1976 United States Senate election in Wyoming explained

Election Name:1976 United States Senate election in Wyoming
Country:Wyoming
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1970 United States Senate election in Wyoming
Previous Year:1970
Next Election:1982 United States Senate election in Wyoming
Next Year:1982
Election Date:November 2, 1976
Image1:File:malcolmwallop.JPG
Nominee1:Malcolm Wallop
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:84,810
Percentage1:54.59%
Nominee2:Gale W. McGee
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:70,558
Percentage2:45.41%
Map Size:255px
U.S. Senator
Before Election:Gale W. McGee
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Malcolm Wallop
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 1976 United States Senate election in Wyoming took place on November 2, 1976. Incumbent Democratic Senator Gale W. McGee ran for re-election to his fourth term. Following a close win in his first race in 1958, McGee won wider victories in 1964 and 1970, even as the state's electorate grew more conservative. In 1976, McGee faced a strong challenge from Republican State Senator Malcolm Wallop.

Despite McGee's past victories in the state, he faced considerable headwinds as President Gerald Ford won the state over Jimmy Carter convincingly, even as Ford was losing nationwide. In the end, despite McGee's ability to significantly outperform other Democratic candidates, he lost to Wallop, winning just 45% of the vote to Wallop's 55%. Wallop's swearing-in marked the first time since 1954 that Republicans held both U.S. Senate seats from Wyoming.

This is the last time that a Senator from Wyoming lost re-election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Results

Notes and References

  1. News: August 5, 1976. Who is Nels Larson?. Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo.. 29.
  2. News: February 1, 1976. Candidate to run. Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo.. 5.