The 1980 Montana Senate election took place on November 4, 1980, with the primary election held on June 3, 1980. Montana voters elected 25 of the 50 members of the Montana Senate. The election coincided with United States national elections and Montana state elections, including U.S. President, U.S. House, Montana Governor, and Montana House.
Following the previous election in 1978, Republicans held a 26-to-24 seat majority over Democrats. Additionally, after being re-elected in 1978 as a Democrat, Senator John E. Manley of district 14 switched political party affiliation in 1979 to Republican, increasing the GOP's majority to 27 seats.
Republicans increased their majority in the legislature to 29 seats, while Democrats held 21—giving Republicans a net gain of two seats. The newly elected members served in the 47th Montana State Legislature, during which Republican Jean A. Turnage was elected President of the Montana Senate.
Retiring incumbents Democrats District 27: Cornie R. Thiessen District 45: John "Sandy" Mehrens District 49: Robert D. Watt
Republicans District 16: A. T. "Tom" Rasmussen District 26: William L. Mathers District 32: Lloyd C. Lockrem Jr. District 33: William R. "Bill" Lowe District 39: Everett R. Lensink
Incumbents defeated in primary election Democrats District 8: Richard G. Smith District 17: Larry Fasbender
Incumbents defeated in general election Democrat District 3: Greg Jergeson
Republican District 21: George F. Roskie
Summary of results Italics denote an open seat held by the incumbent party; bold text denotes a gain for a party. Only districts that held elections are listed below.
State senate district Incumbent Party Elected senator Outcome 1 Rep Rep hold 2 Rep Rep hold 3 Dem Rep gain 8 Dem Rep gain 10 Rep Rep hold 12 Rep Rep hold 13 Rep Rep hold 16 Rep Dem gain 17 Dem Rep gain 20 Dem Dem hold 21 Rep Dem gain 24 Rep Rep hold 26 Rep Rep hold 27 Dem Rep gain 29 Dem Dem hold 30 Rep Rep hold 32 Rep Rep hold 33 Rep Rep hold 39 Rep Dem gain 41 Rep Rep hold 42 Dem Dem hold 43 Dem Dem hold 45 Dem Dem hold 49 Dem Rep gain 50 Dem Dem hold
Detailed results by district District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 8 • District 10 • District 12 • District 13 • District 16 • District 17 • District 20 • District 21 • District 24 • District 26 • District 27 • District 29 • District 30 • District 32 • District 33 • District 39 • District 41 • District 42 • District 43 • District 45 • District 49 • District 50__NOTOC__
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 8
District 10
District 12
District 13
District 16
District 17
District 20
District 21
District 24
District 26
District 27
District 29
District 30
District 32
District 33
District 39
District 41
District 42
District 43
District 45
District 49
District 50
See also 1980 United States presidential election in Montana 1980 United States House of Representatives elections in Montana 1980 Montana gubernatorial election 1980 Montana House of Representatives election
References