1980Final results
1980 election for U.S. Senate in Alabama
U.S. Senate · Alabama
Jeremiah Denton (R) won with 50.2% of the vote, defeating Jim Folsom Jr. (D) by 3.1 points.
Jeremiah DentonRepublican · winner
50.2%650,362
Jim Folsom Jr.Democrat
47.1%610,175
Michael R.a. ErdeyConservative
1.2%15,989
William A. CrewLibertarian
1.0%13,098
Sallie M. HadnottOther party
0.2%2,973
Jim PartainOther party
0.2%2,649
Mohammed OliverSocialist Workers
0.1%1,511
1,296,757 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.
Jim Folsom Jr.Jeremiah Denton
$228.7K
Raised by the campaign
$648.2K
$226.6K
Spent by the campaign
$629.1K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: William A. Crew $313.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
Jeremiah Denton (R)Jim Folsom Jr. (D)
Also on the ballot: Michael R.a. Erdey (Conservative), 1.2%; William A. Crew (Libertarian), 1.0%; Sallie M. Hadnott (Other party), 0.2%; Jim Partain (Other party), 0.2%; Mohammed Oliver (Socialist Workers), 0.1%