1980Final results
1980 election for Massachusetts's 10th District
U.S. House · Massachusetts
Margaret M. Heckler (R) won with 60.6% of the vote, defeating Robert E. McCarthy (D) by 21.2 points.
Margaret M. HecklerRepublican · winner
60.6%131,794
Robert E. McCarthyDemocrat
39.4%85,629
217,433 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.
Robert E. McCarthyMargaret M. Heckler
$136.9K
Raised by the campaign
$275.3K
$127.7K
Spent by the campaign
$264.7K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980