1980Final results
1980 election for U.S. Senate in South Dakota
U.S. Senate · South Dakota
James Abdnor (R) won with 58.2% of the vote, defeating George McGovern (D) by 18.8 points.
James AbdnorRepublican · winner
58.2%190,594
George McGovernDemocrat
39.4%129,018
Wayne PetersonIndependent
2.4%7,866
327,478 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.
George McGovernJames Abdnor
$3.1M
Raised by the campaign
$1.8M
$3.2M
Spent by the campaign
$1.8M
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Wayne Peterson $35.1K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980