1980Final results
1980 election for Michigan's 15th District
U.S. House · Michigan
William Ford (D) won with 67.6% of the vote, defeating Gerald R. Carlson (R) by 36.0 points.
William FordDemocrat · winner
67.6%113,492
Gerald R. CarlsonRepublican
31.6%53,046
Aldi C. FuhrmannAmerican Independent
0.7%1,175
167,795 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.
William FordNo Republican
$113.7K
Raised by the campaign
—
$117.1K
Spent by the campaign
—
$0
Cash on hand
—
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
William Ford (D)Gerald R. Carlson (R)
Also on the ballot: Aldi C. Fuhrmann (American Independent), 0.7%