United States gubernatorial elections, 1978

United States Gubernatorial elections, 1978

← 1977 November 7, 1978 1979 →
38 governorships 36 states; 2 territories
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic Republican Last election 37 governorships 12 governorships Seats before 37 12 Seats after 32 18 Seat change -5 +6
Democratic holds   Democratic pickups   Republican holds   Republican pickups

United States gubernatorial elections were held on November 7, 1978 in 36 states and two territories. The Republicans had a net gain of six seats, Democrats sustained a net-loss of five seats, and there would be no governors of any other parties following these elections.

This was the first year in which Illinois held a gubernatorial election in a midterm election year since 1846. The state of Illinois moved its gubernatorial election date from presidential election years to midterm congressional election years, this election coincided with the Senate and the House elections.

A bolded state name features an article about the specific election.