1980Final results
1980 election for New Jersey's 8th District
U.S. House · New Jersey
Robert Roe (D) won with 67.2% of the vote, defeating William R. Cleveland (R) by 35.8 points.
Robert RoeDemocrat · winner
67.2%95,493
William R. ClevelandRepublican
31.4%44,625
Donna RabelOther party
0.9%1,209
Michael HorowitzLibertarian
0.6%874
142,201 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 RoeWilliam R. Cleveland
$164.2K
Raised by the campaign
$12.2K
$159.9K
Spent by the campaign
$12K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
Robert Roe (D)William R. Cleveland (R)
Also on the ballot: Donna Rabel (Other party), 0.9%; Michael Horowitz (Libertarian), 0.6%