1980Final results
1980 election for Illinois's 17th District
U.S. House · Illinois
George M. O'Brien (R) won with 65.8% of the vote, defeating Michael A. Murer (D) by 31.7 points.
George M. O'BrienRepublican · winner
65.8%125,806
Michael A. MurerDemocrat
34.2%65,305
191,111 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.
Michael A. MurerGeorge M. O'Brien
$25.1K
Raised by the campaign
$122.4K
$22.5K
Spent by the campaign
$132.1K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Nov 30, 1980; FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980