1976 United States gubernatorial elections

none January 2025 1976 United States gubernatorial elections United States legislative No 1975 United States gubernatorial elections 1975 1977 United States gubernatorial elections 1977 15 governorships 14 states; 1 territory November 2, 1976 Seats up Seats won Democratic Party (United States) 36 37 1 8 9 Republican Party (United States) 13 12 1 6 5 324px #F48882 Republican hold #CA0120 Republican gain #92C5DE Democratic hold #0671B0 Democratic gain United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 2, 1976, in 14 states and one territory. Democrats achieved a net gain of one in these elections. This coincided with the House, Senate elections, and the presidential election. This was the last year in which Illinois held a gubernatorial election on the same year as the presidential election. The state of Illinois moved its gubernatorial election date to midterm congressional election years. As a result, the governor elected this year, served a term of only two years. Election results State Incumbent Party Firstelected Result Candidates Arkansas David Pryor 1974 Incumbent re-elected.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28263 AR Governor Race - Nov 02, 1976 Our Campaigns 2017-12-19 David Pryor (Democratic) 83.24% Leon Griffith (Republican) 16.74% Delaware Sherman W. Tribbitt 1972 Incumbent lost re-election.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=31230 DE Governor Race - Nov 02, 1976 Our Campaigns 2017-12-19 New governor elected. Republican gain. Pete du Pont (Republican) 56.86% Sherman W. Tribbitt (Democratic) 42.46% George Cripps (American) 0.55% Harry Connor (Prohibition) 0.13% Illinois Dan Walker 1972 Incumbent lost re-nomination.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=121615 IL Governor- D Primary Race - Mar 16, 1976 Our Campaigns 2017-12-19http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=121503 IL Governor Race - Nov 02, 1976 Our Campaigns 2017-12-19 New governor elected. Republican gain. James R. Thompson (Republican) 64.68% Michael Howlett (Democratic) 34.71% Ishmael Flory (Communist) 0.22% Indiana Otis Bowen 1972 Incumbent re-elected.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=174228 IN Governor Race - Nov 02, 1976 Our Campaigns 2017-12-19 Otis Bowen (Republican) 56.85% Larry Conrad (Democratic) 42.63% Daniel P. Talbot (American) 0.45% Samuel L. Washington (U.S. Labor) 0.08% Missouri Kit Bond 1972 Incumbent lost re-election.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=55493 MO Governor Race - Nov 02, 1976 Our Campaigns 2017-12-19 New governor elected. Democratic gain. Joseph P. Teasdale (Democratic) 50.23% Kit Bond (Republican) 49.55% Leon Striler (Nonpartisan) 0.22% Montana Thomas Lee Judge 1972 Incumbent re-elected.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=174148 MT Governor Race - Nov 02, 1976 Our Campaigns 2017-12-19 Thomas Lee Judge (Democratic) 61.7% Robert Woodahl (Republican) 36.58% Charley Mahoney (Independent) 1.72% New Hampshire Meldrim Thomson Jr. 1972 Incumbent re-elected.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=174357 NH Governor Race - Nov 02, 1976 Our Campaigns 2017-12-19 Meldrim Thomson Jr. (Republican) 57.66% Harry Spanos (Democratic) 42.32% North Carolina James Holshouser 1972 Incumbent term-limited.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=26795 NC Governor Race - Nov 02, 1976 Our Campaigns 2017-12-19 New governor elected. Democratic gain. Jim Hunt (Democratic) 64.99% David Flaherty (Republican) 33.9% Herbert F. "Chub" Seawell Jr. (American) 0.82% Arlan Andrews (Libertarian) 0.29% North Dakota Arthur A. Link Democratic-NPL 1972 Incumbent re-elected.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=174494 ND Governor Race - Nov 02, 1976 Our Campaigns 2017-12-19 Arthur A. Link (Democratic-NPL) 51.58% Richard Elkin (Republican) 46.53% Martin Vaaler (American) 1.89% Rhode Island Philip Noel 1972 Incumbent retired.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=204130 RI Governor Race - Nov 02, 1976 Our Campaigns 2017-12-19 New governor elected. Democratic hold. J. Joseph Garrahy (Democratic) 54.82% James Taft (Republican) 44.71% John C. Swift (Independent) 0.32% Utah Cal Rampton 1964 Incumbent retired.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=50693 UT Governor Race - Nov 02, 1976 Our Campaigns 2017-12-19 New governor elected. Democratic hold. Scott M. Matheson (Democratic) 52.02% Vernon B. Romney (Republican) 45.96% L. S. Brown (American) 1.33% Betty Bates (Concerned Citizens) 0.69% Vermont Thomas P. Salmon 1972 Incumbent retired.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=93728 VT Governor Race - Nov 02, 1976 Our Campaigns 2017-12-19 New governor elected. Republican gain. Richard A. Snelling (Republican) 53.39% Stella Hackel (Democratic) 40.48% Bernie Sanders (Liberty Union) 6.09% Washington Daniel J. Evans 1964 Incumbent retired.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=58360 WA Governor Race - Nov 02, 1976 Our Campaigns 2020-04-23 New governor elected. Democratic gain. Dixy Lee Ray (Democratic) 53.14% John Spellman (Republican) 44.43% Art Manning (American) 0.8% Red Kelly (OWL Party) 0.8% Henry Killman (Socialist Labor) 0.27% West Virginia Arch A. Moore Jr. 1968 Incumbent term-limited.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29058 WV Governor Race - Nov 02, 1976 Our Campaigns 2017-12-19 New governor elected. Democratic gain. Jay Rockefeller (Democratic) 66.15% Cecil H. Underwood (Republican) 33.82% Close states States where the margin of victory was under 1%: Missouri, 0.68% States where the margin of victory was under 10%: North Dakota, 5.05% Utah, 6.06% Washington, 8.71% Arkansas 1976 Arkansas gubernatorial election 1976 Arkansas gubernatorial election Arkansas 1924 Presidential no 1974 Arkansas gubernatorial election 1974 1978 Arkansas gubernatorial election 1978 November 2, 1976 File:David Pryor (3x4a).jpg 150x150px David Pryor Democratic Party (United States) 605,083 83.24% File:3x4.svg Leon Griffith Republican Party (United States) 121,716 16.74% 1976 Arkansas gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 210px County resultsPryor: #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90% #0d056c >90% Governor David Pryor Democratic Party (United States) David Pryor Democratic Party (United States) The 1976 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on Tuesday November 2, Incumbent Democratic governor David Pryor defeated Republican candidate Leon Griffith with 83.24% of the vote. Delaware 1976 Delaware gubernatorial election 1976 Delaware gubernatorial election Delaware Presidential no 1972 Delaware gubernatorial election 1972 1980 Delaware gubernatorial election 1980 November 2, 1976 File:DupontPETE (cropped).jpg 150x150px Pete du Pont Republican Party (United States) 130,531 56.86% File:Sherman W. Tribbett (1922–2010), Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Delaware.jpg Sherman W. Tribbitt Democratic Party (United States) 97,480 42.46% 210px County results 210px House district results 1 du Pont: #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90%Tribbitt: #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% Governor Sherman W. Tribbitt Democratic Party (United States) Pete du Pont Republican Party (United States) The 1976 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1976. Pitting incumbent Democratic Governor Sherman W. Tribbitt Against U.S. Representative Pete du Pont. Largely due to the state's unresolved financial problems, du Pont defeated Governor Tribbitt by a landslide margin of 57% to 42%. This is the last time that an incumbent governor of Delaware lost re-election. Illinois 1976 Illinois gubernatorial election 1976 Illinois gubernatorial election Illinois presidential no 1972 Illinois gubernatorial election 1972 1978 Illinois gubernatorial election 1978 November 2, 1976 File:Governor James Thompson (3x4).jpg 150x150px Jim Thompson Republican Party (United States) Dave O'Neal 3,000,395 64.68% File:Michael J. Howlett (Illinois Blue Book Portrait 1971-1972) (cropped).png Michael Howlett Democratic Party (United States) Neil Hartigan 1,610,258 34.71% 1976 Illinois gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 300px County results Thompson: #e27f7f 50-60% #d75d5d 60-70% #d72f30 70-80% #c21b18 80-90% Howlett: #7996e2 50–60% Governor Dan Walker Democratic Party (United States) James R. Thompson Republican Party (United States) 74.18% 1.1 pp The 1976 Illinois gubernatorial election was held in Illinois on November 2, 1976.OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 2, 1976 JUDICIAL PRIMARY ELECTION GENERAL PRIMARY, MARCH, 16, 1976 https://www.elections.il.gov/DocDisplay.aspx?doc=Downloads/ElectionOperations/VoteTotals/Archived/1976/1976%20GE%20and%20PE.