1980Final results
1980 election for Iowa's 2nd District
U.S. House · Iowa
Thomas Tauke (R) won with 54.0% of the vote, defeating Steve Sovern (D) by 8.9 points.
Thomas TaukeRepublican · winner
54.0%111,587
Steve SovernDemocrat
45.1%93,175
Dean MillerLibertarian
0.5%985
James D. RobersonIndependent
0.4%887
206,634 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.
Steve SovernThomas Tauke
$119.7K
Raised by the campaign
$326.4K
$112.9K
Spent by the campaign
$308.2K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
Thomas Tauke (R)Steve Sovern (D)
Also on the ballot: Dean Miller (Libertarian), 0.5%; James D. Roberson (Independent), 0.4%