Closest U.S. Senate elections in Maine
The closest U.S. Senate election in Maine history was in 1934, a margin of 0.43 points. Frederick Hale beat F. Harold Dubord, 139,773 to 138,573. Next closest are 1936 (1.5 points) and 1996 (5.3 points).
Every state is ranked together on Closest U.S. Senate elections in history. For every Senate race Maine has held, special elections included, see the Maine U.S. Senate hub.
What is the closest Senate race in Maine history?
The Maine Senate election decided by the narrowest margin was in 1934, 0.43 points. Frederick Hale beat F. Harold Dubord, 139,773 to 138,573. The next closest were 1936 (1.5 points) and 1996 (5.3 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 Maine’s two Senate seats. Special elections to fill a vacancy appear on the Maine 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 Maine election with a popular margin to measure.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1934 | Frederick Hale R def. F. Harold Dubord D | 139,773 – 138,573 | 0.43 points |
| 2 | 1936 | Wallace H. White R def. Louis J. Brann D | 158,068 – 153,420 | 1.5 points |
| 3 | 1996 | Susan Margaret Collins R def. Joseph E. Brennan D | 298,422 – 266,226 | 5.3 points |
| 4 | 1972 | William D. Hathaway D def. Margaret C. Smith R | 224,270 – 197,040 | 6.5 points |
| 5 | 1916 | Frederick Hale R def. Charles F. Johnson D | 79,481 – 69,486 | 6.6 points |
| 6 | 2020 | Susan Margaret Collins R def. Sara I. Gideon D | 417,645 – 347,223 | 8.5 points |
| 7 | 1918 | Bert M. Fernald R def. Earl E. Newbert D | 67,431 – 54,289 | 10.8 points |
| 8 | 1920 | Frederick Hale R def. Okley C. Curtis D | 101,026 – 74,660 | 15.0 points |
| 9 | 2002 | Susan Margaret Collins R def. Chellie Pingree D | 295,041 – 209,858 | 16.9 points |
| 10 | 2024 | Angus S. King Jr. I def. Demi Kouzounas R | 427,570 – 284,434 | 17.0 points |
| 11 | 1954 | Margaret C. Smith R def. Paul A. Fullam D | 144,530 – 102,075 | 17.2 points |
| 12 | 1940 | Ralph O. Brewster R def. Louis J. Brann D | 150,149 – 105,740 | 17.3 points |
| 13 | 1966 | Margaret C. Smith R def. Elmer Violette D | 188,291 – 131,136 | 17.9 points |
| 14 | 2018 | Angus S. King Jr. I def. Eric L. Brakey R | 344,575 – 223,502 | 19.1 points |
| 15 | 1976 | Edmund Muskie D def. Robert A. G. Monks R | 292,704 – 193,489 | 20.4 points |
| 16 | 1924 | Bert M. Fernald R def. Fulton J. Redman D | 148,783 – 97,428 | 20.9 points |
| 17 | 2012 | Angus S. King Jr. I def. Charles E. Summers Jr. R | 370,580 – 215,399 | 21.4 points |
| 18 | 1958 | Edmund Muskie D def. Frederick G. Payne R | 172,842 – 111,522 | 21.6 points |
| 19 | 1982 | George J. Mitchell D def. David F. Emery R | 279,819 – 179,882 | 21.7 points |
| 20 | 1930 | Wallace H. White R def. Frank H. Haskell D | 88,262 – 56,559 | 21.9 points |
| 21 | 1978 | William S. Cohen R def. William D. Hathaway D | 212,294 – 127,327 | 22.7 points |
| 22 | 1990 | William S. Cohen R def. Neil Rolde D | 319,167 – 201,053 | 22.7 points |
| 23 | 2008 | Susan Margaret Collins R def. Thomas H. Allen D | 444,300 – 279,510 | 22.8 points |
| 24 | 1960 | Margaret C. Smith R def. Lucia M. Corimer D | 256,890 – 159,809 | 23.3 points |
| 25 | 1970 | Edmund Muskie D def. Neil S. Bishop R | 199,954 – 123,906 | 23.5 points |