1980 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

none March 2026 September 2023 1980 United States Senate election in Oklahoma Oklahoma 1941 presidential no 1974 United States Senate election in Oklahoma 1974 1986 United States Senate election in Oklahoma 1986 November 3, 1980 File:Sen Don Nickles.jpg 150x150px Don Nickles Republican Party (United States) 587,252 53.47% 3x4.svg Andy Coats Democratic Party (United States) 478,283 43.55% U.S. Senator Henry Bellmon Republican Party (United States) Don Nickles Republican Party (United States) 1980 United States Senate election in Oklahoma results map by county.svg County resultsNickles: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80%Coats: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% The 1980 United States Senate election in Oklahoma was held November 3, 1980. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Henry Bellmon decided to retire, instead of seeking a third term. Republican nominee Don Nickles won the open seat. Major candidates Democratic Andy Coats, Oklahoma County District Attorneyhttp://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=31856 Our Campaigns - Candidate - Andrew M. Coats Republican Don Nickles, State Senator Campaign After two years in the State Senate and displeased by the policies of the Carter Administration, Nickles ran for the United States Senate in 1980 to succeed Republican Henry Bellmon who was retiring. As an unknown in a field crowded with business and political bigwigs, Nickles was not initially given much of a chance. Bellmon even tried to convince him to wait and run for the U.S. House. Utilizing personal contact and passing out unique "wooden nickel" campaign button novelties, Nickles unique grassroot community ties to local Amway distributors throughout Oklahoma gave him an interpersonal network which proved helpful.July 2008 Nickles beat two well funded oil millionaires (Jack Zink and Ed Noble) in the primary and won the primary run-off against Zink, a race car driver. He later won the general election against Democrat Oklahoma City Mayor Andy Coats and independent Charles Nesbitt, the Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner and former Oklahoma Attorney General. At the age of 31, Nickles was the youngest Republican ever elected to the United States Senate. Results General election resultshttp://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3875 Our Campaigns - OK US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1980 Republican Party (United States) Don Nickles 587,252 53.47% Democratic Party (United States) Andy Coats 478,283 43.55% Independent (politician) Charles R. Nesbitt 21,179 1.93% Libertarian Party (United States) Robert T. Murphy 9,757 0.89% Independent (politician) Paul E. Trent 1,823 0.17% Republican Party (United States) See also 1980 United States Senate elections References Category:1980 Oklahoma elections Oklahoma 1980