1980 United States Senate elections (Redirected from United States Senate elections, 1980)

1980 United States Senate elections

← 1978 November 4, 1980 1982 →

34 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate
51 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Howard Baker Robert Byrd
Party Republican Democratic
Leader since March 5, 1980 January 3, 1977
Leader's seat Tennessee West Virginia
Seats before 41 58
Seats after 53 46
Seat change Increase 12 Decrease 12
Popular vote 26,597,169 30,699,463
Percentage 44.7% 51.6%
Seats up 10 24
Races won 22 12

  Third party
 
Party Independent
Seats before 1
Seats after 1
Seat change Steady
Seats up 0
Races won 0

1980 United States Senate election in Alabama1980 United States Senate election in Alaska1980 United States Senate election in Arizona1980 United States Senate election in Arkansas1980 United States Senate election in California1980 United States Senate election in Colorado1980 United States Senate election in Connecticut1980 United States Senate election in Florida1980 United States Senate election in Georgia1980 United States Senate election in Hawaii1980 United States Senate election in Idaho1980 United States Senate election in Illinois1980 United States Senate election in Indiana1980 United States Senate election in Iowa1980 United States Senate election in Kansas1980 United States Senate election in Kentucky1980 United States Senate election in Louisiana1980 United States Senate election in Maryland1980 United States Senate election in Missouri1980 United States Senate election in Nevada1980 United States Senate election in New Hampshire1980 United States Senate election in New York1980 United States Senate election in North Carolina1980 United States Senate election in North Dakota1980 United States Senate election in Ohio1980 United States Senate election in Oklahoma1980 United States Senate election in Oregon1980 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania1980 United States Senate election in South Carolina1980 United States Senate election in South Dakota1980 United States Senate election in Utah1980 United States Senate election in Vermont1980 United States Senate election in Washington1980 United States Senate election in Wisconsin
Results of the elections:
     Republican gain
     Democratic hold      Republican hold
     No election

Majority Leader before election

Robert Byrd
Democratic

Elected Majority Leader

Howard Baker
Republican

The 1980 United States Senate elections were held on November 4, coinciding with Ronald Reagan's victory in the presidential election. The 34 Senate seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections. Reagan's large margin of victory over incumbent Jimmy Carter gave a huge boost to Republican Senate candidates, allowing them to flip 12 Democratic seats and win control of the chamber for the first time since the end of the 83rd Congress in January 1955.

This is one of only five occasions where ten or more Senate seats changed hands in an election, with the others being in 1920, 1932, 1946, and 1958. This is the earliest Senate election with a Senator that is still serving, that being Chuck Grassley of Iowa.

This was the largest Senate swing since 1958, and was the largest Republican gain since 1946, when the Republicans also picked up 12 seats. This was also the last time the Senate changed hands in a presidential election year until 2020 when Democrats won control, the last time the Republicans gained control of the Senate in a presidential election year, and the last time Maryland elected a Republican to the Senate. These elections were also the last time the winner of the presidential election had coattails in the senate until 2004.

As of 2023, this is the last election cycle in which an incumbent Democratic senator lost a bid for re-election while the Democratic nominee for President simultaneously carried that same state's electoral votes

Results summary

46 1 53
Democratic I Republican
Parties Total
Democratic Republican Independent Libertarian Other
Last elections (1978)
Before these elections
58 41 1 0 0 100
Not up 34 31 1 0 0 66
Up
Class 3 (1974→1980)
24 10 0 34
Incumbent retired 2 3 5
Held by same party 2 3 5
Replaced by other party 0 0 0
Result 2 3 5
Incumbent ran 22 7 29
Won re-election 10 6 16
Lost re-election Decrease9 Democrats replaced by Increase9 Republicans 9
Lost renomination,
but held by same party
0 1 1
Lost renomination,
and party lost
Decrease3 Democrats replaced by Increase3 Republicans 3
Result 10 19 0 29
Total elected 12 22 0 0 0 34
Net gain/loss Decrease12 Increase12 Steady Steady Steady 12
Nationwide vote 30,699,463 26,597,169 112,242 401,077 1,658,979 59,468,930
Share 51.62% 44.73% 0.19% 0.67% 2.79% 100%
Result 46 53 1 0 0 100

Source: Office of the Clerk

Change in composition

Before the elections

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40
Conn.
Retired
D39
Colo.
Ran
D38
Calif.
Ran
D37
Ark.
Ran
D36
Alaska
Ran
D35
Ala.
Ran
D34 D33 D32 D31
D41
Fla.
Ran
D42
Ga.
Ran
D43
Hawaii
Ran
D44
Idaho
Ran
D45
Ill.
Retired
D46
Ind.
Ran
D47
Iowa
Ran
D48
Ky.
Ran
D49
La.
Ran
D50
Mo.
Ran
Majority → D51
N.H.
Ran
R41
Utah
Ran
I1 D58
Wisc.
Ran
D57
Wash.
Ran
D56
Vt.
Ran
D55
S.D.
Ran
D54
S.C.
Ran
D53
Ohio
Ran
D52
N.C.
Ran
R40
Pa.
Retired
R39
Ore.
Ran
R38
Okla.
Retired
R37
N.D.
Retired
R36
N.Y.
Ran
R35
Nev.
Ran
R34
Md.
Ran
R33
Kan.
Ran
R32
Ariz.
Ran
R31
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10

After the elections

D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10
D20 D19 D18 D17 D16 D15 D14 D13 D12 D11
D21 D22 D23 D24 D25 D26 D27 D28 D29 D30
D40
Ill.
Hold
D39
Hawaii
Re-elected
D38
Conn.
Hold
D37
Colo.
Re-elected
D36
Calif.
Re-elected
D35
Ark.
Re-elected
D34 D33 D32 D31
D41
Ky.
Re-elected
D42
La.
Re-elected
D43
Mo.
Re-elected
D44
Ohio
Re-elected
D45
S.C.
Re-elected
D46
Vt.
Re-elected
I1 R53
Wisc.
Gain
R52
Wash.
Gain
R51
S.D.
Gain
Majority →
R41
Utah
Re-elected
R42
Ala.
Gain
R43
Alaska
Gain
R44
Fla.
Gain
R45
Ga.
Gain
R46
Idaho
Gain
R47
Ind.
Gain
R48
Iowa
Gain
R49
N.H.
Gain
R50
N.C.
Gain
R40
Pa.
Hold
R39
Ore.
Re-elected
R38
Okla.
Hold
R37
N.D.
Hold
R36
N.Y.
Hold
R35
Nev.
Re-elected
R34
Md.
Re-elected
R33
Kan.
Re-elected
R32
Ariz.
Re-elected
R31
R21 R22 R23 R24 R25 R26 R27 R28 R29 R30
R20 R19 R18 R17 R16 R15 R14 R13 R12 R11
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10
Key
D# Democratic
R# Republican
I# Independent

Gains, losses, and holds

Retirements

Three Republicans and two Democrats retired instead of seeking re-election.

