1972 United States House of Representatives elections

1972 United States House of Representatives elections

← 1970 November 7, 1972 1974 →

All 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives
218 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Carl Albert Gerald Ford
Party Democratic Republican
Leader since January 21, 1971 January 3, 1965
Leader's seat Oklahoma 3rd Michigan 5th
Last election 255 seats 180 seats
Seats won 242 192
Seat change Decrease 13 Increase 12
Popular vote 37,071,352 33,119,664
Percentage 52.1% 46.5%
Swing Decrease 1.5% Increase 1.6%

  Third party
 
Party Independent Democratic
Last election 0 seats
Seats won 1
Seat change Increase 1
Popular vote 137,664
Percentage 0.2%
Swing Steady

Results:
     Democratic hold      Democratic gain
     Republican hold      Republican gain
     Independent gain

Speaker before election

Carl Albert
Democratic

Elected Speaker

Carl Albert
Democratic

The 1972 United States House of Representatives elections were held on November 7, 1972, to elect U.S. Representatives to serve in the 93rd United States Congress. This was the first election held after the 1970 United States redistricting cycle. It coincided with the landslide reelection victory of President Richard M. Nixon. Nixon's Republican Party managed to gain a net of twelve House of Representatives seats from the Democratic Party, although the Democrats retained a majority.

This was the first election in which citizens at least 18 years of age (instead of 21 and older) could vote, due to the recent passage of the 26th Amendment. This was the last time until 2022 that a Democrat would win a House seat in Alaska,[1] and the first time since 1888 that a Republican won a House seat in Louisiana.[2]

Special elections

[edit]

Six special elections were also held throughout the year, six before November and one concurrent with the November general election.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Vermont at-large Robert Stafford Republican 1960 Incumbent resigned September 16, 1971 when appointed U.S. Senator.
New member elected January 7, 1972.
Republican hold.
Winner was re-elected in November.
Alabama 3 George W. Andrews Democratic 1944 (Special) Incumbent died December 25, 1971.
New member elected April 4, 1972.
Democratic hold.
Winner did not run for re-election in November.
Illinois 15 Charlotte Thompson Reid Republican 1962 Incumbent resigned October 7, 1971 to become Commissioner on the Federal Communications Commission.
New member elected April 4, 1972.
Republican hold.
Winner was re-elected in November.
Pennsylvania 27 James G. Fulton Republican 1944 Incumbent died October 6, 1971.
New member elected April 25, 1972.
Republican hold.
Winner was not renominated in primary for election to full term in November (see below).
Louisiana 7 Edwin Edwards Democratic 1965 (Special) Incumbent resigned May 9, 1972 when elected Governor of Louisiana.
New member elected September 30, 1972.
Democratic hold.
Winner was re-elected in November.
Virginia 6 Richard Harding Poff Republican 1952 Incumbent resigned August 29, 1972 to become judge of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
New member elected November 7, 1972.
Republican hold.
Winner was also elected the same day to the next term.
  • Green tickY M. Caldwell Butler (Republican) 51.8%[6]
  • Willis M. Anderson (Democratic) 39.8%
  • Roy R. White (Independent) 8.4%

Summary of results

[edit]

392 incumbent members sought reelection, but 13 were defeated in primaries and 13 defeated in the general election for a total of 366 incumbents winning.[7]

242 1 192
Democratic [b] Republican
Parties Seats Popular vote
1970 1972 +/- Strength Vote % Change
Democratic Party 255 242 Decrease 13 55.6% 37,071,352 52.1% Decrease 1.5%
Republican Party 180 192 Increase 12 44.2% 33,119,664 46.5% Increase 1.6%
American Independent Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 233,967 0.3% Increase 0.1%
Conservative Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 218,143 0.3% Decrease 0.1%
Liberal Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 148,951 0.2% Increase 0.1%
Independent Democratic 0 1 Increase 1 0.2% 137,664 0.2% Steady
Peace and Freedom Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 63,894 0.1% Steady
Socialist Workers Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 51,815 0.1% Increase 0.1%
National Democratic Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 37,618 0.1% Steady
Taxpayer's Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 28,079 <0.1% Steady
Action Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 12,075 <0.1% Steady
Prohibition Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 10,902 <0.1% Steady
Socialist Labor Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 10,835 <0.1% Steady
Constitution Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 5,860 <0.1% Decrease 0.1%
Concerned and Capable Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 5,188 <0.1% Steady
American Independent Conservative Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 3,077 <0.1% Steady
Communist Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 2,076 <0.1% Steady
Libertarian Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 2,028 <0.1% Steady
Less Federal Taxes Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 1,920 <0.1% Steady
La Raza Unida Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 1,629 <0.1% Steady
Protest, Progress, Dignity Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 1,556 <0.1% Steady
People's Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 1,215 <0.1% Steady
Independent for Congress Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 1,147 <0.1% Steady
People Over Politics Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 847 <0.1% Steady
Taxation With Representation Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 408 <0.1% Steady
Socialist Party 0 0 Steady 0.0% 221 <0.1% Steady
Others 0 0 Steady 0.0% 16,274 <0.1% Decrease 0.1%
Total 435 435 Steady 100.0% 71,188,405 100.0% Steady

Source: "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk.

