1980Final results
1980 election for New York Senate District 5
New York State Senate · New York
Ralph J. Marino (R) won with 65.8% of the vote, defeating Donald E. Cotten (D) by 36.8 points.
Ralph J. MarinoRepublican · winner · incumbent
65.8%75,315
Donald E. CottenDemocrat
29.0%33,197
John T. CainRight to Life
3.4%3,943
Aaron M. ScheinLibertarian
1.8%2,034
114,489 votes
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1980
Races before and after
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The candidates
Ralph J. Marino (R)Donald E. Cotten (D)
Also on the ballot: John T. Cain (Right to Life), 3.4%; Aaron M. Schein (Libertarian), 1.8%