Elections / 1978 · Senate · RI
The Democratic candidate won Rhode Island's Senate seat D+50.2.
Rhode Island, 1978. Candidate results and statewide totals below.
Rhode Island — 1978 Senate result
Source: MIT Election Data + Science Lab, 1976–2024 Senate returns (party-classified by literal ballot party).
Democratic (D)
229,557
75.1%
Republican (R)
76,061
24.9%
All others
0
0.0%
Margin
D+50.2
Candidates
Statewide candidate totals — MIT Election Data + Science Lab, 1978 Senate returns.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claiborne Pell | DDemocrat | 229,557 | 75.1% |
| James G. Reyonlds | RRepublican | 76,061 | 24.9% |
Rhode Island's Senate margins
Every 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% |