1978 Maryland Senate election
The 1978 Maryland Senate election was held on November 7, 1978, to determine which party would control the Maryland Senate for the following four years. All 47 seats were up for election and the primary was held on September 12, 1978. Prior to the election, 39 seats were held by Democrats and 8 seats were held by Republicans. The general election saw the Democrats expand their majority by a single seat.
Retirements
Democrats
- District 7: Donald P. Hutchinson retired to run for Baltimore County Executive.
- District 8: Roy N. Staten retired.
- District 13: John C. Coolahan retired.
- District 17: Charles W. Gilchrist retired to run for Montgomery County Executive.
- District 22: Meyer M. Emanuel Jr. retired.
- District 26: Steny Hoyer retired to run for lieutenant governor of Maryland alongside Blair Lee III.
- District 32: Alfred J. Lipin retired.
- District 34: Elroy G. Boyer retired.
Republicans
- District 5: C. A. Porter Hopkins retired.
- District 16: Newton I. Steers Jr. retired.
Incumbents defeated
In primary
Democrats
- District 19: C. Lawrence Wiser lost renomination to Sidney Kramer.
- District 36: E. Homer White Jr. lost renomination to Joseph J. Long Sr.
Closest races
Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:- '
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