1980 United States Senate election in Missouri

The 1980 United States Senate election in Missouri was held on November 4, 1980. Incumbent Senator Thomas Eagleton defeated Republican nominee Gene McNary with 52.00% of the vote. As of 2024, this is the last time the Democrats won the Class 3 Senate seat in Missouri.

1980 United States Senate election in Missouri

← 1974 November 4, 1980 1986 →

Nominee Thomas Eagleton Gene McNary Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,074,859 985,399 Percentage 52.00% 47.67%

County results Eagleton:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% McNary:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

U.S. senator before election Thomas Eagleton Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Thomas Eagleton Democratic

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on August 5, 1980.^[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Thomas Eagleton, incumbent United States Senator
• Lee C. Sutton, former State Representative
• Herb Fillmore

Results

Democratic primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Thomas Eagleton (incumbent)	553,392	85.75
	Democratic	Lee C. Sutton	53,280	8.26
	Democratic	Herb Fillmore	38,677	5.99
Total votes			645,349	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Gene McNary, County Executive of St. Louis County
• David Doctorian, State Senator
• Morris Duncan
• Gregory Hansman

Results

Republican primary results^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Gene McNary	197,060	61.53
	Republican	David Doctorian	82,332	25.71
	Republican	Morris Duncan	21,959	6.86
	Republican	Gregory Hansman	18,893	5.90
Total votes			320,244	100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• Thomas Eagleton, Democratic
• Gene McNary, Republican

Other candidates

• Martha Pettit, Socialist Workers

Results

1980 United States Senate election in Missouri^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Thomas Eagleton (incumbent)	1,074,859	52.00%
	Republican	Gene McNary	985,399	47.67%
	Socialist Workers	Martha Pettit	6,707	0.32%
Majority			89,460
Turnout			2,066,965
	Democratic hold		Swing

See also

• 1980 United States Senate elections

References

1. Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN 9781568029818. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
2. Cook, Rhodes (November 17, 2015). America Votes 31: 2013-2014, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. CQ Press. ISBN 9781483383026. Retrieved November 16, 2018.