The 1968 United States Senate election in California was held on November 5, 1968.
Incumbent Republican Thomas Kuchel was narrowly defeated in the June 4 primary by Superintendent of Public Instruction Max Rafferty. Rafferty would in turn go on to lose to Democratic former State Controller Alan Cranston by a close margin.
Republican primary
Candidates
- Phil Cammack
- W.C. Jones
- Thomas Kuchel, incumbent U.S. Senator and Assistant Minority Leader
- Max Rafferty, California Superintendent of Public Instruction since 1963
- James A. Ware, perennial candidate for office from Los Angeles
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Anthony Beilenson, State Senator from Beverly Hills
- William M. Bennett, member of the California Public Utilities Commission
- Walter Buchanan, perennial candidate
- Charles Crail
- Alan Cranston, former California State Controller
Results
General election
Candidates
- Alan Cranston (Democratic)
- Paul Jacobs (Peace & Freedom)
- Thomas Kuchel (Republican)
Results
References