1980 United States gubernatorial elections

Summary

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 4, 1980, in 13 states and two territories. The Republican party had a net gain of four seats in this election, coinciding with the Senate, House elections and presidential election. As of 2024, this was the last election in which a Democrat won the gubernatorial election in Utah and also the last election in which a Republican won the gubernatorial race in the state of Washington.

1980 United States gubernatorial elections

← 1979 November 4, 1980 1981 →

15 governorships
13 states; 2 territories
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Seats before 31 19
Seats after 27 23
Seat change Decrease4 Increase4
Seats up 10 3
Seats won 6 7

1980 Rhode Island gubernatorial election1980 Arkansas gubernatorial election1980 Delaware gubernatorial election1980 Indiana gubernatorial election1980 Missouri gubernatorial election1980 Montana gubernatorial election1980 New Hampshire gubernatorial election1980 North Carolina gubernatorial election1980 North Dakota gubernatorial election1980 Utah gubernatorial election1980 Vermont gubernatorial election1980 Washington gubernatorial election1980 West Virginia gubernatorial election1980 Puerto Rico gubernatorial election1980 American Samoa gubernatorial election
  Democratic hold
  Republican hold
  Republican gain

Election results edit

A bolded state name features an article about the specific election.

State Incumbent Party First
elected
Result Candidates
Arkansas Bill Clinton Democratic 1978[1] Incumbent lost re-election.
New governor elected.
Republican gain.
Delaware Pete du Pont Republican 1976 Incumbent re-elected.
Indiana Otis Bowen Republican 1972 Incumbent term-limited.
New governor elected.
Republican hold.
  •  Y Robert D. Orr (Republican) 57.7%
  • John A. Hillenbrand II (Democratic) 41.9%
  • Cletis Artist (American) 0.4%
Missouri Joseph P. Teasdale Democratic 1976 Incumbent lost re-election.
New governor elected.
Republican gain.
Montana Thomas Lee Judge Democratic 1972 Incumbent lost re-nomination.
New governor elected.
Democratic hold.
  •  Y Ted Schwinden (Democratic) 55.4%
  • Jack Ramirez (Republican) 44.6%
New Hampshire Hugh Gallen Democratic 1978 Incumbent re-elected.
North Carolina Jim Hunt Democratic 1976 Incumbent re-elected.
  •  Y Jim Hunt (Democratic) 61.9%
  • I. Beverly Lake Jr. (Republican) 37.4%
  • Robert Y. Emory (Libertarian) 0.5%
  • Douglas A. Cooper (Socialist Workers) 0.2%
North Dakota Arthur A. Link Democratic-NPL 1972 Incumbent lost re-election.
New governor elected.
Republican gain.
Rhode Island J. Joseph Garrahy Democratic 1976 Incumbent re-elected.
Utah Scott M. Matheson Democratic 1976 Incumbent re-elected.
Vermont Richard A. Snelling Republican 1976 Incumbent re-elected.
Washington Dixy Lee Ray Democratic 1976 Incumbent lost re-nomination.
New governor elected.
Republican gain.
West Virginia Jay Rockefeller Democratic 1976 Incumbent re-elected.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Bill Clinton (1946–)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved September 15, 2018.