Wyoming voters overwhelmingly sent their two Republican senators back to Washington Tuesday, as both Mike Enzi and John Barrasso easily defeated their Democratic opponents.

Enzi defeated Democrat Chris Rothfuss to win his third six-year term, while Barrasso beat Democrat Nick Carter in a special election to replace the late Sen. Craig Thomas.

According to unofficial results, Enzi won 76 percent of the vote to Rothfuss' 24 percent and Barrasso won 74 percent to Carter's 26 percent.

Both Republican incumbents said that they will work with Democrats, who have increased their control of the Senate, and President-elect Barack Obama.

"Whoever is president we need to get behind him and do what's good for America," Enzi said after he won the race.

"I will work with anyone of either party as long as it's in the best interest of Wyoming," Barrasso said late Tuesday.

The Democratic hopefuls said Wyoming's Republican tilt was a major obstacle for them.

"I just think it's difficult for a first-time Democrat to get traction and the race funds out here in Wyoming," Carter said after the race was called.

Rothfuss, a 36-year-old instructor at the University of Wyoming, said he was hampered by Enzi's popularity in the state.

"Mike Enzi is a wonderful person, a kind individual, and I wish him the best," Rothfuss said. "I think people around the state do like him."

Barrasso was appointed by Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal in June 2007 after Thomas died of complications related to leukemia. Freudenthal chose his name from a list of three contenders put forward by the state Republican Party.

During the campaign, Barrasso touted his fiscal conservatism and proposals to help Wyoming ranchers.

Carter, a 44-year-old criminal defense lawyer, said Washington was unable to handle the current financial crisis and criticized Barrasso for his vote against the federal bailout.

In the other race, Enzi emphasized his ability to get results despite the highly charged partisan atmosphere of Washington. He is the top Republican on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Rothfuss argued Washington could use his technical expertise on energy issues. Rothfuss holds a doctorate in chemical engineering and is a former staff analyst for energy policies at the U.S. State Department.

Several lunch-hour voters at the Laramie County library in downtown Cheyenne said they voted for the incumbents.

Don Bratton, a network controller for the State of Wyoming, said he voted for Barrasso even though he supported Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and Democratic U.S. House candidate Gary Trauner.

"I like Barrasso," Bratton said. "He's not what you'd call a dyed-in-the-wool Republican. If he doesn't think things are right there, he'll vote his conscience."

Pat Swallow of Cheyenne voted for Enzi.

"I've met him and I just think with the experience he has, he has represented Wyoming well," he said.

Others supported Democrats for Senate. Samantha Lutton of Cheyenne, a stay-at-home mom with a newborn child, said she voted for Rothfuss after watching him debate Enzi.

"I thought he handled himself a tad bit better," she said. "His mindset more represents where I'm at."