Popular vote
Democratic
52.07%
Republican
46.52%
Others
1.41%
House seats
Democratic
55.63%
Republican
44.14%
Others
0.23%
House seats by party holding plurality in state
  80+% Democratic
  80+% Republican
  60+ to 80% Democratic
  60+ to 80% Republican
  up to 60% Democratic
  up to 60% Republican
Change in seats
  6+ Democratic gain
  6+ Republican gain
  3–5 Democratic gain
  3–5 Republican gain
  1–2 Democratic gain
  1–2 Republican gain
  no net change
Results shaded according to winners share of vote

Incumbents retiring

[edit]

Democratic gains

[edit]

Democratic holds

[edit]

Republican gains

[edit]

Republican holds

[edit]

Incumbents defeated

[edit]

Incumbents defeated in primary

[edit]
  1. California 8: George P. Miller (D)
  2. California 39: John G. Schmitz (R)
  3. Colorado 4: Wayne Aspinall (D)
  4. Georgia 1: George Elliott Hagan (D)
  5. Michigan 19: Jack H. McDonald (R)
  6. Nevada at-large: Walter S. Baring Jr. (D)
  7. New Jersey 13: Cornelius Edward Gallagher (D)
  8. New York 18: Emanuel Celler (D)
  9. New York 22: James H. Scheuer (D)
  10. Pennsylvania 3: James A. Byrne (D)
  11. Pennsylvania 22: William Sheldrick Conover (R)
  12. South Carolina 6: John L. McMillan (D)
  13. West Virginia 4: James Kee (D)

Incumbents defeated in general election

[edit]
  1. Colorado 1: Mike McKevitt (R)
  2. Connecticut 5: John S. Monagan (D)
  3. Illinois 10: Abner J. Mikva (D)
  4. Indiana 11: Andrew Jacobs Jr. (D)
  5. Iowa 1: Fred Schwengel (R)
  6. Iowa 4: John Henry Kyl (R)
  7. Massachusetts 9: Louise Day Hicks (D)
  8. New York 26: John G. Dow (D)
  9. Tennessee 6: William Anderson (D)
  10. Texas 5: Earle Cabell (D)
  11. Texas 13: Graham B. Purcell Jr. (D)
  12. Utah 2: Sherman P. Lloyd (R)
  13. Wisconsin 7: Alvin E. O'Konski (R)

Alabama

[edit]

Alabama was reapportioned from 8 to 7 seats and eliminated the old 3rd district, dividing it between the old 2nd and 4th and making compensating boundary changes elsewhere.[8]

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Alabama 1 Jack Edwards Republican 1964 Incumbent re-elected.
Alabama 2 William Louis Dickinson Republican 1964 Incumbent re-elected.
Elizabeth B. Andrews
Redistricted from the 3rd district
Democratic 1972 (Special) Incumbent retired.
Democratic loss.
Alabama 3 Bill Nichols
Redistricted from the 4th district
Democratic 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Alabama 4 Tom Bevill
Redistricted from the 7th district
Democratic 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Alabama 5 Robert E. Jones Jr.
Redistricted from the 8th district
Democratic 1947 (Special) Incumbent re-elected.
Alabama 6 John Hall Buchanan Jr. Republican 1964 Incumbent re-elected.
Alabama 7 Walter Flowers
Redistricted from the 5th district
Democratic 1968 Incumbent re-elected.

Alaska

[edit]

Incumbent Nick Begich won re-election three weeks after having disappeared in a plane crash October 16; challenger Don Young would later win a March special election after Begich was declared dead on December 29.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Alaska at-large Nick Begich Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected posthumously.

Arizona

[edit]

Arizona was reapportioned from 3 seats to 4 and carved a new district in the Phoenix suburbs and the northeast from parts of the existing districts.[8]

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Arizona 1 John Jacob Rhodes Republican 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
Arizona 2 Mo Udall Democratic 1961 (Special) Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Mo Udall (Democratic) 63.5%
  • Gene Savoie (Republican) 36.5%
Arizona 3 Sam Steiger Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Sam Steiger (Republican) 63.0%
  • Ted Wyckoff (Democratic) 37.0%
Arizona 4 None (district created) New seat.
Republican gain.

