1980 United States Senate election in New York

none March 2026 September 2023 1980 United States Senate election in New York New York Flag of New York (1909–2020).svg presidential no 1974 United States Senate election in New York 1974 1986 United States Senate election in New York 1986 November 4, 1980 150x150px Alfonse D'Amato (cropped).jpg Al D'Amato Republican Party (United States) ConservativeRight to Life 2,699,652 44.88% Elizabeth Holtzman.jpg Elizabeth Holtzman Democratic Party (United States) 2,618,661 43.54% Jacob Javits portrait.jpg Jacob Javits Liberal Party of New York 664,544 11.05% 1980 United States Senate election in New York results map by county.svg 310px County results D'Amato: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% Holtzman: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% U.S. Senator Jacob Javits Republican Party (United States) Al D'Amato Republican Party (United States) The 1980 United States Senate election in New York was held on November 4, 1980. Incumbent U.S. Senator Jacob Javits ran for re-election to a fifth term in office on the Liberal Party line, but he finished third behind Hempstead town supervisor Al D'Amato and U.S. representative Elizabeth Holtzman of Brooklyn. Primary elections were held on September 9. In the Democratic primary, Elizabeth Holtzman defeated Bess Myerson with former New York City mayor John Lindsay finishing a distant third. Queens district attorney John J. Santucci finished fourth. Because D'Amato and Javits had each secured ballot access through minor party endorsements in June, the Republican primary was reduced to a preliminary test of strength; D'Amato defeated Javits with 55.7 percent of the vote. In the general election, D'Amato defeated Holtzman narrowly, with Javits splitting the liberal vote.Abramowitz Alan https://books.google.com/books?id=tuwHqrbKge8C Senate Elections Segal Jeffrey Allan January 1, 1992 University of Michigan Press 0472081926 en Despite the narrow plurality and the fact that the seat technically remained with the Republican Party, D'Amato's victory over the liberal Javits is often includedJuly 2025 in discussions of the Reagan Revolution in the 1980 elections, in which the Republican Party, led by conservative presidential nominee Ronald Reagan, gained control of the White House and U.S. Senate by picking up twelve seats. D'Amato would go on to serve three terms in the Senate before losing the 1998 election to Chuck Schumer, who succeeded Holtzman in the House following this election. Background Incumbent senator Jacob Javits had been one of the most liberal members of the Republican Party since he first entered Congress in the 1940s.Javits' Record in House Lowest for GOP 'Unity' https://www.newspapers.com/image/253580538 7 Sep 1956 Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin Martin Paul 24 Aug 2022 Newspapers.com However, his electability and considerable influence had allowed him to maintain strength within the party,Javits: Feared but Respected https://www.newspapers.com/image/256008239 24 Aug 2022 Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin 29 Apr 1979 Peck Louis 51, 54 Newspapers.com and he had won four terms in the Senate even as his views became less and less popular among Republican voters. By 1979, he was the longest-serving U.S. Senator in New York history. For years, Javits had been considered politically invincible, but the rise of the Conservative Party of New York, whose endorsement represented at least ten percent of the general electorate, threatened his re-election prospects and figured significantly into political maneuvering ahead of the election.Zander Dick 11 Jan 1980 The Riddle of Javits' Run Newsday Hempstead, NY In Javits's prior two elections, 1968 and 1974, he had survived with a plurality of the vote against strong Conservative performances. In 1970, incumbent Senator Charles Goodell, running with support from both the Republican and Liberal parties, lost to Conservative James L. Buckley. Javits also faced criticism from liberals over his tepid opposition to the Vietnam War nearly a decade prior, including his failure to co-sponsor Goodell's amendment setting a deadline for American withdrawal. Javits had also been outflanked by Buckley in 1974, when the junior senator called for the resignation of President Richard Nixon while Javits demurred. Javits's political strain was compounded by his physical decline. In 1979, he was diagnosed with ALS which, in conjunction with his advanced age, drew opponents into the 1980 race amid widespread speculation that he would not run for a fifth term. Prior to 1980, Javits had never faced a primary challenge. Early speculation focused on U.S. Representative Jack Kemp of Buffalo, whose proposal for a national tax cut had made him a political celebrity among conservatives. Although Kemp would have been assured of Conservative Party support, he declined to challenge Javits and said he would run only if Javits retired.Zander Dick 18 Jan 1980 Two Who May Challenge Javits https://www.newspapers.com/image/720354693 subscription 24 Aug 2022 Newsday Melville, NY