Closest U.S. Senate elections in Georgia
The closest U.S. Senate election in Georgia history was in 2022, a margin of 0.95 points. Raphael Warnock led Herschel Junior Walker, 1,946,117 to 1,908,442. Next closest are 1996 (1.3 points) and 1992 (1.6 points).
Every state is ranked together on Closest U.S. Senate elections in history. For every Senate race Georgia has held, special elections included, see the Georgia U.S. Senate hub.
What is the closest Senate race in Georgia history?
The Georgia Senate election decided by the narrowest margin was in 2022, 0.95 points. Raphael Warnock led Herschel Junior Walker, 1,946,117 to 1,908,442. The next closest were 1996 (1.3 points) and 1992 (1.6 points).
How is the margin measured?
As the gap in vote share between the first and second-place finishers, from the certified general-election count. It is not adjusted for recounts, runoffs or later court rulings; the figure is the result as certified.
Does this include special elections?
No. These are the regular general elections for Georgia’s two Senate seats. Special elections to fill a vacancy appear on the Georgia Senate hub, which lists every race including specials, and in a few states one of those is closer than anything here.
Why does the list start in 1914?
Because senators were chosen by state legislatures before the Seventeenth Amendment. 1914 is the first cycle of the popular-vote era for the Senate, so it is the first Georgia election with a popular margin to measure.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022 | Raphael Warnock D led Herschel Junior Walker R | 1,946,117 – 1,908,442 | 0.95 points |
| 2 | 1996 | Max Cleland D def. Guy W. Millner R | 1,103,993 – 1,073,969 | 1.3 points |
| 3 | 1992 | Wyche Fowler Jr. D led Paul Coverdell R | 1,108,416 – 1,073,282 | 1.6 points |
| 4 | 1980 | MacK F. Mattingly R def. Herman E. Talmadge D | 803,686 – 776,143 | 1.7 points |
| 5 | 2020 | David A. Perdue R led Jon Ossoff D | 2,462,617 – 2,374,519 | 1.8 points |
| 6 | 1986 | Wyche Fowler Jr. D def. MacK F. Mattingly R | 623,707 – 601,241 | 1.8 points |
| 7 | 2008 | Saxby Chambliss R led Jim Martin D | 1,867,097 – 1,757,393 | 2.9 points |
| 8 | 2002 | Saxby Chambliss R def. Max Cleland D | 1,071,352 – 932,422 | 6.8 points |
| 9 | 1998 | Paul Coverdell R def. Michael J. Coles D | 918,540 – 791,904 | 7.2 points |
| 10 | 2014 | David A. Perdue R def. M. Michelle Nunn D | 1,358,088 – 1,160,811 | 7.7 points |
| 11 | 1972 | Sam Nunn D def. Fletcher Thompson R | 635,970 – 542,331 | 7.9 points |
| 12 | 2016 | Johnny Isakson R def. Jim Barksdale D | 2,135,806 – 1,599,726 | 13.8 points |
| 13 | 2004 | Johnny Isakson R def. Denise L. Majette D | 1,864,202 – 1,287,690 | 17.9 points |
| 14 | 2010 | Johnny Isakson R def. Michael Mike Thurmond D | 1,489,904 – 996,516 | 19.3 points |
| 15 | 1914 | Hoke Smith D def. C. W. McClure R | 61,780 – 28,441 | 37.0 points |
| 16 | 1974 | Herman E. Talmadge D def. Jerry Johnson R | 627,376 – 246,866 | 43.5 points |
| 17 | 1968 | Herman E. Talmadge D def. E. Earl Patton R | 885,093 – 256,796 | 55.0 points |
| 18 | 1984 | Sam Nunn D def. Mike Hicks R | 1,344,104 – 337,196 | 59.9 points |
| 19 | 1978 | Sam Nunn D def. John W. Stokes R | 536,320 – 108,808 | 66.3 points |
| 20 | 1918 | William J. Harris D def. G. H. Williams R | 53,631 – 7,078 | 76.7 points |
| 21 | 1932 | Walter F. George D def. James W. Arnold R | 234,490 – 18,151 | 85.6 points |
| 22 | 1920 | Thomas E. Watson D def. Harry S. Edwards I | 124,630 – 6,700 | 89.8 points |
| 23 | 1938 | Walter F. George D def. Charles A. Jiles I | 66,897 – 3,442 | 90.2 points |
| 24 | 1942 | Richard B. Russell D def. Levert D. Shivers I | 59,870 – 1,892 | 93.9 points |
| 25 | 1948 | Richard B. Russell D def. Larkin Marshall I | 362,104 – 388 | 99.8 points |