1988 United States Senate election in Wyoming

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1988 United States Senate election in Wyoming
Flag of Wyoming.svg
  1982 November 8, 1988 1994  
  Malcolmwallop.JPG No image.svg
Nominee Malcolm Wallop John Vinich
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote91,14389,821
Percentage50.37%49.63%

1988 United States Senate election in Wyoming results map by county.svg
County results

Wallop:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Vinich:     50–60%     60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Malcolm Wallop
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Malcolm Wallop
Republican

The 1988 United States Senate election in Wyoming was held on November 8, 1988. Incumbent Republican Senator Malcolm Wallop ran for re-election to a third term. He was opposed by Democratic State Senator John Vinich in the general election. Despite Wallop's past strong performances in 1976 and 1982, and the overwhelming Republican majority in Wyoming in the presidential election, Wallop faced a surprisingly competitive race. He ended up defeating Vinich by less than 1%, by a margin of just 1,322 votes. As of 2023, this remains the strongest performance by a Democratic U.S. Senate nominee in Wyoming since 1970, the last time a Democrat won a Senate election in the state.This is also the closest US Senate race in Wyoming history.

Contents

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic John Vinich 23,214 47.20%
Democratic Pete Maxfield14,61329.72%
Democratic Lynn Simons11,35023.08%
Total votes49,177 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Malcolm Wallop (inc.) 55,752 83.21%
Republican Nora Marie Lewis3,9335.87%
Republican Bud Kinney3,7165.55%
Republican Michael J. Dee1,8982.83%
Republican Russ Hanrahan1,7022.54%
Total votes67,001 100.00%

General election

Results

1988 United States Senate election in Wyoming [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Malcolm Wallop (inc.) 91,143 50.37% -6.29%
Democratic John Vinich 89,82149.63%+6.29%
Majority1,3220.73%-12.58%
Turnout 180,964
Republican hold

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References

  1. "UW professor will seek nomination to Senate". Jackson Hole Guide. Jackson, Wyo. February 3, 1988. p. A13.
  2. 1 2 3 Karpan, Kathy (1989). 1989 Wyoming Official Directory and 1988 Election Returns. pp. 170, 256.
  3. 1 2 3 Scott, Scott (August 17, 1988). "Vinich wins Senate nomination: Maxfield second, Simons falls to third". Casper Star-Tribune . Casper, Wyo. p. A1, A10.