1968 United States Senate election in Florida
November 5, 1968
 
Nominee Edward Gurney LeRoy Collins
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,131,499 892,637
Percentage 55.90% 44.10%
County results

Gurney:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Collins:      50–60%      60–70%
U.S. senator before election

George Smathers
Democratic

 Elected U.S. senator

Edward Gurney
Republican

The 1968 Florida United States Senate election was marked by the election of the first Republican to the United States Senate from Florida since Reconstruction.

Democratic three-term incumbent George Smathers decided to not seek re-election in order to run for the Democratic presidential nomination. Popular former two-term Governor LeRoy Collins won the Democratic nomination by defeating State Attorney General Earl Faircloth, while Representative Edward J. Gurney became the Republican candidate.

Gurney was much less well-known than Collins, but he won by a margin of over 11%. It is possible that Richard Nixon's victory in the presidential race (including winning Florida) helped Gurney defeat Collins. Gurney was the first Republican elected to the Senate from Florida since 1872.

Results

Florida United States Senate election, 1968
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Edward J. Gurney 1,131,499 55.90%
Democratic LeRoy Collins 892,637 44.10%
Republican gain from Democratic

References

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