1978 Michigan gubernatorial election

The 1978 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Republican William Milliken was elected to a third term as Michigan Governor.

1978 Michigan gubernatorial election

← 1974 November 2, 1978 1982 →
 
Nominee William Milliken William B. Fitzgerald Jr.
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,628,485 1,237,256
Percentage 56.8% 43.1%

County results
Milliken:      50–60%      60–70%      70-80%
Fitzgerald:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election

William Milliken
Republican

Elected Governor

William Milliken
Republican

As of 2023, this remains the last election in which the Republican candidate for Governor carried Wayne County.

The primary elections occurred on August 8, 1978.[1] Milliken was unopposed, while Fitzgerald defeated a four-man field including law professor and perennial candidate Zolton Ferency.

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Michigan gubernatorial Republican primary, 1978[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Milliken (incumbent) 393,010 99.98
Republican Write-ins 89 0.02
Total votes 393,099 100.00

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Results

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Michigan gubernatorial Democratic primary, 1978[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William B. Fitzgerald Jr. 240,641 39.79%
Democratic Zolton Ferency 151,062 24.98%
Democratic Patrick McCollough 108,742 17.98%
Democratic William Ralls 104,364 17.25%
Democratic Write-ins 52 0.01
Total votes 604,861 100.00

General election

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Results

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Michigan gubernatorial election, 1978[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Milliken (incumbent) 1,628,485 56.80
Democratic William B. Fitzgerald Jr. 1,237,256 43.15
Write-ins 1,471 0.05
Majority 2,867,212
Republican hold

References

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  1. ^ a b c Michigan (1981). Michigan manual. 1979/1980 – via HathiTrust.
  2. ^ Parker, Randy (June 6, 2010). "Our Campaigns: MI Governor". Our Campaigns.