Arkansas

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Arkansas 1 William Vollie Alexander Jr. Democratic 1968 Incumbent re-elected.
Arkansas 2 Wilbur Mills Democratic 1938 Incumbent re-elected.
Arkansas 3 John Paul Hammerschmidt Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Arkansas 4 David Pryor Democratic 1966 Retired to run for U.S. Senator.
Democratic hold.
  • Green tickY Ray Thornton (Democratic) 83%
  • John Norman Warnock (American Independent) 17%

California

[edit]

California was reapportioned from 38 to 43 seats, adding one seat in the Bay Area, one in the Central Valley, and 3 in southern California;[8] three went to Democrats, two to Republicans. Despite a retirement and two lost renominations, both parties held their seats in this election, bringing the Democrats up from 20 seats to 23 and the Republicans up from 18 seats to 20.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
California 1 Donald H. Clausen Republican 1963 Incumbent re-elected.
California 2 Harold T. Johnson Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Harold T. Johnson (Democratic) 68.3%
  • Francis X. Callahan (Republican) 28.6%
  • Dorothy D. Paradis (American) 3.1%
California 3 John E. Moss Democratic 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY John E. Moss (Democratic) 69.9%
  • John Rakus (Republican) 30.1%
California 4 Robert L. Leggett Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
California 5 Phillip Burton Democratic 1964 Incumbent re-elected.
California 6 William S. Mailliard Republican 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
California 7 Ron Dellums Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Ron Dellums (Democratic) 56.0%
  • Peter Hannaford (Republican) 38.0%
  • Frank V. Cortese (American) 6.0%
California 8 George P. Miller Democratic 1944 Incumbent lost renomination.
Democratic hold.
  • Green tickY Pete Stark (Democratic) 52.9%
  • Lew M. Warden Jr. (Republican) 47.1%
California 9 Don Edwards Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Don Edwards (Democratic) 72.3%
  • Herb Smith (Republican) 25.2%
  • Edmon V. Kaiser (American) 2.6%
California 10 Charles S. Gubser Republican 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
California 11 None (district created) New seat.
Democratic gain.
  • Green tickY Leo Ryan (Democratic) 60.4%
  • Charles E. Chase (Republican) 37.0%
  • Nicholas W. Kudrovzeff (American) 2.6%
California 12 Burt L. Talcott Republican 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Burt L. Talcott (Republican) 54.0%
  • Julian Camacho (Democratic) 43.1%
  • Stanley K. Monteith (American) 2.9%
California 13 Charles M. Teague Republican 1954 Incumbent re-elected.
California 14 Jerome Waldie Democratic 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Jerome Waldie (Democratic) 77.6%
  • Floyd E. Sims (Republican) 22.4%
California 15 John J. McFall Democratic 1956 Incumbent re-elected.
California 16 B. F. Sisk Democratic 1954 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY B. F. Sisk (Democratic) 79.1%
  • Carol O. Harner (Republican) 20.9%
California 17 Pete McCloskey
Redistricted from the 11th district
Republican 1967 Incumbent re-elected.
California 18 Bob Mathias Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Bob Mathias (Republican) 66.5%
  • Vincent J. Lavery (Democratic) 33.5%
California 19 Chet Holifield Democratic 1942 Incumbent re-elected.
California 20 H. Allen Smith Republican 1956 Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
California 21 Augustus Hawkins Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
California 22 James C. Corman Democratic 1960 Incumbent re-elected.
California 23 Del M. Clawson Republican 1963 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Del M. Clawson (Republican) 61.4%
  • Conrad G. Tuohey (Democratic) 38.6%
California 24 John H. Rousselot Republican 1960
1962 (defeated)
1970 (Special)
Incumbent re-elected.
California 25 Charles E. Wiggins Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Charles E. Wiggins (Republican) 64.9%
  • Leslie W. Craven (Democratic) 31.9%
  • Alfred Romirez (American) 3.1%
California 26 Thomas M. Rees Democratic 1965 Incumbent re-elected.
California 27 Barry Goldwater Jr. Republican 1969 Incumbent re-elected.
California 28 Alphonzo E. Bell Jr. Republican 1960 Incumbent re-elected.
California 29 George E. Danielson Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
California 30 Edward R. Roybal Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
California 31 Charles H. Wilson Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
California 32 Craig Hosmer Republican 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
California 33 Jerry Pettis Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Jerry Pettis (Republican) 75.1%
  • Ken Thompson (Democratic) 24.9%
California 34 Richard T. Hanna Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
California 35 Glenn M. Anderson
Redistricted from the 17th district
Democratic 1968 Incumbent re-elected.
California 36 None (district created) New seat.
Republican gain.
  • Green tickY William M. Ketchum (Republican) 52.7%
  • Timothy Lemucchi (Democratic) 43.5%
  • Bill Armour (American) 3.8%
California 37 None (district created) New seat.
Democratic gain.
California 38 None (district created) New seat.
Democratic gain.
California 39 John G. Schmitz
Redistricted from the 35th district
Republican 1970 Incumbent lost renomination.
Republican hold.
California 40 Bob Wilson
Redistricted from the 36th district
Republican 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
California 41 Lionel Van Deerlin
Redistricted from the 37th district
Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
California 42 None (district created) New seat.
Republican gain.
  • Green tickY Clair Burgener (Republican) 67.4%
  • Bob Lowe (Democratic) 29.2%
  • Armin R. Moths (American) 3.4%
California 43 Victor Veysey
Redistricted from the 38th district
Republican 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Victor Veysey (Republican) 62.7%
  • Ernest Z. Robles (Democratic) 37.3%

