United States Senate election in North Dakota, 1974
Encyclopedia
The 1974 U.S. Senate election for the state of North Dakota
was held November 5, 1974. The incumbent, Republican
Senator Milton Young
, sought and received re-election to his fifth term, defeating North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party candidate William L. Guy
, a former Governor of North Dakota
.
Only Young filed as a Republican, and the endorsed Democrat candidate was William L. Guy
of Bismarck, North Dakota
, who had served as Governor of the state from 1961 to 1973; and had presumably left the office to seek the senate seat. Young and Guy won the primary elections for their respective parties. Guy, who was very popular as governor
throughout the state, and Young, who had a high approval rating as senator for the state, created the closest ever election for one of North Dakota
's senate seats. Young won the election by only 177 votes, and Guy retired from politics.
Two independent
candidates, James R. Jungroth and Kenneth C. Gardner, also filed before the deadline. Jungroth's platform was based on his opposition to strip mining the state's coal reserves. Gardner would later run for the state's other seat in 1988 against then incumbent Quentin Burdick.
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
was held November 5, 1974. The incumbent, Republican
North Dakota Republican Party
The North Dakota Republican Party is the North Dakota affiliate of the United States Republican Party. The party platform is generally conservative.The North Dakota Republican Party is strongly in control of the state's politics...
Senator Milton Young
Milton Young
Milton Ruben Young was a United States politician, most notable for representing North Dakota in the United States Senate from 1945 until 1981. At the time of his retirement, he was the most senior Republican in the Senate....
, sought and received re-election to his fifth term, defeating North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party candidate William L. Guy
William L. Guy
William Lewis Guy was the governor of the U.S. state of North Dakota from 1961 to 1973. At , he is the oldest of the six living current or past governors of North Dakota.-Biography:...
, a former Governor of North Dakota
Governor of North Dakota
The Governor of North Dakota is the chief executive of North Dakota. The current Governor is Jack Dalrymple. The Governor has the right to sign and laws, and to call the Legislative Assembly, into emergency session. The Governor is also chairman of the North Dakota Industrial Commission. The...
.
Only Young filed as a Republican, and the endorsed Democrat candidate was William L. Guy
William L. Guy
William Lewis Guy was the governor of the U.S. state of North Dakota from 1961 to 1973. At , he is the oldest of the six living current or past governors of North Dakota.-Biography:...
of Bismarck, North Dakota
Bismarck, North Dakota
Bismarck is the capital of the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Burleigh County. It is the second most populous city in North Dakota after Fargo. The city's population was 61,272 at the 2010 census, while its metropolitan population was 108,779...
, who had served as Governor of the state from 1961 to 1973; and had presumably left the office to seek the senate seat. Young and Guy won the primary elections for their respective parties. Guy, who was very popular as governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
throughout the state, and Young, who had a high approval rating as senator for the state, created the closest ever election for one of North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
's senate seats. Young won the election by only 177 votes, and Guy retired from politics.
Two independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
candidates, James R. Jungroth and Kenneth C. Gardner, also filed before the deadline. Jungroth's platform was based on his opposition to strip mining the state's coal reserves. Gardner would later run for the state's other seat in 1988 against then incumbent Quentin Burdick.