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The 1982 United States Senate election in Texas took place on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen won re-election to a third term in office, defeating Republican U.S. Representative James M. Collins.

Bentsen's victory in the election was credited with producing a coattail effect that allowed Democrats to win in the concurrent gubernatorial election.[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Lloyd Bentsen, incumbent U.S. Senator
  • Joe Sullivan, minister and perennial candidate for U.S. Representative from San Antonio

Results

Republican primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lloyd Bentsen (incumbent) 987,153 78.13%
Democratic Joe Sullivan 276,314 21.87%
Total votes 1,263,467 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James M. Collins 152,469 58.00%
Republican Walter H. Mengden 91,780 34.92%
Republican Don Richardson 18,616 7.08%
Total votes 262,865 100.00%

General election

Results

1982 United States Senate election in Texas[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Lloyd Bentsen (incumbent) 1,818,223 58.59% Increase1.81
Republican James M. Collins 1,256,759 40.50% Decrease1.74
Libertarian John E. Ford 23,494 0.76% N/A
Citizens Lineaus Hooper Lorette 4,564 0.15% N/A
Write-in All others 127 0.00% N/A
Total votes 3,103,167 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing

See also

References

Works cited

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