1976Final results
1976 election for U.S. Senate in Ohio
U.S. Senate · Ohio
Howard Metzenbaum (D) won with 49.5% of the vote, defeating Robert Taft Jr. (R) by 3.0 points.
Howard MetzenbaumDemocrat · winner
49.5%1,941,113
Robert Taft Jr.Republican
46.5%1,823,774
John O'NeillIndependent
1.4%53,657
Donald E. BabcockOther party
0.9%36,979
Emma Lila FundaburkIndependent
0.8%33,285
Melisa SinglerSocialist Workers
0.8%31,805
3,920,613 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1976
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The candidates
Howard Metzenbaum (D)Robert Taft Jr. (R)
Also on the ballot: John O'Neill (Independent), 1.4%; Donald E. Babcock (Other party), 0.9%; Emma Lila Fundaburk (Independent), 0.8%; Melisa Singler (Socialist Workers), 0.8%