Closest U.S. Senate elections in Mississippi
The closest U.S. Senate election in Mississippi history was in 1988, a margin of 7.8 points. Trent Lott beat Wayne Dowdy, 510,380 to 436,339. Next closest are 2020 (10.0 points) and 1978 (13.5 points).
Every state is ranked together on Closest U.S. Senate elections in history. For every Senate race Mississippi has held, special elections included, see the Mississippi U.S. Senate hub.
What is the closest Senate race in Mississippi history?
The Mississippi Senate election decided by the narrowest margin was in 1988, 7.8 points. Trent Lott beat Wayne Dowdy, 510,380 to 436,339. The next closest were 2020 (10.0 points) and 1978 (13.5 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 Mississippi’s two Senate seats. Special elections to fill a vacancy appear on the Mississippi 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 Mississippi election with a popular margin to measure.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1988 | Trent Lott R def. Wayne Dowdy D | 510,380 – 436,339 | 7.8 points |
| 2 | 2020 | Cindy Hyde-Smith R def. Mike Espy D | 709,511 – 578,691 | 10.0 points |
| 3 | 1978 | Thad Cochran R def. Maurice Dantin D | 267,302 – 187,541 | 13.5 points |
| 4 | 2012 | Roger F. Wicker R def. Albert N. Gore Jr. D | 709,626 – 503,467 | 16.6 points |
| 5 | 2018 | Roger F. Wicker R def. David Baria D | 547,619 – 369,567 | 19.0 points |
| 6 | 1972 | James O. Eastland D def. Gil Carmichael R | 375,102 – 249,779 | 19.4 points |
| 7 | 1984 | Thad Cochran R def. William F. Winter D | 580,314 – 371,926 | 21.9 points |
| 8 | 2014 | Thad Cochran R def. Travis W. Childers D | 378,481 – 239,439 | 22.0 points |
| 9 | 2008 | Thad Cochran R def. Erik R. Fleming D | 766,111 – 480,915 | 22.9 points |
| 10 | 2024 | Roger F. Wicker R def. Ty Pinkins D | 763,420 – 451,981 | 25.6 points |
| 11 | 1982 | John C. Stennis D def. Haley Barbour R | 414,099 – 230,927 | 28.4 points |
| 12 | 2006 | Trent Lott R def. Erik R. Fleming D | 388,399 – 213,000 | 28.7 points |
| 13 | 2000 | Trent Lott R def. Troy D. Brown Sr. D | 654,941 – 314,090 | 34.3 points |
| 14 | 1994 | Trent Lott R def. Ken Harper D | 418,333 – 189,752 | 37.6 points |
| 15 | 1966 | James O. Eastland D def. Prentiss Walker R | 258,248 – 105,652 | 38.7 points |
| 16 | 1996 | Thad Cochran R def. James W. Hunt D | 624,154 – 240,647 | 43.6 points |
| 17 | 2002 | Thad Cochran R def. Shawn O'Hara Rf | 533,269 – 97,226 | 69.2 points |
| 18 | 1970 | John C. Stennis D def. William R. Thompson I | 286,622 – 37,593 | 76.8 points |
| 19 | 1960 | James O. Eastland D def. Joe A. Moore R | 244,341 – 21,807 | 83.6 points |
| 20 | 1922 | Hubert D. Stephens D def. John H. Cook R | 63,636 – 3,362 | 88.3 points |
| 21 | 1918 | Byron P. Harrison D def. Summer W. Rose S | 30,055 – 1,569 | 90.1 points |
| 22 | 1954 | James O. Eastland D def. James A. White R | 100,848 – 4,678 | 91.1 points |