1994 United States Shadow Senator election in the District of Columbia

The 1994 United States Shadow Senator election in the District of Columbia took place on November 8, 1994, to elect a shadow member to the United States Senate to represent the District of Columbia. The member was only recognized by the District of Columbia and not officially sworn or seated by the United States Senate. Incumbent Shadow Senator Florence Pendleton won reelection to a second term.

1994 United States Shadow Senator election in the District of Columbia

← 1990 November 8, 1994 2000 →
 
Nominee Florence Pendleton Julie Finley Mel Edwards
Party Democratic Republican DC Statehood
Popular vote 117,517 24,107 15,586
Percentage 74.0% 15.2% 9.8%

Shadow Senator before election

Florence Pendleton
Democratic

Elected Shadow Senator

Florence Pendleton
Democratic

Primary elections

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Party primaries took place on September 13, 1994.

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Campaign

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Pendleton, first elected four years earlier as one of the first two Shadow Senators from the District, faced Stephen "Steve" Sellows, an advocate for the rights of the disabled.[1] Pendleton easily won the primary, and Sellows was beaten to death less than a year following the election.[2]

Results

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Democratic primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Florence Pendleton 78,576 76.83%
Democratic Stephen Sellows 20,512 20.06%
Write-in 3,180 3.11%
Total votes 102,268 100.00%

General election

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Pendleton faced Republican Julie Finley, the chairwoman of the District of Columbia Republican Party (who won the Republican nomination via write-ins), and D.C. Statehood candidate Mel Edwards, a public relations expert.[4] As is usual for Democrats in the District, Pendleton won in a landslide.

Candidates

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Results

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General election results[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Florence Pendleton (incumbent) 117,517 74.04%
Republican Julie Finley 24,107 15.19%
DC Statehood Mel Edwards 15,586 9.82%
Write-in 1,511 0.95%
Total votes 158,721 100.00%
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ Andrews, Edmond (September 6, 1994). "In Capital's Streets and Halls, Dogged Voice for the Disabled". The New York Times. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  2. ^ Harris, Hamil (May 20, 1995). "D.C. Advocate for Mentally Retarded Fatally Beaten". Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  3. ^ "Final and Complete Election Results for the September 13, 1994 Primary Election". District of Columbia Board of Elections. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  4. ^ "Shadow Races". The Washington Post. November 3, 1994. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  5. ^ "Final and Complete Election Results for the November 8, 1994 General Election". District of Columbia Board of Elections. Retrieved January 25, 2021.