1978 United States Senate election in Montana

The 1978 United States Senate election in Montana took place on November 7, 1978. Following the death of United States Senator Lee Metcalf on January 12, 1978, Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul G. Hatfield was appointed to serve for the remainder of Metcalf's term. Hatfield opted to run for a full term, but was overwhelmingly defeated in the Democratic primary by U.S. Representative Max Baucus of the 1st congressional district. Baucus advanced to the general election, where he was opposed by the Republican nominee, author Larry R. Williams. Baucus ended up defeating Williams by a solid margin to win his first term in the Senate, and, following Hatfield's resignation on December 12, 1978, he began serving his first term in the Senate.^{[citation needed]}

1978 United States Senate election in Montana

← 1972 November 7, 1978 1984 →

Nominee Max Baucus Larry R. Williams Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 160,353 127,589 Percentage 55.69% 44.31%

County results Baucus:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Williams:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election Paul G. Hatfield Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Max Baucus Democratic

Despite the death of Metcalf, this was not a special election, as one for the year 1978 was already planned as a normal Senate election. Additional information needed

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Max Baucus, U.S. Representative from Montana's 1st congressional district
• Paul G. Hatfield, incumbent U.S. Senator
• John Driscoll, former Speaker of the Montana House of Representatives
• Steve Shugrue

Results

Democratic Party primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Max Baucus	87,085	65.25%
	Democratic	Paul G. Hatfield (incumbent)	25,789	19.32%
	Democratic	John Driscoll	18,184	13.62%
	Democratic	Steve Shugrue	2,404	1.80%
Total votes			133,462	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Larry R. Williams, author
• Bill Osborne
• Clancy Rich

Results

Republican Primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Larry R. Williams	35,479	61.66%
	Republican	Bill Osborne	16,436	28.57%
	Republican	Clancy Rich	5,622	9.77%
Total votes			57,537	100.00%

General election

Results

United States Senate election in Montana, 1978^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Max Baucus	160,353	55.69%	+3.74%
	Republican	Larry R. Williams	127,589	44.31%	−3.74%
Majority			32,764	11.38%	+7.48%
Turnout			287,942
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• 1978 United States Senate elections