The 1976 United States Senate election in Tennessee took place on November 2, 1976. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Bill Brock ran for re-election to a second term but was defeated by Democratic challenger Jim Sasser.
Several prominent Democrats ran in the Democratic primary. The most prominent was probably 1970 gubernatorial nominee John Jay Hooker; somewhat surprisingly to most observers however, the winner of the primary was Jim Sasser, who had managed Albert Gore Sr.'s 1970 re-election campaign.
Prior to his Senate re-election run, Brock was among those considered to replace Nelson Rockefeller as President Gerald Ford's running mate in the 1976 election.United Press International, Ford Lists Possible 1976 Running Mates, Bangor Daily News, January 23, 1976.
Primary 18.1% of the voting age population participated in the Democratic primary.
Major Candidates Republican Bill Brock, Incumbent U.S. Senator since 1971
Democratic Jim Sasser, attorney and Democratic activist John Jay Hooker, attorney and candidate for governor in 1966 and nominee in 1970
Results
See also 1976 United States Senate elections 1976 United States presidential election in Tennessee
References
Works cited