# 1980 Montana gubernatorial election

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The 1980 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 1980. Incumbent Governor of Montana Thomas Lee Judge, who was first elected in 1972 and was re-elected in 1976, ran for re-election. He faced a stiff challenge in the Democratic primary from his lieutenant governor, Ted Schwinden, and he ultimately lost renomination. Schwinden, advancing to the general election, faced Jack Ramirez, the Minority Leader of the Montana House of Representatives and the Republican nominee. Although Ronald Reagan, the Republican presidential nominee, won the state in a landslide that year, Schwinden comfortably defeated Ramirez to win his first of two terms as governor.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates

* Ted Schwinden, Lieutenant Governor of Montana
* Thomas Lee Judge, incumbent Governor of Montana
* Martin J. Beckman
* Bob Kelleher, perennial candidate

### Results

Democratic Party primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ted Schwinden | 69,051 | 50.64 |
| | Democratic | Thomas Lee Judge (incumbent) | 57,946 | 42.49 |
| | Democratic | Martin J. Beckman | 5,990 | 4.39 |
| | Democratic | Bob Kelleher | 3,377 | 2.48 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 136,364 | 100.00 |

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* Jack Ramirez, Minority Leader of the Montana House of Representatives
* Al Bishop, Montana Fish and Game Commissioner
* Florence Haegen, former Chairwoman of the Montana Republican Party

### Results

Republican Primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jack Ramirez | 48,926 | 68.36 |
| | Republican | Al Bishop | 14,522 | 20.30 |
| | Republican | Florence Haegen | 8,118 | 11.34 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 71,566 | 100.00 |

## General election
### Results

Montana gubernatorial election, 1980 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Ted Schwinden | 199,574 | 55.37% | −6.34% |
| | Republican | Jack Ramirez | 160,892 | 44.63% | +8.06% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 38,682 | 10.73% | −14.39% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 360,466 | | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | | |