1974 United States Senate election in Nevada

The 1974 United States Senate election in Nevada was held on November 4, 1974. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Alan Bible decided to retire instead of seeking a fourth full term. Republican nominee Paul Laxalt won the open seat.

1974 United States Senate election in Nevada

November 4, 1974

Nominee Paul Laxalt Harry Reid Jack C. Doyle Party Republican Democratic Independent American Popular vote 79,605 78,981 10,887 Percentage 47.0% 46.6% 6.4%

County results Laxalt:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Reid:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Alan Bible Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Paul Laxalt Republican

Elections in Nevada
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None of These Candidates

Paul Laxalt, former Governor (1967–1971) and former Lieutenant Governor of Nevada (1963–1967), won by less than 700 votes, becoming one of the few bright spots in a bad year for Republicans. He beat Harry Reid, Lieutenant Governor of Nevada since 1971 and former State Assemblyman (1968–1970).

Bible resigned three weeks early (on December 17, 1974) and on one day later Nevada Democratic Governor Mike O'Callaghan appointed Laxalt to finish out that term. When Laxalt retired in 1986, Harry Reid won the seat that he lost in this election.