1980Final results
1980 election for New York's 2nd District
U.S. House · New York
Thomas Downey (D) won with 56.3% of the vote, defeating Louis J. Modica (R) by 12.7 points.
Thomas DowneyDemocrat · winner
56.3%84,035
Louis J. ModicaRepublican
43.7%65,106
149,141 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.
Thomas DowneyLouis J. Modica
$189.4K
Raised by the campaign
$72.7K
$190.9K
Spent by the campaign
$72.7K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980; FEC, through Jan 28, 1981.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980