Gubernatorial elections
United States elections · 1978 · held
State gubernatorial races held in this midterm year. Each governor is elected separately; there is no combined national percentage.
State races and results map
Each race has its own denominator. Missing counts are blank. The interactive map uses modern state outlines as navigation references.
Alabama — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fob James | Democratic | — | 72.60% | Elected |
| H. Guy Hunt | Republican | — | 25.90% | — |
| Jim Partain | Prohibition | — | 1.10% | — |
| Richard Dare | Independent | — | 0.50% | — |
Sources & further reading
Alaska — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jay Hammond | Republican | — | 39.10% | Elected |
| Wally Hickel | write-in | — | 26.40% | — |
| Chancy Croft | Democratic | — | 20.20% | — |
| Tom Kelly | Independent | — | 12.30% | — |
| Don R. Wright | Alaskan Ind. | — | 1.90% | — |
Sources & further reading
Arizona — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruce Babbitt | Democratic | — | 52.50% | Elected |
| Evan Mecham | Republican | — | 44.80% | — |
| V. Gene Lewter | Libertarian | — | 1.90% | — |
| Jessica Sampson | Socialist Workers | — | 0.80% | — |
Sources & further reading
Arkansas — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Clinton | Democratic | — | 63.40% | Elected |
| Lynn Lowe | Republican | — | 36.60% | — |
Sources & further reading
California — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Brown | Democratic | — | 56.10% | Elected |
| Evelle J. Younger | Republican | — | 36.50% | — |
| Ed Clark | Independent | — | 5.50% | — |
| Marilyn Seals | PF | — | 1.00% | — |
| Theresa F. Dietrich | AI | — | 1.00% | — |
Sources & further reading
Colorado — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Lamm | Democratic | — | 58.80% | Elected |
| Ted L. Strickland | Republican | — | 38.50% | — |
| Roy Peister | Tea | — | 1.70% | — |
| Elsa Blum | Socialist Workers | — | 0.40% | — |
| Sal Mandor | Independent | — | 0.30% | — |
| Earl Dodge | Prohibition | — | 0.30% | — |
Sources & further reading
Connecticut — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ella Grasso | Democratic | — | 59.10% | Elected |
| Ronald A. Sarasin | Republican | — | 40.70% | — |
Sources & further reading
Florida — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Graham | Democratic | — | 55.60% | Elected |
| Jack Eckerd | Republican | — | 44.40% | — |
Sources & further reading
Georgia — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Busbee | Democratic | — | 80.70% | Elected |
| Rodney M. Cook | Republican | — | 19.30% | — |
Sources & further reading
Hawaii — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Ariyoshi | Democratic | — | 54.50% | Elected |
| John R. Leopold | Republican | — | 44.30% | — |
| Alema Leota | non-partisan | — | 0.70% | — |
| Gregory Reeser | Libertarian | — | 0.40% | — |
| John Moore | Aloha Democratic | — | 0.20% | — |
Sources & further reading
Idaho — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Evans | Democratic | — | 58.80% | Elected |
| Allan Larsen | Republican | — | 39.60% | — |
| Wayne Loveless | American | — | 1.70% | — |
Sources & further reading
Illinois — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James R. Thompson | Republican | — | 59.00% | Elected |
| Michael Bakalis | Democratic | — | 40.10% | — |
| Georgia Shields | Libertarian | — | 0.40% | — |
| Cecil Lampkin | Socialist Workers | — | 0.40% | — |
| Melvin Klenetsky | U.S. Labor | — | 0.20% | — |
Sources & further reading
Iowa — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert D. Ray | Republican | — | 58.30% | Elected |
| Jerome D. Fitzgerald | Democratic | — | 41.00% | — |
| John Ball | Libertarian | — | 0.50% | — |
| Joseph Grant | Socialist | — | 0.20% | — |
Sources & further reading
Kansas — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John W. Carlin | Democratic | — | 49.40% | Elected |
| Robert Frederick Bennett | Republican | — | 47.30% | — |
| Frank W. Shelton Jr. | American | — | 2.30% | — |
| Berry Beets | Prohibition | — | 1.00% | — |
Sources & further reading
Maine — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph E. Brennan | Democratic | — | 47.70% | Elected |
| Linwood E. Palmer Jr. | Republican | — | 34.30% | — |
| Herman Franklin | Independent | — | 17.80% | — |
| James B. Longley | write-in | — | 0.20% | — |
Sources & further reading
Maryland — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Hughes | Democratic | — | 70.60% | Elected |
| J. Glenn Beall Jr. | Republican | — | 29.40% | — |
Sources & further reading
Massachusetts — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edward J. King | Democratic | — | 52.50% | Elected |
| Francis W. Hatch Jr. | Republican | — | 47.20% | — |
Sources & further reading
Michigan — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Milliken | Republican | — | 56.80% | Elected |
| William B. Fitzgerald Jr. | Democratic | — | 43.20% | — |
Sources & further reading
Minnesota — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Quie | Republican | — | 52.30% | Elected |
| Rudy Perpich | Democratic | — | 45.30% | — |
| Richard Pedersen | American | — | 1.30% | — |
