The 1980 Arizona House of Representatives elections were held on November 4, 1980. Voters elected all 60 members of the Arizona House of Representatives in multi-member districts to serve a two-year term. The elections coincided with the elections for other offices, including U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and State Senate. Primary elections were held on September 9, 1980.[3]
Prior to the elections, the Republicans held a majority of 42 seats over the Democrats' 18 seats.
Following the elections, Republicans maintained control of the chamber and expanded their majority to 43 Republicans to 17 Democrats, a net gain of one seat for Republicans.[4]
The newly elected members served in the 35th Arizona State Legislature, during which Republican Frank Kelley was re-elected as Speaker of the Arizona House.[a]
^Kelley was re-elected as Speaker for the 35th legislature by acclamation.[5]
^ abcDemocrat Clare Dunn of District 13 died in office on July 30, 1981. David M. Rodriguez was appointed on August 7, 1981 by the Pima County Board of Supervisors to fill the vacancy.[6]
^ abcRepublican David B. Kret died in office on May 10, 1979. Paul R. Messinger was elected to fill the vacancy in the 28th District on September 11, 1979 in a special election.[7] Mr. Messinger defeated Democratic Scottsdale Mayor Bill Jenkins in the September special election, which was only the second time a special election was conducted to fill a vacancy instead of an appointment from the appropriate board of county supervisors.[8] Mr. Messinger was administered the Oath of Office on October 17, 1979 and was seated as a Member of the Arizona House of Representatives, Thirty-Fourth Legislature on November 12, 1979.[9]
^ abcdefghWas a write-in candidate in the primary election.
^The candidate's name is written as "Schultz" in the primary and "Shultz" in the general.
