1980 Indiana gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1980 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1980 Indiana gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980 in all 92 counties in the state of Indiana. Otis Bowen, the state's incumbent governor was ineligible for a third consecutive term due to term limits set forth in the Indiana Constitution. Robert D. Orr, the state's incumbent Republican lieutenant governor, was elected to his first term, defeating John A. Hillenbrand II, and a minor party challenger.

1980 Indiana gubernatorial election

November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04)

Nominee Robert D. Orr John A. Hillenbrand II Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,257,383 913,116 Percentage 57.7% 41.9%

County results Orr:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Hillenbrand:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Otis Bowen Republican Elected Governor Robert D. Orr Republican

Democratic primary

Candidates

Announced

• John A. Hillenbrand II, businessman
• Wayne Townsend, state senator

Declined

• Floyd Fithian, United States Representative from 2nd District

Two candidates emerged to contest the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 1980. These were John A. Hillenbrand, a businessman from Batesville, Indiana, and Wayne Townsend, who had previously served three terms in the Indiana State Senate. Hillenbrand defeated Townsend by a relatively narrow margin of 26,403 votes, or less than five percent of all votes cast. Townsend would go on to win the Democratic nomination for governor in 1984.

Results

Indiana Democratic primary election, 1980

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John A. Hillenbrand II	284,182	52.44
	Democratic	Wayne Townsend	257,779	47.56

General election

Indiana gubernatorial election, 1980

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Robert D. Orr	1,257,383	57.72%	+0.87
	Democratic	John A. Hillenbrand II	913,116	41.92%	−0.71
	American	Cletis Artist	7,904	0.36%	−0.09
Majority			344,267
	Republican hold		Swing