1972 United States Senate election in Texas

The 1972 United States Senate election in Texas was held on November 7, 1972. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator John Tower won re-election to a third term.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Thomas M. Cartlidge
• Barefoot Sanders, former state representative and Johnson administration official.
• Alfonso Veloz, candidate for governor in 1968
• Hugh Wilson, candidate for Senate in 1957 and 1961
• Ralph Yarborough, former U.S. Senator (1957–1971)

Results

Although he received over one million votes, Yarborough was 269 short of a majority. He and Sanders advanced to a runoff election held June 3.

Runoff campaign

Tower won 14% of the African-American vote.

Republican primary

Candidates

• John G. Tower, incumbent U.S. Senator since 1961

Results

References