the last time a Republican Senate candidate has carried Cook County.

  1. ^ "OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 7, 1978" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved June 25, 2020.[permanent dead link]