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1976 United States Senate election in Wyoming

← 1970 November 2, 1976 1982 →

Nominee Malcolm Wallop Gale W. McGee Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 84,810 70,558 Percentage 54.59% 45.41%

County results Wallop:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% McGee:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Gale W. McGee Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Malcolm Wallop Republican

Elections in Wyoming
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v t e

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%. Since Wallop took office in 1977, Republicans have held both of Wyoming’s Senate seats, which they had last done in 1954.

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

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Gale W. McGee, incumbent U.S. Senator

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• Malcolm Wallop, State Senator, 1974 Republican candidate for Governor
• Nels T. Larson
• Doyle Henry, perennial candidate

Results

General election

Results

References

1. ^ Thomson, Thyra (1977). 1977 Wyoming Official Directory and 1971 Election Returns. pp. 123–24.
2. "Who is Nels Larson?". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. August 5, 1976. p. 29.
3. "Candidate to run". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. February 1, 1976. p. 5.

• United States Senate elections in Wyoming
• 1976 United States Senate elections
• 1976 Wyoming elections