Rhode Island — 1978 U.S. Senate election
Recent presidential results
Akashicstate1978 Senate electionRhode Island · U.S. SenatePellD+50.2
How it voted
Share of the 1978 vote
| Claiborne Pell ✓Democrat | 75.1% | 229,557 |
|---|---|---|
| James G. ReyonldsRepublican | 24.9% | 76,061 |
1978Senate margin
D+60R+60
5 counties, each filled by 1978 D-vs-R margin. Hover any county for its result.
County-level results (5 counties) — table
| County | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| BRISTOL, RI | Democratic | D+33.8 |
| KENT, RI | Democratic | D+46.7 |
| NEWPORT, RI | Democratic | D+42.3 |
| PROVIDENCE, RI | Democratic | D+55.5 |
| WASHINGTON, RI | Democratic | D+37.1 |
presidential baselinePresident 1976D+11.3Senate 1978D+50.2vs. baselineD+38.9
Rhode Island's 1978 Senate race ran 38.9 points more Democratic than its 1976 presidential margin.
Rhode Island's Senate margins
Every comparable D–R contest in our store, 1976–2024
| Year | Margin (D minus R) |
|---|---|
| 1976 | −15.7% |
| 1978 | +50.2% |
| 1982 | −2.4% |
| 1984 | +45.3% |
| 1988 | −9.2% |
| 1990 | +23.7% |
| 1994 | −29.0% |
| 1996 | +28.4% |
| 2000 | −15.7% |
| 2002 | +56.9% |
| 2006 | +7.0% |
| 2008 | +46.8% |
| 2012 | +29.9% |
| 2014 | +41.4% |
| 2018 | +23.2% |
| 2020 | +33.2% |
| 2024 | +20.0% |
Same ballot, 1978RI
Source. MIT Election Data + Science Lab — 1978 US Senate returns, party-classified by literal ballot party · county returns aggregated from precinct-level results. Real returns — nothing estimated.