1976 United States Senate election in Wyoming

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.

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...

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

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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.