1978 Michigan gubernatorial election

The 1978 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1978. Incumbent Republican William Milliken was elected to a third term as Michigan Governor.

1978 Michigan gubernatorial election

November 2, 1978

Nominee William Milliken William B. Fitzgerald Jr. Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,628,485 1,237,256 Percentage 56.8% 43.1%

County results Milliken:      50–60%      60–70%      70-80% Fitzgerald:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election William Milliken Republican Elected Governor William Milliken Republican

As of 2020, this remains the last election in which the Republican candidate for Governor carried Wayne County.

Results

Michigan gubernatorial election, 1978[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William Milliken (incumbent)	1,628,485	56.80
	Democratic	William B. Fitzgerald Jr.	1,237,256	43.15
	Write-ins		1,471	0.05
Majority			2,867,212
	Republican hold

Primary elections

The primary elections occurred on August 8, 1978.[2]

Democratic primary

Michigan gubernatorial Democratic primary, 1978[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William B. Fitzgerald Jr.	240,641	39.79
	Democratic	Zolton Ferency	151,062	24.98
	Democratic	Patrick McCollough	108,742	17.98
	Democratic	William Ralls	104,364	17.25
	Democratic	Write-ins	52	0.01
Total votes			604,861	100.00

Republican primary

Michigan gubernatorial Republican primary, 1978[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	William Milliken	393,010	99.98
	Republican	Write-ins	89	0.02
Total votes			393,099	100.00

References

1. Parker, Randy (June 6, 2010). "Our Campaigns: MI Governor". Our Campaigns.
2. Michigan (1981). Michigan manual. 1979/1980 – via HathiTrust.