State Senator Replaced by
Connecticut Abraham Ribicoff Chris Dodd
Illinois Adlai Stevenson III Alan J. Dixon
North Dakota Milton Young Mark Andrews
Oklahoma Henry Bellmon Don Nickles
Pennsylvania Richard Schweiker Arlen Specter

Defeats

One Republican and twelve Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election.

State Senator Replaced by
Alabama Donald Stewart Jeremiah Denton
Alaska Mike Gravel Frank Murkowski
Florida Richard Stone Paula Hawkins
Georgia Herman Talmadge Mack Mattingly
Idaho Frank Church Steve Symms
Indiana Birch Bayh Dan Quayle
Iowa John Culver Chuck Grassley
New Hampshire John A. Durkin Warren Rudman
New York Jacob Javits Al D'Amato
North Carolina Robert Burren Morgan John Porter East
South Dakota George McGovern James Abdnor
Washington Warren Magnuson Slade Gorton
Wisconsin Gaylord Nelson Bob Kasten

Post-election changes

One Democrat resigned on April 12, 1982 and was later replaced by Republican appointee.

State Senator Replaced by
New Jersey
(Class 1)
Harrison A. Williams Nicholas F. Brady

Race summary

Special elections

There were no special elections in 1980.

Elections leading to the next Congress

In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1981; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.

State
(linked to
summaries below)
Incumbent Results Candidates
Senator Party Electoral history
Alabama Donald Stewart Democratic 1978 (special) Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Incumbent resigned January 2, 1981 to give successor advantageous seniority.
Winner appointed the same day.
Alaska Mike Gravel Democratic 1968
1974
Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Arizona Barry Goldwater Republican 1952
1958
1964 (Retired)
1968
1974
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Barry Goldwater (Republican) 49.5%
  • William R. Schulz (Democratic) 48.4%
  • Fred R. Easer (Libertarian) 1.4%
  • Lorenzo Torrez (People Over Politics) 0.4%
  • Josefina Otero (Socialist Workers) 0.4%
Arkansas Dale Bumpers Democratic 1974 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Dale Bumpers (Democratic) 59.1%
  • William Clark (Republican) 40.9%
California Alan Cranston Democratic 1968
1974
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Alan Cranston (Democratic) 56.5%
  • Paul Gann (Republican) 37.1%
  • David Bergland (Libertarian) 2.4%
  • David Wald (Peace and Freedom) 2.4%
  • Jim Griffin (American Independent) 1.6%
Colorado Gary Hart Democratic 1974 Incumbent re-elected.
Others
  • Earl Higgerson (Statesman) 0.6%
  • Henry John Olshaw (Unaffiliated-American) 0.4%
Connecticut Abraham Ribicoff Democratic 1962
1968
1974
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Others
  • Jerry Brennan (Libertarian) 0.4%
  • Andrew J. Zemel (Concerned Citizens) 0.4%
Florida Richard Stone Democratic 1974 Incumbent lost renomination.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Incumbent resigned December 31, 1980 to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed January 1, 1981.
Georgia Herman Talmadge Democratic 1956
1962
1968
1974
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Hawaii Daniel Inouye Democratic 1962
1968
1974
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Daniel Inouye (Democratic) 77.9%
  • Cooper Brown (Republican) 18.4%
Idaho Frank Church Democratic 1956
1962
1968
1974
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Illinois Adlai Stevenson III Democratic 1970 (special)
1974
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Democratic hold.
Others
  • Bruce Green (Libertarian) 0.6%
  • Sidney Lens (Independent) 0.4%
  • Charles F. Wilson (Communist) 0.2%
  • Michael Soriano (Workers World) 0.1%
  • Burton L. Artz (Socialist Workers) 0.1%
Indiana Birch Bayh Democratic 1962
1968
1974
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Iowa John Culver Democratic 1974 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Others
  • Garry De Young (Independent) 0.5%
  • Robert V. Hengerer (Libertarian) 0.3%
  • John Ingram Henderson (Independent) 0.2%
Kansas Bob Dole Republican 1968
1974
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Bob Dole (Republican) 63.8%
  • John Simpson (Democratic) 36.2%
Kentucky Wendell Ford Democratic 1974 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Wendell Ford (Democratic) 65.1%
  • Mary L. Foust (Republican) 34.9%
Louisiana Russell B. Long Democratic 1948 (special)
1950
1956
1962
1968
1974
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Russell B. Long (Democratic) 57.64%
  • Woody Jenkins (Democratic) 38.75%
  • Jerry Bardwell (Republican) 1.64%
  • Robert M. Ross (Republican) 1.21%
  • Naomi Bracy (No Party) 0.76%
Maryland Charles Mathias Republican 1968
1974
Incumbent re-elected.
Missouri Thomas Eagleton Democratic 1968
1974
Incumbent re-elected.
Nevada Paul Laxalt Republican 1974 Incumbent re-elected.
New Hampshire John A. Durkin Democratic 1975 (special) Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Incumbent resigned December 29, 1980 to give successor preferential seniority.
Winner appointed December 30, 1980.
New York Jacob K. Javits Republican 1956
1962
1968
1974
Incumbent lost renomination, then ran as the Liberal nominee but lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Others
  • Richard Savadel (Libertarian) 0.36%
  • William R. Scott (Communist) 0.07%
  • Thomas Soto (Workers World) 0.06%
  • Victor A. Nieto (Socialist Workers) 0.06%
North Carolina Robert Burren Morgan Democratic 1974 Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
North Dakota Milton Young Republican 1945 (Appointed)
1946 (special)
1950
1956
1962
1968
1974
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
  • Green tickY Mark Andrews (Republican) 70.3%
  • Kent Johanneson (Democratic-NPL) 29.0%
  • Harley McLain (Independent) 0.5%
  • Don J. Klingensmith (Independent) 0.2%
Ohio John Glenn Democratic 1974
1974 (Appointed)
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY John Glenn (Democratic) 68.8%
  • Jim Betts (Republican) 28.2%
  • John E. Powers (Independent) 1.9%
  • Rick Nagin (Independent) 1.1%
Oklahoma Henry Bellmon Republican 1968
1974
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
Others
  • Robert T. Murphy (Libertarian) 0.9%
  • Paul E. Trent (Independent) 0.2%
Oregon Bob Packwood Republican 1968
1974
Incumbent re-elected.
Pennsylvania Richard Schweiker Republican 1968
1974
Incumbent retired.
New senator elected.
Republican hold.
South Carolina Fritz Hollings Democratic 1966 (special)
1968
1974
Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Fritz Hollings (Democratic) 70.4%
  • Marshall T. Mays (Republican) 29.6%
South Dakota George McGovern Democratic 1962
1968
1974
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Utah Jake Garn Republican 1974 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Jake Garn (Republican) 73.6%
  • Dan Berman (Democratic) 25.5%
Vermont Patrick Leahy Democratic 1974 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green tickY Patrick Leahy (Democratic) 49.8%
  • Stewart M. Ledbetter (Republican) 48.5%
Washington Warren Magnuson Democratic 1944
1944 (Appointed)
1950
1956
1962
1968
1974
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.
Wisconsin Gaylord Nelson Democratic 1962
1968
1974
Incumbent lost re-election.
New senator elected.
Republican gain.

