1982Final results
1982 election for U.S. Senate in Texas
U.S. Senate · Texas
Lloyd Bentsen (D) won with 58.6% of the vote, defeating Jim Collins (R) by 18.1 points.
Lloyd BentsenDemocrat · winner
58.6%1,818,223
Jim CollinsRepublican
40.5%1,256,759
John E. FordLibertarian
0.8%23,494
Lineaus Hooper LoretteOther party
0.1%4,564
3,103,167 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 1982
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Lloyd BentsenJim Collins
$3.6M
Raised by the campaign
$3.1M
$4.8M
Spent by the campaign
$3.5M
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1982.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1982
The candidates
Lloyd Bentsen (D)Jim Collins (R)
Also on the ballot: John E. Ford (Libertarian), 0.8%; Lineaus Hooper Lorette (Other party), 0.1%