The 1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming was held on November 7, 1972. Incumbent Republican Senator Clifford Hansen ran for re-election to a second term. He was challenged by Democratic nominee Mike Vinich, a former aide to Congressman Teno Roncalio and a bar owner in Hudson.[1] As Hansen ran for re-election, President Richard Nixon was overwhelmingly defeating Democratic presidential nominee George McGoverninWyoming. Hansen managed to outperform even Nixon, winning his second term in a landslide over Vinich.
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County results | |||||||||||||||||
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| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mike Vinich | 16,148 | 52.54% | |
| Democratic | Doyle Henry | 5,642 | 18.36% | |
| Democratic | Patrick E. Shanklin | 4,665 | 15.18% | |
| Democratic | William E. Fritchell | 4,281 | 13.93% | |
| Total votes | 30,736 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Clifford Hansen (inc.) | 50,774 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 50,774 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Clifford Hansen (inc.) | 101,314 | 71.31% | +19.52% | |
| Democratic | Mike Vinich | 40,753 | 28.69% | -19.52% | |
| Majority | 60,561 | 42.63% | +39.04% | ||
| Turnout | 142,067 | ||||
| Republican hold | |||||
