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.

[1] 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.

[2] 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.