1980Final results
1980 election for U.S. Senate in Ohio
U.S. Senate · Ohio
John Glenn (D) won with 68.8% of the vote, defeating James E. Betts (R) by 40.6 points.
John GlennDemocrat · winner
68.8%2,770,786
James E. BettsRepublican
28.2%1,137,695
John E. PowersIndependent
1.9%76,412
Write-ins and other votesOther party
1.1%42,410
4,027,303 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.
John GlennJames E. Betts
$1.2M
Raised by the campaign
$431.3K
$1.2M
Spent by the campaign
$423.1K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: John E. Powers $82.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980