1996 United States Senate election in Wyoming

The 1996 United States Senate election in Wyoming was held November 5, 1996. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Alan K. Simpson decided to retire. Republican nominee Mike Enzi won the open seat.

1996 United States Senate election in Wyoming

← 1990 November 5, 1996 2002 →

Nominee Mike Enzi Kathy Karpan Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 114,116 89,103 Percentage 54.06% 42.21%

County results Enzi:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Karpan:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Alan K. Simpson Republican Elected U.S. Senator Mike Enzi Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Kathy Karpan, former Secretary of State of Wyoming and 1994 Democratic nominee for Wyoming Governor
• Mickey Kalinay

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kathy Karpan	32,419	86.07%
	Democratic	Mickey Kalinay	5,245	13.93%
Total votes			37,664	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Mike Enzi, state senator
• John Barrasso, orthopedic surgeon
• Curt Meier, state senator
• Nimi McConigley, state representative
• Kevin Meenan, Natrona County District Attorney
• Kathleen P. Jachkowski, motivational speaker
• Brian E. Coen
• Cleveland B. Holloway
• Russ Hanrahan

Results

Republican primary results by county

  Enzi

•   20–30%
•   30–40%
•   40–50%
•   70–80%

  Barrasso

•   30–40%
•   40–50%

  Meier

•   30–40%
•   50-60%

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mike Enzi	27,056	32.47%
	Republican	John Barrasso	24,918	29.90%
	Republican	Curt Meier	14,739	17.69%
	Republican	Nimi McConigley	6,005	7.21%
	Republican	Kevin Meenan	6,000	7.20%
	Republican	Kathleen P. Jachkowski	2,269	2.72%
	Republican	Brian E. Coen	943	1.13%
	Republican	Cleveland B. Holloway	874	1.05%
	Republican	Russ Hanrahan	524	0.63%
Total votes			83,328	100.00%

General election

Candidates

• Mike Enzi (R), Wyoming State Senator
• David Herbert (L)
• Kathy Karpan (D), former Secretary of State of Wyoming and 1994 Democratic nominee for governor
• Lloyd Marsden (NL)

Results

General election results^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mike Enzi	114,116	54.06%	−9.87%
	Democratic	Kathy Karpan	89,103	42.21%	+6.15%
	Libertarian	David Herbert	5,289	2.51%
	Natural Law	Lloyd Marsden	2,569	1.22%
Majority			25,013	11.85%	−16.02%
Turnout			211,077
	Republican hold		Swing

See also

• 1996 United States Senate elections