1980Final results
1980 election for New York's 24th District
U.S. House · New York
Richard L. Ottinger (D) won with 59.4% of the vote, defeating Joseph W. Christians (R) by 19.9 points.
Richard L. OttingerDemocrat · winner
59.4%100,182
Joseph W. ChristiansRepublican
39.6%66,689
Richard O. ReyesOther party
1.0%1,682
168,553 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.
Richard L. OttingerJoseph W. Christians
$135.2K
Raised by the campaign
$32.2K
$126.9K
Spent by the campaign
$32.2K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
Richard L. Ottinger (D)Joseph W. Christians (R)
Also on the ballot: Richard O. Reyes (Other party), 1.0%