1982Final results
1982 election for New York's 11th District
U.S. House · New York
Edolphus Towns (D) won with 83.7% of the vote, defeating James W. Smith (R) by 74.3 points.
Edolphus TownsDemocrat · winner
83.7%39,357
James W. SmithRepublican
9.5%4,449
Patrick W. GiagnacovaOther party
3.2%1,488
Joseph No CaesarConservative
2.9%1,357
Susan C. ZarateSocialist Workers
0.8%359
47,010 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 1982
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.
Edolphus TownsJames W. Smith
$108.3K
Raised by the campaign
$6.8K
$114.2K
Spent by the campaign
$6.9K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Joseph No Caesar $6.6K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1982.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1982
The candidates
Edolphus Towns (D)James W. Smith (R)
Also on the ballot: Patrick W. Giagnacova (Other party), 3.2%; Joseph No Caesar (Conservative), 2.9%; Susan C. Zarate (Socialist Workers), 0.8%