Newspapers.com Until such time, the Conservative Party withheld its endorsement in hopes that Kemp would declare his campaign. Some speculation also centered on former U.S. secretary of state Henry Kissinger, who was favored by moderates, as a candidate for the Republican nomination. Kissinger also declined to run. By January 1980, only two challengers, Queens attorney James Eagan and Hempstead supervisor Al D'Amato, had announced campaigns for the Republican nomination. Eagan was a complete political unknown, but D'Amato had support from Long Island party leaders and had strong ties to the Conservative Party, making him a serious threat for the nomination and general election. However, U.S. representative Bruce Caputo announced on January 17 that he would enter the race, assuming Javits ran and Kemp did not. Both Caputo and D'Amato argued that a candidate with both Republican and Conservative support would be unbeatable in the general election, if Javits remained in the race on the Liberal ticket, which he was expected to do. Javits initially said he would announce his intentions by February 12 but delayed that decision two weeks, citing his health. Javits also refused to fundraise before formally announcing his campaign despite changes in the law that would have allowed it. When he did finally announce his re-election bid on February 25, Javits shocked supporters by revealing his ALS diagnosis, though he had Jerome B. Posner of the Sloan-Kettering Institute confirm that the disease would not affect Javits's cognition and that Javits could serve out the six-year term.Zander Dick Javits To Seek 5th Senate Term https://www.newspapers.com/image/703054515 subscription 24 Aug 2022 Newsday Newspapers.com (Javits ultimately died in March 1986, roughly one year before his term would have ended.) Liberal nomination Candidates Jacob Javits, incumbent U.S. senator since 1957 (also running as Republican) Elizabeth Holtzman, U.S. representative from Brooklyn (also running as Democrat) Results Although Elizabeth Holtzman made an effort to secure the Liberal Party endorsement, Javits won it for the fifth consecutive election at the party convention at the New York Hilton Hotel on June 14. Party chair Raymond Harding was outspoken in urging Javits to run and his nomination by the party was a foregone conclusion.Carroll Maurice 1980-06-15 Liberals Endorse Javits; D'Amato on 2 Party Lines; Republicans Meet Thursday Javits Endorsement Expected D'Amato Candidacy Helped https://www.nytimes.com/1980/06/15/archives/liberals-endorse-javits-damato-on-2-party-lines-republicans-meet.html 2025-07-22 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 Conservative nomination Candidates Al D'Amato, Hempstead town supervisor (also running as Republican) Bruce Caputo, former U.S. representative from Yonkers and candidate for lieutenant governor in 1978 (also running as Republican) James Eagan, Queens attorney (also running as Republican) Declined Jack Kemp, U.S. representative from BuffaloWill Javits run for another term? Peck Louis 4 Nov 1979 https://www.newspapers.com/image/114407338 Poughkeepsie Journal 24 Aug 2022 subscription Newspapers.com Campaign Javits's entry and Kemp's confirmation that he would not challenge the senator began the campaign in earnest between Caputo, D'Amato, and Javits.2 Mar 1980 7A Poughkeepsie Journal https://www.newspapers.com/image/114742435/ subscription 25 Aug 2022 Newspapers.com Poughkeepsie Journal 02 Mar 1980, page Page 7A The campaign to reach the general election essentially became a two-stage contest: first, between Caputo and D'Amato would contend for the Conservative Party endorsement and second, Javits would face the Conservative candidate for the Republican nomination. Despite fears that he would split the anti-Javits vote, Caputo pledged he would remain in the race if he lost the Conservative nomination, disputing the assumption that the two would split the anti-Javits vote. The Conservative Party nomination was determined by a vote of the party's central committee. There was considerable debate, up to the day of the vote, over whether the committee would weight their votes by geographic party support. D'Amato favored this measure, which had been used for past nominations, because it would emphasize his strength in the party's Long Island base.Zander Dick 23 Mar 1980 D'Amato Gets Conservative Endorsement https://www.newspapers.com/image/720408040 subscription 25 Aug 2022 Newsday Newspapers.com Of the two contenders, Caputo had broader recognition from his statewide campaign for lieutenant governor in 1978 and his role in the House Ethics Committee investigation into Koreagate and was considered stronger against Javits. However, he faced an uphill battle for the Conservative nomination against D'Amato, who was considered the more conservative of the two and had a firm base of support on Long Island. D'Amato criticized Caputo's support for the Humphrey–Hawkins Full Employment Act and his opposition to the B-1 bomber. On March 22, the state committee met to informally endorse a candidate. In preliminary speeches, D'Amato supporters