1980 Montana gubernatorial election

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. However, 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.

1980 Montana gubernatorial election

November 4, 1980
 
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

Governor before election

Thomas Lee Judge
Democratic

Elected Governor

Ted Schwinden
Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic Party primary results[1]
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

Results

Republican Primary results[1]
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

Montana gubernatorial election, 1980[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Ted Schwinden (incumbent) 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

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