1980Final results
1980 election for Michigan's 16th District
U.S. House · Michigan
John D. Dingell (D) won with 69.9% of the vote, defeating Pamella A. Seay (R) by 41.7 points.
John D. DingellDemocrat · winner
69.9%105,844
Pamella A. SeayRepublican
28.2%42,735
R. Scott DavidsonLibertarian
1.2%1,810
Ronald Lee SloteAmerican Independent
0.7%1,069
151,465 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.
John D. DingellPamella A. Seay
$149.1K
Raised by the campaign
$1.6K
$118.2K
Spent by the campaign
$1.5K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
John D. Dingell (D)Pamella A. Seay (R)
Also on the ballot: R. Scott Davidson (Libertarian), 1.2%; Ronald Lee Slote (American Independent), 0.7%