1976 United States Senate election in New Mexico

none March 2026 September 2023 1976 United States Senate election in New Mexico New Mexico presidential no 1970 United States Senate election in New Mexico 1970 1982 United States Senate election in New Mexico 1982 November 2, 1976 150x150px File:Sen Harrison Schmitt.jpg Harrison Schmitt Republican Party (United States) 234,681 56.82% Joseph Montoya.jpg Joseph Montoya Democratic Party (United States) 176,382 42.70% 1976 United States Senate election in New Mexico results map by county.svg 230px County resultsSchmitt: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70%Montoya: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% U.S. Senator Joseph Montoya Democratic Party (United States) Harrison Schmitt Republican Party (United States) The 1976 United States Senate election in New Mexico took place on November 2, 1976. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Joseph Montoya ran for re-election to a third term, but was defeated by Republican Harrison Schmitt. As of , this is the last time that the Republicans have won the Class 1 Senate seat in New Mexico. Harrison Schmitt's inauguration marked the first time since 1917 when both Senate seats were held by Republicans. Schmitt was the first non-Hispanic to have won this seat since Bronson Murray Cutting in 1934. This is also the last time a Democratic senator from New Mexico lost re-election. Schmitt won the election in a decisive victory. Montoya congratulated Schmitt on his victory, saying, "The people have spoken and I accept their verdict."https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20662009/clovis_newsjournal/ Schmitt Landslide Ends Montoya Senate Reign Clovis News-Journal Clovis, New Mexico November 3, 1976 1 Associated Press Newspapers.com Republican primary Candidates Eugene W. Peirce Jr., businessman and former state legislatorhttps://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/abqjournal/name/eugene-peirce-obituary?id=7641500 Eugene W. Peirce, 1931–2015 23 Apr 2015 Albuquerque Journal Harrison Schmitt, former astronaut Eliminated at convention Arthur Lavine Campaign In the pre-primary convention held on March 27, 1976, Schmitt received 73.7% of the votes and businessman Peirce received 21%, allowing both to qualify for the primary ballot. Lavine received 5.3% of the votes, not enough to be placed on the primary ballot.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20662143/las_cruces_sunnews/ Montoya, Schmitt, Peirce on Ballots Las Cruces Sun-News 1 March 28, 1976 UPI Newspapers.com Results In the June 1 primary election, Schmitt defeated Peirce and became the Republican nominee.May 2022 General election Candidates Joseph Montoya, incumbent U.S. Senator (Democratic) Harrison Schmitt, former astronaut (Republican) Campaign Schmitt campaigned for 14 months, running a forward-looking campaign critical of Montoya's ethical issues. His slogan was "Honesty for a change."https://www.scdailypress.com/2018/10/27/far-from-home-schmitts-path-to-senate-face-off-began-in-space/ Far from home: Schmitt's path to Senate face-off began in space 1982 5 May 2022 Silver City Daily Press Cliff Nancy On the campaign trail, Schmitt, who was twenty years younger than Montoya, frequently said, "I have time for the future; Senator Montoya does not."https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20662191/las_vegas_optic/ Montoya's Tenure Ended by Schmitt Feather Bill Associated Press 1 November 3, 1976 Newspapers.com Las Vegas Optic Las Vegas, New Mexico On the campaign trail in October, Montoya repeatedly ridiculed Schmitt's experience as an astronaut by comparing him to a little monkey ("changito"), who could be trained to travel in space.Calloway Larry 25 Oct 1976 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23250576/sen-montoya-jack-schmitt/ Santa Fe New Mexican Montoya Ridicules Schmitt Results General election resultsStatistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 2, 1976 https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1976election.pdf Clerk of the House of Representatives 31 Republican Party (United States) Harrison Schmitt 234,681 56.82% 9.69 Democratic Party (United States) Joseph Montoya (incumbent) 176,382 42.70% 10.17 La Raza Unida Ernesto B. Borunda 1,087 0.26% N/A American Independent Party Matt Dillion 906 0.22% N/A 58,299 14.11% +8.36% 413,056 Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) See also 1976 United States Senate elections References New Mexico 1976 Category:1976 New Mexico elections Category:Harrison Schmitt