1972 United States Senate election in Minnesota

The 1972 United States Senate election in Minnesota took place on November 7, 1972. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Walter Mondale won re-election.

1972 United States Senate election in Minnesota

November 7, 1972

Nominee Walter Mondale Phil Hansen Party Democratic (DFL) Republican Popular vote 981,320 742,121 Percentage 56.67% 42.86%

County results Mondale:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Hansen:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%

U.S. senator before election Walter Mondale Democratic (DFL) Elected U.S. Senator Walter Mondale Democratic (DFL)

Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary

Candidates

Declared

• Ralph E. Franklin
• Tom Griffin
• Richard "Dick" Leaf
• Walter F. Mondale, Incumbent U.S. Senator since 1964

Results

Democratic primary election results[1][2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Walter Mondale (Incumbent)	230,679	89.88%
	Democratic (DFL)	Tom Griffin	11,266	4.39%
	Democratic (DFL)	Richard "Dick" Leaf	7,750	3.02%
	Democratic (DFL)	Ralph E. Franklin	6,946	2.71%
Total votes			256,641	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Phil Hansen, Lutheran minister[3]

Results

Republican primary election results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Phil Hansen	165,093	100.00%
Total votes			165,093	100.00%

General election

Results

General election results[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Walter Mondale (Incumbent)	981,320	56.67%
	Republican	Phil Hansen	742,121	42.86%
	Industrial Government	Karl H. Heck	8,192	0.47%
Total votes			1,731,633	100.00%
Majority			239,199	13.81%
Turnout				97.63
	Democratic (DFL) hold

See also

• United States Senate elections, 1972

References

1. https://www.leg.state.mn.us/archive/sessions/electionresults/1972-09-12-p-man.pdf
2. https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=344518
3. https://www.nytimes.com/1972/09/30/archives/dear-friend-letters-a-mondale-boon.html
4. https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=6535