# 1976 United States Senate election in Montana

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vte :
The 1976 United States Senate election in Montana took place on November 2, 1976. Rather than seek a fifth term, incumbent United States Senator Mike Mansfield, a Democrat, opted to retire, creating an open seat. United States Congressman John Melcher, who had represented Montana's 2nd congressional district from 1969 to 1977, won the Democratic nomination and defeated Stanley C. Burger, the Republican nominee, by a wide margin in the general election. This was the first open seat election in Montana since 1960 and the first open seat election in Montana for the Class 1 Senate seat since 1922.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates

* John Melcher, United States Congressman from Montana's 2nd congressional district
* Ray Gulick, farmer

### Results

Democratic Party primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jack Melcher | 89,413 | 88.52 |
| | Democratic | Ray E. Gulick | 11,593 | 11.48 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 101,006 | 100.00 |

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* Stanley C. Burger, former Executive Officer of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation
* Dave Drum
* Jack Tierney
* Larry L. Gilbert

### Results

Republican Primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Stanley C. Burger | 32,313 | 40.41 |
| | Republican | Dave Drum | 27,257 | 34.09 |
| | Republican | Jack Tierney | 15,129 | 18.92 |
| | Republican | Larry L. Gilbert | 5,258 | 6.58 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 79,957 | 100.00 |

## General election
### Results

United States Senate election in Montana, 1976 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | John Melcher | 206,232 | 64.16% | +3.62% |
| | Republican | Stanley C. Burger | 115,213 | 35.84% | −3.62% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 91,019 | 28.32% | +7.24% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 321,445 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | | |