1982 United States Senate election in Texas
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The 1982 United States Senate election in Texas took place on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen won re-election to a third term in office, defeating Republican U.S. Representative James M. Collins.
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November 2, 1982
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 County results Bentsen: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Collins: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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Bentsen's victory in the election was credited with producing a coattail effect that allowed Democrats to win in the concurrent gubernatorial election.[1]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Lloyd Bentsen, incumbent U.S. Senator
- Joe Sullivan, minister and perennial candidate for U.S. Representative from San Antonio
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lloyd Bentsen (incumbent) | 987,153 | 78.13% | |
| Democratic | Joe Sullivan | 276,314 | 21.87% | |
| Total votes | 1,263,467 | 100.00% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- James M. Collins, U.S. Representative from Dallas
- Walter H. Mengden, State Representation from Houston
- Don Richardson, electronics salesman from Houston
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | James M. Collins | 152,469 | 58.00% | |
| Republican | Walter H. Mengden | 91,780 | 34.92% | |
| Republican | Don Richardson | 18,616 | 7.08% | |
| Total votes | 262,865 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lloyd Bentsen (incumbent) | 1,818,223 | 58.59% |  1.81 | |
| Republican | James M. Collins | 1,256,759 | 40.50% |  1.74 | |
| Libertarian | John E. Ford | 23,494 | 0.76% | N/A | |
| Citizens | Lineaus Hooper Lorette | 4,564 | 0.15% | N/A | |
| Write-in | 127 | 0.00% | N/A | ||
| Total votes | 3,103,167 | 100.00% | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||