1980 Missouri gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1980 United States gubernatorial elections.

1980 Missouri gubernatorial election

←  1976 November 4, 1980 1984  →

Nominee Kit Bond Joseph Teasdale Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,098,950 981,884 Percentage 52.63% 47.02%

County results Bond:     50-60%     60-70% Teasdale:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election Joseph Teasdale Democratic Elected Governor Kit Bond Republican

The 1980 Missouri gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980 and resulted in a victory for the Republican nominee, former Governor Kit Bond, over the Democratic candidate, incumbent Governor Joseph P. Teasdale, and Socialist Workers candidate Helen Savio.

This election was the second in which Kit Bond and Joseph Teasdale faced off, ^[1] and the third consecutive Missouri gubernatorial election in which Kit Bond was the Republican nominee. ^[2] To date, this was the last time an incumbent Governor of Missouri lost re-election until Bob Holden was defeated in the 2004 Democratic primary.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Milton Morris
• James Spainhower, State Treasurer
• Joseph P. Teasdale, incumbent governor since 1977

Results

1980 Democratic gubernatorial primary ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joseph P. Teasdale (incumbent)	359,263	53.98%
	Democratic	James Spainhower	294,917	44.31%
	Democratic	Milton Morris	11,377	1.71%
Total votes			665,557	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Paul Binggeli
• Kit Bond, former governor (1973-1977)
• Bill Phelps, lieutenant governor since 1973
• Troy Spencer

Results

1980 Republican gubernatorial primary ^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kit Bond	223,678	63.53%
	Republican	Bill Phelps	122,867	34.90%
	Republican	Troy Spencer	3,532	1.00%
	Republican	Paul Binggeli	2,002	0.57%
Total votes			352,079	100.00%

General election

Results

1980 gubernatorial election, Missouri ^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Kit Bond	1,098,950	52.63%	3.08
	Democratic	Joseph P. Teasdale (incumbent)	981,884	47.02%	3.21
	Socialist Workers	Helen Savio	7,193	0.34%	0.34
Majority			117,066	5.61	+4.93
Turnout			2,088,027	42.47	+1.13
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing

References

1. "MO Governor Race - Nov 02, 1976". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
2. "MO Governor Race - Nov 07, 1972". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
3. "MO Governor Race - D Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
4. "MO Governor Race - R Primary". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
5. "MO Governor Race - Nov 04, 1980". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 10, 2013.