Closest races

In nineteen races the margin of victory was under 10%.

State Party of winner Margin
North Carolina Republican (flip) 0.58%
Idaho Republican (flip) 0.97%
Arizona Republican 1.08%
Vermont Democratic 1.32%
New York Republican 1.34%
Colorado Democratic 1.64%
Georgia Republican (flip) 1.74%
Wisconsin Republican (flip) 1.85%
Pennsylvania Republican 2.44%
Alabama Republican (flip) 3.10%
Florida Republican (flip) 3.32%
New Hampshire Republican (flip) 4.29%
Missouri Democratic 4.33%
Indiana Republican (flip) 7.58%
Alaska Republican (flip) 7.75%
Iowa Republican (flip) 7.95%
Oregon Republican 8.10%
Washington Republican (flip) 8.35%
Oklahoma Republican 9.92%

Alabama

Alabama election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Jeremiah Denton Jim Folsom
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 650,363 610,175
Percentage 50.2% 47.1%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Donald Stewart
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Jeremiah Denton
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Donald Stewart decided to run for his first full term, but was defeated in the primary. In November, Republican Jeremiah Denton defeated Democrat Jim Folsom, Public Service Commissioner.

1980 United States Senate election in Alabama
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeremiah Denton 650,362 50.15%
Democratic Jim Folsom 610,175 47.05%
Conservative Michael R. A. Erdey 15,989 1.23%
Libertarian William A. Crew 13,098 1.01%
National Democrat Sallie M. Hadnott 2,973 0.23%
Statesman Party Jim Partain 2,649 0.20%
Socialist Workers Mohammed Oliver 1,511 0.12%
Majority 40,187 3.10%
Turnout 1,296,757
Republican gain from Democratic

Alaska

Alaska election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Frank Murkowski Clark Gruening
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 84,159 72,007
Percentage 53.69% 45.93%

Results by state house district
Murkowski:      50–60%      60–70%
Gruening:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Mike Gravel
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Frank Murkowski
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Mike Gravel ran for a third term, but lost in the Democratic primary to Clark Gruening, a former state representative who was the grandson of Ernest Gruening, whom Gravel had defeated twelve years prior in an election for the same seat. Gruening later went on to lose the general election to Republican nominee Frank Murkowski, a banker.

After the loss of Gravel's seat, no Alaska Democrat would win a congressional race again until Mark Begich's narrow, protracted triumph in Alaska's 2008 Senate election.

First elected in 1968, by 1980 two-term Democratic incumbent Mike Gravel had become noted for a filibuster that attempted to end the draft during the Vietnam War and for including the full text of the Pentagon Papers in the Congressional Record.

Gravel faced a challenging bid for re-election, complicated by the fact that his triumph over Ernest Gruening years prior had made him a pariah in the Alaska Democratic Party. Though Gravel had campaigned to be selected as George McGovern's running mate in the 1972 U.S. presidential election and had easily won re-election to the Senate in 1974, he had never established a strong political base in Alaska.

The passage of a controversial land bill earlier in the year, as opposed to a compromise bill worked out by fellow senator Ted Stevens that failed thanks to Gravel two years prior, further harmed his re-election bid. A group of Democrats, including future governor Steve Cowper, campaigned against Gravel on the land bill issue.

The sources of Gravel's campaign funds, some of which came from political action committees outside the state, also became an issue in the contest. Another factor may have been Alaska's blanket primary system, which allows unlimited cross-over voting across parties and from its large unaffiliated electorate; Republicans believed Gruening would be an easier candidate to defeat in the general election. The blanket primary had first been used in the 1968 election, and was something Gravel himself was able to capitalize upon in his 1968 campaign.

Gravel would later comment that by the time of his primary defeat, he had alienated "almost every constituency in Alaska." In the August 26, 1980, primary Gruening defeated Gravel by 11 percentage points.

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Clark Gruening 39,719 54.88%
Democratic Mike Gravel (Incumbent) 31,504 43.53%
Democratic Michael J. Beasley 1,145 1.58%
Total votes 72,368 100.00%
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Frank Murkowski 16,262 58.92%
Republican Art Kennedy 5,527 20.02%
Republican Morris Thompson 3,635 13.17%
Republican Don Smith 896 3.25%
Republican Donald R. Wright 824 2.99%
Republican Dave Moe 458 1.66%
Total votes 27,602 100.00%
1980 United States Senate election in Alaska
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Frank Murkowski 84,159 53.69% +11.97%
Democratic Clark Gruening 72,007 45.93% -12.35%
Write-ins 596 0.38%
Majority 12,152 7.75% -8.81%
Turnout 156,762
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

Arizona

Arizona election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Barry Goldwater Bill Schulz
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 432,371 422,972
Percentage 49.46% 48.38%

County results
Goldwater:      40–50%      50–60%
Schulz:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Barry Goldwater
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Barry Goldwater
Republican

Incumbent Republican Barry Goldwater decided to run for reelection to a third consecutive term, after returning to the U.S. Senate in 1968 following his failed Presidential run in 1964 against Lyndon B. Johnson. Goldwater defeated Democratic Party nominee Bill Schulz in the general election, but only by a narrow margin, which later caused Goldwater to decide against running for reelection to a fourth consecutive term.

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bill Schulz 97,520 55.36%
Democratic James F. McNulty Jr. 58,894 33.43%
Democratic Frank DePaoli 19,259 10.93%
Democratic Frances Morgan (withdrawn) 485 0.28%
Total votes 176,158 100.00
1980 United States Senate election in Arizona
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Barry Goldwater (Incumbent) 432,371 49.46%
Democratic Bill Schulz 422,972 48.38%
Libertarian Fred R. Esser 12,008 1.37%
People Over Politics Lorenzo Torrez 3,608 0.41%
Socialist Workers Josefina Otero 3,266 0.37%
Majority 9,399 1.08%
Turnout 874,225
Republican hold Swing

Arkansas

Arkansas election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Dale Bumpers William Clark
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 477,905 330,576
Percentage 59.1% 40.9%

County results

Bumpers:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Clark:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Dale Bumpers
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Dale Bumpers
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Dale Bumpers won re-election to a second term over real estate broker William Clark.

Arkansas Senate election 1980
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dale Bumpers (Incumbent) 477,905 59.1%
Republican Bill Clark 330,576 40.9%
Independent Walter McCarty 331 0.0%
Majority 117,329 14.0%
Turnout 808,812
Democratic hold

California

California election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Alan Cranston Paul Gann
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 4,705,399 3,093,426
Percentage 56.5% 37.2%

County results
Cranston:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Gann:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Alan Cranston
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Alan Cranston
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Alan Cranston easily won re-election to a third term over Paul Gann, political activist, even as the state's former Republican governor, Ronald Reagan, claimed a landslide victory in the presidential election.

1980 United States Senate election, California
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alan Cranston (Incumbent) 4,705,399 56.5%
Republican Paul Gann 3,093,426 37.2%
Libertarian David Bergland 202,481 2.4%
Peace and Freedom David Wald 196,354 2.4%
American Independent James C. Griffin 129,648 1.6%
Majority 1,612,427 19.3%
Turnout 8,324,012
Democratic hold

Colorado

Colorado election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Gary Hart Mary Estill Buchanan
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 590,501 571,295
Percentage 50.3% 48.7%

County results

Hart:      50–60%      60–70%

Bunchanan:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Gary Hart
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Gary Hart
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Gary Hart won re-election to a second term over Mary Estill Buchanan, Colorado Secretary of State.

General election results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Gary Hart (Incumbent) 590,501 50.33% −6.90%
Republican Mary Estill Buchanan 571,295 48.70% +9.20%
Statesman Earl Higgerson 7,265 0.62%
Independent American Henry John Olshaw 4,081 0.35%
Majority 19,206 1.64% −16.10%
Turnout 1,173,142
Democratic hold Swing

Connecticut

Connecticut election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Chris Dodd James Buckley
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 763,969 581,884
Percentage 56.3% 42.9%

Dodd:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Buckley:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Abraham Ribicoff
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Chris Dodd
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Abraham Ribicoff decided to retire. Democrat Chris Dodd won the open seat over James Buckley, former U.S. senator from New York.

1980 Connecticut United States Senate election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chris Dodd 763,969 56.3%
Republican James Buckley 581,884 42.9%
Libertarian Jerry Brennan 5,336 0.4%
Concerned Citizens Andrew J. Zemel 4,772 0.4%
Write-Ins 114 0.0%
Majority 182,085 13.4%
Turnout 1,356,075
Democratic hold

Florida

Florida election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Paula Hawkins Bill Gunter
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,822,460 1,705,409
Percentage 51.7% 48.3%

County results

Hawkins:      50–60%      60–70%

Gunter:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Richard Stone
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Paula Hawkins
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Richard Stone decided to run for re-election to a second term, but was defeated in the Democratic primary election by Bill Gunter. Republican Paula Hawkins won the open seat.

Stone, a freshman senator, had a reputation for changing his mind. In 1980, the AFL–CIO actively campaigned against him, and Stone was deemed vulnerable in his re-election bid. Six Democrats entered the race for Stone's seat including his 1974 runoff opponent Bill Gunter who was Florida State Treasurer/Insurance Commissioner in 1980. As was the case in 1974, Stone and Gunter were forced into a runoff but, unlike 1974, Gunter won the nomination.[citation needed]

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard Stone 355,287 32.08%
Democratic Bill Gunter 335,859 30.33%
Democratic Buddy MacKay 272,538 24.61%
Democratic Richard A. Pettigrew 108,154 9.77%
Democratic James L. Miller 18,118 1.64%
Democratic John B. Coffey 17,410 1.57%
Total votes 1,107,366 100.00%
Democratic primary runoff results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bill Gunter 594,676 51.76%
Democratic Richard Stone 554,268 48.24%
Total votes 1,148,944 100.00%
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paula Hawkins 209,856 48.14%
Republican Louis Frey Jr. 119,834 27.49%
Republican Ander Crenshaw 54,767 12.56%
Republican Ellis Rubin 19,990 4.59%
Republican John T. Ware 18,118 1.64%
Republican Lewis Dinkins 15,174 3.48%
Total votes 435,962 100.00%
Republican primary runoff results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paula Hawkins 293,600 61.61%
Republican Louis Frey Jr. 182,911 38.39%
Total votes 476,511 100.00%
General election results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Paula Hawkins 1,822,460 51.66% +10.74%
Democratic Bill Gunter 1,705,409 48.34% +4.96%
Write-ins 159 0.00%
Majority 117,051 3.32% +0.85%
Turnout 3,528,028
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

Georgia

Georgia election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Mack Mattingly Herman Talmadge
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 803,686 776,143
Percentage 50.87% 49.13%

County results

Mattingly:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Talmadge:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Herman Talmadge
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Mack Mattingly
Republican

Incumbent Democrat and former Governor of Georgia Herman Talmadge decided to run for re-election to a fifth term, but lost a close race to Mack Mattingly, Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party. 1980 resulted in a landslide election for Republicans that would come to be known as the Reagan Revolution.

1980 United States Senate election, Georgia
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mack Mattingly 803,686 50.87% +22.63%
Democratic Herman Talmadge (Incumbent) 776,143 49.13% −22.63%
Majority 27,543 1.74% −41.78%
Turnout 1,579,829
Republican gain from Democratic Swing 22.63%

Hawaii

Hawaii election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Daniel Inouye Cooper Brown
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 224,485 53,068
Percentage 77.95% 18.43%

County results
Inouye:      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Daniel Inouye
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Daniel Inouye
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Daniel Inouye was re-elected to a fourth term, defeating Republican Cooper Brown.

1980 United States Senate election in Hawaii
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Daniel Inouye (Incumbent) 224,485 77.94%
Republican Cooper Brown 53,068 18.43%
Libertarian Bud Shasteen 10,453 3.63%
Majority 171,417 59.51%
Turnout 288,006
Democratic hold

Idaho

Idaho election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Steve Symms Frank Church
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 218,701 214,439
Percentage 49.7% 48.8%

County results
Symms:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Church:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Frank Church
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Steve Symms
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Frank Church ran for re-election to a fifth term, but was defeated by Republican Steve Symms, U.S. Congressman.

