1988 United States Senate election in Wyoming

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. To date, 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 U.S. Senate race in Wyoming history.

1988 United States Senate election in Wyoming

← 1982 November 8, 1988 1994 →
 
Nominee Malcolm Wallop John Vinich
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 91,143 89,821
Percentage 50.37% 49.63%

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

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Democratic primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Vinich 23,214 47.20%
Democratic Pete Maxfield 14,613 29.72%
Democratic Lynn Simons 11,350 23.08%
Total votes 49,177 100.00%

Republican primary

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Candidates

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  • Malcolm Wallop, incumbent U.S. Senator
  • Nora Marie Lewis, farmer[3]
  • Bud Kinney, perennial candidate
  • Michael J. Dee, perennial candidate, marijuana legalization advocate[3]
  • Russ Hanrahan, retired air traffic controller[3]

Results

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Republican primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Malcolm Wallop (inc.) 55,752 83.21%
Republican Nora Marie Lewis 3,933 5.87%
Republican Bud Kinney 3,716 5.55%
Republican Michael J. Dee 1,898 2.83%
Republican Russ Hanrahan 1,702 2.54%
Total votes 67,001 100.00%

General election

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Results

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1988 United States Senate election in Wyoming[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Malcolm Wallop (inc.) 91,143 50.37% −6.29%
Democratic John Vinich 89,821 49.63% +6.29%
Majority 1,322 0.73% −12.58%
Turnout 180,964
Republican hold

References

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