1980Final results
1980 election for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin
U.S. Senate · Wisconsin
Robert Kasten (R) won with 50.2% of the vote, defeating Gaylord A. Nelson (D) by 1.9 points.
Robert KastenRepublican · winner
50.2%1,106,311
Gaylord A. NelsonDemocrat
48.3%1,065,487
James P. WickstromAmerican Independent
0.7%16,156
Bervin J. LarsonLibertarian
0.4%9,679
Susan L. HagenSocialist Workers
0.3%6,502
2,204,202 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.
Gaylord A. NelsonRobert Kasten
$788.1K
Raised by the campaign
$725.3K
$755.3K
Spent by the campaign
$686.8K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Bervin J. Larson $4.2K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
Robert Kasten (R)Gaylord A. Nelson (D)
Also on the ballot: James P. Wickstrom (American Independent), 0.7%; Bervin J. Larson (Libertarian), 0.4%; Susan L. Hagen (Socialist Workers), 0.3%