1980 United States gubernatorial elections

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 4 4 Seats up 10 3 Seats won 6 7
Democratic hold   Republican hold   Republican gain

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 2025, 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.

Election results

State	Incumbent	Party	First elected	Result	Candidates
Arkansas	Bill Clinton	Democratic	1978 [1]	Incumbent lost re-election. New governor elected. Republican gain.	Y Frank D. White (Republican) 51.9% Bill Clinton (Democratic) 48.1%
Delaware	Pete du Pont	Republican	1976	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Pete du Pont (Republican) 70.7% William J. Gordy (Democratic) 28.5% Lawrence Levy (Libertarian) 0.8%
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.	Y Kit Bond (Republican) 52.6% Joseph P. Teasdale (Democratic) 47.0% Helen Savio (Socialist Workers) 0.3%
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.	Y Hugh Gallen (Democratic) 59.0% Meldrim Thomson Jr. (Republican) 40.7% James Pinnaird (Libertarian) 0.3%
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.	Y Allen I. Olson (Republican) 53.6% Arthur A. Link (Democratic) 46.4%
Rhode Island	J. Joseph Garrahy	Democratic	1976	Incumbent re-elected.	Y J. Joseph Garrahy (Democratic) 73.7% Buddy Cianci (Republican) 26.3%
Utah	Scott M. Matheson	Democratic	1976	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Scott M. Matheson (Democratic) 55.2% Bob Wright (Republican) 44.4% Lawrence Rey Topham (American) 0.4%
Vermont	Richard A. Snelling	Republican	1976	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Richard A. Snelling (Republican) 58.7% M. Jerome Diamond (Democratic) 36.6% Daniel E. Woodward (Independent) 2.5% Bruce Cullen (Independent) 1.1% John Potthast (Liberty Union) 0.9%
Washington	Dixy Lee Ray	Democratic	1976	Incumbent lost re-nomination. New governor elected. Republican gain.	Y John Spellman (Republican) 56.7% Jim McDermott (Democratic) 43.3%
West Virginia	Jay Rockefeller	Democratic	1976	Incumbent re-elected.	Y Jay Rockefeller (Democratic) 54.1% Arch A. Moore Jr. (Republican) 45.4% Jack Kelley (Libertarian) 0.4%

Close states

States where the margin of victory was under 5%:

1. Arkansas, 3.8%

States where the margin of victory was under 10%:

1. Missouri, 5.6%
2. North Dakota, 7.2%
3. West Virginia, 8.7%

Arkansas

1980 Arkansas gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 4, 1980 1982  →

Nominee Frank D. White Bill Clinton Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 435,684 403,241 Percentage 51.93% 48.07%

County results White:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Clinton:     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election Bill Clinton Democratic Elected Governor Frank D. White Republican

The 1980 Arkansas gubernatorial election was a biennial election for the governorship of Arkansas. One-term Democratic governor and future president Bill Clinton was narrowly defeated by Republican Frank D. White. It was only the third time since Reconstruction that a Republican candidate had won the state's governorship.

Clinton ran again two years later and regained the governorship, continuing to serve until he was elected to the presidency in 1992.

Delaware

1980 Delaware gubernatorial election

←  1976 November 4, 1980 1984  →

Nominee Pete du Pont William J. Gordy Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 159,004 64,217 Percentage 70.66% 28.54%

County results House district results du Pont:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Gordy:     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election Pete du Pont Republican Elected Governor Pete du Pont Republican

The 1980 Delaware gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1980. Popular incumbent Republican governor Pierre S. "Pete" du Pont IV was re-elected to a second term in office, defeating Democrat William Gordy. In doing so, du Pont became the first governor since J. Caleb Boggs to succeed in winning re-election.

Indiana

1980 Indiana gubernatorial election

←  1976 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-4) 1984  →

Nominee Robert D. Orr John A. Hillenbrand II Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,257,383 913,116 Percentage 57.7% 41.9%

County results Orr:      50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Hillenbrand:      50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election Otis Bowen Republican Elected Governor Robert D. Orr Republican

The 1980 Indiana gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980 in all 92 counties in the state of Indiana. Otis Bowen, the state's incumbent governor was ineligible for a third consecutive term due to term limits set forth in the Indiana Constitution. Robert D. Orr, the state's incumbent Republican lieutenant governor, was elected to his first term, defeating John A. Hillenbrand II, and a minor party challenger.

Missouri

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 52.6% 47.0%

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.

Montana

1980 Montana gubernatorial election

←  1976 November 4, 1980 1984  →
Turnout	74.90%0.30 [2]
Nominee Ted Schwinden Jack Ramirez Party Democratic Republican Running mate George Turman Walt Johnson Popular vote 199,574 160,892 Percentage 55.37% 44.63%
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.

New Hampshire

1980 New Hampshire gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 4, 1980 1982  →

Nominee Hugh Gallen Meldrim Thomson Jr. Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 226,436 156,178 Percentage 58.96% 40.67%

County results Municipality results Gallen:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Thomson:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90% Tie:     50%

Governor before election Hugh Gallen Democratic Elected Governor Hugh Gallen Democratic

The 1980 New Hampshire gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1980. Incumbent Democratic governor Hugh Gallen was re-elected to a second term in office, in a landslide. once again defeating former governor Meldrim Thomson Jr., who defeated Lou D'Allesandro for the Republican nomination.