General election results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Steve Symms 218,701 49.74% +7.61%
Democratic Frank Church (Incumbent) 214,439 48.78% −7.30%
Libertarian Larry Fullmer 6,507 1.48%
Majority 4,262 0.97% −12.96%
Turnout 439,647
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

Illinois

Illinois election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Alan Dixon Dave O'Neal
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,565,302 1,946,296
Percentage 56.0% 42.5%

County results
Dixon:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
O'Neal:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

Adlai Stevenson III
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Alan J. Dixon
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Adlai Stevenson III decided to retire. Democrat Alan J. Dixon won the open seat, beating Dave O'Neal, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois

1980 Illinois United States Senate election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alan Dixon 2,565,302 56.0%
Republican Dave O'Neal 1,946,296 42.5%
Libertarian Bruce Green 29,328 0.6%
Independent Sidney Lens 19,213 0.4%
Communist Charles F. Wilson 5,671 0.2%
Workers World Michael Soriano 5,626 0.1%
Socialist Workers Burton L. Artz 2,715 0.1%
Write-Ins 96 0.00%
Majority 619,006 13.5%
Turnout 4,580,030
Democratic hold

Indiana

Indiana election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Dan Quayle Birch Bayh
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,182,414 1,015,922
Percentage 53.8% 46.2%

County results
Quayle:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Bayh:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Birch Bayh
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Dan Quayle
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Birch Bayh ran for a fourth term, but was defeated by Republican Dan Quayle.

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dan Quayle 397,273 77.06%
Republican Roger Marsh 118,273 22.94%

Birch Bayh, the incumbent senator, faced no opposition within the Indiana Democratic Party and avoided a primary election. Bayh was originally elected in 1962 and re-elected in 1968 and 1974. He was Chairman of Senate Intelligence Committee and architect of 25th and 26th Amendments. This election was one of the key races in the country, and signaled a trend that would come to be known as Reagan's coattails, describing the influence Ronald Reagan had in congressional elections. Incumbent three-term senator Birch Bayh was defeated by over 160,000 votes to Representative Dan Quayle, who would later go on to be Vice President of the United States.

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dan Quayle 1,182,414 53.79%
Democratic Birch Bayh (Incumbent) 1,015,922 46.21%
Majority 166,492 7.58%
Turnout 2,198,366
Republican gain from Democratic

Iowa

Iowa election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Chuck Grassley John Culver
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 683,014 581,545
Percentage 53.49% 45.54%

County results
Grassley:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%
Culver:      50–60%      60–70%

U.S. senator before election

John Culver
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Chuck Grassley
Republican

Incumbent Democrat John Culver sought re-election to a second term in the Senate, but he was unsuccessful in his bid to do so, falling to Chuck Grassley, the United States Congressman from Iowa's 3rd congressional district, the Republican nominee.

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Culver (Incumbent) 95,656 99.95%
Democratic Write-ins 52 0.05%
Total votes 95,708 100.00%
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chuck Grassley 170,120 65.54%
Republican Tom Stoner 89,409 34.45%
Republican Write-ins 34 0.01%
Total votes 259,563 100.00%
1980 United States Senate election in Iowa
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Chuck Grassley 683,014 53.49% +4.21%
Democratic John Culver (Incumbent) 581,545 45.54% –4.48%
Independent Garry De Young 5,858 0.46%
Libertarian Robert V. Hengerer 4,233 0.33%
Independent John Ingram Henderson 2,336 0.18%
Majority 101,469 7.95% +7.20%
Turnout 1,772,983
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

Kansas

Kansas election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Bob Dole John Simpson
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 598,686 340,271
Percentage 63.76% 36.24%

County Results
Dole:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Bob Dole
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Bob Dole
Republican

Incumbent Republican Bob Dole won re-election to a third term, defeating Democratic (formerly Republican) State Senator John Simpson.

1980 United States Senate election in Kansas
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Dole (Incumbent) 598,686 63.76%
Democratic John Simpson 340,271 36.24%
Majority 258,415 27.52%
Turnout 938,957
Republican hold

Kentucky

Kentucky election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Wendell Ford Mary Louise Foust
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 720,891 386,029
Percentage 65.13% 34.87%

County results
Ford:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Foust:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Wendell Ford
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Wendell Ford
Democratic

Democrat Wendell Ford won re-election, defeating Republican Mary Louise Foust.

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wendell Ford (Incumbent) 720,891 65.13%
Republican Mary Louise Foust 386,029 34.87%
Majority 334,862 30.26%
Turnout 1,106,920
Democratic hold

Louisiana

Louisiana election

← 1974 September 13, 1980 1986 →
 
Nominee Russell B. Long Woody Jenkins
Party Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 484,770 325,992
Percentage 57.64% 38.76%

Parish Results
Long:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Jenkins:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Russell B. Long
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Russell B. Long
Democratic

Incumbent Russell B. Long ran for re-election to a seventh and final term, defeating State Representative Woody Jenkins.

1980 United States Senate election in Louisiana
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Russell Long (Incumbent) 484,770 57.64%
Democratic Woody Jenkins 325,922 38.76%
Republican Jerry C. Bardwell 13,739 1.63%
Republican Robert Max Ross 10,208 1.21%
No Party Maomi Bracey 6,374 0.76%
Majority 158,848 18.89
Turnout 841,013
Democratic hold

Maryland

Maryland election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Charles Mathias Edward T. Conroy
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 850,970 435,118
Percentage 66.17% 33.83%

County results
Mathias:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Charles Mathias
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Charles Mathias
Republican


Incumbent Republican Charles Mathias ran for re-election to a third term and defeated Democratic State Senator Edward T. Conroy.

1980 United States Senate election in Maryland
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles Mathias (incumbent) 850,970 66.17%
Democratic Edward T. Conroy 435,118 33.83%
Majority 415,852 32.34%
Turnout 1,286,088
Republican hold

Missouri

Missouri election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Thomas Eagleton Gene McNary
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,074,859 985,399
Percentage 52.00% 47.67%

County Results
Eagleton:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
McNary:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

U.S. senator before election

Thomas Eagleton
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Thomas Eagleton
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Thomas Eagleton won reelection, defeating Republican County Executive of St. Louis County Gene McNary.

1980 United States Senate election in Missouri
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thomas Eagleton (Incumbent) 1,074,859 52.00%
Republican Gene McNary 985,399 47.67%
Socialist Workers Martha Pettis 6,707 0.32%
Majority 89,460 4.33%
Turnout 2,066,965
Democratic hold

Nevada

Nevada election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Paul Laxalt Mary Gojack
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 144,224 92,129
Percentage 58.5% 37.4%

County results
Laxalt:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Paul Laxalt
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Paul Laxalt
Republican

Incumbent Republican Paul Laxalt won re-election to a second term over Mary Gojack, former State senator (1974–1978) and former State Assemblywoman (1972–1974).

General election results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Paul Laxalt (Incumbent) 144,224 58.52% +11.55%
Democratic Mary Gojack 92,129 37.38% −9.22%
Libertarian Allen Hacker 6,920 2.81%
None of These Candidates 3,163 1.28%
Majority 52,095 21.14% +20.77%
Turnout 246,436
Republican hold Swing

New Hampshire

New Hampshire election

 
Nominee Warren Rudman John Durkin
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 195,559 179,455
Percentage 52.2% 47.8%

Rudman:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Durkin:      50–60%      60–70%      80–90%
Tie:      50%

U.S. senator before election

John A. Durkin
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Warren Rudman
Republican

Incumbent Democrat John Durkin was defeated by former Attorney General of New Hampshire Warren Rudman in a relatively close election, where nationwide Republicans would have a landslide election known as the Reagan Revolution.

