1980Final results
1980 election for U.S. Senate in Vermont
U.S. Senate · Vermont
Patrick J. Leahy (D) won with 49.8% of the vote, defeating Stewart M. Ledbetter (R) by 1.3 points.
Patrick J. LeahyDemocrat · winner
49.8%104,176
Stewart M. LedbetterRepublican
48.5%101,421
Anthony N. DoriaIndependent
0.8%1,776
Earl S. GardinerSocialist
0.8%1,629
209,124 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.
Patrick J. LeahyStewart M. Ledbetter
$410.2K
Raised by the campaign
$481.2K
$342.3K
Spent by the campaign
$478.7K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980; FEC, through Dec 30, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
Patrick J. Leahy (D)Stewart M. Ledbetter (R)
Also on the ballot: Anthony N. Doria (Independent), 0.8%; Earl S. Gardiner (Socialist), 0.8%