North Carolina

1980 North Carolina gubernatorial election

←  1976 November 4, 1980 1984  →

Nominee Jim Hunt I. Beverly Lake Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,143,145 691,449 Percentage 61.88% 37.43%

County results Hunt:     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%     80-90% Lake:     50-60%     60-70%

Governor before election Jim Hunt Democratic Elected Governor Jim Hunt Democratic

The 1980 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980. Despite North Carolina going to Ronald Reagan in the presidential race and the U.S. Senate race being won by a Republican (John P. East), popular Democratic Governor Jim Hunt won a second term in office in a landslide over Republican I. Beverly Lake. Hunt thus became the first governor of the state elected to a consecutive four-year term, following an amendment to the Constitution of North Carolina allowing such a run. ^[3]

North Dakota

1980 North Dakota gubernatorial election

←  1976 November 4, 1980 1984  →

Nominee Allen I. Olson Arthur A. Link Party Republican Democratic–NPL Running mate Ernest Sands Wayne Sanstead Popular vote 162,230 140,391 Percentage 53.6% 46.4%

County results Olson:     50–60%     60–70% Link:     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election Arthur A. Link Democratic–NPL Elected Governor Allen I. Olson Republican

The 1980 North Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980. The election pitted Republican State Attorney General Allen I. Olson against incumbent Democratic-NPL governor Arthur A. Link. Olson Defeated Link 54% to 46%.

Rhode Island

1980 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 4, 1980 1982  →

Nominee J. Joseph Garrahy Buddy Cianci Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 299,174 106,729 Percentage 73.71% 26.29%

County results Municipality results Garrahy:      60–70%     70–80%     80–90%

Governor before election J. Joseph Garrahy Democratic Elected Governor J. Joseph Garrahy Democratic

The 1980 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980. Incumbent Democrat J. Joseph Garrahy defeated Republican nominee Buddy Cianci with 73.71% of the vote.

Utah

1980 Utah gubernatorial election

←  1976 November 4, 1980 1984  →

Nominee Scott M. Matheson Bob Wright Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 330,974 266,578 Percentage 55.16% 44.43%

County results Matheson:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Wright:      50–60%

Governor before election Scott M. Matheson Democratic Elected Governor Scott M. Matheson Democratic

The 1980 Utah gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980. Democratic incumbent Scott M. Matheson defeated Republican nominee Bob Wright with 55.16% of the vote. As of 2025 ^[update] , this is the last time a Democrat was elected Governor of Utah; since Matheson left office in 1985, all of Utah's governors have been Republican. ^[4] Matheson's victory was despite Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan and incumbent Republican Senator Jake Garn both winning over 70% of the vote in their respective races on the same ballot. ^{[5] [6]}

Vermont

1980 Vermont gubernatorial election

←  1978 November 4, 1980 (1980-11-4) 1982  →

Nominee Richard Snelling M. Jerome Diamond Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 123,229 76,826 Percentage 58.7% 36.6%

County results Municipality results Snelling:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%     80-90%     >90% Diamond:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70% Woodward:     50-60%

Governor before election Richard Snelling Republican Elected Governor Richard Snelling Republican

The 1980 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1980. Incumbent Republican Richard A. Snelling ran successfully for a third term as Governor of Vermont, defeating Democratic candidate M. Jerome Diamond.

Washington

1980 Washington gubernatorial election

←  1976 November 4, 1980 1984  →

Nominee John Spellman Jim McDermott Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 981,083 749,813 Percentage 56.68% 43.32%

County results Spellman:     50–60%     60–70% McDermott:     50–60%

Governor before election Dixy Lee Ray Democratic Elected Governor John Spellman Republican

The 1980 Washington gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980. Incumbent Democratic governor Dixy Lee Ray ran for a second term, but lost in the primary to State Representative Jim McDermott. McDermott was defeated in the general election by Republican candidate John Spellman, the King County Executive.

West Virginia

1980 West Virginia gubernatorial election

←  1976 November 4, 1980 1984  →

Nominee Jay Rockefeller Arch A. Moore Jr. Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 401,863 337,240 Percentage 54.15% 45.44%

County results Rockefeller:      40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Moore:      50-60%     60-70%     70-80%

Governor before election Jay Rockefeller Democratic Elected Governor Jay Rockefeller Democratic

The 1980 West Virginia gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1980, to elect the governor of West Virginia. Incumbent Governor Jay Rockefeller defeated former Governor Arch Moore in a rematch of the 1972 contest. This election was the first time ever that a Democrat was re-elected Governor of West Virginia.

See also

• 1980 United States elections
  • 1980 United States presidential election
  • 1980 United States Senate elections
  • 1980 United States House of Representatives elections

References

1. "Bill Clinton (1946–)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
2. "Montana Voter Turnout". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
3. NCpedia
4. Benjamin Wood (July 19, 2019). "Zachary Moses, a Democratic candidate for governor, wants to break up Republican control of Utah and build a space port". Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved September 19, 2023.
5. "1980 Presidential Election Statistics". US Election Atlas. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
6. "1980 General Election Abstract" (PDF). Utah Secretary of State . Retrieved September 19, 2023.