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Warren Rudman 195,559 52.15%
Democratic John A. Durkin (Incumbent) 179,455 47.85%
Majority 16,104 4.3%
Turnout 375,014
Republican gain from Democratic

New York

New York election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Al D'Amato Elizabeth Holtzman Jacob K. Javits
Party Republican Democratic Liberal
Popular vote 2,699,652 2,618,661 664,544
Percentage 44.9% 43.5% 11.1%

County results

U.S. senator before election

Jacob K. Javits
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Al D'Amato
Republican

Incumbent Republican Jacob K. Javits was defeated in the primary, and Republican Al D'Amato, Presiding Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead, won the three-way election with Elizabeth Holtzman, U.S. Representative.

1980 New York Senate Democratic primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Elizabeth Holtzman 378,567 40.74%
Democratic Bess Myerson 292,767 31.51%
Democratic John Lindsay 146,815 15.80%
Democratic John J. Santucci 36,770 11.96%
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alfonse M. D'Amato 323,468 55.68%
Republican Jacob K. Javits (incumbent) 257,433 44.32%
Total votes 580,901 100.00%

Javits's refusal to adjust politically to the rightward movement of his party as well as his 1979 diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) led to a primary challenge. Javits was defeated in the primary by Hempstead Presiding Supervisor Al D'Amato on September 9.

D'Amato, also running on the Conservative line, proceeded to defeat Democratic U.S. Representative Elizabeth Holtzman and Javits, who ran on the Liberal Party ticket. In the traditionally liberal state of New York, Javits split the Democratic vote with Holtzman to give D'Amato a close victory.

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alfonse D'Amato 2,272,082
Conservative Alfonse D'Amato 275,100
Right to Life Alfonse D'Amato 152,470
Total Alfonse D'Amato 2,699,652 44.88%
Democratic Elizabeth Holtzman 2,618,661 43.54%
Liberal Jacob K. Javits (Incumbent) 664,544 11.05%
Libertarian Richard Savadel 21,465 0.36%
Communist William R. Scott 4,161 0.07%
Workers World Thomas Soto 3,643 0.06%
Socialist Workers Victor A. Nieto 2,715 0.05%
Write-in votes 73 <0.01%
Majority 80,991 1.34%
Turnout 6,014,914
Republican hold

North Carolina

North Carolina election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee John East Robert Morgan
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 898,064 887,653
Percentage 50.0% 49.4%

County results
East:      50–60%      60–70%
Morgan:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Robert Morgan
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

John East
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Robert Morgan lost re-election a second term to Republican John East, Professor at East Carolina University.

1980 North Carolina U.S. Senate election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John East 898,064 49.96% +12.18%
Democratic Robert Morgan (incumbent) 887,653 49.38% −12.39%
Libertarian F.W. (Rick) Pasotto 7,602 0.04%
Socialist Workers Rebecca Finch 4,346 0.02%
Majority 10,411 0.58%
Turnout 1,797,655
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

North Dakota

North Dakota election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Mark Andrews Kent Johanneson
Party Republican Democratic–NPL
Popular vote 210,347 86,658
Percentage 70.29% 28.96%

County results
Andrews:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Milton R. Young
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Mark Andrews
Republican

Incumbent Republican Milton Young was retiring. Republican Mark Andrews defeated North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party candidate Kent Johanneson to fill the vacated seat.

Andrews, who had served as a Representative since 1965, easily received the Republican nomination, and the endorsed Democratic-NPL candidate was Kent Johanneson. Andrews and Johanneson won the primary elections for their respective parties.

Two independent candidates, Harley McLain and Don J. Klingensmith also filed before the deadline under the Chemical Farming Banned and Statesman parties respectively. McLain would later run for the same seat in 1998 against then incumbent Byron Dorgan.

1980 United States Senate election in North Dakota
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Andrews 210,347 70.29%
Democratic Kent Johanneson 86,658 28.96%
Independent Harley McLain 1,625 0.54%
Independent Don J. Klingensmith 642 0.22%
Majority 123,689 41.33%
Turnout 299,272
Republican hold

Ohio

Ohio election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee John Glenn Jim Betts
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,770,786 1,137,695
Percentage 68.8% 28.3%

County results
Glenn:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Betts:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

John Glenn
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

John Glenn
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat John Glenn won re-election to a second term in a landslide with 69% of the vote over Jim Betts, State Representative, coinciding with Ronald Reagan's substantial win in the state during the presidential election.

1980 OH United States Senate election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Glenn (Incumbent) 2,770,786 68.8%
Republican Jim Betts 1,137,695 28.3%
Independent John E. Powers 76,412 1.9%
Independent Rick Nagin 42,410 1.1%
Majority 1,633,091 40.5%
Turnout 4,027,303
Democratic hold

Oklahoma

Oklahoma election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Don Nickles Andy Coats
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 587,252 400,230
Percentage 53.5% 44.8%

County results

Nickles:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Coats:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Henry Bellmon
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Don Nickles
Republican

Incumbent Republican Henry Bellmon decided to retire, instead of seeking a third term. Republican nominee Don Nickles won the open seat over Andy Coats, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma district attorney.

After two years in the State Senate and displeased by the policies of the Carter Administration, Nickles ran for the United States Senate in 1980 to succeed Republican Henry Bellmon who was retiring. As an unknown in a field crowded with business and political bigwigs, Nickles was not initially given much of a chance. Bellmon even tried to convince him to wait and run for the U.S. House. Utilizing personal contact and passing out unique "wooden nickel" campaign button novelties, Nickles unique grassroot community ties to local Amway distributors throughout Oklahoma gave him an interpersonal network which proved helpful.[citation needed] Nickles beat two well funded oil millionaires (Jack Zink and Ed Noble) in the primary and won the primary run-off against Zink, a race car driver. He later won the general election against Democrat Oklahoma City Mayor Andy Coats and independent Charles Nesbitt, the Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner and former Oklahoma Attorney General. At the age of 31, Nickles was the youngest Republican ever elected to the United States Senate.

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Don Nickles 587,252 53.5%
Democratic Andy Coats 478,283 43.6%
Independent Charles R. Nesbitt 21,179 1.9%
Libertarian Robert T. Murphy 9,757 0.9%
Independent Paul E. Trent 1,823 0.2%
Majority 108,969 9.9%
Turnout
Republican hold

Oregon

Oregon election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Bob Packwood Ted Kulongoski
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 594,290 501,963
Percentage 52.1% 44.0%

County results

Packwood:      50-60%      60-70%

Kulongoski:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Bob Packwood
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Bob Packwood
Republican

Republican incumbent Bob Packwood was re-elected to a third term, defeating Democratic state senator Ted Kulongoski and Libertarian Tonie Nathan.

