1980Final results
1980 election for U.S. Senate in North Carolina
U.S. Senate · North Carolina
John P. East (R) won with 50.0% of the vote, defeating Robert Morgan (D) by 0.6 points.
John P. EastRepublican · winner
50.0%898,064
Robert MorganDemocrat
49.4%887,653
F. W. (rick) PasottoLibertarian
0.4%7,602
Rebecca FinchSocialist Workers
0.2%4,346
1,797,665 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.
Robert MorganJohn P. East
$891.3K
Raised by the campaign
$1.3M
$901.8K
Spent by the campaign
$1.3M
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
John P. East (R)Robert Morgan (D)
Also on the ballot: F. W. (rick) Pasotto (Libertarian), 0.4%; Rebecca Finch (Socialist Workers), 0.2%