1980Final results
1980 election for U.S. Senate in New York
U.S. Senate · New York
Alfonse D’Amato (R) won with 44.9% of the vote, defeating Elizabeth Holtzman (D) by 1.3 points.
Alfonse D’AmatoRepublican · winner
44.9%2,699,652
Elizabeth HoltzmanDemocrat
43.5%2,618,661
Jacob K. JavitsOther party
11.0%664,544
Richard SavadelLibertarian
0.4%21,465
William R. ScottCommunist
0.1%4,161
Thomas SotoWorkers World
0.1%3,643
Victor A. NietoSocialist Workers
0.0%2,715
6,014,914 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.
Elizabeth HoltzmanAlfonse D’Amato
$1.9M
Raised by the campaign
$1.6M
$2M
Spent by the campaign
$1.6M
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Jacob K. Javits $1.5M · William R. Scott $10.2K · Richard Savadel $1.4K · Thomas Soto $750.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
Alfonse D’Amato (R)Elizabeth Holtzman (D)Jacob K. Javits (OTH)
Also on the ballot: Richard Savadel (Libertarian), 0.4%; William R. Scott (Communist), 0.1%; Thomas Soto (Workers World), 0.1%; Victor A. Nieto (Socialist Workers), 0.0%