United States Senate election in Alaska, 1980

The Alaska United States Senate election of 1980 coincided with a large Republican Party victory across the country, including winning majority in the Senate and Presidency. Alaska's 3rd class seat, held by Democrats, was captured by Republicans.

This election was also notable because the nationally well-known incumbent Senator was unexpectedly defeated in primary. This election was viewed as a part of Reagan's landslide, although unlike most of Democratic loses, Republicans did not defeat an incumbent.

Democratic nomination

First elected in 1969, two-term Democratic incumbent Mike Gravel was one of the best known senators at this time because of his filibuster that attempted to end the the draft during the Vietnam War, and putting full text on the Pentagon Papers into congressional record.

Gravel, who was easily re-elected in 1974, was also active candidate for Vice Presidential nomination in 1972, finished third at the 1972 Democratic National Convention.

Gravel, a former Speaker of the Alaska House of Representatives, also unexpectedly defeated popular veteran incumbent Ernest Gruening in 1968 primary.

This time his main opponent was Ernest's grandson, state representative Clark Gruening, who defeated Gravel as he defeated his grandfather.

The third minor candidate for Democratic nomination was Michael Beasley, former Senate candidate.

Primary results (ballot taken on August 26) [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=229109 Our Campaigns - AK US Senate - D Primary Race - Aug 26, 1980 ] ] :

* Gruening - 39,719 (54.89%)
* Gravel - 31,504 (43.53%)
* Beasley - 1,145 (1.58%)

Gravel had never established a firm party base;Robert KC Johnson, [http://hnn.us/articles/28947.html "Not Many Senators Have Found Themselves in Joe Lieberman's Predicament"] , History News Network, August 7, 2006. Accessed July 7, 2007.] a group of Democrats, including future governor Steve Cowper,Wallace Turner, [http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=FB0613F9385F0C758CDDAE0894DA484D81 "Side Issues Figure in Tricky Alaska Primary"] , "The New York Times", July 6, 1982. Accessed July 7, 2007.] led the campaign against Gravel, with Gravel's actions in respect to 1978 and 1980 Alaskan lands bills a major issue.Alex Koppelman, [http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/05/07/mike_gravel/index.html "Don't worry, be Mike Gravel"] , "Salon.com", May 7, 2007. Accessed July 4, 2007.] cite news |url=http://select.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=FB0817FA355F12728DDDA10A94D0405B8084F1D3 |title=Gravel Loses a Bitter Fight In Senate Primary in Alaska |author=Wallace Turner |publisher="The New York Times" |date=1980-08-28 |accessdate=2007-12-10 |format=fee required] The sources of Gravel's campaign funds, some of which came from political action committees outside the state, also became an issue in the contest. Another factor may have been Alaska's primary system, which allows unlimited cross-over voting across parties and from its large unaffiliated electorate; Republicans believed Gruening would be an easier candidate to defeat in the general election. In any case, Gravel would later concede that by the time of his defeat, he had alienated "almost every constituency in Alaska."

Ernest Gruening after his defeat 12 years later run as write-in independent candidate and finished third. Gravel did not seek re-election anyway after his primary lost.

Republican nomination

Candidates:
* Arthur R. Kennedy
* David J. Moe
* 1970 Congressional candidate Frank Murkowski
* Donald L. Smith
* Morris Thompson
* 1978 gubernatorial candidate Don Wright

Primary results (set the same day as Democratic) [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=229110 Our Campaigns - AK US Senate - R Primary Race - Aug 26, 1980 ] ]
* Murkowski - 16,292 (58.96%)
* Kennedy - 5,527 (20.00%)
* Thompson - 3,635 (13.16%)
* Smith - 896 (3.24%)
* Wright - 824 (2.98%)
* Moe - 458 (1.66%)

General election

Murkowski defeated Gruening with nearly 7% margin [ [http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3271 Our Campaigns - AK US Senate Race - Nov 04, 1980 ] ]
* Frank Murkowski (R) - 84,159 (53.69%)
* Clark Gruening (D) - 72,007 (45.93%)
* Write-ins - 596 (0.38%)

To date, Gravel is the last Democrat to represent Alaska in Congress.

References