1980 United States Senate election in North Carolina

← 1974 November 4, 1980 1986 →

Nominee John East Robert Morgan Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 898,064 887,653 Percentage 49.96% 49.38%

County results Congressional district results East:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Morgan:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

U.S. senator before election Robert Morgan Democratic Elected U.S. Senator John East Republican

Elections in North Carolina
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v t e

The 1980 United States Senate election in North Carolina was held on November 4, 1980, as part of the nationwide elections to the Senate. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Robert Morgan ran for reelection to a second term, but narrowly lost to Republican John East.

This was the first time Republicans won this seat since 1897, and the inauguration of John East marked the first time since 1871 that they held both Senate seats simultaneously.

Primaries

Democratic

Robert Morgan was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

Republican

John East was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

General election

Candidates

• John East (R), Professor at East Carolina University
• Robert Morgan (D), incumbent U.S. Senator

Results