Colorado

[edit]

Colorado was reapportioned from 4 to 5 seats, constructing a new 5th district east and south of Denver.[8]

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Colorado 1 Mike McKevitt Republican 1970 Incumbent lost re-election.
Democratic gain.
Colorado 2 Donald G. Brotzman Republican 1962
1964 (defeated)
1966
Incumbent re-elected.
Colorado 3 Frank Evans Democratic 1964 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Frank Evans (Democratic) 66.3%
  • Chuck Brady (Republican) 33.7%
Colorado 4 Wayne N. Aspinall Democratic 1948 Incumbent lost renomination.
Republican gain.
Colorado 5 None (district created) New seat.
Republican gain.

Connecticut

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Connecticut 1 William R. Cotter Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Connecticut 2 Robert H. Steele Republican 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Connecticut 3 Robert Giaimo Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Robert Giaimo (Democratic) 53.3%
  • Henry A. Povinelli (Republican) 46.7%
Connecticut 4 Stewart McKinney Republican 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Connecticut 5 John S. Monagan Democratic 1958 Incumbent lost re-election.
Republican gain.
Connecticut 6 Ella Grasso Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Ella Grasso (Democratic) 60.2%
  • John F. Walsh (Republican) 39.8%

Delaware

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Delaware at-large Pete du Pont Republican 1970 Incumbent re-elected.

Florida

[edit]

Florida was reapportioned from 12 to 15 seats, adding a seat in central and two in south Florida.[8]

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Florida 1 Bob Sikes Democratic 1940
1944 (resigned)
1974
Incumbent re-elected.
Florida 2 Don Fuqua Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
Florida 3 Charles E. Bennett Democratic 1948 Incumbent re-elected.
Florida 4 Bill Chappell Democratic 1968 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Bill Chappell (Democratic) 55.9%
  • Bud Fleuchaus (Republican) 44.1%
Florida 5 None (district created) New seat.
Democratic gain.
  • Green tickY Bill Gunter (Democratic) 55.5%
  • Jack P. Insco (Republican) 44.5%
Florida 6 Bill Young
Redistricted from the 8th district
Republican 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Bill Young (Republican) 76.0%
  • Michael O. Plunkett (Democratic) 24.0%
Florida 7 Sam Gibbons
Redistricted from the 6th district
Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Sam Gibbons (Democratic) 68.0%
  • Robert A. Carter (Republican) 32.0%
Florida 8 James A. Haley
Redistricted from the 7th district
Democratic 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY James A. Haley (Democratic) 57.8%
  • Roy Thompson Jr. (Republican) 42.2%
Florida 9 Louis Frey Jr.
Redistricted from the 5th district
Republican 1968 Incumbent re-elected.
Florida 10 None (district created) New seat.
Republican gain.
  • Green tickY Skip Bafalis (Republican) 62.0%
  • Bill Sikes (Democratic) 38.0%
Florida 11 Paul Rogers
Redistricted from the 9th district
Democratic 1954 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Paul Rogers (Democratic) 60.2%
  • Joel Karl Gustafson (Republican) 39.8%
Florida 12 J. Herbert Burke
Redistricted from the 10th district
Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Florida 13 None (district created) New seat.
Democratic gain.
Florida 14 Claude Pepper
Redistricted from the 11th district
Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Claude Pepper (Democratic) 67.6%
  • Evelio S. Estrella (Republican) 32.4%
Florida 15 Dante Fascell
Redistricted from the 12th district
Democratic 1954 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Dante Fascell (Democratic) 56.8%
  • Ellis B. Rubin (Republican) 43.2%

Georgia

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Georgia 1 George Elliott Hagan Democratic 1960 Incumbent lost renomination.
Democratic hold.
Georgia 2 Dawson Mathis Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Georgia 3 Jack Brinkley Democratic 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Georgia 4 Benjamin B. Blackburn Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Georgia 5 Fletcher Thompson Republican 1966 Retired to run for U.S. Senator.
Democratic gain.
Georgia 6 John Flynt Democratic 1954 Incumbent re-elected.
Georgia 7 John William Davis Democratic 1960 Incumbent re-elected.
Georgia 8 W. S. Stuckey Jr. Democratic 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Georgia 9 Phillip M. Landrum Democratic 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
Georgia 10 Robert Grier Stephens Jr. Democratic 1960 Incumbent re-elected.

