1981 United States elections

none February 2026 January 2025 1981 Off-year elections November 3 Congressional special elections 5 Democrat +1 0 2 0 1981 gubernatorial election results map #CB001A Republican gain #0671B0 Democratic gain#D0D0D0 No election Elections were held on Tuesday, November 3, 1981, comprising 2 gubernatorial races, 5 congressional special elections, and a plethora of other local elections across the United States. No Senate special elections were held. Federal elections United States House of Representatives special elections In 1981, five special elections were held to fill vacancies to the 97th United States Congress. They were for MI 4, MD 5, OH 4, MS 4, and PA 3. District Date Predecessor Winner Cause of vacancy Michigan 4 X April 21, 1981 David Stockman Mark D. Siljander Resigned January 27, 1981, to become Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Maryland 5 X May 19, 1981 Gladys Spellman Steny Hoyer Incapacitated since last Congress and seat declared vacant February 24, 1981. Ohio 4 X June 25, 1981 Tennyson Guyer Mike Oxley Died April 12, 1981. Mississippi 4 X July 7, 1981 Jon Hinson Wayne Dowdy Resigned April 13, 1981. Pennsylvania 3 X July 21, 1981 Raymond F. Lederer Joseph F. Smith Convicted of bribery in the Abscam sting operation, resigned. State and local elections Several statewide elections were held this year, most notably the gubernatorial elections in two U.S. States. Gubernatorial elections 1981 United States gubernatorial elections Two gubernatorial elections were held in 1981 in New Jersey and the Commonwealth of Virginia and both states flipped parties. State Incumbent Party Result Opposing candidatesNew JerseyBrendan ByrneDemocratic Term-limited, Republican victoryThomas Kean (Republican) 49.5%James Florio (Democratic) 49.4%The original election results were close; Florio called for a recount. The results here are from the recount.VirginiaJohn N. Dalton Republican Term-limited, Democratic victoryChuck Robb (Democratic) 53.6%Marshall Coleman (Republican) 46.4% Note: Candidates' vote percentages are rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent. Candidates earning 0.05% or more of the vote are included. Legislative Elections took place in the New Jersey Senate and Virginia House of Delegates. The Democrats maintained control of the New Jersey Senate but lost 2 seats.Candidates for the Offices of State Senate and General Assembly https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/1981/1981-general-results-st-senate-gen-assembly.pdf 26 June 2021 In Virginia, Democrats maintained control of the House of Delegates but lost 8 seats. References General 1981 Category:1981 in the United States