1980 North Carolina gubernatorial election

1980 North Carolina gubernatorial election

November 4, 1980

Nominee Jim Hunt I. Beverly Lake Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,143,145 691,449 Percentage 61.88% 37.43%

County Results Hunt:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% Lake:      50-60%      60-70%

Governor before election Jim Hunt Democratic Elected Governor Jim Hunt Democratic

The 1980 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980. Despite North Carolina going to Ronald Reagan in the presidential race and the U.S. Senate race being won by a Republican (John P. East), popular Democratic Governor Jim Hunt won a second term in office in a landslide over Republican I. Beverly Lake. Hunt thus became the first governor of the state elected to a consecutive four-year term, following an amendment to the Constitution of North Carolina allowing such a run.

Hunt's decision to run for a second term led to a challenge from former Democratic governor Robert W. Scott, but Hunt easily defeated the former governor in the Democratic primary.

General election results

1980 NC Governor Election Results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Jim Hunt (Incumbent)	1,143,145	61.88%
	Republican	I. Beverly Lake	691,449	37.43%	−16.47%
	Libertarian	Robert Y. Emory	9,552	0.54%
	Socialist Workers	Douglas A. Cooper	2,887	0.16%
	Independent	Others	53	0%
Turnout			1,847,086	100%