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. 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

← 1976November 4, 19801984 →
Turnout74.90%Increase0.30[1]
 
NomineeTed SchwindenJack Ramirez
PartyDemocraticRepublican
Running mateGeorge TurmanWalt Johnson
Popular vote199,574160,892
Percentage55.37%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

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic Party primary results[2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticTed Schwinden 69,051 50.64
DemocraticThomas Lee Judge (incumbent)57,94642.49
DemocraticMartin J. Beckman5,9904.39
DemocraticBob Kelleher3,3772.48
Total votes136,364 100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican Primary results[2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanJack Ramirez 48,926 68.36
RepublicanAl Bishop14,52220.30
RepublicanFlorence Haegen8,11811.34
Total votes71,566 100.00

General election

Results

Montana gubernatorial election, 1980[3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticTed Schwinden 199,574 55.37% -6.34%
RepublicanJack Ramirez160,89244.63%+8.06%
Majority38,68210.73%-14.39%
Turnout360,466
Democratic holdSwing

References