stressed his long standing in the Conservative Party and his support from the Republican Party state committee, which would allow him to access the primary ballot without resorting to an expensive petition drive. Debate over whether to weight votes geographically resolved in favor of D'Amato. The final weighted vote backed D'Amato over Caputo nearly two-to-one. 1980 Conservative Party committee vote Conservative Party of New York Al D'Amato 155,877 65.63% Conservative Party of New York Bruce Caputo 80,587 33.93% Conservative Party of New York James Eagan 1,048 0.44% 237,512 100.00% After the announcement, Caputo said he would remain in the race, and D'Amato pledged to contest the general election as the Conservative nominee, even if he lost the Republican primary. At the party convention at the Starlight Banquet House in Auburn on June 14, D'Amato was officially endorsed as the party's candidate for the general election. He also secured the endorsement of the Right to Life Party on the same day at the Buffalo Convention Center. Republican primary Candidates Al D'Amato, Hempstead town supervisor (also running as Conservative) Jacob Javits, incumbent U.S. senator since 1957 (also running as Liberal) Withdrew Bruce Caputo, former U.S. representative from Yonkers and candidate for lieutenant governor in 1978 James Eagan, Queens attorney Declined Jack Kemp, U.S. representative from Buffalo Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State Campaign Following the June 14 endorsements of Javits and D'Amato by the Liberal and Conservative parties respectively and the withdrawal of Bruce Caputo, which guaranteed both remaining candidates would be on the general election ballot, the Republican primary was reduced in significance to a preliminary test of strength, with both candidates guaranteed to continue on to the November general election along with the winner of the Democratic primary. Few initially believed that D'Amato would defeat Javits in the primary. Results thumb|310px|Results by countyD'Amato: #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80%Javits: #FF9A50 50–60% #EE8E50 60–70% #D69850 70–80%Tie: #ae8bb1 Republican primary resultshttp://www.9wsyr.com/mostpopular/story/Miner-Kimatian-win-Syracuse-mayoral-primaries/G_EgwHAEskClUf1wm-6wuA.cspx Syracuse Mayoral Primary Results - 9wsyr.com 2013-06-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20110719063010/http://www.9wsyr.com/mostpopular/story/Miner-Kimatian-win-Syracuse-mayoral-primaries/G_EgwHAEskClUf1wm-6wuA.cspx 2011-07-19 Al D'Amato Republican Party (United States) 323,468 55.68% Jacob Javits (incumbent) Republican Party (United States) 257,433 44.32% 580,901 100.00% Democratic primary Candidates Elizabeth Holtzman, U.S. representative from Brooklyn John Lindsay, former mayor of New York City and U.S. representative from the Upper East Side Bess Myerson, former commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs and Miss America 1945 John J. Santucci, Queens District Attorney Declined Joseph A. Califano, former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Campaign The Democratic field included four major candidates. Former Miss America Bess Myerson was the early favorite. She had the support of junior senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, New York City mayor Ed Koch, and Governor Hugh Carey, as well as celebrity status as a beauty pageant queen, television personality, and icon within the Jewish community of New York.Lynn Frank 24 Sep 1982 CUOMO BEATS KOCH IN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/24/nyregion/cuomo-beats-koch-in-democratic-primary-leherman-moynihan-and-mrs-sullivan-win.html 8 Aug 2021 1 If she faltered, however, most expected Elizabeth Holtzman to take the lead. Holtzman had unseated Emanuel Celler in 1972 and had a national profile from her leading role in the Nixon impeachment hearings. The third leading candidate, former New York City mayor John Lindsay, was considered popular with minority voters but struggled to distance himself from his controversial tenure as mayor, which some New Yorkers blamed for the city's 1975 fiscal crisis. Holtzman rose quickly, despite her difficulty expressing criticism of Senator Javits, who remained popular with the liberal Democrats who supported her campaign.Holtzman: Can she distinguish herself enough to oust Javits? Peck Louis 31 Mar 1980 https://www.newspapers.com/image/255225275 subscription 25 Aug 2022 10 The Ithaca Journal Newspapers.com During the campaign, Holtzman boasted that she had "never been hand-picked by the bosses [or] by anyone", in a thinly veiled dig at her opponents. Holtzman also touted her legislative record, implicitly criticizing Myerson's lack of actual political experience, and her support for women's rights, having secured an extension for the Equal Rights Amendment's 1979 ratification.HOLTZMAN, Elizabeth US House of Representatives https://history.house.gov/People/Listing/H/HOLTZMAN,-Elizabeth-(H000752)/ 2021-10-11 en Myerson also struggled to define herself ideologically, and by late March 1980, Holtzman had already pulled ahead