For related races, see 1980 United States gubernatorial elections.
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| Turnout | 74.90% 0.30 | |||||||||||||||||||
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 County resultsSchwinden: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Ramirez: 50–60% 60–70% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Ted Schwinden, Lieutenant Governor of Montana
- Thomas Lee Judge, incumbent Governor of Montana
- Martin J. Beckman
- Bob Kelleher, perennial candidate
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ted Schwinden | 69,051 | 50.64 | |
| Democratic | Thomas Lee Judge (incumbent) | 57,946 | 42.49 | |
| Democratic | Martin J. Beckman | 5,990 | 4.39 | |
| Democratic | Bob Kelleher | 3,377 | 2.48 | |
| Total votes | 136,364 | 100.00 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Jack Ramirez, Minority Leader of the Montana House of Representatives
- Al Bishop, Montana Fish and Game Commissioner
- Florence Haegen, former Chairwoman of the Montana Republican Party
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jack Ramirez | 48,926 | 68.36 | |
| Republican | Al Bishop | 14,522 | 20.30 | |
| Republican | Florence Haegen | 8,118 | 11.34 | |
| Total votes | 71,566 | 100.00 | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ted Schwinden | 199,574 | 55.37% | −6.34% | |
| Republican | Jack Ramirez | 160,892 | 44.63% | +8.06% | |
| Majority | 38,682 | 10.73% | −14.39% | ||
| Turnout | 360,466 | ||||
| Democratic hold | Swing | ||||
References
- "Montana Voter Turnout". Montana Secretary of State. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
- ^ "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.
- "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.
| (1979 ←) 1980 United States elections (→ 1981) | |
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