1978Final results
1978 election for U.S. Senate in Kansas
U.S. Senate · Kansas
Nancy Kassebaum (R) won with 53.9% of the vote, defeating Bill Roy (D) by 11.5 points.
Nancy KassebaumRepublican · winner
53.9%403,354
Bill RoyDemocrat
42.4%317,602
James R. MaherConservative
3.0%22,497
Russell MikelsOther party
0.7%5,386
748,839 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 1978
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The candidates
Nancy Kassebaum (R)Bill Roy (D)
Also on the ballot: James R. Maher (Conservative), 3.0%; Russell Mikels (Other party), 0.7%