1966 United States Senate election in Illinois

1966 United States Senate election in Illinois

November 8, 1966
Turnout71.56%
 
Nominee Charles Percy Paul Douglas
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,100,449 1,678,147
Percentage 54.95% 43.90%

County results

Percy:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Douglas:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Paul Douglas
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Charles H. Percy
Republican

The 1966 United States Senate election in Illinois took place on November 8, 1966. Incumbent Democratic United States Senator Paul Douglas, seeking a fourth term in the United States Senate, faced off against Republican Charles H. Percy, a businessman and the 1964 Republican nominee for Governor of Illinois. A competitive election ensued, featuring campaign appearances by former vice president Richard M. Nixon on behalf of Percy. Ultimately, Percy ended up defeating Senator Douglas by a fairly wide margin, allowing him to win what would be the first of three terms in the Senate.