Election for the governorship of the U.S. state of Iowa
1978 Iowa gubernatorial election
Nominee
Robert D. Ray
Jerome D. Fitzgerald
Party
Republican
Democratic
Popular vote
491,713
345,519
Percentage
58.3%
41.0%
County results
Ray: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80%
Fitzgerald: 50–60%
Governor before election
Robert D. Ray
Republican
Elected Governor
Robert D. Ray
Republican
The 1978 Iowa gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Republican Robert D. Ray defeated Democratic nominee Jerome D. Fitzgerald with 58.32% of the vote. As of 2022, this is the last time Johnson County voted for the Republican candidate.
Primary elections [ ]
Primary elections were held on June 6, 1978.[1]
Democratic primary [ ]
Candidates [ ]
Jerome D. Fitzgerald , State Representative
Tom Whitney
Warren D. Strait
Results [ ]
Republican primary [ ]
Candidates [ ]
Robert D. Ray , incumbent Governor
Donovan D. Nelson
Results [ ]
General election [ ]
Candidates [ ]
Major party candidates
Robert D. Ray, Republican
Jerome D. Fitzgerald, Democratic
Other candidates
John Ball, Libertarian
Joseph Grant, Socialist
Results [ ]
References [ ]
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