Closest U.S. Senate elections in Missouri
The closest U.S. Senate election in Missouri history was in 1944, a margin of 0.12 points. Forrest C. Donnell beat Roy McKittrick, 779,029 to 777,229. Next closest are 1982 (1.7 points) and 2000 (2.1 points).
Every state is ranked together on Closest U.S. Senate elections in history. For every Senate race Missouri has held, special elections included, see the Missouri U.S. Senate hub.
What is the closest Senate race in Missouri history?
The Missouri Senate election decided by the narrowest margin was in 1944, 0.12 points. Forrest C. Donnell beat Roy McKittrick, 779,029 to 777,229. The next closest were 1982 (1.7 points) and 2000 (2.1 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 Missouri’s two Senate seats. Special elections to fill a vacancy appear on the Missouri 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 Missouri election with a popular margin to measure.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1944 | Forrest C. Donnell R def. Roy McKittrick D | 779,029 – 777,229 | 0.12 points |
| 2 | 1982 | John C. Danforth R def. Harriett Woods D | 784,876 – 758,629 | 1.7 points |
| 3 | 2000 | Mel Carnahan D def. John Ashcroft R | 1,191,812 – 1,142,852 | 2.1 points |
| 4 | 1968 | Thomas F. Eagleton D def. Thomas B. Curtis R | 887,414 – 850,544 | 2.1 points |
| 5 | 2006 | Claire McCaskill D def. James M. Talent R | 1,055,255 – 1,006,941 | 2.3 points |
| 6 | 1940 | Harry S. Truman D def. Manvel H. Davis R | 930,775 – 886,376 | 2.4 points |
| 7 | 2016 | Roy Blunt R def. Jason Kander D | 1,378,458 – 1,300,200 | 2.8 points |
| 8 | 1970 | Stuart Symington D def. John C. Danforth R | 655,831 – 617,903 | 3.0 points |
| 9 | 1916 | James A. Reed D def. Walter S. Dickey R | 396,166 – 371,710 | 3.1 points |
| 10 | 1926 | Harry B. Hawes D def. George H. Williams R | 506,015 – 470,654 | 3.6 points |
| 11 | 1928 | Roscoe C. Patterson R def. Charles M. Hay D | 787,499 – 726,322 | 4.0 points |
| 12 | 1980 | Thomas F. Eagleton D def. Gene McNary R | 1,074,859 – 985,399 | 4.3 points |
| 13 | 1922 | James A. Reed D def. R. R. Brewster R | 506,267 – 462,009 | 4.5 points |
| 14 | 1986 | Christopher S. Bond R def. Harriett Woods D | 777,612 – 699,624 | 5.3 points |
| 15 | 1946 | James P. Kem R def. Frank P. Briggs D | 572,556 – 511,544 | 5.6 points |
| 16 | 2018 | Josh Hawley R def. Claire McCaskill D | 1,254,927 – 1,112,935 | 5.8 points |
| 17 | 1992 | Christopher S. Bond R def. Geri Rothman-Serot D | 1,221,901 – 1,057,967 | 7.0 points |
| 18 | 1950 | Thomas C. Hennings D def. Forrest C. Donnell R | 685,732 – 593,139 | 7.2 points |
| 19 | 1952 | Stuart Symington D def. James P. Kem R | 1,008,523 – 858,170 | 8.1 points |
| 20 | 1914 | William J. Stone D def. Thomas J. Akins R | 311,636 – 257,054 | 8.8 points |
| 21 | 1998 | Christopher S. Bond R def. Jeremiah W. Nixon D | 830,625 – 690,208 | 8.9 points |
| 22 | 1962 | Edward V. Long D def. Crosby Kemper R | 666,929 – 555,330 | 9.1 points |
| 23 | 1920 | Selden P. Spencer R def. Breckenridge Long D | 711,161 – 589,498 | 9.2 points |
| 24 | 1956 | Thomas C. Hennings D def. Herbert Douglas R | 1,015,936 – 785,048 | 12.8 points |
| 25 | 2004 | Christopher S. Bond R def. Nancy Farmer D | 1,518,089 – 1,158,261 | 13.3 points |