1980 United States Senate election in Washington

1980 United States Senate election in Washington

November 4, 1980

Nominee Slade Gorton Warren Magnuson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 936,317 792,052 Percentage 54.2% 45.8%

County results Gorton:      50–60%      60–70% Magnuson:      50–60%

U.S. senator before election Warren Magnuson Democratic Elected U.S. Senator Slade Gorton Republican

The 1980 United States Senate election in Washington was held on November 4, 1980. Longtime incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Warren Magnuson, the Senate President pro tempore, lost re-election to State Attorney General Slade Gorton, a Republican. As of 2024, this is the last time the Republicans won the Class 3 Senate seat in Washington.

Candidates

Democratic

• Warren Magnuson, incumbent U.S. Senator

Republican

• Slade Gorton, State Attorney General

Results

General election results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Slade Gorton	936,317	54.2%
	Democratic	Warren Magnuson (incumbent)	792,052	45.8%
Total votes			1,728,369	100.0%
	Republican gain from Democratic

See also

• 1980 United States Senate elections