1974 United States Senate election in Illinois

The 1974 United States Senate election in Illinois took place on November 5, 1974. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Adlai Stevenson III, who was first elected in a special election in 1970, was re-elected to a full term in office, defeating Republican George Burditt by a landslide margin of 62% to 37%.

Background

The primaries (held March 19) and general elections coincided with those for House and those for state offices.

Turnout in the primary elections was 24.88%, with a total of 1,502,852 votes cast. Turnout during the general election was 49.35%, with 2,914,666 votes cast.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Adlai Stevenson III, incumbent U.S. Senator since 1970
• Walter Dakin Williams, candidate for Senate in 1972 and brother of playwright Tennessee Williams

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• George Burditt, attorney and former state representative from Western Springs
• Lawrence Daly, perennial candidate

Declined

• John B. Anderson, U.S. representative from Rockford
• Donald Rumsfeld, U.S. ambassador to NATO and former U.S. representative from Wilmette

Results

General election

Candidates

• George Burditt, attorney and former state representative from Western Springs (Republican)
• Edward Heisler (Socialist Workers)
• Ishmael Flory, civil rights activist and trade union organizer (Communist)
• Adlai Stevenson III, incumbent U.S. Senator since 1970 (Democratic)

Results

See also

• 1974 United States Senate elections

References