1978 Oklahoma gubernatorial election
← 1974 November 7, 1978 1982 →
 
Nominee George Nigh Ron Shotts
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 402,240 367,055
Percentage 51.7% 47.2%
County results
Nigh:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Shotts:      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election

David Boren
Democratic

Elected Governor

George Nigh
Democratic

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The 1978 Oklahoma gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978, for Governor of Oklahoma. Incumbent Democratic Governor David Boren chose not to run for re-election to a second term in office. Instead Boren decided to run for the United States Senate. Former governor, and sitting lieutenant governor George Nigh was elected, defeating Republican nominee Ron Shotts.

Democratic primary

The primary elections took place on August 22, 1978.

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George Nigh 276,910 49.94
Democratic Larry Derryberry 208,055 37.52
Democratic Bob Funston 69,475 12.53
Total votes 554,440 100.00

Runoff

The Runoff election took place on September 19, 1978.

Democratic runoff results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George Nigh 269,681 57.64
Democratic Larry Derryberry 197,457 42.36
Total votes 467,138 100.00

Republican primary

The primary elections took place on August 22, 1978.

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ron Shotts 82,895 76.85
Republican Jerry L. Mash 18,145 12.19
Republican Jim Head 11,826 10.96
Total votes 107,866 100.00

Independents

Candidates

General election

Results

1978 Oklahoma gubernatorial election results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George Nigh 402,240 51.74
Republican Ron Shotts 367,055 47.21
Independent Billy Joe Clegg 3,887 0.50
Independent Floyd Shealy 2,395 0.31
Independent Jim McCuiston 1,395 0.18
Total votes 777,414 100.0
Democratic hold

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Election Results and Statistics". Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
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