1980Final results
1980 election for Iowa's 1st District
U.S. House · Iowa
James Leach (R) won with 64.1% of the vote, defeating Jim Larew (D) by 29.2 points.
James LeachRepublican · winner
64.1%133,349
Jim LarewDemocrat
34.9%72,602
Michael R. GrantLibertarian
0.7%1,374
Gloria WilliamsSocialist
0.4%786
208,111 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1980
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Jim LarewJames Leach
$47.1K
Raised by the campaign
$232.7K
$47.1K
Spent by the campaign
$235.7K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
James Leach (R)Jim Larew (D)
Also on the ballot: Michael R. Grant (Libertarian), 0.7%; Gloria Williams (Socialist), 0.4%