The 1972 United States Senate election in Illinois took place on November 7, 1972. Incumbent Republican United States Senator Charles H. Percy sought re-election to the United States Senate. Percy was opposed by Democratic nominee Roman Pucinski, a United States representative from the Northwest Side of Chicago, whom he was able to defeat handily to win a second term. , this was the last time a Republican was elected to the U.S. Senate from Illinois during a presidential election year, the last time an Illinois Republican won a Senate election by double digits, and the last time any candidate has swept every county in the state.
Background The primary (held on March 21) and general election coincided with those for House and state elections.
Turnout in the primaries was 31.40%, with a total of 1,753,727 votes cast. Turnout during the general election was 51.24%, with 3,184,764 votes cast. Turnout in both the primary and general election was significantly less than those for coinciding statewide races.
Democratic primary Congressman Roman Pucinski defeated Dakin Williams in the Democratic primary. Williams was a prosecutor who was the younger brother of playwright Tennessee Williams.
Candidates Roman Pucinski, U.S. representative from the Northwest Side of Chicago Dakin Williams, prosecutor
Results
Republican primary Incumbent Charles H. Percy was renominated without opposition in the Republican primary.
Candidates Charles H. Percy, incumbent U.S. senator since 1967
Results
General election
Candidates Arnold Becchetti (Communist) Edward C. Gross, perennial candidate (Socialist Labor) Charles H. Percy, incumbent U.S. senator since 1967 (Republican) Roman Pucinski, U.S. representative from the Northwest Side of Chicago (Democratic)
See also United States Senate elections, 1972
References