# 1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming

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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. As Hansen ran for re-election, President Richard Nixon was overwhelmingly defeating Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern in Wyoming. Hansen managed to outperform even Nixon, winning his second term in a landslide over Vinich.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates

* Mike Vinich, Hudson bar owner, former Director of the Wyoming Employment Security Commission
* Doyle Henry, handyman
* Patrick E. Shanklin
* William E. Fritchell, maintenance worker

### Results

Democratic primary :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 30,736 | 100.00% |

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* Clifford Hansen, incumbent U.S. Senator

### Results

Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Clifford Hansen (inc.) | 50,774 | 100.00% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 50,774 | 100.00% |

## General election
### Results

1972 United States Senate election in Wyoming :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Clifford Hansen (inc.) | 101,314 | 71.31% | +19.52% |
| | Democratic | Mike Vinich | 40,753 | 28.69% | −19.52% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 60,561 | 42.63% | +39.04% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 142,067 | | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |