1978 Tennessee gubernatorial election

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1978 Tennessee gubernatorial election

← 1974 November 7, 1978 1982 →
  Lamar Alexander (TN) (cropped).png Jake Butcher.jpg
Nominee Lamar Alexander Jake Butcher
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 661,959 523,495
Percentage 55.8% 44.2%

1978 Tennessee gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
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

The 1978 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978. Republican nominee Lamar Alexander defeated Democratic nominee Jake Butcher with 55.84% of the vote.

Primary elections[]

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

Democratic primary[]

Candidates[]

  • Jake Butcher, businessman
  • Bob Clement, Public Service Commissioner
  • Richard Fulton, Mayor of Nashville
  • Roger Murray
  • Shelley Stiles
  • Bill Jacox
  • William K. Jackson
  • Ben Miller

Results[]

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[]

Candidates[]

  • Lamar Alexander, attorney
  • Harold Sterling, State Representative
  • John H. Harper
  • Hubert David Patty, perennial candidate

Results[]

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[]

Candidates[]

  • Lamar Alexander, Republican
  • Jake Butcher, Democratic

Results[]

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

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN 9781568029818. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  2. ^ Cook, Rhodes (26 October 2017). America Votes 32: 2015-2016, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. ISBN 9781506368993. Retrieved 2019-01-03.
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