1980Final results
1980 election for Minnesota's 5th District
U.S. House · Minnesota
Martin Sabo (D) won with 70.1% of the vote, defeating John Doherty (R) by 43.4 points.
Martin SaboDemocrat · winner
70.1%126,451
John DohertyRepublican
26.7%48,200
Jeffrey M. MillerOther party
1.4%2,552
Scott WallaceOther party
0.9%1,616
Steve ThomasSocialist Workers
0.9%1,611
180,430 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.
Martin SaboJohn Doherty
$98K
Raised by the campaign
$0
$83.5K
Spent by the campaign
$0
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Jeffrey M. Miller $125.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980; FEC, through Oct 15, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
Martin Sabo (D)John Doherty (R)
Also on the ballot: Jeffrey M. Miller (Other party), 1.4%; Scott Wallace (Other party), 0.9%; Steve Thomas (Socialist Workers), 0.9%