1972 United States Senate election in North Carolina

The North Carolina United States Senate election of 1972 was held on 7 November 1972 as part of the nationwide elections to the Senate, and coinciding with the 1972 presidential election. The general election was fought between the Republican nominee Jesse Helms and the Democratic nominee Rep. Nick Galifianakis. Helms won the election, becoming the first Republican to win a Senate seat in North Carolina since 1897, and the first to hold this seat since 1871.

Three-term Representative Nick Galifianakis defeated two-term incumbent Senator B. Everett Jordan in the second ballot in the Democratic primary. Galifianakis was seen as an anti-establishment liberal in North Carolina, although an opponent of busing. This was the first time ever that a Republican won a full term to this Senate seat in North Carolina.

Candidates

 * J. R. Brown
 * Nick Galifianakis, U.S. Representative from Durham
 * Eugene Grace
 * B. Everett Jordan, incumbent Senator since 1958

Runoff
[[File:1972 United States Senate Democratic primary runoff in North Carolina results map by county.svg|thumb|300px|center| Galifianakis

{{legend|#8da9e2|50–60%}}

{{legend|#678cd7|60–70%}}

{{legend|#4170cd|70–80%}} Jordan

{{legend|#7bc7ae|50–60%}}

{{legend|#4ab390|60–70%}} Tie

{{legend|#AE8BB1|50%}} ]]

Candidates

 * William Booe, former member of the Charlotte School Board
 * Jesse Helms, WRAL-TV executive and commentator and former Democratic member of the Raleigh City Council
 * James Johnson, State Representative from Greensboro