1980Final results
1980 election for Texas's 3rd District
U.S. House · Texas
James M. Collins (R) won with 79.3% of the vote, defeating Earle Stephen Porter (D) by 61.2 points.
James M. CollinsRepublican · winner
79.3%218,228
Earle Stephen PorterDemocrat
18.0%49,667
William Stephen BriggsLibertarian
2.7%7,339
275,234 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.
No DemocratJames M. Collins
—
Raised by the campaign
$305.2K
—
Spent by the campaign
$303.2K
—
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: William Stephen Briggs $4.2K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
James M. Collins (R)Earle Stephen Porter (D)
Also on the ballot: William Stephen Briggs (Libertarian), 2.7%