1972 United States House of Representatives election in Nevada

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.

1972 United States House election in Nevada

← 1970 November 7, 1972 1974 →
 
Nominee David Towell James Bilbray
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 94,113 86,349
Percentage 52.15% 47.85%

County results
Towell:      50–60%      60–70%
Bilbray:      50–60%

Representative
At-large before election

Walter S. Baring Jr.
Democratic

Elected Representative
At-large

David Towell
Republican

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.[1] Baring endorsed republican David Towell, helping him win the general election.

Democratic primary

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Democratic Primary:
Bilbray
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
Baring
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%

Candidates

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Background

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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

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Democratic primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James Bilbray 36,525 52.21
Democratic Walter S. Baring Jr. (Incumbent) 31,896 45.60
Total votes 68,421 100.00

Republican primary

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Republican Primary:
Towell
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
Byrnes
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   50–60%

Candidates

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

Results

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Republican primary results[3]
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 32,420 100.00

General Election

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General election results[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David Towell 94,113 52.15%
Democratic James Bilbray 86,349 47.85%
Total votes 180,462 100.00%
Republican gain from Democratic

References

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  1. ^ "show published document". www.nvsos.gov. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  2. ^ "Our Campaigns - NV At-Large - D Primary Race - Sep 05, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  3. ^ "Our Campaigns - NV At-Large - R Primary Race - Sep 05, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.
  4. ^ "Our Campaigns - NV At-Large Race - Nov 07, 1972". www.ourcampaigns.com.