The 1972 United States Senate election in Oregon took place on November 7, 1972. Incumbent Republican Senator Mark Hatfield was re-elected to a second term in office, defeating Democrat Wayne Morse.
Primary elections Primary elections were held on May 23, 1972.
Republican primary Candidates Kenneth A. Brown, farmer, unsuccessful candidate for Republican nomination for Oregon's 1st congressional district in 1952 Lynn Engdahl, professor at Pacific University Mark Hatfield, incumbent senator John E. Smets, manufacturer
Results
Democratic primary Candidates Robert B. Duncan, former U.S. congressman for Oregon's 4th congressional district, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 1966 Wayne Morse, former U.S. senator Don S. Willner, state senator Ralph Wiser, businessman
Results
General election
Campaign According to the New York Times, the election provided "a choice between two well-known personalities, not issues". Morse, who had supported Hatfield's 1966 campaign, was famously opposed to the Vietnam War, as was Hatfield. Thus, the election was ultimately between two well-known anti-war liberals. Hatfield won a fairly comfortable 54-46 victory, winning all but three counties.
Results
See also 1972 United States Senate elections
References
Bibliography