| Jill Lakowske | Socialist Workers | — | 0.40% | — |
| Tom McDonald | Honest Government | — | 0.30% | — |
| Robin E. Miller | Libertarian | — | 0.20% | — |
| Edwin C. Pommerening | Savings Account | — | 0.10% | — |
Sources & further reading
Nebraska — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Thone | Republican | — | 56.00% | Elected |
| Gerald Whelan | Democratic | — | 44.00% | — |
Sources & further reading
Nevada — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert List | Republican | — | 56.20% | Elected |
| Robert E. Rose | Democratic | — | 39.70% | — |
| Thomas F. Jefferson | Ind. American | — | 1.70% | — |
| John W. Grayson Jr. | Libertarian | — | 0.80% | — |
Sources & further reading
New Hampshire — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hugh Gallen | Democratic | — | 49.40% | Elected |
| Meldrim Thomson Jr. | Republican | — | 45.40% | — |
| Wesley Powell | Independent | — | 4.60% | — |
| Mabel Everett | Libertarian | — | 0.40% | — |
| Ralph Brewster | Independent | — | 0.20% | — |
Sources & further reading
New Mexico — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruce King | Democratic | — | 50.50% | Elected |
| Joe Skeen | Republican | — | 49.40% | — |
Sources & further reading
New York — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hugh Carey | Democratic | — | 50.90% | Elected |
| Perry B. Duryea Jr. | Republican | — | 45.20% | — |
| Mary Jane Tobin | Right to Life | — | 2.70% | — |
| Gary Greenberg | Libertarian | — | 0.40% | — |
| Dianne M. Feeley | Socialist Workers | — | 0.30% | — |
| Jarvis Tyner | Communist | — | 0.20% | — |
| Paul Gallagher | U.S. Labor | — | 0.20% | — |
Sources & further reading
Ohio — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Rhodes | Republican | — | 49.30% | Elected |
| Dick Celeste | Democratic | — | 47.60% | — |
| Patricia H. Wright | Independent | — | 1.20% | — |
| John O'Neill | Independent | — | 1.00% | — |
| Allan Friedman | Independent | — | 0.80% | — |
Sources & further reading
Oklahoma — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Nigh | Democratic | — | 51.70% | Elected |
| Ron Shotts | Republican | — | 47.20% | — |
| Billy Joe Clegg | Independent | — | 0.50% | — |
| Floyd Sheally | Independent | — | 0.30% | — |
| Jim McCuiston | Independent | — | 0.20% | — |
Sources & further reading
Oregon — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Atiyeh | Republican | — | 54.90% | Elected |
| Robert W. Straub | Democratic | — | 45.10% | — |
Sources & further reading
Pennsylvania — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dick Thornburgh | Republican | — | 52.50% | Elected |
| Peter F. Flaherty | Democratic | — | 46.40% | — |
| Mark Zola | Socialist Workers | — | 0.50% | — |
| Lee Frissell | Consumer | — | 0.50% | — |
Sources & further reading
Rhode Island — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Joseph Garrahy | Democratic | — | 62.80% | Elected |
| Lincoln Almond | Republican | — | 30.70% | — |
| Joseph A. Doorley Jr. | Independent | — | 6.50% | — |
Sources & further reading
South Carolina — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Riley | Democratic | — | 61.90% | Elected |
| Edward Lunn Young | Republican | — | 38.10% | — |
Sources & further reading
South Dakota — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Janklow | Republican | — | 56.60% | Elected |
| Roger D. McKellips | Democratic | — | 43.40% | — |
Sources & further reading
Tennessee — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar Alexander | Republican | — | 55.80% | Elected |
| Jake Butcher | Democratic | — | 44.20% | — |
Sources & further reading
Texas — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Clements | Republican | — | 50.00% | Elected |
| John Hill | Democratic | — | 49.20% | — |
| Mario Compean | La Raza Unida | — | 0.60% | — |
| Sara Jean Johnston | Socialist Workers | — | 0.20% | — |
Sources & further reading
Vermont — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard A. Snelling | Republican | — | 62.80% | Elected |
| Edwin C. Granai | Democratic | — | 34.10% | — |
| Earl S. Gardner | Liberty Union | — | 2.90% | — |
Sources & further reading
Wisconsin — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee S. Dreyfus | Republican | — | 54.40% | Elected |
| Martin J. Schreiber | Democratic | — | 44.90% | — |
| Eugene R. Zimmerman | Constitution | — | 0.40% | — |
| John C. Doherty | Independent | — | 0.10% | — |
| Adrienne Kaplan | Socialist Workers | — | 0.10% | — |
| Henry A. Ochsner | Socialist Labor | — | 0.10% | — |
Sources & further reading
Wyoming — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgar Herschler | Democratic | — | 50.90% | Elected |
| John C. Ostlund | Republican | — | 49.10% | — |
Sources & further reading
Results: final · partial coverage · Separate state governor races
This entry covers governor elections held in the midterm year, including available special contests, not off-year elections or every sitting governor. Candidate-specific ideology is used where sourced; election-era party ideology is the fallback. Historical indirect selections and unavailable counts are identified separately. Source summaries may omit minor candidates; blank values do not mean zero votes.