The 1972 United States Senate election in Texas was held on November 7, 1972. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator John Tower won re-election to a third term.
Democratic primary
Candidates Thomas M. Cartlidge Barefoot Sanders, former state representative and Johnson administration official Alfonso Veloz, candidate for governor in 1968 Hugh Wilson, candidate for Senate in 1957 and 1961 Ralph Yarborough, former U.S. senator (1957–1971)
Results
Although he received over one million votes, Yarborough was 269 short of a majority. He and Sanders advanced to a runoff election held on June 3.
Runoff campaign
Republican primary Candidates John G. Tower, incumbent U.S. senator since 1961
Results
References