Hawaii

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Hawaii 1 Spark Matsunaga Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
Hawaii 2 Patsy Mink Democratic 1964 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Patsy Mink (Democratic) 57.1%
  • Diana Hansen (Republican) 42.9%

Idaho

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Idaho 1 James A. McClure Republican 1966 Retired to run for U.S. Senator.
Republican hold.
  • Green tickY Steve Symms (Republican) 55.6%
  • Ed Williams (Democratic) 44.4%
Idaho 2 Orval H. Hansen Republican 1968 Incumbent re-elected.

Illinois

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Illinois 1 Ralph Metcalfe Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois 2 Morgan F. Murphy
Redistricted from the 3rd district
Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois 3 None (district created) New seat.
Republican gain.
Illinois 4 Ed Derwinski Republican 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Ed Derwinski (Republican) 70.5%
  • C. F. 'Bob' Dore (Democratic) 29.5%
Illinois 5 John C. Kluczynski Democratic 1950 Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois 6 Harold R. Collier
Redistricted from the 10th district
Republican 1956 Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois 7 George W. Collins
Redistricted from the 6th district
Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois 8 Dan Rostenkowski Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois 9 Sidney R. Yates Democratic 1948
1962 (retired)
1964
Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois 10 Abner Mikva
Redistricted from the 2nd district
Democratic 1968 Incumbent lost re-election.
Republican gain.
Illinois 11 Roman Pucinski Democratic 1958 Retired to run for U.S. Senator.
Democratic loss.
Frank Annunzio
Redistricted from the 7th district
Democratic 1964 Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois 12 Phil Crane
Redistricted from the 13th district
Republican 1969 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Phil Crane (Republican) 74.2%
  • Edwin L. Frank (Democratic) 25.8%
Illinois 13 Robert McClory
Redistricted from the 12th district
Republican 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Robert McClory (Republican) 61.5%
  • Stanley W. Beetham (Democratic) 38.5%
Illinois 14 John N. Erlenborn Republican 1964 Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois 15 Cliffard D. Carlson Republican 1972 (Special) Incumbent retired.
Republican loss.
Leslie C. Arends
Redistricted from the 17th district
Republican 1934 Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois 16 John B. Anderson Republican 1960 Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois 17 None (district created) New seat.
Republican gain.
Illinois 18 Robert H. Michel Republican 1956 Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois 19 Tom Railsback Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Illinois 20 Paul Findley Republican 1960 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Paul Findley (Republican) 68.8%
  • Robert S. O'Shea (Democratic) 31.2%
Illinois 21 William L. Springer
Redistricted from the 22nd district
Republican 1950 Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
Illinois 22 George E. Shipley
Redistricted from the 23rd district
Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY George E. Shipley (Democratic) 56.5%
  • Robert B. Lamkin (Republican) 41.0%
  • Cleo A. Duzan (Independent) 2.4%
Illinois 23 Melvin Price
Redistricted from the 24th district
Democratic 1944 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Melvin Price (Democratic) 75.1%
  • Robert Mays (Republican) 24.9%
Illinois 24 Kenneth J. Gray
Redistricted from the 21st district
Democratic 1954 Incumbent re-elected.

Indiana

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Indiana 1 Ray Madden Democratic 1942 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Ray Madden (Democratic) 56.9%
  • Bruce R. Haller (Republican) 43.1%
Indiana 2 Earl Landgrebe Republican 1968 Incumbent re-elected.
Indiana 3 John Brademas Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Indiana 4 J. Edward Roush Democratic 1958
1968 (defeated)
1970
Incumbent re-elected.
Indiana 5 Elwood Hillis Republican 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Elwood Hillis (Republican) 64.1%
  • Kathleen Z. Williams (Democratic) 35.9%
Indiana 6 William G. Bray Republican 1950 Incumbent re-elected.
Indiana 7 John T. Myers Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY John T. Myers (Republican) 61.6%
  • Warren P. Henegar (Democratic) 38.4%
Indiana 8 Roger H. Zion Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Roger H. Zion (Republican) 63.4%
  • Richard L. Deen (Democratic) 36.6%
Indiana 9 Lee H. Hamilton Democratic 1964 Incumbent re-elected.
Indiana 10 David W. Dennis Republican 1968 Incumbent re-elected.
Indiana 11 Andrew Jacobs Jr. Democratic 1964 Incumbent lost re-election.
Republican gain.

