1980 United States Senate election in North Carolina

The 1980 United States Senate election in North Carolina was held on November 4, 1980, as part of the nationwide elections to the Senate. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Robert Morgan ran for reelection to a second term, but narrowly lost to Republican John East.

1980 United States Senate election in North Carolina

← 1974 November 4, 1980 1986 →
 
Nominee John East Robert Morgan
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 898,064 887,653
Percentage 49.96% 49.38%

East:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Morgan:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election

Robert Morgan
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

John East
Republican

This was the first time Republicans won this seat since 1897, and the inauguration of John East marked the first time since 1871 that they held both Senate seats simultaneously.

Primaries

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Democratic

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Robert Morgan was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

Republican

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John East was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

General election

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Candidates

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Results

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1980 North Carolina U.S. Senate election[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John East 898,064 49.96% +12.18%
Democratic Robert Morgan (incumbent) 887,653 49.38% −12.39%
Libertarian F.W. (Rick) Pasotto 7,602 0.04% N/A
Socialist Workers Rebecca Finch 4,346 0.02% N/A
Total votes 1,797,655 100.00% N/A
Republican gain from Democratic

See also

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References

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