1978 Idaho gubernatorial election

← 1974 November 7, 1978 1982 →

Nominee John Evans Allan Larsen Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 169,540 114,149 Percentage 58.75% 39.56%

County results Evans:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Larsen:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election John Evans Democratic Elected Governor John V. Evans Democratic

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v t e

The 1978 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on Tuesday, November 7, and incumbent Democrat John Evans defeated Republican nominee Allan Larsen with 58.75% of the vote.^[1][2][3] It was the third consecutive win for the Democrats (1970, 1974, 1978), but the only significant victory for the party in Idaho in 1978.^[3]

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on Tuesday, August 8, 1978.^[4][5][6]

Democratic primary

Candidates

• John Evans, Malad, incumbent

Results

Evans ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.^[5][6][7] Elected lieutenant governor in 1974, he succeeded Cecil Andrus in January 1977,^[8][9] who left to become U.S. Secretary of the Interior in the new Carter Administration.^[10]

Republican primary

Entering the primary, Vern Ravenscroft and Butch Otter were the apparent front runners,^[11][12] but were upset by Larsen.^[5][7]

Candidates

• Allan Larsen, Blackfoot, Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives
• Vern Ravenscroft, Tuttle, former state representative^[12][13]
• Butch Otter, Caldwell, former state representative^[14]
• Larry Jackson, Boise, state representative, former MLB pitcher
• James Crowe, Coeur d'Alene, home builder^[15]
• Jay Amyx, Boise, former mayor^[16]

Source:^[17][18]

Results

General election

The election was notable as it was the first time Idaho elected a governor from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Both major candidates were members,^[19] and through 2020, Evans remains the only Mormon to be elected governor in the state.

Candidates

Major party candidates

• John Evans, Democratic
• Allan Larsen, Republican

Other candidates

• Wayne Loveless, American

Results