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. 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. In 1976, McGee faced a strong challenge from State Senator
Malcolm Wallop, the Republican nominee. Despite McGee's past victories in the state, he faced considerable headwinds as President
Gerald Fordwon the state over
Jimmy Carter convincingly, even as Ford was losing nationwide. In the end, despite McGee's ability to significantly outperform other Democratic candidates, he was unable to defeat Wallop, and lost re-election by a fairly wide margin, winning just 45% of the vote to Wallop's 55%.
Malcolm Wallop's swearing-in or inauguration marked the first time since 1954 that Republicans held both United States Senate seats from 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. 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. In 1976, McGee faced a strong challenge from State Senator
Malcolm Wallop, the Republican nominee. Despite McGee's past victories in the state, he faced considerable headwinds as President
Gerald Fordwon the state over
Jimmy Carter convincingly, even as Ford was losing nationwide. In the end, despite McGee's ability to significantly outperform other Democratic candidates, he was unable to defeat Wallop, and lost re-election by a fairly wide margin, winning just 45% of the vote to Wallop's 55%.
Malcolm Wallop's swearing-in or inauguration marked the first time since 1954 that Republicans held both United States Senate seats from Wyoming.