1980 Montana gubernatorial election

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1980 Montana gubernatorial election
Flag of Montana (1905-1981).svg
  1976 November 4, 1980 1984  
Turnout74.90%Increase2.svg0.30 [1]
 
Nominee Ted Schwinden Jack Ramirez
Party Democratic Republican
Running mate George Turman Walt Johnson
Popular vote199,574160,892
Percentage55.37%44.63%

1980 Montana gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
County results
Schwinden:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%
Ramirez:      50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election

Thomas Lee Judge
Democratic

Elected Governor

Ted Schwinden
Democratic

The 1980 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1980. Incumbent Governor of Montana Thomas Lee Judge, who was first elected in 1972 and was re-elected in 1976, ran for re-election. He faced a stiff challenge in the Democratic primary from his lieutenant governor, Ted Schwinden, and he ultimately lost renomination. Schwinden, advancing to the general election, faced Jack Ramirez, the Minority Leader of the Montana House of Representatives and the Republican nominee. Although Ronald Reagan, the Republican presidential nominee, won the state in a landslide that year, Schwinden comfortably defeated Ramirez to win his first of two terms as governor.

Contents

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic Party primary results [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Ted Schwinden 69,051 50.64
Democratic Thomas Lee Judge (incumbent)57,94642.49
Democratic Martin J. Beckman5,9904.39
Democratic Bob Kelleher 3,3772.48
Total votes136,364 100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican Primary results [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jack Ramirez 48,926 68.36
Republican Al Bishop14,52220.30
Republican Florence Haegen8,11811.34
Total votes71,566 100.00

General election

Results

Montana gubernatorial election, 1980 [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Ted Schwinden 199,574 55.37% -6.34%
Republican Jack Ramirez160,89244.63%+8.06%
Majority38,68210.73%-14.39%
Turnout 360,466
Democratic hold Swing

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References

  1. "Montana Voter Turnout". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Report of the Official Canvass by County of the Votes Cast at the Primary Election Held in the State of Montana, June 3, 1980". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  3. "Report of the Official Canvass by County of the Votes Cast at the General Election Held in the State of Montana, November 4, 1980". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved July 5, 2014.