The 1980 United States Senate election in Florida took place on November 4, 1980, alongside other elections for President of the United States as well as to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Richard Stone ran for re-election to a second term, but lost the Democratic primary election to Bill Gunter.
Republican Paula Hawkins defeated Gunter in the general election. Hawkins became the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate in the state's history and the first female U.S. Senator elected on a full term without political family connections.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- John B. Coffey
- Bill Gunter, Florida State Treasurer and former U.S. Representative
- Buddy MacKay, State Senator
- James L. Miller
- Richard A. Pettigrew
- Richard Stone, incumbent U.S. Senator
Campaign
Stone, a freshman senator, had a reputation for changing his mind. In 1980, the AFL-CIO actively campaigned against him, and Stone was deemed vulnerable in his re-election bid. Six Democrats entered the race for Stone's seat including his 1974 runoff opponent Bill Gunter who was Florida State Treasurer/Insurance Commissioner in 1980. As was the case in 1974, Stone and Gunter were forced into a runoff but, unlike 1974, Gunter won the nomination.
Endorsements
Richard Stone
Newspapers
- The Bradenton Herald (Democratic primary only)
- The Florida Times-Union and Jacksonville Journal (Democratic primary only)
- The Ledger (Democratic primary only)
- The Post (Democratic primary only)'
- Sarasota Journal (Democratic primary only)
Republican primary
Candidates
- Ander Crenshaw, former state representative
- Lewis Dinkins
- Lou Frey, former U.S. Representative
- Paula Hawkins, Florida Public Service Commissioner
- Ellis Rubin, criminal defense attorney
- John T. Ware, State Senator
Endorsements
Lou Frey
Newspapers
- The Bradenton Herald (Republican primary only)
- The Post (Republican primary only)'
- The Florida Times-Union and Jacksonville Journal (Republican primary only)
- The Ledger (Republican primary only)
- Sarasota Journal (Republican primary only)
General election
Candidates
- Bill Gunter (D), Florida State Treasurer and former U.S. Congressman
- Paula Hawkins (R), Florida Public Service Commissioner