in at least one poll. In August, Lindsay claimed that Governor Carey had privately told him that he regretted endorsing Myerson. Carey publicly denied this, but his comment in the same interview that he viewed this senate seat as "a Jewish seat" led to criticism from the Anti-Defamation League and all four candidates.August 25, 1980 Carey's remark draws fire https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/106511158/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20240922043339/https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/106511158/ September 22, 2024 Democrat and Chronicle 1A Newspapers.com Endorsements Elizabeth Holtzman 60em Statewide officials Robert Abrams, 60th Attorney General of New York (1979–1993)June 3, 1980 Abrams backs Holtzman's bid 8A Press & Sun-Bulletin https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin/103570214/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241106053823/https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin/103570214/ November 6, 2024 Newspapers.com State legislature Carol Berman, member of the New York State Senate from the 9th district (1979–1984)May 14, 1980 3 Javits Opponents Appear in Forum 31 Newsday https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition/103570124/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241106053956/https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition/103570124/ November 6, 2024 Newspapers.com Jerry Kremer, member of the New York State Assembly from the 20th district (1966–1988) Bess Myerson 60em Statewide officials Hugh Carey, 51st Governor of New York (1975–1982)September 10, 1980 Carey lost with Myerson, Javits A13 The Daily Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times/103570803/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241106054250/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times/103570803/ November 6, 2024 Newspapers.com Local officials Ed Koch, 105th Mayor of New York City (1978–1989) Results New York Senate Democratic primary election, 1980http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=36781 Our Campaigns - NY US Senate - D Primary Race - Sep 09, 1980 Democratic Party (United States) Elizabeth Holtzman 378,567 40.74% Democratic Party (United States) Bess Myerson 292,767 31.51% Democratic Party (United States) John Lindsay 146,815 15.80% Democratic Party (United States) John J. Santucci 111,129 11.96% 929,278 100.00% General election Candidates Al D'Amato, Hempstead town supervisor (Conservative, Republican and Right to Life) Elizabeth Holtzman, U.S. representative from Brooklyn (Democratic) Jacob Javits, incumbent U.S. senator since 1957 (Liberal) Victor Nieto (Socialist Workers) Richard Savadel (Libertarian) William R. Scott (Communist) Thomas Soto (Workers World) Campaign Javits' campaign did well financially after his defeat in the Republican primary and his contributions exceeded D'Amato. He raised $289,062 between August 21 and September 30, while D'Amato raised $217,969 and Holtzman raised $294,708 in that same period. Gerald Ford and Arthur Goldberg wrote to possible donors on Javits' behalf and U.S. Senator Charles H. Percy hosted a fundraiser for Javits. By this point Javits' campaign spent $697,625, D'Amato spent $867,535, and Holtzman spent $1.3 million.October 23, 1980 Javits does well as fundraiser 13 The Ithaca Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ithaca-journal/103570990/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241106054341/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ithaca-journal/103570990/ November 6, 2024 Newspapers.com On October 22, the three candidates participated in a debate hosted by the Buffalo Courier-Express.October 23, 1980 D'Amato and Javits gang up on Holtzman in Buffalo debate https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/120761044/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241106055117/https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/120761044/ November 6, 2024 Democrat and Chronicle B1 Newspapers.com Late in the race, a great deal of speculation centered on whether Javits would drop out to ensure Holtzman's victory. At an October 13 press conference, Javits stated he might consider dropping out, but declared the next day that he was "in this race to stay".October 15, 1980 Javits Says He's In Race to Stay 19 Newsday https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday/103571330/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241106054551/https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday/103571330/ November 6, 2024 Newspapers.com After the press conference, New York City union organizers Sol Chaikin and Victor Gotbaum attempted to convince Javits to drop out to prevent him from splitting the vote with Holtzman and allowing D'Amato to win.October 22, 1980 Union leaders push for Javits' withdraw 3A Star-Gazette https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette/120761002/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241106054637/https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette/120761002/ November 