1978 Idaho gubernatorial election
The 1978 Idaho gubernatorial election was held on Tuesday, November 7, and incumbent Democrat John Evans defeated Republican nominee Allan Larsen with 58.75% of the vote.[1][2][3] It was the third consecutive win for the Democrats (1970, 1974, 1978), but the only significant victory for the party in Idaho in 1978.[3]
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 County Results Evans: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Larsen: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Idaho |
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Primary elections
Primary elections were held on Tuesday, August 8, 1978.[4][5][6]
Candidates
- John Evans, Malad, incumbent
Results
Evans ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.[5][6][7] Elected lieutenant governor in 1974, he succeeded Cecil Andrus in January 1977,[8][9] who left to become U.S. Secretary of the Interior in the new Carter Administration.[10]
Republican primary
Entering the primary, Vern Ravenscroft and Butch Otter were the apparent front runners,[11][12] but were upset by Larsen.[5][7]
Candidates
- Allan Larsen, Blackfoot, Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives
- Vern Ravenscroft, Tuttle, former state representative[12][13]
- Butch Otter, Caldwell, former state representative[14]
- Larry Jackson, Boise, state representative, former MLB pitcher
- James Crowe, Coeur d'Alene, home builder[15]
- Jay Amyx, Boise, former mayor[16]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Allan Larsen | 33,778 | 28.73 | |
| Republican | Vern Ravenscroft | 32,455 | 27.61 | |
| Republican | Butch Otter | 30,523 | 25.97 | |
| Republican | Larry Jackson | 13,510 | 11.49 | |
| Republican | James Crowe | 4,447 | 3.78 | |
| Republican | Jay S. Amyx | 2,842 | 2.42 | |
| Total votes | 117,555 | 100.00 | ||
General election
The election was notable as it was the first time Idaho elected a governor from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Both major candidates were members,[19] and through 2020, Evans remains the only Mormon to be elected governor in the state.
Candidates
Major party candidates
- John Evans, Democratic
- Allan Larsen, Republican
Other candidates
- Wayne Loveless, American
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Evans | 169,540 | 58.75% | ||
| Republican | Allan Larsen | 114,149 | 39.56% | ||
| American | Wayne Loveless | 4,877 | 1.69% | ||
| Majority | 55,391 | ||||
| Turnout | 288,566 | ||||
| Democratic hold | Swing | ||||
References
- "Foley, Evans, Batt, Symms, 1%". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. November 8, 1978. p. 1A.
- "Party balance in high posts". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. November 8, 1978. p. 3.
- "Evans is lone Demo to survive in Idaho". Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. November 9, 1978. p. 9.
- Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN 9781568029818. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
- "Larsen upsets Ravenscroft". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. August 9, 1978. p. 1A.
- "Mormons win Idaho governor primary". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). Associated Press. August 9, 1978. p. 20.
- "Win close for Larsen". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. August 9, 1978. p. 23.
- Hall, Bill (January 25, 1977). "Meet Gov. John Evans". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 1A.
- "New Idaho governor pledges openness". Spokesman-Review. January 25, 1977. p. 1.
- "Andrus joins cabinet". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. January 24, 1977. p. 1A.
- "Otter gnawing into Ravenscroft's lead". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. July 31, 1978. p. 7A.
- Roche, Kevin (August 7, 1978). "Ravenscroft isn't letting up despite his lead status". Lewiston Morning Tribune. p. 9A.
- "Vern Ravenscroft". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (advertisement). August 6, 1978. p. 7B.
- "Butch Otter". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (advertisement). August 6, 1978. p. 5B.
- "Crowe tags energy as top issue in 1978 campaign". Lewiston Morning Tribune. August 5, 1978. p. 5A.
- "Candidates: Amyx denounces 1% initiative". Lewiston Morning Tribune. August 3, 1978. p. 8A.
- Hall, Bill (August 6, 1978). "See how they run". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (editorial). p. 4A.
- Shelledy, Jay (August 6, 1978). "What's in a billboard?". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
- "Religion's the key issue in Evans-Larsen race". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Los Angeles Times). November 1, 1978. p. 1A.
- Cook, Rhodes (5 November 2013). America Votes 30: 2011-2012, Election Returns by State - Rhodes Cook. ISBN 9781452290171. Retrieved 2018-12-12.