Mount St. Helens erupted two days before the Oregon primaries.

The primary elections were held on May 20, 1980, in conjunction with the Democratic and Republican presidential primaries. Interest in the primaries was somewhat subdued because they occurred just two days after the eruption of Mount St. Helens, about 60 miles (97 km) north of Oregon's most populous city, Portland. The eruption (which was a VEI = 5 event) was the first significant one to occur in the contiguous 48 U.S. states since the 1915 eruption of California's Lassen Peak.

1980 Republican primary for the United States Senate from Oregon
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Packwood (incumbent) 191,127 62.43%
Republican Brenda Jose 45,973 15.02%
Republican Kenneth Brown 23,599 7.71%
Republican Rosalie Huss 22,929 7.49%
Republican William D. Severn 22,281 6.08%
Republican miscellaneous 227 0.07%
Total votes 306,136 100.00%
1980 Democratic primary for the United States Senate from Oregon
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ted Kulongoski 161,153 47.66%
Democratic Charles O. Porter 69,646 20.60%
Democratic Jack Sumner 46,107 13.64%
Democratic John Sweeney 39,961 11.82%
Democratic Gene Arvidson 20,548 6.08%
Democratic miscellaneous 692 0.21%
Total votes 338,110 100.00%

In addition to the candidates chosen in the primaries, Tonie Nathan was chosen as the Libertarian Party candidate at that party's convention in June. Previously, Nathan had been the Libertarian vice presidential candidate in the 1972 Presidential election and was the first woman to ever receive an electoral vote in a U.S. presidential election from a faithless elector who voted for her.

As a well-funded incumbent, Packwood was expected to have a fairly easy road to re-election and led by double digit margins in most early polls. Packwood chose defense spending as his key issue in the campaign while Kulongoski focused on the economy and unemployment. Nathan hammered at core Libertarian principles of limited government, with a goal of 5% of votes which would keep the party as a valid minor party. The three candidates agreed to three debates, to be held across the state in the summer of 1980. As the challenger, Kulongoski aggressively attempted to engage Packwood in the debates, but the debate format did not allow the candidates to ask follow-up questions or rebut each other's statements and Packwood was largely able to avoid confrontation and stay above the fray. As the campaign wore on, Kulongoski grew more confident and tried to appeal to Oregonians' independent values by saying that Packwood's enormous cash advantage was due to "eastern" money.

Kulongoski closed to within a few points in some late polls, but with no mistakes made by Packwood and with the coattail effect of Ronald Reagan's presidential victory, the incumbent achieved an electoral majority and a fairly comfortable 8-point margin over Kulongoski. Nathan finished with less than 4% of the vote, short of her goal of 5%. With Republicans taking control of the U.S. Senate, Packwood was in line to become chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee. Fellow Oregon Republican senator Mark Hatfield was also elevated to chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, giving Oregon power in the Senate it had never seen before.

1980 United States Senate election in Oregon
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Packwood (Incumbent) 594,290 52.13%
Democratic Ted Kulongoski 501,963 44.03%
Libertarian Tonie Nathan 43,686 3.83%
Total votes 1,139,939 100.00%
Republican hold

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Arlen Specter Pete Flaherty
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,230,404 2,122,391
Percentage 50.5% 48.0%

County results

Specter:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Flaherty:      50–60%      60-70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Richard Schweiker
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Arlen Specter
Republican

Incumbent Republican Richard Schweiker decided to retire, instead of seeking a third term. Republican nominee Arlen Specter won the open seat, defeating Democratic nominee Peter F. Flaherty, former Mayor of Pittsburgh.

Arlen Specter, formerly a member of the Democratic party, had served as legal counsel to the Warren Commission, which investigated the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, after which he became District Attorney of Philadelphia. After he was defeated in a 1967 run for Mayor of Philadelphia, Specter was defeated in his bid for a third term as district attorney. He had run in the Republican primary in the 1976 Senate election, but was defeated by John Heinz and also ran in the 1978 gubernatorial election, but was defeated by Dick Thornburgh in the primary. Shortly after Specter opened a law practice in Atlantic City, New Jersey, incumbent Republican Richard Schweiker unexpectedly announced his decision not to seek re-election to his seat. Specter, believing his reputation as a political moderate would help him in the general election, decided to run. In the Republican primary, Specter faced state senator Edward Howard, as well as Delaware County councilman Bud Haabestad, who was endorsed by Schweiker, then-governor Thornburgh and John Heinz. Specter ultimately defeated Haabestad, his most prominent challenger, by approximately 37,000 votes.

In the Democratic primary, former Pittsburgh mayor Peter Flaherty contended with State Representative Joseph Rhodes Jr., former U.S. Representative Edward Mezvinsky, State senator H. Craig Lewis and Dean of Temple University Law School Peter J. Liacouras. Flaherty's name recognition enabled him to defeat his primary opponents, winning every county and thus winning the Democratic nomination.

Flaherty employed a general election strategy he had used in two previous statewide office campaigns: win by a wide margin in the southwestern part of the state and narrowly win Philadelphia. He also hoped to carry several swing towns on account of his support from several labor unions. Specter hoped to carry his home town of Philadelphia, despite the Democrats' 7–2 voter registration advantage there. To this end, Specter sought endorsements among city Democratic leadership, including future mayor John F. Street. Specter hoped that, with wins in suburban areas and the heavily Republican central portion of the state in addition to winning Philadelphia, he would be able to win the election. Specter distanced himself from Governor Dick Thornburgh, who had become unpopular in some demographics due to his proposals to decrease welfare program spending.

In the end, Specter defeated Flaherty by approximately 108,000 votes, carrying Philadelphia and its suburbs as well as the central and northeastern portions of the state. Flaherty performed strongest in the western portion of the state, including Cambria, Clarion, Erie and Mercer counties.

1980 Pennsylvania United States Senate Election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Arlen Specter 2,230,404 50.48%
Democratic Peter F. Flaherty 2,122,391 48.04%
Socialist Workers Linda Mohrbacher 27,229 0.62%
Libertarian David K. Walter 18,595 0.42%
Consumer Lee Frissell 16,089 0.36%
Communist Frank Kinces 3,334 0.08%
Majority 108,013 2.44%
Turnout 4,418,042
Republican hold

South Carolina

South Carolina election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Ernest Hollings Marshall Mays
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 612,556 257,946
Percentage 70.4% 29.6%

County results
Hollings:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Fritz Hollings
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Ernest Hollings
Democratic

Incumbent Democratic senator Fritz Hollings easily defeated Republican challenger Marshall Mays to win his fourth (his third full) term.

