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[update], 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.
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[update], 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.