1980 North Dakota gubernatorial election

The 1980 North Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980. Republican nominee Allen I. Olson defeated Democratic-NPL incumbent Arthur A. Link with 53.61% of the vote.

1980 North Dakota gubernatorial election

November 4, 1980

Nominee Allen I. Olson Arthur A. Link Party Republican Democratic-NPL Running mate Ernest Sands Wayne Sanstead Popular vote 162,230 140,391 Percentage 53.61% 46.39%

County Results Olson:      50-60%      60-70% Link:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Arthur A. Link Democratic-NPL Elected Governor Allen I. Olson Republican

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on September 2, 1980.[1]

Candidates

• Arthur A. Link, incumbent Governor

Results

Democratic primary results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic-NPL	Arthur A. Link	41,751	100.00
Total votes			41,751	100.00

Candidates

• Allen I. Olson, North Dakota Attorney General
• Orville W. Hagen, former Lieutenant Governor

Results

Republican Party primary results[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Allen I. Olson	60,016	75.66
	Republican	Orville W. Hagen	19,306	24.34
Total votes			79,322	100.00

General election

Candidates

• Allen I. Olson, Republican
• Arthur A. Link, Democratic

Results

1980 North Dakota gubernatorial election[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Allen I. Olson	162,230	53.61%
	Democratic-NPL	Arthur A. Link	140,391	46.39%
Total votes			302,621	100.0
	Republican gain from Democratic-NPL

References

1. "Primary Election" (PDF). North Dakota Secretary of State. 1980. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
2. "General Election" (PDF). North Dakota Secretary of State. 1980. Retrieved November 3, 2018.