# 1978 Oklahoma gubernatorial election

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The 1978 Oklahoma gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978, to elect the next 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

* Larry Derryberry, state attorney general
* Bob Funston
* George Nigh, lieutenant governor, and former governor of Oklahoma

### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 554,440 | 100.00 |

### Runoff

The Runoff election took place on September 19, 1978.
Democratic runoff results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | George Nigh | 269,681 | 57.64 |
| | Democratic | Larry Derryberry | 197,457 | 42.36 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 467,138 | 100.00 |

## Republican primary

The primary elections took place on August 22, 1978.

### Candidates

* Jim Head
* Jerry L. Mash
* Ron Shotts, former Oklahoma Sooners football player

### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 107,866 | 100.00 |

## Independents
### Candidates

* Billy Joe Clegg
* Jim McCuiston
* Floyd Shealy

## General election
### Results

1978 Oklahoma gubernatorial election results :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 777,414 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |