Otis Bowen Republican Robert D. Orr Republican The 1980 Indiana gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1980 in all 92 counties in the state of Indiana.

Otis Bowen, the state's incumbent governor was ineligible for a third consecutive term due to term limits set forth in the Indiana Constitution.

Robert D. Orr, the state's incumbent Republican lieutenant governor, was elected to his first term, defeating John A. Hillenbrand II, and a minor party challenger.

Two candidates emerged to contest the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 1980.

These were John A. Hillenbrand, a businessman from Batesville, Indiana, and Wayne Townsend, who had previously served three terms in the Indiana State Senate.