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The1980 United States Senate election in Oklahoma was held November 3, 1980. Incumbent Republican U.S. SenatorHenry Bellmon decided to retire, instead of seeking a third term. Republican nomineeDon Nickles won the open seat.
After two years in the State Senate and displeased by the policies of the Carter Administration, Nickles ran for theUnited States Senate in 1980 to succeed RepublicanHenry Bellmon who was retiring. As an unknown in a field crowded with business and political bigwigs, Nickles was not initially given much of a chance. Bellmon even tried to convince him to wait and run for the U.S. House. Utilizing personal contact and passing out unique "wooden nickel" campaign button novelties, Nickles unique grassroot community ties to localAmway distributors throughout Oklahoma gave him an interpersonal network which proved helpful.[citation needed] Nickles beat two well funded oil millionaires (Jack Zink and Ed Noble) in the primary and won the primary run-off against Zink, arace car driver. He later won the general election against DemocratOklahoma City MayorAndy Coats and independentCharles Nesbitt, theOklahoma Corporation Commissioner and formerOklahoma Attorney General. At the age of 31, Nickles was the youngest Republican ever elected to the United States Senate.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Don Nickles | 587,252 | 53.47% | |
| Democratic | Andy Coats | 478,283 | 43.55% | |
| Independent | Charles R. Nesbitt | 21,179 | 1.93% | |
| Libertarian | Robert T. Murphy | 9,757 | 0.89% | |
| Independent | Paul E. Trent | 1,823 | 0.17% | |
| Republicanhold | ||||
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