South Carolina Democratic primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Fritz Hollings (Incumbent) 266,796 81.2%
Democratic Nettie Durant Dickerson 34,720 10.6%
Democratic William P. Kreml 27,049 8.2%
South Carolina Republican primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Marshall Mays 14,075 42.6%
Republican Charlie Rhodes 11,395 34.5%
Republican Robert Carley 7,575 22.9%
South Carolina Republican primary election runoff
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Marshall Mays 6,853 64.8% +22.2%
Republican Charlie Rhodes 3,717 35.2% +0.7%
South Carolina general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Fritz Hollings (Incumbent) 612,556 70.4% +1.0%
Republican Marshall Mays 257,946 29.6% +0.9%
No party Write-Ins 94 0.0% 0.0%
Majority 354,610 40.8% +0.1%
Turnout 870,596 70.5% +19.2%
Democratic hold

South Dakota

South Dakota election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee James Abdnor George McGovern
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 190,594 129,018
Percentage 58.2% 39.4%

County results

Abdnor:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

McGovern:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

George McGovern
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

James Abdnor
Republican

Incumbent Democrat George McGovern ran for re-election to a fourth term, but was defeated by Republican James Abdnor, U.S. Representative.

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George McGovern (Incumbent) 44,822 62.44%
Democratic Larry Schumaker 26,958 37.56%
Total votes 71,780 100.00%
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James Abdnor 68,196 72.93%
Republican Dale Bell 25,314 27.07%
Total votes 93,510 100.00%

McGovern was one of several liberal Democratic U.S. senators targeted for defeat in 1980 by the National Conservative Political Action Committee (NCPAC), which put out a year's worth of negative portrayals of McGovern. They and other anti-abortion groups especially focused on McGovern's support for pro-choice abortion laws. McGovern faced a Democratic primary challenge for the first time, from an anti-abortion candidate.

Abdnor, a four-term incumbent congressman who held identical positions to McGovern on farm issues, was solidly conservative on national issues, and was well liked within the state. Abdnor's campaign focused on both McGovern's liberal voting record and what it said was McGovern's lack of involvement in South Dakotan affairs. McGovern made an issue of NCPAC's outside involvement, and that group eventually withdrew from the campaign after Abdnor denounced a letter they had sent out. Far behind in the polls earlier, McGovern outspent Abdnor 2-to-1, hammered away at Abdnor's refusal to debate him (drawing attention to a slight speech defect Abdnor had), and, showing the comeback pattern of some of his past races in the state, closed the gap for a while.

However, in the general election McGovern was solidly defeated, getting only 39 percent of the vote to Abdnor's 58 percent. McGovern became one of many Democratic casualties of that year's Republican sweep, which became known as the "Reagan Revolution".

General election results
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican James Abdnor 190,594 58.20% +11.24%
Democratic George McGovern (Incumbent) 129,018 39.40% –13.65%
Independent Wayne Peterson 7,866 2.40%
Majority 61,576 18.80% +12.72%
Turnout 327,478
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

Utah

Utah election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Jake Garn Dan Berman
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 437,675 151,454
Percentage 73.65% 25.49%

County Results

Garn:      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

Berman:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Jake Garn
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Jake Garn
Republican

Incumbent Republican Jake Garn ran successfully for reelection to a second term in the United States Senate, defeating Democrat Dan Berman.

1980 United States Senate election in Utah
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jake Garn (Incumbent) 437,675 73.65%
Democratic Dan Berman 151,454 25.48%
Independent Bruce Bangerter 3,186 0.54%
American George M. Batchelor 1,983 0.33%
Majority 286,221 48.17%
Turnout 594,298
Republican hold

Vermont

Vermont election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Patrick Leahy Stewart M. Ledbetter
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 104,089 101,647
Percentage 49.8% 48.6%

County results
Leahy:      40–50%      50–60%
Ledbetter:      40–50%      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Patrick Leahy
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Patrick Leahy
Democratic

Incumbent Democrat Patrick Leahy ran successfully for reelection to a second term in the United States Senate, defeating Stewart M. Ledbetter in what was the closest race of his Senatorial career.

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Patrick Leahy (Incumbent) 27,548 97.5%
Democratic Other 696 2.5%
Total votes '28,244' '100.0%'
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Stewart M. Ledbetter 16,518 35.3%
Republican James E. Mullin 12,256 26.2%
Republican Tom Evslin 8,575 18.3%
Republican T. Garry Buckley 5,209 11.1%
Republican Robert Schuettinger 3,450 7.4%
Republican Anthony N. Doria 496 1.1%
Republican Other 316 0.7%
Total votes '46,820' '100.0%'
Liberty Union primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberty Union Earl S. Gardner 135 80.4%
Liberty Union Other 33 19.6%
Total votes '168' '100.0%'
1980 United States Senate election in Vermont
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Patrick Leahy (Incumbent) 104,089 49.8%
Republican Stewart M. Ledbetter 101,647 48.6%
Independent Anthony N. Doria 1,764 0.8%
Liberty Union Earl S. Gardner 1,578 0.8%
N/A Other 110 0.0%
Majority 2,755 1.32%
Total votes 209,188 100.0%
Democratic hold

Washington

Washington election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Slade Gorton Warren Magnuson
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 936,317 792,052
Percentage 54.2% 45.8%

County results
Gorton:      50–60%      60–70%
Magnuson:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election

Warren Magnuson
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Slade Gorton
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Warren Magnuson lost re-election to State Attorney General Slade Gorton.

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Slade Gorton 936,317 54.2%
Democratic Warren Magnuson (Incumbent) 792,052 45.8%
Majority 144,265 8.4%
Total votes 1,728,369 100.0%
Republican gain from Democratic

Wisconsin

Wisconsin election

← 1974
1986 →
 
Nominee Bob Kasten Gaylord Nelson
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,106,311 1,065,487
Percentage 50.2% 48.3%

County results
Kasten:      50–60%      60–70%
Nelson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Gaylord Nelson
Democratic

Elected U.S. senator

Bob Kasten
Republican

Incumbent Democrat Gaylord Nelson ran for re-election to a fourth term, but was defeated by Bob Kasten, Former U.S. Representative from Wisconsin's 9th congressional district (1975–1979).

General election results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Kasten 1,106,311 50.44%
Democratic Gaylord Nelson (Incumbent) 1,065,487 48.34%
Constitution James P. Wickstrom 16,156 0.73%
Libertarian Bervin J. Larson 9,679 0.44%
Socialist Workers Susan Hagen 6,502 0.30%
Majority 40,284 1.85%
Turnout 2,204,135
Republican gain from Democratic

See also


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