Closest U.S. Senate elections in Oklahoma
The closest U.S. Senate election in Oklahoma history was in 1974, a margin of 0.48 points. Henry Bellmon beat Edmund Edmondson, 390,997 to 387,162. Next closest are 1972 (3.9 points) and 1930 (4.8 points).
Every state is ranked together on Closest U.S. Senate elections in history. For every Senate race Oklahoma has held, special elections included, see the Oklahoma U.S. Senate hub.
What is the closest Senate race in Oklahoma history?
The Oklahoma Senate election decided by the narrowest margin was in 1974, 0.48 points. Henry Bellmon beat Edmund Edmondson, 390,997 to 387,162. The next closest were 1972 (3.9 points) and 1930 (4.8 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 Oklahoma’s two Senate seats. Special elections to fill a vacancy appear on the Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma election with a popular margin to measure.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1974 | Henry Bellmon R def. Edmund Edmondson D | 390,997 – 387,162 | 0.48 points |
| 2 | 1972 | Dewey F. Bartlett R def. Edmund Edmondson D | 516,934 – 478,212 | 3.9 points |
| 3 | 1930 | Thomas P. Gore D def. William B. Pine R | 255,838 – 232,589 | 4.8 points |
| 4 | 1968 | Henry Bellmon R def. A. Mike Monroney D | 470,120 – 419,658 | 5.6 points |
| 5 | 1920 | John W. Harreld R def. Scott Ferris D | 247,721 – 218,371 | 6.0 points |
| 6 | 1962 | A. Mike Monroney D def. B. Hayden Crawford R | 353,890 – 307,966 | 6.9 points |
| 7 | 1966 | Fred R. Harris D def. Pat J. Patterson R | 343,157 – 295,585 | 7.4 points |
| 8 | 1950 | A. Mike Monroney D def. W. Bill Alexander R | 345,953 – 285,224 | 9.6 points |
| 9 | 1980 | Don Nickles R def. Andy Coats D | 587,252 – 478,283 | 9.9 points |
| 10 | 1942 | Edward H. Moore R def. Josh Lee D | 204,163 – 166,653 | 10.1 points |
| 11 | 1960 | Robert S. Kerr D def. B. Hayden Crawford R | 474,116 – 385,646 | 10.2 points |
| 12 | 1986 | Don Nickles R def. James R. Jones D | 493,436 – 400,230 | 10.4 points |
| 13 | 1956 | A. Mike Monroney D def. Douglas McKeever R | 459,996 – 371,146 | 10.7 points |
| 14 | 1926 | Elmer Thomas D def. John W. Harreld R | 195,587 – 155,829 | 11.3 points |
| 15 | 2004 | Thomas A. Coburn R def. Brad Carson D | 763,433 – 596,750 | 11.5 points |
| 16 | 1944 | Elmer Thomas D def. William J. Otjen R | 390,851 – 309,222 | 11.6 points |
| 17 | 1954 | Robert S. Kerr D def. Fred M. Mock R | 335,127 – 262,013 | 12.2 points |
| 18 | 1918 | Robert L. Owen D def. W. B. Johnson R | 105,050 – 77,188 | 14.7 points |
| 19 | 1996 | James M. Inhofe R def. Jim Boren D | 670,610 – 474,162 | 16.6 points |
| 20 | 2008 | James M. Inhofe R def. Andrew Rice D | 763,375 – 527,736 | 17.5 points |
| 21 | 1914 | Thomas P. Gore D def. John B. Campbell R | 119,443 – 73,292 | 18.5 points |
| 22 | 1992 | Don Nickles R def. Steve Lewis D | 757,876 – 494,350 | 20.4 points |
| 23 | 2002 | James M. Inhofe R def. David Walters D | 583,579 – 369,789 | 21.0 points |
| 24 | 1948 | Robert S. Kerr D def. Ross Rizley R | 441,654 – 265,169 | 24.9 points |
| 25 | 1924 | William B. Pine R def. John C. Walton D | 339,646 – 196,417 | 25.9 points |