1980Final results
1980 election for U.S. Senate in Missouri
U.S. Senate · Missouri
Thomas F. Eagleton (D) won with 52.0% of the vote, defeating Gene McNary (R) by 4.3 points.
Thomas F. EagletonDemocrat · winner
52.0%1,074,859
Gene McNaryRepublican
47.7%985,399
Martha PettisSocialist Workers
0.3%6,707
2,066,965 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 F. EagletonGene McNary
$1M
Raised by the campaign
$815.4K
$853K
Spent by the campaign
$767.7K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Martha Pettis $105.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980