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
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
The Republican Party nominated State Senator R. Budd Dwyer.[7][9]
General election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | R. Budd Dwyer | 2,055,199 | 49.43% | ||
| Democratic | Robert E. Casey | 2,003,126 | 48.18% | ||
| Consumer | 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
- 1 2 3 "Our Campaigns - PA Treasurer Race - Nov 04, 1980". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
- ↑ "Colorful former official dies at 74". Newspapers.com. February 13, 1981. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
- 1 2 "Error Kept Dwyer in Doubt for Hours". Newspapers.com. November 6, 1980. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
- ↑ "Robert E. Casey: Race Was Bar Room Idea". Newspapers.com. May 3, 1976. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
- ↑ "What's In a Name? Enough to Swing an Election". Newspapers.com. May 2, 1976. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
- 1 2 "State Treasurer Robert E. Casey Running on His Own Record This Time". Newspapers.com. March 20, 1980. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
- 1 2 Hardaway, Roger (November 1, 2024). "A political tragedy, part 3". Alva Review-Courier. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ↑ Random, Roderick (July 12, 2019). "RODERICK RANDOM: Can't know your Caseys without scorecard". Scranton Times-Tribune. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
- ↑ Report, Morning Call | Staff (January 10, 1984). "STATE TREASURER TO SEEK RE-ELECTION". The Morning Call. Retrieved November 27, 2024.