# 1978 Iowa gubernatorial election

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The 1978 Iowa gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Republican Robert D. Ray defeated Democratic nominee Jerome D. Fitzgerald with 58.32% of the vote.

## Primary elections

Primary elections were held on June 6, 1978.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Jerome D. Fitzgerald, State Representative
* Tom Whitney
* Warren D. Strait

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jerome D. Fitzgerald | 58,039 | 55.47 |
| | Democratic | Tom Whitney | 37,132 | 35.49 |
| | Democratic | Warren D. Strait | 9,443 | 9.03 |
| | Democratic | Write-ins | 12 | 0.01 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 104,626 | 100.00 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates

* Robert D. Ray, incumbent Governor
* Donovan D. Nelson

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Robert D. Ray (incumbent) | 136,517 | 87.51 |
| | Republican | Donovan D. Nelson | 19,486 | 12.49 |
| | Republican | Write-ins | 7 | 0.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 156,010 | 100.00 |

## General election
### Candidates

Major party candidates
* Robert D. Ray, Republican
* Jerome D. Fitzgerald, Democratic
Other candidates
* John Ball, Libertarian
* Joseph Grant, Socialist

### Results

1978 Iowa gubernatorial election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Robert D. Ray (incumbent) | 491,713 | 58.32% | +0.25% |
| | Democratic | Jerome D. Fitzgerald | 345,519 | 40.98% | −0.04% |
| | Libertarian | John Ball | 3,947 | 0.47% | |
| | Socialist | Joseph Grant | 1,935 | 0.23% | |
| | Write-ins | | 76 | 0.01% | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 146,194 | 17.34% | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 843,190 | | |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Swing | | |