*** Welcome to piglix ***

Alabama gubernatorial election, 1978

Alabama gubernatorial election, 1978
Alabama
← 1974 November 7, 1978 1982 →
  No image.png HGuyHunt.JPG
Nominee Fob James Guy Hunt
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 551,786 196,963
Percentage 72.6% 25.9%

Alabama Governor 1978.svg
County results

Seal of the Governor of Alabama.svg
Governor before election

George Wallace
Democratic

Elected Seal of the Governor of Alabama.svg
Governor

Fob James
Democratic


George Wallace
Democratic

Fob James
Democratic

The 1978 Alabama gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 1978 to elect the Governor of Alabama. Incumbent Democratic Governor George Wallace did not run for re-election. Fob James, a businessman who had switched from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party and campaigned as a "born-again Democrat", won the Democratic primary in an upset over Attorney General Bill Baxley. He went on to defeat Guy Hunt in a landslide in the general election.

Despite entering the race as a former Republican with low name identification and little political experience, by the time of the primary, James led Baxley, Beasley, and Brewer, who were considered the main contenders, in the polls. James placed first in the primary, followed by Baxley. Fob James then won the primary runoff against Bill Baxley.

Fob James won all but two counties: Cullman, where Hunt had been Probate Judge; and Winston, a traditionally Republican stronghold.


...
Wikipedia

...