United States Senate election in Delaware, 1972
Encyclopedia
The United States Senate election in Delaware, 1972 was a part of the United States Senate elections, 1972.
was considering retirement, which would likely have left U.S. Representative
Pete du Pont
and Wilmington Mayor Harry G. Haskell, Jr.
in a divisive primary
fight. To avoid that, U.S. President
Richard M. Nixon helped convince Boggs to run again with full party support.
No other Democrat wanted to run against Boggs besides Biden, a New Castle County
Councilman. Biden's campaign had virtually no money and was given no chance of winning. It was managed by his sister Valerie Biden Owens (who would go on to manage his future campaigns as well) and staffed by other members of his family, and relied upon handed-out newsprint position papers. Biden did receive some assistance from the AFL-CIO
and Democratic pollster Patrick Caddell
. Biden's campaign issues focused on withdrawal from Vietnam, the environment, civil rights, mass transit, more equitable taxation, health care, the public's dissatisfaction with politics-as-usual, and "change".
During the summer Biden trailed by almost 30 percentage points, but his energy level, his attractive young family, and his ability to connect with voters' emotions gave the surging Biden an advantage over the ready-to-retire Boggs. Biden won the November 7, 1972 election in an upset by a margin of 3,162 votes.
At the time of the election Biden was little less than 30 years old (he turned 30 in November) - a constitutional requirement for the U.S. Senator. After his election he became the sixth-youngest Senator in history.
History
Longtime Delaware political figure and Republican incumbent Senator J. Caleb BoggsJ. Caleb Boggs
James Caleb "Cale" Boggs was an American lawyer and politician from Claymont, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a veteran of World War II, and a member of the Republican Party, who served three terms as U.S. Representative from Delaware, two terms as Governor of Delaware, and two terms as...
was considering retirement, which would likely have left U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Pete du Pont
Pierre S. du Pont, IV
Pierre Samuel "Pete" du Pont IV is an American lawyer and politician from Rockland, in New Castle County, Delaware, near Wilmington. He is a member of the Republican Party, who served three terms as U.S...
and Wilmington Mayor Harry G. Haskell, Jr.
Harry G. Haskell, Jr.
Harry Garner Haskell, Jr. is an American businessman and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He is a member of the Republican Party, who served as U.S. Representative from Delaware.-Early life and family:...
in a divisive primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
fight. To avoid that, U.S. President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Richard M. Nixon helped convince Boggs to run again with full party support.
No other Democrat wanted to run against Boggs besides Biden, a New Castle County
New Castle County, Delaware
New Castle County is the northernmost of the three counties of the U.S. state of Delaware. As of 2010 its population was 538,479, an increase of 7.6% over the previous decade. The county seat is Wilmington. The center of population of Delaware is located in New Castle County, in the town of...
Councilman. Biden's campaign had virtually no money and was given no chance of winning. It was managed by his sister Valerie Biden Owens (who would go on to manage his future campaigns as well) and staffed by other members of his family, and relied upon handed-out newsprint position papers. Biden did receive some assistance from the AFL-CIO
AFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
and Democratic pollster Patrick Caddell
Patrick Caddell
Patrick Hayward "Pat" Caddell is an American public opinion pollster and a political film consultant.-Biography:...
. Biden's campaign issues focused on withdrawal from Vietnam, the environment, civil rights, mass transit, more equitable taxation, health care, the public's dissatisfaction with politics-as-usual, and "change".
During the summer Biden trailed by almost 30 percentage points, but his energy level, his attractive young family, and his ability to connect with voters' emotions gave the surging Biden an advantage over the ready-to-retire Boggs. Biden won the November 7, 1972 election in an upset by a margin of 3,162 votes.
At the time of the election Biden was little less than 30 years old (he turned 30 in November) - a constitutional requirement for the U.S. Senator. After his election he became the sixth-youngest Senator in history.
Candidates
- Joe BidenJoe BidenJoseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr. is the 47th and current Vice President of the United States, serving under President Barack Obama...
(Democrat), New Castle County Councilman - J. Caleb BoggsJ. Caleb BoggsJames Caleb "Cale" Boggs was an American lawyer and politician from Claymont, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a veteran of World War II, and a member of the Republican Party, who served three terms as U.S. Representative from Delaware, two terms as Governor of Delaware, and two terms as...
(Republican), incumbent two-term Senator - Henry Majka (American)
- Herbert B. Wood (Prohibition)
Results
The results were as follows:- Joe Biden (D) - 116,006 (50.48%)
- J. Caleb Boggs (R) (inc.) - 112,844 (49.10%)
- Henry Majka (Amer.) - 803 (0.35%)
- Herbert B. Wood (Prohibition) - 175 (0.08%)