1982 United States Senate election in Wyoming

The 1982 United States Senate election in Wyoming took place on November 2, 1982. Incumbent Republican Senator Malcolm Wallop ran for his second term. He was challenged in the general election by former State Senator Rodger McDaniel, the Democratic nominee. Despite the strong national environment for Democratic candidates that year, Democratic Governor Edgar Herschler's landslide re-election, and the closeness of Wallop's campaign with former Democratic Senator Gale W. McGee in 1976, the contest between Wallop and McDaniel was largely non-competitive. Wallop won re-election by a wide margin, winning 57% of the vote to McDaniel's 43%. This election was the first time since 1911 that an incumbent Republican Senator from Wyoming was re-elected or won re-election to this seat.

1982 United States Senate election in Wyoming

← 1976 November 2, 1982 1988 →

Nominee Malcolm Wallop Rodger McDaniel Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 94,725 72,466 Percentage 56.66% 43.34%

County results Wallop:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% McDaniel:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Malcolm Wallop Republican Elected U.S. Senator Malcolm Wallop Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Rodger McDaniel, former State Senator

Results

Democratic primary^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Rodger McDaniel	46,834	100.00%
Total votes			46,834	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Malcolm Wallop, incumbent U.S. Senator
• Richard Redland, rancher, far-right activist^[2]

Results

Republican primary^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Malcolm Wallop (inc.)	61,650	80.91%
	Republican	Richard Redland, Jr.	14,543	19.09%
Total votes			76,193	100.00%

General election

Results

1982 United States Senate election in Wyoming^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Malcolm Wallop (inc.)	94,725	56.66%	+2.07%
	Democratic	Rodger McDaniel	72,466	43.34%	−2.07%
Majority			22,259	13.31%	+4.14%
Turnout			167,191
	Republican hold

References

1. Thomson, Thyra (1983). 1983 Wyoming Official Directory and 1982 Election Returns. pp. 144, 219.
2. Barron, Joan (August 5, 1982). "Redland out to educate Wallop". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. p. 10.