Iowa

[edit]

Iowa was reapportioned from 7 seats to 6, dividing the old 5th district around Des Moines between its neighbors. Its incumbent, Neal Smith, won again in the south-central Iowa 4th district.[8]

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Iowa 1 Fred Schwengel Republican 1954
1964 (defeated)
1966
Incumbent lost re-election.
Democratic gain.
Iowa 2 John C. Culver Democratic 1964 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY John C. Culver (Democratic) 59.2%
  • Theodore R. Ellsworth (Republican) 40.8%
Iowa 3 H. R. Gross Republican 1948 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY H. R. Gross (Republican) 55.7%
  • Lyle D. Taylor (Democratic) 44.3%
Iowa 4 John Henry Kyl Republican 1959 (special)
1964 (defeated)
1966
Incumbent lost re-election.
Republican loss.
Neal Smith
Redistricted from the 5th district
Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Iowa 5 William J. Scherle
Redistricted from the 7th district
Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Iowa 6 Wiley Mayne Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.

Kansas

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Kansas 1 Keith Sebelius Republican 1968 Incumbent re-elected.
Kansas 2 William R. Roy Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY William R. Roy (Democratic) 60.6%
  • Charles D. McAtee (Republican) 37.1%
  • Bert Falley (Conservative) 1.8%
  • David Scoggin (Prohibition) 0.5%
Kansas 3 Larry Winn Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Larry Winn (Republican) 71.0%
  • Charles Barsotti (Democratic) 25.4%
  • Warren E. Redding (Conservative) 3.6%
Kansas 4 Garner E. Shriver Republican 1960 Incumbent re-elected.
Kansas 5 Joe Skubitz Republican 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Joe Skubitz (Republican) 72.3%
  • Lloyd L. Kitch Jr. (Democratic) 27.7%

Kentucky

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Kentucky 1 Frank Stubblefield Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Frank Stubblefield (Democratic) 64.8%
  • Charles Thurman Banken Jr. (Republican) 33.7%
  • John M. Katterjohn (Independent) 1.5%
Kentucky 2 William Natcher Democratic 1953 (Special) Incumbent re-elected.
Kentucky 3 Romano Mazzoli Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Kentucky 4 Gene Snyder Republican 1962
1964 (defeated)
1966
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Gene Snyder (Republican) 73.8%
  • James W. Rogers (Democratic) 26.2%
Kentucky 5 Tim Lee Carter Republican 1964 Incumbent re-elected.
Kentucky 6 William P. Curlin Jr. Democratic 1971 (Special) Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
  • Green tickY John B. Breckinridge (Democratic) 52.4%
  • Laban P. Jackson (Republican) 46.8%
  • Thomas F. Lundeen (Peoples) 0.8%
Kentucky 7 Carl D. Perkins Democratic 1948 Incumbent re-elected.

Louisiana

[edit]

Louisiana stayed at eight house seats following the 1970 census, but the Eighth District's boundaries were radically altered. New governor Edwin W. Edwards ordered the district to take in territory far to the south and east of its traditional base of Alexandria, which included many African-American and progressive white voters. The change was largely regarded as an election deal between Edwards and former Rep. Gillis Long, who finished third in the Democratic Primary in the 1971 Louisiana Governor's Election behind Edwards and J. Bennett Johnston. Long easily won back the Eighth District seat he lost in 1964 to cousin Speedy Long. Speedy Long retired when his home of LaSalle Parish was shifted to the Fifth District, where incumbent Otto Passman was entrenched.

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Louisiana 1 F. Edward Hébert Democratic 1940 Incumbent re-elected.
Louisiana 2 Hale Boggs Democratic 1940
1942 (lost renomination)
1946
Incumbent re-elected posthumously.
Louisiana 3 Patrick T. Caffery Democratic 1968 Incumbent retired.
Republican gain.
  • Green tickY Dave Treen (Republican) 54.0%
  • J. Louis Watkins Jr. (Democratic) 46.0%
Louisiana 4 Joe Waggonner Democratic 1961 Incumbent re-elected.
Louisiana 5 Otto Passman Democratic 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
Louisiana 6 John Rarick Democratic 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Louisiana 7 John Breaux Democratic 1972 (Special) Incumbent re-elected.
Louisiana 8 Speedy Long Democratic 1964 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.

Maine

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Maine 1 Peter Kyros Democratic 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Peter Kyros (Democratic) 59.4%
  • L. Robert Porteous Jr. (Republican) 40.6%
Maine 2 William Hathaway Democratic 1964 Retired to run for U.S. Senator.
Republican gain.

