# 1972 United States House of Representatives election in Nevada

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The 1972 United States House of Representatives election in Nevada was held on Tuesday November 7, 1972, to elect the state's at-large representative. Primary elections were held on September 5, 1972.
Republican nominee David Towell won the general election with 52.15% of the vote. Incumbent representative, Walter S. Baring Jr. lost the democratic primary election 52-47. Baring endorsed republican David Towell, helping him win the general election.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates

* Walter S. Baring Jr., Incumbent representative
* James Bilbray, United States army veteran

### Background

Conservative Democrat Walter Baring was criticized by the more liberal wing of the democratic party for voting against the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The primaries were typically more competitive than the general election for Baring. He typically got high margins in Nevada's rural 'cow counties' (14 counties apart from Clark, Washoe, and Carson City) However, the massive growth in Clark County and Washoe County would make it significantly more difficult for Baring to win.

### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | James Bilbray | 36,525 | 52.21 |
| | Democratic | Walter S. Baring Jr. (Incumbent) | 31,896 | 45.60 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 68,421 | 100.00 |

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* David Towell
* William T. Byrnes
* Robert J. Edwards
* Wayne Goodin
* V.M. Markoff

### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | David Towell | 13,453 | 41.50 |
| | Republican | William T. Byrnes | 11,764 | 36.29 |
| | Republican | Robert J. Edwards | 2,763 | 8.53 |
| | Republican | Wayne Goodin | 2,411 | 7.44 |
| | Republican | V.M. Markoff | 2,029 | 6.26 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,420 | 100.00 |

## General Election

General election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | David Towell | 94,113 | 52.15% |
| | Democratic | James Bilbray | 86,349 | 47.85% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 180,462 | 100.00% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |