1980Final results
1980 election for New York's 12th District
U.S. House · New York
Shirley Chisholm (D) won with 87.1% of the vote, defeating Charles Gibbs (R) by 78.8 points.
Shirley ChisholmDemocrat · winner
87.1%35,446
Charles GibbsRepublican
8.3%3,372
Ralph J. CarranoConservative
3.3%1,344
Joseph CaesarRight to Life
1.3%527
40,689 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.
Shirley ChisholmNo Republican
$32.5K
Raised by the campaign
—
$31.6K
Spent by the campaign
—
$0
Cash on hand
—
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
Shirley Chisholm (D)Charles Gibbs (R)
Also on the ballot: Ralph J. Carrano (Conservative), 3.3%; Joseph Caesar (Right to Life), 1.3%