1978 United States Senate election in West Virginia

The 1978 United States Senate election in West Virginia took place on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Jennings Randolph was re-elected to a fifth term and a fourth full term in office, narrowly defeating Republican Arch Moore, a former Governor. Despite his defeat, Moore's daughter, Shelley Moore Capito, would later win election to this seat in 2014, becoming the first female Senator from the state. This was the closest Senate election in West Virginia from the five Senate elections in West Virginia that Jennings Randolph had won.

1978 United States Senate election in West Virginia

November 7, 1978

Nominee Jennings Randolph Arch Moore Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 249,034 244,317 Percentage 50.48% 49.52%

County results Randolph:      50–60%      60–70% Moore:      50–60%      60–70%      70-80%

U.S. senator before election Jennings Randolph Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Jennings Randolph Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Jennings Randolph, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Sharon Rogers

Results

1978 Democratic Senate primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jennings Randolph (incumbent)	181,480	80.49%
	Democratic	Sharon Rogers	43,991	19.51%
Total votes			225,471	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Donald G. Michels
• Arch Moore, former Governor of West Virginia

Results

1978 Democratic Senate primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Arch Moore	90,406	90.57%
	Republican	Donald G. Michels	9,414	9.43%
Total votes			99,820	100.00%

General election

Results

General election results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Jennings Randolph (incumbent)	249,034	50.48%	15.97
	Republican	Arch Moore	244,317	49.52%	15.97
Total votes			493,351	100.00%
	Democratic hold

See also

• 1978 United States Senate elections