Closest U.S. Senate elections in Maryland
The closest U.S. Senate election in Maryland history was in 1946, a margin of 0.36 points. Herbert R. O'Conor beat David J. Markey, 229,776 to 228,152. Next closest are 1916 (1.7 points) and 1958 (2.0 points).
Every state is ranked together on Closest U.S. Senate elections in history. For every Senate race Maryland has held, special elections included, see the Maryland U.S. Senate hub.
What is the closest Senate race in Maryland history?
The Maryland Senate election decided by the narrowest margin was in 1946, 0.36 points. Herbert R. O'Conor beat David J. Markey, 229,776 to 228,152. The next closest were 1916 (1.7 points) and 1958 (2.0 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 Maryland’s two Senate seats. Special elections to fill a vacancy appear on the Maryland 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 Maryland election with a popular margin to measure.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1946 | Herbert R. O'Conor D def. David J. Markey R | 229,776 – 228,152 | 0.36 points |
| 2 | 1916 | Joseph I. France R def. David J. Lewis D | 113,662 – 109,740 | 1.7 points |
| 3 | 1958 | J. Glenn Beall R def. Thomas D'Alesandro D | 382,021 – 367,270 | 2.0 points |
| 4 | 1970 | J. Glenn Beall Jr. R def. Joseph D. Tydings D | 484,960 – 460,422 | 2.6 points |
| 5 | 1920 | Ovington E. Weller R def. John Walter Smith D | 184,999 – 169,200 | 4.0 points |
| 6 | 1952 | J. Glenn Beall R def. George P. Mahoney D | 449,823 – 406,370 | 5.1 points |
| 7 | 1956 | John M. Butler R def. George P. Mahoney D | 473,059 – 419,108 | 6.0 points |
| 8 | 1922 | William C. Bruce D def. Joseph I. France R | 160,947 – 139,581 | 7.0 points |
| 9 | 1950 | John M. Butler R def. Millard E. Tydings D | 326,291 – 283,180 | 7.0 points |
| 10 | 1914 | John Walter Smith D def. Edward C. Carrington R | 110,204 – 94,864 | 7.1 points |
| 11 | 1968 | Charles McC. Mathias Jr. R def. Daniel B. Brewster D | 541,893 – 443,367 | 8.7 points |
| 12 | 1928 | Phillips L. Goldsborough R def. William C. Bruce D | 256,224 – 214,447 | 8.8 points |
| 13 | 2006 | Benjamin L. Cardin D def. Michael S. Steele R | 965,477 – 787,182 | 10.0 points |
| 14 | 2024 | Angela Alsobrooks D def. Lawrence J. Hogan R | 1,650,912 – 1,294,344 | 11.8 points |
| 15 | 1934 | George L. Radcliffe D def. Joseph I. France R | 264,279 – 197,643 | 14.1 points |
| 16 | 1974 | Charles McC. Mathias Jr. R def. Barbara A. Mikulski D | 503,223 – 374,563 | 14.7 points |
| 17 | 1926 | Millard E. Tydings D def. Ovington E. Weller R | 195,410 – 140,695 | 16.1 points |
| 18 | 1976 | Paul S. Sarbanes D def. J. Glenn Beall Jr. R | 772,101 – 530,439 | 17.7 points |
| 19 | 1994 | Paul S. Sarbanes D def. William Brock R | 809,125 – 559,908 | 18.2 points |
| 20 | 1986 | Barbara A. Mikulski D def. Linda Chavez R | 675,225 – 437,411 | 21.4 points |
| 21 | 1944 | Millard E. Tydings D def. Blanchard Randall R | 344,725 – 213,705 | 23.5 points |
| 22 | 1988 | Paul S. Sarbanes D def. Alan L. Keyes R | 999,166 – 617,537 | 23.6 points |
| 23 | 1962 | Daniel B. Brewster D def. Edward T. Miller R | 439,723 – 269,131 | 24.1 points |
| 24 | 2016 | Chris van Hollen D def. Kathy Szeliga R | 1,659,907 – 972,557 | 25.2 points |
| 25 | 1964 | Joseph D. Tydings D def. J. Glenn Beall R | 678,649 – 402,393 | 25.6 points |