6, 2024 Newspapers.com The New York Times and Constance E. Cook, who had co-chaired Javits' campaign, also called on him to drop out.October 31, 1980 Javits urged to quit, help Holtzman 12A Press & Sun-Bulletin https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin/120761185/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241106054723/https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin/120761185/ November 6, 2024 Newspapers.com On October 31, the Daily News reported that Javits would have dropped out if Holtzman had asked him, but he denied it the next day.November 1, 1980 Javits denies report on quitting 27 The Ithaca Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ithaca-journal/103571987/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241106054850/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ithaca-journal/103571987/ November 6, 2024 Newspapers.com Endorsements Elizabeth Holtzman 60em U.S. Congress Tip O'Neill, member of the United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts (1953–1987) and 47th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (1977–1987)October 30, 1980 O'Neill stumps for Holtzman 19 The Ithaca Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ithaca-journal/103571670/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241106055223/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ithaca-journal/103571670/ November 6, 2024 Newspapers.com State legislators Constance E. Cook, member of the New York State Assembly from the 128th district (1963–1974)November 1, 1980 Cook: Don't waste vote on Javits 3 The Ithaca Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ithaca-journal/120761200/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241106055432/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ithaca-journal/120761200/ November 6, 2024 Newspapers.com Local officials Ed Koch, 105th Mayor of New York City (1978–1989)October 25, 1980 Gun control law supported A5 The Daily Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times/120761067/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241106055647/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times/120761067/ November 6, 2024 Newspapers.com Organizations New York State Teachers AssociationNovember 3, 1980 Teachers' Union Deserts Javits 6 Newsday https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition/120761244/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241106055955/https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition/120761244/ November 6, 2024 Newspapers.com Newspapers The Ithaca JournalNovember 3, 1980 Our Choices 12 The Ithaca Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ithaca-journal/120761248/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241106060123/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ithaca-journal/120761248/ November 6, 2024 Newspapers.com Jacob Javits 60em U.S. Congress Bill Green, member of the United States House of Representatives (1978–1993)October 24, 1980 Senate candidates travel the state 3A Star-Gazette https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette/120761052/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241106060206/https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette/120761052/ November 6, 2024 Newspapers.com Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AlD'AmatoRepublican ElizabethHoltzmanDemocratic JacobJavitsLiberal Other /UndecidedNew York Daily News Richard F. Link and AssociatesOctober 27, 1980 D'Amato tops in 'News' poll 8A Press & Sun-Bulletin https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin/120761116/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241106060431/https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin/120761116/ November 6, 2024 Newspapers.comOctober 19802,479 (RV)34%29%23%14% Results General election resultshttp://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3894 Our Campaigns - NY US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1980http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1980election.pdf Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 1980 clerk.house.gov live https://web.archive.org/web/20220320200405/https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1980election.pdf March 20, 2022 Republican Party (United States) Al D'Amato 2,272,082 37.77% 2.87 Conservative Party of New York Al D'Amato 275,100 4.57% 11.36 Right to Life Party (New York) Al D'Amato 152,470 2.53% N/A Total Al D'Amato 2,699,652 44.88% N/A Democratic Party (United States) Elizabeth Holtzman 2,618,661 43.54% 5.31 Liberal Party of New York Jacob Javits (incumbent) 664,544 11.05% 6.37 Libertarian Party (United States) Richard Savadel 21,465 0.36% N/A Communist Party USA William R. Scott 4,161 0.07% 0.01 Workers World Party Thomas Soto 3,643 0.06% Socialist Workers Party (United States) Victor A. Nieto 2,715 0.05% 0.10 73 0.00% 80,991 1.34% 6,014,914 100.00% Republican Party (United States) Republican Party (United States) See also 1980 United States Senate elections References 1980 New York Category:1980 New York (state) elections