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1980 Pennsylvania State Treasurer election

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1980 Pennsylvania Treasurer election

← 1976 November 4, 1980 1984 →
 
Nominee R. Budd Dwyer Robert E. Casey
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,055,199 2,003,126
Percentage 49.43% 48.18%

County results
Dwyer:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Casey:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Treasurer before election

Robert E. Casey
Democratic

Elected Treasurer

R. Budd Dwyer
Republican

The Pennsylvania State Treasurer election was held on November 4, 1980. Democratic incumbent Robert E. Casey lost re-election to Republican candidate R. Budd Dwyer by a margin of 1.25%.[1][2][3] Casey had won election to the office in 1976 due in large part to his similar name to Robert P. Casey.[4][5][6] In 1980, Dwyer's supporters chanted, "Casey's not Casey" to remind voters his opponent was not Robert P. Casey.[7] A reporting error in Lebanon County by the Associated Press led many to incorrectly believe Casey had defeated Dwyer until it was later corrected.[3]

Democratic nomination

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Incumbent Robert E. Casey won re-nomination.[1][8] He received the endorsement of the Democratic state committee and defeated a single primary challenger, Olga O. Woodward.[6]

Republican nomination

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The Republican Party nominated State Senator R. Budd Dwyer.[7][9]

General election

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1980 Pennsylvania State Treasurer election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican R. Budd Dwyer 2,055,199 49.43%
Democratic Robert E. Casey 2,003,126 48.18%
Consumer Party Thelma R. Hambright 43,801 1.05%
Libertarian Frank W. Bubb III 31,573 0.76%
Socialist Workers Tory A. Dunn 23,879 0.57%
Total votes 4,157,578 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Our Campaigns - PA Treasurer Race - Nov 04, 1980". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
  2. ^ "Colorful former official dies at 74". Newspapers.com. 1981-02-13. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
  3. ^ a b "Error Kept Dwyer in Doubt for Hours". Newspapers.com. 1980-11-06. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
  4. ^ "Robert E. Casey: Race Was Bar Room Idea". Newspapers.com. 1976-05-03. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
  5. ^ "What's In a Name? Enough to Swing an Election". Newspapers.com. 1976-05-02. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
  6. ^ a b "State Treasurer Robert E. Casey Running on His Own Record This Time". Newspapers.com. 1980-03-20. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
  7. ^ a b Hardaway, Roger (2024-11-01). "A political tragedy, part 3". Alva Review-Courier. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
  8. ^ Random, Roderick (2019-07-12). "RODERICK RANDOM: Can't know your Caseys without scorecard". Scranton Times-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
  9. ^ Report, Morning Call | Staff (1984-01-10). "STATE TREASURER TO SEEK RE-ELECTION". The Morning Call. Retrieved 2024-11-27.