1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming

1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming

November 7, 1972

Nominee Clifford Hansen Mike Vinich Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 101,314 40,753 Percentage 71.31% 28.69%

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. 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.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Mike Vinich, Hudson bar owner, former Director of the Wyoming Employment Security Commission
• Doyle Henry, handyman
• Patrick E. Shanklin
• William E. Fritchell, maintenance worker

Results

Democratic primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mike Vinich	16,148	52.54%
	Democratic	Doyle Henry	5,642	18.36%
	Democratic	Patrick E. Shanklin	4,665	15.18%
	Democratic	William E. Fritchell	4,281	13.93%
Total votes			30,736	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Clifford Hansen, incumbent U.S. Senator

Results

Republican primary

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Clifford Hansen (inc.)	50,774	100.00%
Total votes			50,774	100.00%

General election

Results

1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Clifford Hansen (inc.)	101,314	71.31%	+19.52%
	Democratic	Mike Vinich	40,753	28.69%	−19.52%
Majority			60,561	42.63%	+39.04%
Turnout			142,067
	Republican hold