# 1980 North Dakota gubernatorial election

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The 1980 North Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980. The election pitted Republican State Attorney General Allen I. Olson against incumbent Democratic-NPL governor Arthur A. Link. Olson Defeated Link 54% to 46%

## Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 2, 1980.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Arthur A. Link, incumbent Governor

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic–NPL | Arthur A. Link (inc.) | 41,751 | 100.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 41,751 | 100.00 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates

* Allen I. Olson, North Dakota Attorney General
* Orville W. Hagen, former Lieutenant Governor

#### Results

Republican Party primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Allen I. Olson | 60,016 | 75.66 |
| | Republican | Orville W. Hagen | 19,306 | 24.34 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 79,322 | 100.00 |

## General election
### Candidates

* Allen I. Olson, Republican
* Arthur A. Link, Democratic

### Results

1980 North Dakota gubernatorial election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Allen I. Olson | 162,230 | 53.61% |
| | Democratic–NPL | Arthur A. Link (inc.) | 140,391 | 46.39% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 302,621 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic–NPL | Republican gain from Democratic–NPL | Republican gain from Democratic–NPL | Republican gain from Democratic–NPL |