1988 United States Senate election in Wyoming

none March 2026 September 2023 1988 United States Senate election in Wyoming Wyoming presidential no 1982 United States Senate election in Wyoming 1982 1994 United States Senate election in Wyoming 1994 November 8, 1988 File:malcolmwallop.JPG 150x150px Malcolm Wallop Republican Party (United States) 91,143 50.37% File:John Vinich, 1988.png John Vinich Democratic Party (United States) 89,821 49.63% 1988 United States Senate election in Wyoming results map by county.svg 250px County results Wallop: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80%Vinich: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% U.S. Senator Malcolm Wallop Republican Party (United States) Malcolm Wallop Republican Party (United States) 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. Democratic primary Candidates John Vinich, State Senator Pete Maxfield, former Dean of the University of Wyoming School of LawFebruary 3, 1988 UW professor will seek nomination to Senate Jackson Hole Guide Jackson, Wyo. A13 Lynn Simons, Wyoming Superintendent of Instruction Results Democratic primaryKarpan Kathy 1989 Wyoming Official Directory and 1988 Election Returns 170, 256 1989 John Vinich Democratic Party (United States) 23,214 47.20% Pete Maxfield Democratic Party (United States) 14,613 29.72% Lynn Simons Democratic Party (United States) 11,350 23.08% 49,177 100.00% Republican primary Candidates Malcolm Wallop, incumbent U.S. Senator Nora Marie Lewis, farmerAugust 17, 1988 Vinich wins Senate nomination: Maxfield second, Simons falls to third Scott Scott Casper Star-Tribune Casper, Wyo. A1, A10 Bud Kinney, perennial candidate Michael J. Dee, perennial candidate, marijuana legalization advocate Russ Hanrahan, retired air traffic controller Results Republican primary Malcolm Wallop (incumbent) Republican Party (United States) 55,752 83.21% Nora Marie Lewis Republican Party (United States) 3,933 5.87% Bud Kinney Republican Party (United States) 3,716 5.55% Michael J. Dee Republican Party (United States) 1,898 2.83% Russ Hanrahan Republican Party (United States) 1,702 2.54% 67,001 100.00% General election Results 1988 United States Senate election in Wyoming Republican Party (United States) Malcolm Wallop (incumbent) 91,143 50.37% -6.29% Democratic Party (United States) John Vinich 89,821 49.63% +6.29% 1,322 0.73% -12.58% 180,964 Republican Party (US) Democratic Party (US) References Category:United States Senate elections in Wyoming Wyoming United States Senate