The 1992 United States Senate elections, held November 3, 1992, were elections for the United States Senate. The 34 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections, along with special elections to fill vacancies. They coincided with Bill Clinton's victory in the presidential election. Both parties swapped a pair of seats, resulting in no net change in partisan breakdown. Democratic victories over Republicans John F. Seymour (in the special California race) and Bob Kasten (of Wisconsin) were cancelled out by the defeats of Democrats Wyche Fowler (of Georgia) and Terry Sanford (of North Carolina). The election of four new Democratic women to the Senate was notable (referred to in the press as the "Year of the Woman"). Due to a special election in California, both of California's Senate seats were up for election in 1992. These seats were won by Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer. Thus, California became the first state to have elected women to occupy both of its Senate seats. Democrat Carol Moseley Braun (of Illinois), became the first African-American woman in the United States Senate. , this was the last election cycle in which Republicans won a Senate election in New York and Democrats in Kentucky. Results summary Seat totals include both the special elections in California and North Dakota, but vote totals exclude the North Dakota total. Source: Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives Gains and losses Retirements Three Republicans and four Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election. One Democrat also retired instead of finishing the unexpired term. Defeats One Republican and three Democrats sought re-election but lost either in the primary or general election. One Republican also sought election to finish the term but lost in the special election. Change in composition Before the elections Result of the elections Race summary Special elections In these special elections, the winners were elected and seated in the fall of 1992. Elections are sorted by election date then state and class. Elections leading to the next Congress In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1993; ordered by state. All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats. Closest races In thirteen races, the margin of victory was under 10%. Illinois was the tipping point state, decided by a margin of 10%. Alabama Incumbent Democrat Richard Shelby won re-election to a second term, beating Richard Sellers, conservative