1978 Wyoming gubernatorial election
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← 1974 | November 7, 1978 | 1982 → |
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| | | Nominee | Edgar Herschler | John Ostlund | | Party | Democratic | Republican | Popular vote | 69,972 | 67,595 | Percentage | 50.86% | 49.14% | |
County results Herschler: 50–60% 60–70% Ostlund: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% |
Governor before election Edgar Herschler Democratic | Elected Governor Edgar Herschler Democratic | |
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The 1978 Wyoming gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Democratic Governor Edgar Herschler ran for re-election to a second term. After winning a contested Democratic primary, he advanced to the general election, where he faced former State Senator John Ostlund, the Republican nominee. Despite the strong Republican performance nationwide, Herschler's personal popularity allowed him to narrowly win re-election to Ostlund, making him the first Democratic Governor to win re-election since Lester C. Hunt in 1946.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Results
Democratic primary[2] Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Democratic | Edgar Herschler (incumbent) | 28,406 | 65.28% |
| Democratic | Margaret McKinstry | 15,111 | 34.72% |
Total votes | 43,517 | 100.00% |
Republican primary
Candidates
- John Ostlund, former State Senator[3]
- Gus Fleischli, former State Representative[4]
- Jim Bace, real estate agent[5]
Results
Republican primary[2] Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | John Ostlund | 40,251 | 58.95% |
| Republican | Gus Fleischli | 24,824 | 36.35% |
| Republican | Jim Bace | 3,209 | 4.70% |
Total votes | 68,284 | 100.00% |
Results
1978 Wyoming gubernatorial election[2] Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Democratic | Edgar Herschler (incumbent) | 69,972 | 50.86% | -5.02% |
| Republican | John Ostlund | 67,595 | 49.14% | +5.02% |
Majority | 2,377 | 1.73% | -10.03% |
Turnout | 137,567 | | |
| Democratic hold |
References
- ^ "UW home economist will run for governor". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. June 17, 1978. p. 11.
- ^ a b c Thomson, Thyra (1979). 1979 Wyoming Official Directory and 1978 Election Returns. pp. 132, 201.
- ^ McAuley, Phil (May 10, 1978). "Ostlund announces for governor". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. p. 1.
- ^ "Fleischli tosses his hat in the ring". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. February 8, 1978. p. 1.
- ^ "Realtor eyes governorship". Casper Star-Tribune. Casper, Wyo. March 28, 1978. p. 11.