Senator and Minority Leader Hugh Scott decided to retire.

[1] In December 1975, U.S. senator Hugh Scott announced that he would not seek re-election in 1976 at the age of 75 after serving in Congress for 32 years.

[2] Heinz was the victor in all but nine counties, defeating opponent William Green, who had a 300,000 vote advantage in his native Philadelphia area.

Much of the money Heinz spent on his campaign was his own, leading to accusations from Green that he was "buying the seat".

Heinz replied to this by claiming that the spending was necessary to overcome the Democratic voter registration advantage.