Closest U.S. Senate elections in Hawaii
The closest U.S. Senate election in Hawaii history was in 1970, a margin of 3.1 points. Hiram L. Fong beat Cecil F. Heftel, 124,163 to 116,597. Next closest are 1964 (6.7 points) and 1976 (13.1 points).
Every state is ranked together on Closest U.S. Senate elections in history. For every Senate race Hawaii has held, special elections included, see the Hawaii U.S. Senate hub.
What is the closest Senate race in Hawaii history?
The Hawaii Senate election decided by the narrowest margin was in 1970, 3.1 points. Hiram L. Fong beat Cecil F. Heftel, 124,163 to 116,597. The next closest were 1964 (6.7 points) and 1976 (13.1 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 Hawaii’s two Senate seats. Special elections to fill a vacancy appear on the Hawaii 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 Hawaii election with a popular margin to measure.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1970 | Hiram L. Fong R def. Cecil F. Heftel D | 124,163 – 116,597 | 3.1 points |
| 2 | 1964 | Hiram L. Fong R def. Thomas P. Gill D | 110,747 – 96,789 | 6.7 points |
| 3 | 1976 | Spark M. Matsunaga D def. William Quinn R | 162,305 – 122,724 | 13.1 points |
| 4 | 2006 | Daniel K. Akaka D def. Cynthia Thielen R | 210,330 – 126,097 | 24.6 points |
| 5 | 2012 | Mazie K. Hirono D def. Linda Lingle R | 269,489 – 160,994 | 24.8 points |
| 6 | 1992 | Daniel K. Inouye D def. Rick Reed R | 208,266 – 97,928 | 30.3 points |
| 7 | 2024 | Mazie K. Hirono D def. Bob McDermott R | 324,194 – 160,075 | 32.7 points |
| 8 | 1962 | Daniel K. Inouye D def. Ben F. Dillingham R | 136,294 – 60,607 | 38.4 points |
| 9 | 2018 | Mazie K. Hirono D def. Ron Curtis R | 276,316 – 112,035 | 42.3 points |
| 10 | 2022 | Schatz Brian D def. McDermott Bob R | 290,894 – 106,358 | 45.1 points |
| 11 | 1986 | Daniel K. Inouye D def. Frank Hutchinson R | 241,887 – 86,910 | 47.1 points |
| 12 | 1994 | Daniel K. Akaka D def. Maria M. Hustace R | 256,189 – 86,320 | 47.6 points |
| 13 | 2000 | Daniel K. Akaka D def. John Carroll R | 251,215 – 84,701 | 48.2 points |
| 14 | 2016 | Brian Schatz D def. John Carroll R | 306,604 – 92,653 | 48.9 points |
| 15 | 2010 | Daniel K. Inouye D def. Cam Cavasso R | 277,228 – 79,939 | 53.2 points |
| 16 | 2004 | Daniel K. Inouye D def. Cam Cavasso R | 313,629 – 87,172 | 54.5 points |
| 17 | 1988 | Spark M. Matsunaga D def. Maria M. Hustace R | 247,941 – 66,987 | 55.9 points |
| 18 | 1980 | Daniel K. Inouye D def. Cooper Brown R | 224,485 – 53,068 | 59.5 points |
| 19 | 1998 | Daniel K. Inouye D def. Crystal Young R | 315,252 – 70,964 | 61.4 points |
| 20 | 1982 | Spark M. Matsunaga D def. Clarence J. Brown R | 245,386 – 52,071 | 63.1 points |
| 21 | 1974 | Daniel K. Inouye D def. James D. Kimmel P | 207,454 – 42,767 | 65.8 points |
| 22 | 1968 | Daniel K. Inouye D def. Wayne C. Thiessen R | 189,248 – 34,008 | 68.4 points |