1980Final results
1980 election for Michigan's 3rd District
U.S. House · Michigan
Howard Wolpe (D) won with 52.0% of the vote, defeating James S. Gilmore (R) by 4.8 points.
Howard WolpeDemocrat · winner
52.0%113,080
James S. GilmoreRepublican
47.2%102,591
Charles ToddLibertarian
0.4%891
Susan K. WellsAmerican Independent
0.4%843
217,414 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.
Howard WolpeJames S. Gilmore
$339.1K
Raised by the campaign
$586.4K
$340.4K
Spent by the campaign
$586.3K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
Howard Wolpe (D)James S. Gilmore (R)
Also on the ballot: Charles Todd (Libertarian), 0.4%; Susan K. Wells (American Independent), 0.4%