Maryland

[edit]

Maryland's redistricting eliminated a seat in Baltimore in favor of an additional seat in the DC suburbs.[8]

District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Maryland 1 William Oswald Mills Republican 1971 (Special) Incumbent re-elected.
Maryland 2 Clarence Long Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Clarence Long (Democratic) 65.8%
  • John J. Bishop Jr. (Republican) 34.2%
Maryland 3 Edward Garmatz Democratic 1947 (Special) Incumbent retired.
Democratic loss.
  • Green tickY Paul Sarbanes (Democratic) 69.7%
  • Robert D. Morrow (Republican) 30.3%
Paul Sarbanes
Redistricted from the 4th district
Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Maryland 4 None (district created) New seat.
Republican gain.
Maryland 5 Lawrence Hogan Republican 1968 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Lawrence Hogan (Republican) 62.9%
  • Edward T. Conroy (Democratic) 37.1%
Maryland 6 Goodloe Byron Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Maryland 7 Parren Mitchell Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Maryland 8 Gilbert Gude Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Gilbert Gude (Republican) 63.9%
  • Joseph G. Anastasi (Democratic) 36.1%

Massachusetts

[edit]
Massachusetts' Results
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Massachusetts 1 Silvio O. Conte Republican 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts 2 Edward Boland Democratic 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts 3 Harold Donohue
Redistricted from the 4th district
Democratic 1946 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts 4 Robert Drinan
Redistricted from the 3rd district
Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts 5 F. Bradford Morse Republican 1960 Resigned when appointed to United Nations
Republican hold.
Massachusetts 6 Michael J. Harrington Democratic 1969 (Special) Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts 7 Torbert Macdonald Democratic 1954 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts 8 Tip O'Neill Democratic 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts 9 Louise Day Hicks Democratic 1970 Incumbent lost re-election.
Independent Democratic gain.[a]
  • Green tickY Joe Moakley (Independent Democratic) 43.2%[a]
  • Louise Day Hicks (Democratic) 41.1%
  • Howard M. Miller (Republican) 14.2%
  • Jeanne Lafferty (Independent) 1.5%
Massachusetts 10 Margaret Heckler Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts 11 James A. Burke Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Massachusetts 12 Hastings Keith Republican 1958 Incumbent retired.
Democratic gain.
  • Green tickY Gerry Studds (Democratic) 50.3%
  • William D. Weeks (Republican) 49.7%

Michigan

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Michigan 1 John Conyers Jr. Democratic 1964 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan 2 Marvin L. Esch Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan 3 Garry E. Brown Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan 4 J. Edward Hutchinson Republican 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan 5 Gerald Ford Republican 1948 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan 6 Charles E. Chamberlain Republican 1956 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan 7 Donald Riegle Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Donald Riegle (Republican) 70.1%
  • Eugene L. Mattison (Democratic) 29.9%
Michigan 8 R. James Harvey Republican 1960 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan 9 Guy Vander Jagt Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan 10 Elford Albin Cederberg Republican 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan 11 Philip Ruppe Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan 12 James G. O'Hara Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan 13 Charles Diggs Democratic 1954 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan 14 Lucien Nedzi Democratic 1961 (Special) Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Lucien Nedzi (Democratic) 54.9%
  • Robert V. McGrath (Republican) 45.1%
Michigan 15 William D. Ford Democratic 1964 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan 16 John D. Dingell Jr. Democratic 1955 (Special) Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan 17 Martha W. Griffiths Democratic 1954 Incumbent re-elected.
Michigan 18 None (district created) New seat.
Republican gain.
Michigan 19 Jack H. McDonald Republican 1966 Incumbent lost renomination.
Republican loss.
William Broomfield
Redistricted from the 18th district
Republican 1956 Incumbent re-elected.

Minnesota

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Minnesota 1 Al Quie Republican 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Minnesota 2 Ancher Nelsen Republican 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Minnesota 3 Bill Frenzel Republican 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Minnesota 4 Joseph Karth Democratic (DFL) 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
Minnesota 5 Donald M. Fraser Democratic (DFL) 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
Minnesota 6 John M. Zwach Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Minnesota 7 Robert Bergland Democratic (DFL) 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Minnesota 8 John Blatnik Democratic (DFL) 1946 Incumbent re-elected.

Mississippi

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Mississippi 1 Jamie Whitten
Redistricted from the 2nd district
Democratic 1941 (Special) Incumbent re-elected.
Mississippi 2 Thomas Abernethy
Redistricted from the 1st district
Democratic 1942 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
  • Green tickY David R. Bowen (Democratic) 61.9%
  • Carl Butler (Republican) 34.7%
  • Robert J. Coleman (Independent) 2.5%
  • Norman Smith (Independent) 0.9%
Mississippi 3 Sonny Montgomery
Redistricted from the 4th district
Democratic 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
Mississippi 4 Charles H. Griffin
Redistricted from the 3rd district
Democratic 1968 Incumbent retired.
Republican gain.
Mississippi 5 William M. Colmer Democratic 1932 Incumbent retired.
Republican gain.
  • Green tickY Trent Lott (Republican) 55.3%
  • Ben Stone (Democratic) 44.2%
  • Earnest J. Creel (Independent) 0.5%

