1972Final results
1972 election for North Carolina Senate District 16
North Carolina State Senate · North Carolina
2 seats: A. B. Coleman Jr. (D), William P. Saunders (D) won.
2 seatsA. B. Coleman Jr.Democrat · winner
28.6%37,606
William P. SaundersDemocrat · winner · incumbent
25.2%33,086
P. H. CraigRepublican
22.9%30,176
David A. DrexelRepublican
22.9%30,088
Mary V. JonesOther party
0.4%535
131,491 votes
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1972
Races before and after
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The candidates
A. B. Coleman Jr. (D)William P. Saunders (D)P. H. Craig (R)David A. Drexel (R)
Also on the ballot: Mary V. Jones (Other party), 0.4%