1974 United States Senate election in California
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The 1974 United States Senate election in California was held on November 5, 1974. Incumbent Democrat Alan Cranston defeated Republican nominee H. L. Richardson with 60.52% of the vote.
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November 5, 1974
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 County results Cranston: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Richardson: 40–50% | |||||||||||||||||
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Primary elections were held on June 4, 1974.[1] In the general election, only Inyo County voted Republican. As of 2025, this was the last time Orange County voted Democratic in a Senate election contested by both political parties.[a]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Alan Cranston, incumbent United States Senator
- Howard L. Gifford
- Frank Kacsinta
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Alan Cranston (incumbent) | 2,262,574 | 83.54 | |
| Democratic | Howard L. Gifford | 318,080 | 11.75 | |
| Democratic | Frank Kacsinta | 127,149 | 4.70% | |
| Total votes | 2,707,803 | 100.00 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- H. L. Richardson, State Senator from Pasadena
- Earl Brian, California Secretary of Health and Welfare
- James E. Johnson
- William H. Reinholz
- Thomas A. Malatesta
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | H. L. Richardson | 1,061,986 | 64.64 | |
| Republican | Earl W. Brian | 273,636 | 16.65 | |
| Republican | James E. Johnson | 118,715 | 7.23 | |
| Republican | William H. Reinholz | 107,217 | 6.53 | |
| Republican | Thomas A. Malatesta | 79,955 | 4.87 | |
| Total votes | 1,641,509 | 100.00 | ||
General election
Candidates
- Alan Cranston, incumbent United States Senator (Democratic)
- Gayle M. Justice (Peace and Freedom)
- Jack McCoy (American Independent)
- H. L. Richardson, State Senator from Pasadena (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Alan Cranston (incumbent) | 3,693,160 | 60.52% | ||
| Republican | H. L. Richardson | 2,210,267 | 36.22% | ||
| American Independent | Jack McCoy | 101,145 | 1.66% | ||
| Peace and Freedom | Gayle M. Justice | 96,436 | 1.58% | ||
| Majority | 1,482,893 | ||||
| Turnout | 6,102,432 | ||||
| Democratic hold | Swing | ||||
Notes
- Excluding 2016 and 2018, when two Democrats advanced to the general election and the county voted Democratic.