1978 Tennessee gubernatorial election

The 1978 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978, to elect the next governor of Tennessee. Although the Tennessee State Constitution had been amended in early 1978 to allow a governor to succeed himself, Incumbent Democratic governor Ray Blanton chose not to seek re-election. Republican Lamar Alexander once again ran for governor. In the general election, Alexander defeated Democratic nominee Jake Butcher with 55.8% of the vote.

1978 Tennessee gubernatorial election

← 1974 November 7, 1978 1982 →
 
Nominee Lamar Alexander Jake Butcher
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 661,959 523,495
Percentage 55.84% 44.16%

County results
Alexander:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Butcher:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election

Ray Blanton
Democratic

Elected Governor

Lamar Alexander
Republican

Primary elections

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Primary elections were held on August 3, 1978.[1]

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Democratic primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jake Butcher 320,329 40.91
Democratic Bob Clement 288,577 36.86
Democratic Richard Fulton 122,101 15.60
Democratic Roger Murray 40,871 5.22
Democratic Shelley Stiles 6,325 0.81
Democratic Bill Jacox 2,010 0.26
Democratic William K. Jackson 1,365 0.17
Democratic Ben Miller 1,317 0.17
Total votes 782,895 100.00

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Republican primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lamar Alexander 230,922 85.97
Republican Harold Sterling 34,037 12.67
Republican John H. Harper 2,527 0.94
Republican Hubert David Patty 1,132 0.42
Total votes 268,618 100.00

General election

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Candidates

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  • Lamar Alexander, Republican
  • Jake Butcher, Democratic

Results

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1978 Tennessee gubernatorial election[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Lamar Alexander 661,959 55.84% +12.07%
Democratic Jake Butcher 523,495 44.16% −11.28%
Majority 138,464
Turnout 1,189,695
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

References

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  1. ^ a b c Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN 9781568029818. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  2. ^ Cook, Rhodes (October 26, 2017). America Votes 32: 2015-2016, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. ISBN 9781506368993. Retrieved January 3, 2019.