The 1976 United States Senate elections was an election for the United States Senate. Held on November 2, the 33 seats of Class 1 were contested in regular elections. They coincided with Democrat Jimmy Carter's presidential election and the United States Bicentennial celebration. Although almost half of the seats decided in this election changed parties, Carter's narrow victory did not provide coattails for the Democratic Party. This was the first election in which the Libertarian Party competed, running candidates in 9 of the 33 contested seats. this is the first and so far only time both party leaders retired from the Senate in the same election cycle since the creation of the positions. This is the last time Democrats or any party won a 60% supermajority via direct elections (although Democrats briefly held one in the summer of 2009). Results summary Source: Gains, losses, and holds Retirements Four Republicans and four Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election. Defeats Three Republicans, five Democrats, and one Conservative sought re-election but lost in the general election. Change in composition Before the elections Elections results Race summaries Elections leading to the next Congress In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1977; ordered by state. All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats. Closest races 9 races had a margin of victory under 10%: Nevada was the tipping point state with a margin of 31.6%. Arizona Incumbent Republican Paul Fannin retired instead of seeking a third term. Democratic attorney and businessman Dennis DeConcini won the open seat over Sam Steiger, U.S. Congressman of Arizona's 3rd congressional district. California Incumbent Democrat John Tunney ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Republican Sam Hayakawa, President emeritus of San Francisco State University. Connecticut Incumbent Republican Lowell Weicker won re-election to a second term over Gloria Schaffer, Connecticut Secretary of State Delaware Incumbent Republican William Roth won reelection to a second term over Thomas Maloney, Mayor of Wilmington Florida Incumbent Democrat Lawton Chiles won re-election to a second term over John Grady, Mayor of Belle Glade Hawaii Incumbent Republican Hiram Fong retired instead of seeking re-election to a fourth term. Democrat Spark Matsunaga won the open seat over Republican William Quinn, Former Governor of Hawaii. Indiana Incumbent Democrat Vance Hartke ran for re-election to a fourth term, but was defeated by Republican challenger Richard Lugar, Mayor of