The 1980 United States Senate election in Wisconsin was held on November 4, 1980. Incumbent
Democratic U.S. Senator
Gaylord Nelson
Gaylord Anton Nelson (June 4, 1916July 3, 2005) was an American politician and environmentalist from Wisconsin who served as a United States senator and governor. He was a member of the Democratic Party and the founder of Earth Day, which launche ...
ran for re-election to a fourth term but was defeated by
Bob Kasten
Robert Walter Kasten Jr. (born June 19, 1942) is an American Republican politician from the state of Wisconsin who served as a U.S. Representative from 1975 to 1979 and as a United States Senator from 1981 to 1993.
Background
Kasten was born in ...
, a Republican.
Republican primary
Candidates
*Doug Cofrin, publisher of
Milwaukee Magazine
''Milwaukee Magazine'' is a monthly city magazine serving the Milwaukee metropolitan area in Wisconsin, United States. It bills itself as "Southeastern Wisconsin's most authoritative source for Events and Dining," and reports a readership of ...
*
Bob Kasten
Robert Walter Kasten Jr. (born June 19, 1942) is an American Republican politician from the state of Wisconsin who served as a U.S. Representative from 1975 to 1979 and as a United States Senator from 1981 to 1993.
Background
Kasten was born in ...
, former U.S. Representative
*
Terry Kohler, businessman
*
Russell Olson
Russell A. Olson (February 19, 1924April 14, 2010) was an American farmer and Republican politician. He was the 39th Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin (1979–1983) and was afterward appointed Midwest Director for the United States Department ...
, Lieutenant Governor
Results
Results
See also
*
1980 United States Senate elections
The 1980 United States Senate elections coincided with Ronald Reagan's victory in the presidential election. Reagan's large margin of victory over incumbent Jimmy Carter gave a huge boost to Republican Senate candidates, allowing them to flip 12 ...
References
{{United States elections, 1980
Wisconsin
Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...
1980
Events January
* January 4 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaims a grain embargo against the USSR with the support of the European Commission.
* January 6 – Global Positioning System time epoch begins at 00:00 UTC.
* January 9 – ...
1980 Wisconsin elections