United States Senate elections, 1974

Infobox Election
election_name = United States Senate elections, 1974
country = United States
type = legislative
ongoing = no
previous_election = United States Senate elections, 1972
previous_year = 1972
next_election = United States Senate elections, 1976
next_year = 1976
seats_for_election = 34 seats in the United States Senate
election_date = November 5, 1974

leader1 = Mike Mansfield
party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
leaders_seat1 = Montana
last_election1 = 58 seats
seats1 = 61
seat_change1 = +3
popular_vote1 =
percentage1 =
swing1 =

leader2 = Hugh Scott
party2 = Republican Party (United States)
leaders_seat2 = Pennsylvania
last_election2 = 41 seats
seats2 = 38
seat_change2 = -3
popular_vote2 =
percentage2 =
swing2 =

map_

leader1 = Mike Mansfield
party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
leaders_seat1 = Montana
last_election1 = 58 seats
seats1 = 61
seat_change1 = +3
popular_vote1 =
percentage1 =
swing1 =

leader2 = Hugh Scott
party2 = Republican Party (United States)
leaders_seat2 = Pennsylvania
last_election2 = 41 seats
seats2 = 38
seat_change2 = -3
popular_vote2 =
percentage2 =
swing2 =

map_

---

map_size = 300px
map_caption = legend|#800|Republican holds

title = Majority Leader
before_election = Mike Mansfield
before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
after_election = Mike Mansfield
after_party = Democratic Party (United States)

The U.S. Senate election of 1974 was held in the wake of the Watergate scandal, Richard M. Nixon's resignation from the presidency, and Gerald Ford's subsequent pardon of Nixon. These circumstances benefited the Democrats, and they made a net gain of three seats from the Republicans. This became four after the Senate voided the contested election in New Hampshire and Democrat John A. Durkin (D-NH) won a special election. After the special election, Democrats possessed 61 seats to 38 for the Republicans, with one Independent who caucused with the Democrats and one Conservative who caucused with the Republicans.

Democrats won open seats in Vermont and Florida and unseated incumbents Peter H. Dominick (R-CO) and Marlow Cook (R-KY). Republicans took an open seat in Nevada, where Republican Paul Laxalt defeated future Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid by 624 votes. The election also produced other close results; Milton Young (R-ND) won reelection against Democrat William Guy by only 186 votes and Henry Bellmon (R-OK) won reelection against Democrat Ed Edmondson by half a percent of the vote.

A notable first term Senator was former astronaut John Glenn (D-OH), who defeated sitting Senator Howard Metzenbaum in a primary and went on to win the general election. Other notable freshman included Wendell Ford, the future Senate Whip, and Gary Hart, who would run for president in 1984 and 1988.

enate contests in 1974