1980Final results
1980 election for Missouri's 2nd District
U.S. House · Missouri
Robert A. Young (D) won with 64.4% of the vote, defeating John O. Shields (R) by 28.9 points.
Robert A. YoungDemocrat · winner
64.4%148,227
John O. ShieldsRepublican
35.6%81,762
229,989 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 A. YoungJohn O. Shields
$152.8K
Raised by the campaign
$94.8K
$149.6K
Spent by the campaign
$94.8K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980; FEC, through Dec 4, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980