The Pennsylvania State Treasurer election was held on November 4, 1980. Democratic incumbent Robert E. Casey lost re-election to Republican candidate R. Budd Dwyer by a margin of 1.25%. Casey had won election to the office in 1976 due in large part to his similar name to Robert P. Casey. In 1980, Dwyer's supporters chanted, "Casey's not Casey" to remind voters his opponent was not Robert P. Casey. A reporting error in Lebanon County by the Associated Press led many to incorrectly believe Casey had defeated Dwyer until it was later corrected.
Incumbent Robert E. Casey won re-nomination. He received the endorsement of the Democratic state committee and defeated a single primary challenger, Olga O. Woodward.
The Republican Party nominated State Senator R. Budd Dwyer.