The 1979 elections occurred in the final year of President Jimmy Carter's first and only term.

Minor gains occurred for the Republican party as a result of increasing stagflation.

The most notable race was that for California's eleventh district, whose previous representative had been shot and killed by members of the Peoples Temple in Jonestown, Guyana.

These elections determined the control of state legislatures, which would play a crucial role in the redistricting process following the 1980 census.

In addition to state and congressional races, numerous local elections were held.