1980 Orlando mayoral election

none January 2025 September 2023 1980 Orlando mayoral election Florida Flag of Orlando, Florida (1980–2017).gif presidential no 1976 Orlando mayoral election 1976 1984 Orlando mayoral election 1984 September 9, 1980 150x150px Bill Frederick Nonpartisan candidate 15,960 68.14% 150x150px Shelton Adams Nonpartisan candidate 5,481 23.40% 150x150px Dale C. Smith Nonpartisan candidate 1,982 8.46% Mayor Carl T. Langford Nonpartisan Bill Frederick Nonpartisan The 1980 Orlando mayoral election took place on September 9, 1980. Incumbent Mayor Carl T. Langford declined to seek re-election to a fourth term.Rodeheffer Jon Langford to sit out 4th term Sentinel Star April 21, 1979 Orlando, Florida 1-A https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/177275957/ July 23, 2025 Three candidates ran to succeed him: attorney Bill Frederick, City Commissioner Shelton Adams, and city planner Dale Smith. Adams and Frederick emerged as the frontrunners,Ziffer Randy Big bucks back candidates Sentinel Star July 10, 1980 Orlando, Florida 1-C https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/177276319/ July 23, 2025 but one month prior to the election, the race was upended when the IRS opened a criminal investigation into Adams's finances.Ziffer Randy Shelton Adams target of IRS inquiry Sentinel Star August 9, 1980 Orlando, Florida 1-A https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/177276233/ July 23, 2025 Adams denied any wrongdoing, and alleged that the probe was politically motivated.Lipman Larry Mayor candidate Adams links IRS probe to political foes Sentinel Star August 28, 1980 Orlando, Florida 5-C https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/177276217/ July 23, 2025 The Sentinel Star endorsed Frederick, praising him as "hav[ing] the best chance to unite this community behind a city government that works for all its citizens," and criticizing Adams's "burning ambition for the mayor's office."Bill Frederick can unify city Sentinel Star September 4, 1980 Orlando, Florida 22-A https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/177276194/ July 23, 2025 Frederick ultimately won the election in a landslide, receiving 68 percent of the vote to Adams's 23 percent and Smith's 8 percent.Lipman Larry Frederick elected mayor Sentinel Star September 10, 1980 Orlando, Florida 1-A https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/177276286/ July 23, 2025 Shortly after the election, the IRS dropped its investigation into Adams's finances, which he alleged was "brought forward by someone" associated with Frederick.Ziffer Randy IRS drops criminal tax probe of Adams Sentinel Star September 30, 1980 Orlando, Florida 1-A https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/177276148/ July 23, 2025 General election Candidates Bill Frederick, attorney, Chairman of the Florida Environmental Regulation CommissionRodeheffer Jon Frederick in race for mayor Sentinel Star June 14, 1979 Orlando, Florida 1-A https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/177275879/ July 23, 2025 Shelton Adams, City CommissionerKavesh Laura Adams' account 'formalizes' intention to seek mayor's job Sentinel Star November 16, 1979 Orlando, Florida 1-C https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/177276006/ July 23, 2025 Dale Smith, senior city plannerCampaign kick-offs Sentinel Star February 1, 1980 Orlando, Florida 1-C https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel/177276068/ July 23, 2025 Declined Carl T. Langford, incumbent Mayor Results 1980 mayoral election resultsElection Results 1980-1988 Orlando City Clerk http://www.cityoforlando.net/cityclerk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2014/09/electionresults1980-1988.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20151225003722/http://www.cityoforlando.net/cityclerk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2014/09/electionresults1980-1988.pdf December 25, 2015 July 23, 2025 Bill Frederick Nonpartisan candidate 15,960 68.14% Shelton Adams Nonpartisan candidate 5,481 23.40% Dale C. Smith Nonpartisan candidate 1,982 8.46% 23,423 100.00% References 1980 Orlando mayoral Orlando Category:September 1980 in the United States Category:1980s in Orlando, Florida