The 1978 Nevada gubernatorial election occurred on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Democratic governor Mike O'Callaghan was term limited. Republican nominee Robert List was elected Governor of Nevada, defeating Democratic nominee Robert E. Rose. Jack Lund Schofield unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination.

This was the only gubernatorial election Republicans won from 1970 to 1998 in the state.

Primary elections Primary elections were held on September 12, 1978.

Democratic primary Candidates Dick Carter John Foley Ken Hillman Paul R. Holder Carl Hunt Robert E. Rose Jack Schofield Albert D. Viller

Results

Republican primary

Candidates William C. Allen Fred N. Belcher Robert List Patrick T. Mylan

Results

General Election

Candidates Robert List, Republican Robert E. Rose, Democratic Thomas F. Jefferson, Independent American John W. Grayson, Jr., Libertarian

County results County Robert ListRepublican Robert E. RoseDemocratic Thomas F. JeffersonIndependent American None of These Candidates John W. Grayson, Jr.Libertarian Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % # % # %Carson City6,72164.30%3,25031.09%1591.52%2572.46%660.63%3,47133.21%10,453Churchill2,69260.44%1,41031.66%2385.34%811.82%330.74%1,28228.78%4,454Clark51,70853.53%42,47243.97%5810.60%1,1071.15%7340.76%9,2369.56%96,602Douglas3,52363.39%1,74231.34%1202.16%1272.28%460.83%1,78132.04%5,558Elko3,16264.61%1,38028.20%2655.41%571.16%300.61%1,78236.41%4,894Esmeralda25853.09%18838.68%285.76%102.06%20.41%7014.40%486Eureka31461.45%15430.14%244.70%61.17%132.54%16031.31%511Humboldt1,42055.53%95437.31%1034.03%712.78%90.35%46618.22%2,557Lander73552.88%56740.79%604.32%181.29%100.72%16812.09%1,390Lincoln88857.44%57937.45%412.65%201.29%181.16%30919.99%1,546Lyon2,33154.69%1,65838.90%1663.89%862.02%210.49%67315.79%4,262Mineral1,10846.21%1,06144.25%1697.05%532.21%70.29%471.96%2,398Nye1,55351.80%1,30043.36%993.30%260.87%200.67%2538.44%2,998Pershing63048.54%56243.30%675.16%251.93%141.08%685.24%1,298Storey32940.67%42852.90%263.21%202.47%60.74%-99-12.24%809Washoe28,75958.78%17,57035.91%9471.94%1,2042.46%4440.91%11,18922.87%48,924White Pine1,96659.49%1,08632.86%1895.72%501.51%140.42%88026.63%3,305Totals108,09756.17%76,36139.68%3,2821.71%3,2181.67%1,4870.77%31,73616.49%192,445

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Carson City Churchill Clark Douglas Elko Esmeralda Eureka Humboldt Lander Lincoln Lyon Mineral Nye Pershing Washoe White Pine

References