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