1982Final results
1982 election for U.S. Senate in Montana
U.S. Senate · Montana
John Melcher (D) won with 54.5% of the vote, defeating Larry Williams (R) by 12.8 points.
John MelcherDemocrat · winner
54.5%174,861
Larry WilliamsRepublican
41.7%133,789
Larry DodgeLibertarian
3.9%12,412
321,062 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1982
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
John MelcherLarry Williams
$687.2K
Raised by the campaign
$650.2K
$742.5K
Spent by the campaign
$656.5K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Larry Dodge $18.9K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1982.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1982