# 1978 California lieutenant gubernatorial election

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vte :
The 1978 California lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978. Republican nominee Mike Curb defeated Democratic incumbent Mervyn Dymally with 51.64% of the vote. As of 2025, this was the last time a Republican was elected lieutenant governor of California.

## Primary elections

Primary elections were held on June 6, 1978.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Mervyn Dymally, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
* Patricia E. "Penny" Raven
* Patrick Matthew Fitzpatrick
* Abe Tapia

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mervyn Dymally (incumbent) | 1,749,227 | 55.33 |
| | Democratic | Patricia E. "Penny" Raven | 686,157 | 21.71 |
| | Democratic | Patrick Matthew Fitzpatrick | 551,896 | 17.46 |
| | Democratic | Abe Tapia | 173,924 | 5.50 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,161,204 | 100.00 |

### Republican primary
#### Candidates

* Mike Curb, musician
* Michael D. Antonovich, State Assemblyman

#### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mike Curb | 1,250,096 | 53.66 |
| | Republican | Michael D. Antonovich | 1,079,587 | 46.34 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,329,683 | 100.00 |

## General election
### Candidates

Major party candidates
* Mike Curb, Republican
* Mervyn Dymally, Democratic
Other candidates
* Houston Myers, American Independent
* Jan B. Tucker, Peace and Freedom

### Results

1978 California lieutenant gubernatorial election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Mike Curb | 3,493,980 | 51.64% | +5.32% |
| | Democratic | Mervyn Dymally (incumbent) | 2,928,329 | 43.28% | −5.91% |
| | American Independent | Houston Myers | 180,922 | 2.67% | +0.74% |
| | Peace and Freedom | Jan B. Tucker | 162,341 | 2.40% | −0.14% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 565,651 | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | | |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Swing | | |