Missouri

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Missouri 1 Bill Clay Democratic 1968 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Bill Clay (Democratic) 64.0%
  • Richard O. Funsch (Republican) 36.0%
Missouri 2 James W. Symington Democratic 1968 Incumbent re-elected.
Missouri 3 Leonor Sullivan Democratic 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Leonor Sullivan (Democratic) 69.3%
  • Albert Holst (Republican) 30.4%
  • Charles H. Byford (Independent) 0.3%
Missouri 4 William J. Randall Democratic 1959 (Special) Incumbent re-elected.
Missouri 5 Richard Walker Bolling Democratic 1948 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Richard Walker Bolling (Democratic) 62.8%
  • Vernon E. Rice (Republican) 35.6%
  • Stella Sollars (Independent) 1.6%
Missouri 6 William Raleigh Hull Jr. Democratic 1954 Incumbent retired.
Democratic hold.
  • Green tickY Jerry Litton (Democratic) 54.6%
  • Russell Sloan (Republican) 45.4%
Missouri 7 Durward Gorham Hall Republican 1960 Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
  • Green tickY Gene Taylor (Republican) 63.7%
  • Bill Thomas (Democratic) 36.3%
Missouri 8 Richard Howard Ichord Jr. Democratic 1960 Incumbent re-elected.
Missouri 9 William L. Hungate Democratic 1964 Incumbent re-elected.
Missouri 10 Bill Burlison Democratic 1968 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Bill Burlison (Democratic) 64.3%
  • Marion Francis Svendrowski (Republican) 35.7%

Montana

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Montana 1 Richard G. Shoup Republican 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Montana 2 John Melcher Democratic 1969 (Special) Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY John Melcher (Democratic) 76.1%
  • Dick Forester (Republican) 23.9%

Nebraska

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Nebraska 1 Charles Thone Republican 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Charles Thone (Republican) 64.2%
  • Darrel E. Berg (Democratic) 35.8%
Nebraska 2 John Y. McCollister Republican 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
Nebraska 3 David Martin Republican 1960 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY David Martin (Republican) 69.6%
  • Warren Fitzgerald (Democratic) 30.4%

Nevada

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
Nevada at-large Walter S. Baring Jr. Democratic 1948
1952 (defeated)
1956
Incumbent lost renomination.
Republican gain.

New Hampshire

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
New Hampshire 1 Louis C. Wyman Republican 1962
1964 (defeated)
1966
Incumbent re-elected.
New Hampshire 2 James Colgate Cleveland Republican 1962 Incumbent re-elected.

New Jersey

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
New Jersey 1 John E. Hunt Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
New Jersey 2 Charles W. Sandman Jr. Republican 1966 Incumbent re-elected.
New Jersey 3 James J. Howard Democratic 1964 Incumbent re-elected.
New Jersey 4 Frank Thompson Democratic 1954 Incumbent re-elected.
New Jersey 5 Peter Frelinghuysen Jr. Republican 1952 Incumbent re-elected.
New Jersey 6 Edwin B. Forsythe Republican 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Edwin B. Forsythe (Republican) 62.8%
  • Francis P. Brennan (Democratic) 36.1%
  • Ida C. Ebert (Independent) 0.6%
  • Bernardo S. Doganiero (Soc-Lab) 0.5%
New Jersey 7 William B. Widnall Republican 1950 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY William B. Widnall (Republican) 57.9%
  • Arthur J. Lesemann (Democratic) 39.9%
  • Martin E. Wendelken (Independent) 2.1%
New Jersey 8 Robert A. Roe Democratic 1970 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Robert A. Roe (Democratic) 63.1%
  • Walter E. Johnson (Republican) 36.9%
New Jersey 9 Henry Helstoski Democratic 1964 Incumbent re-elected.
New Jersey 10 Peter W. Rodino Democratic 1948 Incumbent re-elected.
New Jersey 11 Joseph Minish Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.
New Jersey 12 Florence P. Dwyer Republican 1956 Incumbent retired.
Republican hold.
  • Green tickY Matthew John Rinaldo (Republican) 63.5%
  • Jerry Fitzgerald English (Democratic) 36.2%
  • Stanley Bogus (Independent) 0.4%
New Jersey 13 None (district created) New seat.
Republican gain.
New Jersey 14 Dominick V. Daniels Democratic 1958 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Dominick V. Daniels (Democratic) 61.2%
  • Richard T. Bozzone (Republican) 34.3%
  • Edward F. Zampella (Independent) 3.1%
  • Perfecto Oyola (Independent) 0.9%
  • Vincent J. Carrino (Independent) 0.5%
Cornelius Gallagher
Redistricted from the 13th district
Democratic 1958 Incumbent lost renomination.
Democratic loss.
New Jersey 15 Edward J. Patten Democratic 1962 Incumbent re-elected.

New Mexico

[edit]
District Incumbent This race
Member Party First elected Results Candidates
New Mexico 1 Manuel Lujan Jr. Republican 1968