1982 United States Senate election in Wyoming

The 1982 United States Senate election in Wyoming took place on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Republican Senator Malcolm Wallop ran for his second term. He was challenged in the general election by former State Senator Rodger McDaniel, the Democratic nominee. Despite the strong national environment for Democratic candidates that year, Democratic Governor Edgar Herschler's landslide re-election, and the closeness of Wallop's campaign with former Democratic Senator Gale W. McGee in 1976, the contest between Wallop and McDaniel was largely non-competitive. Wallop won re-election by a wide margin, winning 57% of the vote to McDaniel's 43%. This election was the first time since 1911 that an incumbent Republican Senator from Wyoming was re-elected or won re-election to this seat.

1982 United States Senate election in Wyoming

← 1976November 2, 19821988 →
 
NomineeMalcolm WallopRodger McDaniel
PartyRepublicanDemocratic
Popular vote94,72572,466
Percentage56.66%43.34%

County results

Wallop:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

McDaniel:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Malcolm Wallop
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Malcolm Wallop
Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[1]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticRodger McDaniel 46,834 100.00%
Total votes46,834 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Malcolm Wallop, incumbent U.S. Senator
  • Richard Redland, rancher, far-right activist[2]

Results

Republican primary[1]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanMalcolm Wallop (inc.) 61,650 80.91%
RepublicanRichard Redland, Jr.14,54319.09%
Total votes76,193 100.00%

General election

Results

1982 United States Senate election in Wyoming[1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
RepublicanMalcolm Wallop (inc.) 94,725 56.66% +2.07%
DemocraticRodger McDaniel72,46643.34%-2.07%
Majority22,25913.31%+4.14%
Turnout167,191
Republican hold

References