1984 United States Senate election in Illinois

The 1984 United States Senate election in Illinois took place on November 6, 1984. Incumbent Republican Senator Charles H. Percy ran for re-election to a fourth term in the United States Senate. Senator Percy was opposed by Democratic nominee Paul Simon, who was a United States Congressman from Illinois's 22nd congressional district. The campaign between Percy and Simon was contentious and brutally fought, and ended up with Simon ousting Percy by fewer than 90,000 votes, which was, at the time, considered an upset. Incidentally, Percy's son-in-law Jay Rockefeller was elected Senator from West Virginia in the same election cycle. This is the most recent election for this seat in Illinois where both candidates are deceased.

1984 United States Senate election in Illinois

← 1978 November 6, 1984 1990 →
Turnout	73.99%
Nominee Paul Simon Charles Percy Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,397,165 2,308,039 Percentage 50.07% 48.21%
County results Township results Simon:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      <90% Percy:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Tie/No Data:      Tie      No Data
U.S. senator before election Charles H. Percy Republican Elected U.S. Senator Paul Simon Democratic

Background

The election coincided with those for other federal offices (president and House), as well as state elections.

The primaries were held March 20.^[1] Turnout in the primaries was 36.67%, with a total of 2,219,583 votes cast.^[1]

Turnout in the general election was 73.99%, with 4,787,335 votes cast.^[2]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Roland Burris, Illinois State Comptroller
• Philip J. Rock, state senator from Oak Park
• Gerald M. Rose, member of the LaRouche movement
• Alex Seith, nominee for Senate in 1978 and candidate in 1980
• Paul Simon, U.S. Representative from Makanda

Results

1984 Democratic Senate primary^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Paul Simon	556,757	35.56
	Democratic	Roland W. Burris	360,182	23.01
	Democratic	Alex Seith	327,125	20.90
	Democratic	Philip J. Rock	303,397	19.38
	Democratic	Gerald M. Rose	17,985	1.15
	Write-in		49	0.00	{{{change}}}
Total votes			1,565,495	100

Republican primary

Candidates

• Richard J. Castic
• Tom Corcoran, U.S. Representative from Ottawa
• V. A. Kelley
• Charles H. Percy, incumbent senator since 1967
• John E. Roche, candidate for governor in 1982

Results

1984 Republican Senate primary^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Charles H. Percy (incumbent)	387,865	59.30
	Republican	Tom Corcoran	239,847	36.67
	Republican	John E. Roche	13,533	2.07
	Republican	V. A. Kelley	9,236	1.41
	Republican	Richard J. Castic	3,607	0.55
	Write-in		45	0.01	{{{change}}}
Total votes			654,088	100

General election

Candidates

• Ishmael Flory, perennial candidate (Communist)
• Steve I. Givot (Libertarian)
• Nelson Gonzalez (Socialist Workers)
• Charles H. Percy, incumbent U.S. Senator since 1967 (Republican)
• Marjorie H. Pries (Independent)

• Paul Simon, U.S. Representative from Makanda (Democratic)

Results

The election was very close. Simon prevailed by only 89,126 votes, or 1.86%. Incumbent Percy did well throughout the state, including the Chicago collar counties. Nevertheless, in the heavily populated and Democratic Cook County, which encompasses the city of Chicago and the majority of the Chicago Metropolitan Area, Simon ran ahead of Percy by over 300,000 votes. Simon also won most counties in southwestern Illinois, a traditionally Democratic region.^[3] Percy led early on and well into the night, but as Cook County began to count all of its votes, Simon pulled ahead. Simon won despite then-president Reagan winning the state easily. Percy called Simon at around 5 A.M. the next day and conceded. Percy also congratulated Simon on his hard-earned victory. Simon was sworn in on January 3, 1985, and served in the Senate until January 3, 1997, when he retired. Simon was later succeeded by Dick Durbin, a close friend and fellow Democrat.

United States Senate election in Illinois, 1984^[2][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Paul Simon	2,397,165	50.07%	+4.60%
	Republican	Charles Percy (incumbent)	2,308,039	48.21%	−5.13%
	Libertarian	Steve I. Givot	59,777	1.25%	+0.74%
	Citizens	Marjorie H. Pries	12,366	0.26%
	Socialist Workers	Nelson Gonzalez	4,913	0.10%	−0.40%
	Communist	Ishmael Flory	4,802	0.10%
	Write-in		273	0.01%
Majority			89,126	1.86%	−6.00%
Turnout			4,787,335	73.99%
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing

See also

• 1984 United States Senate elections