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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 was the last time Johnson County voted for the Republican candidate.[original research?]

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on June 6, 1978.[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jerome D. Fitzgerald 58,039 55.47
Democratic Tom Whitney 37,132 35.49
Democratic Warren D. Strait 9,443 9.03
Democratic Write-ins 12 0.01
Total votes 104,626 100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert D. Ray (incumbent) 136,517 87.51
Republican Donovan D. Nelson 19,486 12.49
Republican Write-ins 7 0.00
Total votes 156,010 100.00

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

  • Robert D. Ray, Republican
  • Jerome D. Fitzgerald, Democratic

Other candidates

  • John Ball, Libertarian
  • Joseph Grant, Socialist

Results

1978 Iowa gubernatorial election[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert D. Ray (incumbent) 491,713 58.32% +0.25%
Democratic Jerome D. Fitzgerald 345,519 40.98% -0.04%
Libertarian John Ball 3,947 0.47%
Socialist Joseph Grant 1,935 0.23%
Write-ins 76 0.01%
Majority 146,194 17.34%
Turnout 843,190
Republican hold Swing

References

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