1980 United States Senate election in Illinois explained

Election Name:1980 United States Senate election in Illinois
Country:Illinois
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1974 United States Senate election in Illinois
Previous Year:1974
Next Election:1986 United States Senate election in Illinois
Next Year:1986
Election Date:November 4, 1980
Image1:Alan Dixon (3x4a).jpg
Nominee1:Alan Dixon
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:2,565,302
Percentage1:56.01%
Nominee2:Dave O'Neal
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:1,946,296
Percentage2:42.50%
Map Size:300x300px
U.S. Senator
Before Election:Adlai Stevenson III
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Alan J. Dixon
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)
Turnout:73.51%

The 1980 United States Senate election in Illinois was held on November 4, 1980. Incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator Adlai Stevenson III decided to retire. Democrat Alan J. Dixon won the open seat.

Election information

The primaries and general elections coincided with those for other federal offices (President and House), as well as those for state offices.

Background

Incumbent Democrat Adlai Stevenson III opted not to seek reelection to a third-term. This was the first open-race for this senate seat since 1938.

Turnout

Turnout in the primary elections was 35.36%, with a total of 2,026,814 votes cast.[1] [2]

Turnout during the general election was 73.51%, with 4,579,933 votes cast.[3] [2]

Democratic primary

Alan J. Dixon overwhelmingly won the Democratic primary.

Candidates

Campaign

Alex Seith, who had won the Democratic nomination for Senator two years earlier, almost winning the 1978 race in what would have been a major upset, laid hopes of capturing the nomination again.

Anthony R. Martin-Trigona, a political activist who had unsuccessfully sought the nomination for senate in 1978, again ran for the nomination.

Robert Ash "Bob" Wallace made use of his friendship with boxer Muhammad Ali, featuring him in campaign ads and having him make campaign appearances.[5] [6]

Dakin Williams was a prosecutor, and was the younger brother of famous playwright Tennessee Williams.[7] He had been a candidate for the Democratic nomination of Illinois' other US Senate seat in 1972, and had unsuccessfully sought the nomination for this seat in 1974. He had also been a candidate for governor in 1978.[4]

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION MARCH 18, 1980 . www.elections.il.gov . Illinois State Board of Elections . 24 June 2020 .
  2. Web site: OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 4, 1986 . www.elections.il.gov . Illinois State Board of Elections . 10 April 2020 .
  3. Web site: OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 4, 1980 . www.elections.il.gov . Illinois State Board of Elections . 24 June 2020 .
  4. Web site: Our Campaigns - Candidate - W. Dakin Williams . www.ourcampaigns.com . 24 June 2020.
  5. Web site: WMBD’s Full Interview with Muhammad Ali from 1980 . CIProud.com . 24 June 2020 . 5 June 2016.
  6. Web site: Rose . Don . My brief political adventure with Muhammad Ali . chicagotribune.com . Chicago Tribune . 24 June 2020 . 6 June 2016.
  7. Web site: Tennessee Williams' brother dead at 89 . The State Journal-Register . 24 June 2020 . en . 22 May 2008.