1976 United States Senate election in Wyoming

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

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, facing a strong challenge from Republican State Senator Malcolm Wallop. 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.

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 lost 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 not done since 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

Democratic primary ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Gale McGee (incumbent)	44,437	100.00%
Total votes			44,437	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Malcolm Wallop, State Senator, 1974 Republican candidate for Governor
• Nels T. Larson ^[2]
• Doyle Henry, perennial candidate ^[3]

Results

Republican primary ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Malcolm Wallop	41,445	76.56%
	Republican	Nels T. Larson	6,965	12.87%
	Republican	Doyle Henry	5,727	10.58%
Total votes			54,137	100.00%

General election

Results

1976 United States Senate election in Wyoming ^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Malcolm Wallop	84,810	54.59%	+10.37%
	Democratic	Gale W. McGee (incumbent)	70,558	45.41%	−10.37%
Majority			14,252	9.17%	−2.39%
Turnout			155,368
	Republican gain from Democratic

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.