1980 Democratic Party presidential primaries

The 1980 Democratic presidential primaries were how voters of the Democratic Party chose its nominee for President of the United States in the 1980 U.S. presidential election.

During the primary race, the country of Iran was going through trouble and unrest. This unrest caused it to make and sell less oil. In January 1979, the leader (or Shah) of Iran left the country. After that  Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini , who was against the Shah’s leadership, took over and made the country follow an extreme version of Islam.

Another problem during the time of this election was increased prices, especially for oil and gas.  Many people blamed President Carter. Only 28% of people who were polled said they approved of Carter.

Background
Incumbent President Jimmy Carter was again selected as the nominee through a series of primary elections and caucuses in the 1980 Democratic National Convention held from August 11 to August 14, 1980, in New York City.

Carter faced a major primary challenger in Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, who won 12 contests and received more than seven million votes nationwide. Therefore, Kennedy didn't withdraw from the primary until the second day of the convention. This is the most recent primary where the sitting president still had an opponent at the convention.

Candidates

 Nominee 
CandidateMost recent positionHome stateCampaignPopular
voteContests wonRunning mateJimmy Carter98x98px|CarterPresident of the United States (1977-1981)Incumbent81x81px Georgia(Campaign)10,043,016(51.13%)36
IA, ME, NH, VT, AL, FL, GA, PR,

IL, KS, WI, LA, TX, IN, NC, TN,

NE, MD, OK, AR ID, KY, NV, MT,

OH, WV, MO, OR, WAWalter Mondale

 Withdrew during primaries or convention 
CandidateMost recent positionHome stateCampaign
Withdrawal datePopular VoteContests WonTed Kennedyalt=|98x98pxU.S. Senator

from Massachusetts(1962-2009)92x92pxMassachusettsWithdrew at convention7,381,693(37.58%)12
AZ, MA, CT, NY, PA, ND DC, CA, NJ, NM, RI, SD VT, AK, MI

Also withdrew during primaries
 Jerry Brown, Governor of California
 Cliff Flinch, Governor of Mississippi

Category:1980 in the United States