1978 United States gubernatorial elections

1978 United States gubernatorial elections

← 1977 November 7, 1978 1979 →
38 governorships 36 states; 2 territories
Majority party Minority party   Party Democratic Republican Seats before 37 12 Seats after 32 18 Seat change 5 6 Seats up 26 9 Seats won 21 15   Third party   Party Independent Seats before 1 Seats after 0 Seat change 1 Seats up 1 Seats won 0
Republican hold   Republican gain   Democratic hold   Democratic gain

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.