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 Towell, helping him win the general election.
Democratic primary
Candidates Walter S. Baring Jr., incumbent representative James Bilbray, U.S. Army veteran
Background Conservative Democrat 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 made it significantly more difficult for Baring to win.
Results
Republican primary
Candidates William T. Byrnes Robert J. Edwards Wayne Goodin V.M. Markoff David Towell
Results
General Election
References