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20210714180655/https://www.elections.il.gov/DocDisplay.aspx?doc=Downloads/ElectionOperations/VoteTotals/Archived/1976/1976%20GE%20and%20PE.pdf dead July 14, 2021 Illinois State Board of Elections 26 June 2020 Incumbent first-term Democratic governor Dan Walker lost renomination to Illinois Secretary of State Michael Howlett, who was an ally of Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley. Howlett then lost the general election to Republican nominee James R. Thompson. This election was the first of seven consecutive Republican gubernatorial victories in Illinois, a streak not broken until the election of Democrat Rod Blagojevich in 2002. This election is the most recent time an Illinois gubernatorial election was held concurrently with a Presidential election. Indiana 1976 Indiana gubernatorial election 1976 Indiana gubernatorial election Indiana Presidential no 1972 Indiana gubernatorial election 1972 1980 Indiana gubernatorial election 1980 November 2, 1976 x145px Otis Bowen Republican Party (United States) 1,236,555 56.85% x100px Larry A. Conrad Democratic Party (United States) 927,243 42.63% 1976 Indiana gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 250px County resultsBowen: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% Conrad: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% Governor Otis Bowen Republican Party (United States) Otis Bowen Republican Party (United States) The 1976 Indiana gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1976. Incumbent Republican Governor Otis Bowen defeated Democratic nominee Larry A. Conrad with 56.85% of the vote. Missouri 1976 Missouri gubernatorial election 1976 Missouri gubernatorial election Missouri presidential no 1972 Missouri gubernatorial election 1972 1980 Missouri gubernatorial election 1980 November 2, 1976 File:Joseph P. Teasdale (cropped).jpg x150px Joseph Teasdale Democratic Party (United States) 971,184 50.2% File:Portrait of Christopher S Bond.jpg Kit Bond Republican Party (United States) 958,110 49.6% 1976 Missouri gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 275px County resultsTeasdale: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70%Bond: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% Governor Kit Bond Republican Party (United States) Joseph Teasdale Democratic Party (United States) The 1976 Missouri gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1976 and resulted in a narrow victory for the Democratic nominee, Joseph P. Teasdale, over the Republican candidate, incumbent Governor Kit Bond, and two other candidates. Teasdale defeated William J. Cason and George D. Weber for the Democratic nomination. Montana 1976 Montana gubernatorial election 1976 Montana gubernatorial election Montana 1905 presidential no 1972 Montana gubernatorial election 1972 1980 Montana gubernatorial election 1980 November 2, 1976 x100px Thomas Lee Judge Democratic Party (United States) Ted Schwinden 195,420 61.7% x100px Bob Woodahl Republican Party (United States) Antoinette Fraser Rosell 115,848 36.6% 1976 Montana gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 300px County resultsJudge: #A5B0FF 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% Woodahl: #FFB2B2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% Mahoney: #BDBDBD 50–60% Governor Thomas Lee Judge Democratic Party (United States) Thomas Lee Judge Democratic Party (United States) 74.60%10.00https://sosmt.gov/elections/voter-turnout/ Montana Voter Turnout Montana Secretary of State 2022-05-26 The 1976 Montana gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1976. Incumbent Governor of Montana Thomas Lee Judge, who was first elected in 1972, ran for re-election. He won the Democratic primary unopposed, and moved on to the general election, where he was opposed by Bob Woodahl, the Attorney General of Montana and the Republican nominee. Ultimately, Judge defeated Woodahl by a landslide to win his second and final term as governor. New Hampshire 1976 New Hampshire gubernatorial election 1976 New Hampshire gubernatorial election New Hampshire Presidential no 1974 New Hampshire gubernatorial election 1974 1978 New Hampshire gubernatorial election 1978 November 2, 1976 File:Meldrim Thomson (cropped).jpg Meldrim Thomson Jr. Republican Party (United States) 197,589 57.66% 3x4.svg 150x150px Harry V. Spanos Democratic Party (United States) 145,015 42.32% x245px County results x245px Municipality results Thomson: #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #c21b18 80–90% #A80000 >90%Spanos: #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% #584CDE 70–80% #3933E5 80–90%No Data/Vote: #808080 Governor Meldrim Thomson Jr. Republican Party (United States) Meldrim Thomson Jr. Republican Party (United States) The 1976 New Hampshire gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1976. Incumbent Republican Governor Meldrim Thomson Jr. defeated Democratic nominee Harry V. Spanos with 57.66% of the vote. North Carolina 1976 North Carolina gubernatorial election 1976 North Carolina gubernatorial election North Carolina 1885 Presidential no 1972 North Carolina gubernatorial election 1972 1980 North Carolina gubernatorial election 1980 November 2, 1976 File:Jim Hunt as Lieutenant Governor.jpg 150x150px Jim Hunt Democratic Party (United States) 1,081,293 64.99% File:NC State Senator David Flaherty (cropped).png David Flaherty Republican Party (United States) 564,102 33.90% 1976 North Carolina gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 325px County resultsHunt: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90% #0d056c >90%Flaherty: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% Governor James Holshouser Republican Party (United States) Jim Hunt Democratic Party (United States) The 1976 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1976. Democratic nominee Jim Hunt defeated Republican nominee David T. Flaherty with 64.99% of the vote. North Dakota 1976 North Dakota gubernatorial election 1976 North Dakota gubernatorial election North Dakota Presidential no 1972 North Dakota gubernatorial election 1972 1980 North Dakota gubernatorial election 1980 November 2, 1976 File:Arthur A. Link.jpg 150x150px Arthur A. Link North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party Wayne Sanstead 153,309 51.6% 3x4.svg Richard Elkin Republican Party (United States) Ernest G. Pyle 138,321 46.5% 1976 North Dakota gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 250px County resultsLink: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% Elkin: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% Governor Arthur A. Link North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party Arthur A. Link North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party The 1976 North Dakota gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1976. Incumbent Democratic governor Arthur A. Link Ran for a second term against Republican Richard Elkin. Link won reelection defeating Elkin 52% to 47%. Rhode Island 1976 Rhode Island gubernatorial election 1976 Rhode Island gubernatorial election Rhode Island Presidential no 1974 Rhode Island gubernatorial election 1974 1978 Rhode Island gubernatorial election 1978 November 2, 1976 File:J. Joseph Garrahy, Rhode Island Governor (cropped).jpg 150x150px J. Joseph Garrahy Democratic Party (United States) 218,561 54.82% 3x4.svg James L. Taft Jr. Republican Party (United States) 178,254 44.71% 250px County results 250px Municipality results Garrahy: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70%Taft: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% Governor Philip Noel Democratic Party (United States) J. Joseph Garrahy Democratic Party (United States) The 1976 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1976. Democratic nominee J. Joseph Garrahy defeated Republican nominee James L. Taft Jr. with 54.82% of the vote. Utah 1976 Utah gubernatorial election 1976 Utah gubernatorial election Utah 1922 Presidential no 1972 Utah gubernatorial election 1972 1980 Utah gubernatorial election 1980 November 2, 1976 File:Scott Matheson speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the USS Salt Lake City, May 12, 1984 (cropped).JPEG 150x150px Scott M. Matheson Democratic Party (United States) 280,706 52.02% File:Vernon B. Romney, Utah Attorney General, 1969-1977 (cropped).jpg Vernon B. Romney Republican Party (United States) 248,027 45.96% 1976 Utah gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 230px County resultsMatheson: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% Romney: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% Governor Cal Rampton Democratic Party (United States) Scott M. Matheson Democratic Party (United States) The 1976 Utah gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1976. Democratic candidate Scott M. Matheson defeated Republican nominee Vernon B. Romney, who had defeated Dixie L. Leavitt for his party's nomination, with 52.02% of the vote. Vermont 1976 Vermont gubernatorial election 1976 Vermont gubernatorial election Vermont presidential 1976 11 2 no 1974 Vermont gubernatorial election 1974 1978 Vermont gubernatorial election 1978 File:Richard Snelling (R-VT).jpg x150px Richard Snelling Republican Party (United States) 99,268 53.4% File:Stella Hackel (cropped).JPG Democratic Party (United States) Stella B. Hackel 75,262 40.4% File:Portrait of Bernie Sanders in c. 1986 (1).jpg Liberty Union Party Bernie Sanders 11,317 6.1% x220px County results x220px Municipality results Snelling: #FFC8CD 30-40% #FFB2B2 40-50% #E27F7F 50-60% #D75D5D 60-70% #D72F30 70-80% #c21b18 80-90%Hackel: #A5B0FF 40-50% #7996E2 50-60% #6674de 60-70% #584CDE 70-80% Governor Thomas P. Salmon Democratic Party (United States) Richard Snelling Republican Party (United States) The 1976 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1976. Incumbent Democrat Thomas P. Salmon did not seek another term as Governor of Vermont, instead running for United States Senate. Republican candidate Richard A. Snelling won the election, defeating Democratic candidate Stella B. Hackel and Liberty Union candidate Bernie Sanders. Washington 1976 Washington gubernatorial election 1976 Washington gubernatorial election Washington presidential no 1972 Washington gubernatorial election 1972 1980 Washington gubernatorial election 1980 November 2, 1976 File:Dixy Lee Ray (cropped).jpg 150x150px Dixy Lee Ray Democratic Party (United States) 821,797 53.14% File:JohnDSpellman.jpg John Spellman Republican Party (United States) 687,039 44.43% Governor 1976 Washington gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 275px County resultsRay: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70%Spellman: #ffb2b2 40-50% #e27f7f 50-60% #d75d5d 60-70% Daniel J. Evans Republican Party (United States) Dixy Lee Ray Democratic Party (United States) The 1976 Washington gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1976. This election was especially significant in that Washington elected its first female governor, Dixy Lee Ray. Wesley C. Uhlman and John Patric unsuccessfully ran in the blanket primary. West Virginia 1976 West Virginia gubernatorial election 1976 West Virginia gubernatorial election presidential West Virginia 1972 West Virginia gubernatorial election 1972 1980 West Virginia gubernatorial election 1980 no November 2, 1976 File:Jay Rockefeller 1977 crop.png 150x150px Jay Rockefeller Democratic Party (United States) 495,661 66.15% File:Cecil Underwood.jpg Cecil H. Underwood Republican Party (United States) 253,420 33.82% 1976 West Virginia gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 250px County resultsRockefeller: #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90%Underwood: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr. Republican Party (United States) Jay Rockefeller Democratic Party (United States) The 1976 West Virginia gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 1976, to elect the governor of West Virginia. Democrat Jay Rockefeller, the nephew of the then current Vice President of the United States, Nelson Rockefeller, defeated Republican Cecil Underwood. See also 1976 United States elections 1976 United States presidential election 1976 United States Senate elections 1976 United States House of Representatives elections References Category:November 1976 in the United States