# 1980 United States Senate election in Wisconsin

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vte :
The 1980 United States Senate election in Wisconsin was held on November 4, 1980. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson ran for re-election to a fourth term but was defeated by Bob Kasten, a Republican.

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* Doug Cofrin, publisher of Milwaukee Magazine
* Bob Kasten, former U.S. Representative
* Terry Kohler, businessman
* Russell Olson, Lieutenant Governor

### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bob Kasten | 134,586 | 36.77% |
| | Republican | Terry Kohler | 106,270 | 29.03% |
| | Republican | Doug Cofrin | 84,355 | 23.05% |
| | Republican | Russell Olson | 40,823 | 11.15% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 366,034 | 100.00% |

## Results

General election results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bob Kasten | 1,106,311 | 50.19% |
| | Democratic | Gaylord Nelson (incumbent) | 1,065,487 | 48.34% |
| | Constitution | James P. Wickstrom | 16,156 | 0.73% |
| | Libertarian | Bervin J. Larson | 9,679 | 0.44% |
| | Socialist Workers | Susan Hagen | 6,502 | 0.30% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,204,135 | 100.00% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |