1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming

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1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming
Flag of Wyoming.svg
  1966 November 7, 1972 1978  
  Clifford Hansen.jpg No image.svg
Nominee Clifford Hansen Mike Vinich
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote101,31440,753
Percentage71.31%28.69%

1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming results map by county.svg
County results
Hansen:     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Clifford Hansen
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Clifford Hansen
Republican

The 1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming was held on November 7, 1972. Incumbent Republican Senator Clifford Hansen ran for re-election to a second term. He was challenged by Democratic nominee Mike Vinich, a former aide to Congressman Teno Roncalio and a bar owner in Hudson. [1] As Hansen ran for re-election, President Richard Nixon was overwhelmingly defeating Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern in Wyoming. Hansen managed to outperform even Nixon, winning his second term in a landslide over Vinich.

Contents

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Mike Vinich 16,148 52.54%
Democratic Doyle Henry5,64218.36%
Democratic Patrick E. Shanklin4,66515.18%
Democratic William E. Fritchell4,28113.93%
Total votes30,736 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Clifford Hansen (inc.) 50,774 100.00%
Total votes50,774 100.00%

General election

Results

1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Clifford Hansen (inc.) 101,314 71.31% +19.52%
Democratic Mike Vinich40,75328.69%-19.52%
Majority60,56142.63%+39.04%
Turnout 142,067
Republican hold

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References

  1. 1 2 "Vinich's David eyes Goliath". Casper Star-Tribune . Casper, Wyo. August 24, 1972. p. 2.
  2. "Henry files for Democrat nomination to Senate seat". Casper Star-Tribune . Casper, Wyo. June 18, 1972. p. 1.
  3. "Wyoming primary lineups set". Billings Gazette . Billings, Mont. July 13, 1972. p. 25.
  4. "Candidate hits tax 'loopholes'". Casper Star-Tribune . Casper, Wyo. August 8, 1972. p. 5.
  5. 1 2 3 Thomson, Thyra (1973). 1973 Wyoming Official Directory and 1972 Election Returns. p. 90-91.