1976Final results
1976 election for U.S. Senate in Virginia
U.S. Senate · Virginia
Harry F. Byrd Jr. (Ind) won with 57.2% of the vote, defeating E. R. (bud) Zumwalt (D) by 18.9 points.
Harry F. Byrd Jr.Independent · winner
57.2%890,778
E. R. (bud) ZumwaltDemocrat
38.3%596,009
Martin H. PerperIndependent
4.5%70,559
1,557,500 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
Harry F. Byrd Jr. (I)E. R. (bud) Zumwalt (D)
Also on the ballot: Martin H. Perper (Independent), 4.5%