1990 United States Senate election in Iowa

The 1990 United States Senate election in Iowa was held on November 5, 1990. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Tom Harkin sought re-election to a second term in office. Harkin was opposed by Republican U.S. Congressman Tom Tauke, from Iowa's 2nd congressional district, and both Harkin and Tauke won their primaries uncontested. Though Harkin performed slightly worse than he had six years earlier, he was successful in his re-election bid and defeated Tauke. He was the only Democrat re-elected to the Senate from the state since 1938.

1990 United States Senate election in Iowa

November 5, 1990

Nominee Tom Harkin Tom Tauke Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 535,975 446,869 Percentage 54.47% 45.42%

County results Harkin:      50–60%      60–70% Tauke:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Tom Harkin Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Tom Harkin Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Tom Harkin, incumbent United States Senator

Results

Democratic primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Tom Harkin (incumbent)	162,661	99.47
	Democratic	Write-ins	867	0.53
Total votes			163,528	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Tom Tauke, U.S. Representative from Dubuque

Results

Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Tom Tauke	91,798	99.81%
	Republican	Write-ins	172	0.19%
Total votes			91,970	100.00%

General election

Results

United States Senate election in Iowa, 1990

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Tom Harkin (incumbent)	535,975	54.47%	−0.98%
	Republican	Tom Tauke	446,869	45.42%	+1.76%
	Write-in		1,089	0.11%
Majority			89,106	9.06%	−2.74%
Turnout			983,933
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• 1990 United States Senate elections