The 1966 United States Senate election in Tennessee was held on November 8, 1966, concurrently with other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Republican nominee Howard Baker won the election, defeating Democratic nominee and Tennessee Governor Frank G. Clement with 55.7% of the vote.
In the primary, incumbent Democratic Senator Ross Bass lost to Governor Clement by a little over 2%.
Baker became the first Republican to represent Tennessee since the temporary appointment of Newell Sanders in 1912. He was the first Tennessee Republican to win a full term in the Senate since Reconstruction in 1867 and the first ever to win a popular election to the Senate. He was also the first Republican to win a full term to this Senate seat.
Republican primary Candidates Howard Baker, Republican nominee in the 1964 United States Senate special election in Tennessee Kenneth Roberts
6.5% of the voting age population participated in the Republican primary.
Results
Democratic primary Candidates Frank G. Clement, Governor of Tennessee and candidate for the United States Senate in 1964. Ross Bass, incumbent U.S. Senator
32.9% of the voting age population participated in the Democratic primary.
Results
General election Results
See also 1966 United States Senate elections 1966 Tennessee gubernatorial election
References
Works cited