United States Senate election, 1988

United States Senate elections, 1988

1986 ← November 8, 1988 → 1990

33 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate 51 seats needed for a majority   Majority party Minority party   Leader George Mitchell Bob Dole Party Democratic Republican Leader's seat Maine Kansas Last election 55 seats 45 seats Seats before 54 46 Seats won 55 45 Seat change 1 1 Popular vote 35,137,786 31,151,251 Percentage 52.1% 46.2% Swing 2.0% 1.4% Seats up 18 15

Democratic hold   Democratic gain   Republican hold   Republican gain

Majority Leader before election Robert Byrd Democratic Elected Majority Leader George Mitchell Democratic

Robert Byrd
Democratic

George Mitchell
Democratic

The United States Senate elections, 1988 was an election for the United States Senate in which, in spite of the Republican victory by George H. W. Bush in the presidential election, the Democrats gained a net of one seat in the Senate. A total of seven seats changed hands, with four incumbents being defeated. The Democratic majority in the Senate increased from 54–46 to 55–45.

Summary of the 1988 United States Senate election results

The Democrats captured four Republican seats, which included an open seat in Virginia and the seats of three incumbents, Chic Hecht of Nevada, Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. of Connecticut, and David K. Karnes of Nebraska. These gains were partially offset by the Republican capture of open seats by Trent Lott in Mississippi and Connie Mack III in Florida, and the defeat of incumbent John Melcher of Montana to Conrad Burns.

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