1980 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

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1980 United States Senate election in Oklahoma
Flag of Oklahoma (1941-1988).svg
  1974 November 3, 1980 1986  
  Sen Don Nickles.jpg 3x4.svg
Nominee Don Nickles Andy Coats
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote587,252478,283
Percentage53.47%43.55%

1980 United States Senate election in Oklahoma results map by county.svg
County results

Nickles:     40-50%     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%

Contents

Coats:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

U.S. senator before election

Henry Bellmon
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Don Nickles
Republican

The 1980 United States Senate election in Oklahoma was held November 3, 1980. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Henry Bellmon decided to retire, instead of seeking a third term. Republican nominee Don Nickles won the open seat.

Major candidates

Democratic

Republican

Campaign

After two years in the State Senate and displeased by the policies of the Carter Administration, Nickles ran for the United States Senate in 1980 to succeed Republican Henry Bellmon who was retiring. As an unknown in a field crowded with business and political bigwigs, Nickles was not initially given much of a chance. Bellmon even tried to convince him to wait and run for the U.S. House. Utilizing personal contact and passing out unique "wooden nickel" campaign button novelties, Nickles unique grassroot community ties to local Amway distributors throughout Oklahoma gave him an interpersonal network which proved helpful.[ citation needed ] Nickles beat two well funded oil millionaires (Jack Zink and Ed Noble) in the primary and won the primary run-off against Zink, a race car driver. He later won the general election against Democrat Oklahoma City Mayor Andy Coats and independent Charles Nesbitt, the Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner and former Oklahoma Attorney General. At the age of 31, Nickles was the youngest Republican ever elected to the United States Senate.

Results

General election results [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Don Nickles 587,252 53.47%
Democratic Andy Coats478,28343.55%
Independent Charles R. Nesbitt 21,1791.93%
Libertarian Robert T. Murphy9,7570.89%
Independent Paul E. Trent1,8230.17%
Republican hold

See also

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References

  1. "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Andrew M. Coats".
  2. "Our Campaigns - OK US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1980".