Elections / 1980 · Senate · PA
Pennsylvania — 1980 U.S. Senate election
Recent presidential results
Akashic1980 · U.S. SenatePennsylvania · U.S. SenateArlen SpecterR+2.4
Candidates
Statewide candidate totals — MIT Election Data + Science Lab, 1980 Senate returns.
- Arlen Specter✓Republican2,230,40450.5%
- Pete FlahertyDemocrat2,122,39148.0%
- Linda MohrbacherSocialist Workers27,2290.6%
- David K. WalterLibertarian18,5950.4%
- Lee FrissellCitizens16,0890.4%
- Frank KincesCommunist3,3340.1%
presidential baselinePresident 1980R+7.1Senate 1980R+2.4vs. baselineD+4.7
Pennsylvania's 1980 Senate race ran 4.7 points more Democratic than the presidential race on the same ballot.
Pennsylvania's Senate margins
Every contest in our store, 1976–2024
| Year | Margin (D minus R) |
|---|---|
| 1976 | −5.6% |
| 1980 | −2.4% |
| 1982 | −20.1% |
| 1986 | −13.6% |
| 1988 | −34.0% |
| 1992 | −2.8% |
| 1994 | −2.5% |
| 1998 | −26.6% |
| 2000 | −6.9% |
| 2004 | −10.6% |
| 2006 | +17.4% |
| 2010 | −2.0% |
| 2012 | +9.1% |
| 2016 | −1.4% |
| 2018 | +12.9% |
| 2022 | +4.9% |
| 2024 | −0.2% |
Same ballot, 1980PA
Source. MIT Election Data + Science Lab — 1980 US Senate returns, party-classified by literal ballot party · certified statewide totals. Real returns — nothing estimated.